Born to Shine

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." -Matthew 5:16
 
When I was in color guard in high school, (you know, the people who come out with the band waving flags?), they used to always tell us to 'shine'. That meant, 'stand up straight, head held high, and always remember to SMILE.' Some days weren't as easy as others wearing spandex leotards in the hot summer sun, or being so cold you could barely feel your toes with just sneakers and stockings to cover your feet. But, although some people wondered what our purpose was besides taking up space on the field during halftime, it was a huge part of the main objective. We were the ones bringing color, sparkle, and smiles to an otherwise purely auditory and military-type experience. Some people thought we were the cheerleader 'rejects'. But now I realize it was about much more than just waiving flags around during halftime. 

When I think of the verse above, I often think of my experience in color guard. We were encouraged to 'let our light shine (before men)'. We were a part of a team. We weren't in competition with one another. We had fun together. And our mission together was to bring light, color, and sparkle to an otherwise fairly dull performance. (Nothing against band members here, just not as much sparkle!) We were the icing on the cake! 

As Christians, we're called to do the same. We're called to let our lives shine before men. We are the salt of the earth. Joy (our shine factor) is a natural bi-product of a two-way relationship with the living God who loves us, takes care of us, and gives us direction for our lives. It is indicative of our trust in Him. 

How do we let our light shine before men? First we have to realize that being a Christian involves not necessarily happiness, but at least a positive outlook. We look gratefully at life as an opportunity for us to bring God's kingdom to earth, and save souls in the process. We see the best in others - we see their potential - just as God does with us. And we overlook and forgive offense by the power of God's grace in our own lives. God is a God of hope and second chances. It also says in the Bible, "The world will know you are my disciples by the love you have for one another." (John 13:35 ) People will see us shine in the care and love we have for each other. 

Are you able to let your light shine? Spend time in prayer. Spend time in worship. Spend time with other believers encouraging one another. If you don't feel very close to God, pray today that He might reveal more of Himself, so that more of His light can shine through you for all the world to see.

Get Up!

"Knowing their thoughts, (Pharises) Jesus said, 'Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, "Your sins are forgiven," or to say, "Get up and walk"? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins....' Then he said to the paralytic, 'Get up, take your mat and go home.' And the man got up and went home." Matthew 9:4-8

There are times in life when we feel like giving up. We don't want to try again; we stop even caring. We feel hopeless and inadequate, as if there was nothing we could do to reconcile our pain or help our circumstance. 

But, in spite of our feelings, God has a different view. Like the man who had been lying on the mat for most of his life, we don't realize the true potential of God. The reality is that we ARE forgiven. The reality is that he HAS set us free. The reality is that we don't have to live in a place of doubt, despair, discouragement, loneliness, or anything else that might try to steal away the life, love and joy that God intends for us. Like the man on the mat, we have to be awakened to the fact that He sent his Son, His only Son, not only because He loves us, but also because He believes in us to do great things!
 
Once I was feeling so broken because my roommate at the time had unexpectedly bailed, and subsequently, I lost my apartment because I couldn't afford it alone. My only option was to move in with my dad and stepmom, which, in my mind, was completely out of the question. "I'LL NEVER LIVE WITH YOU!" I shouted, later regretting what I had said. To me, "moving in" was the worst possible solution because of some negative feelings I had toward my parents. I felt so helpless. I felt so alone. I didn't understand the process of God in one of my most trying times. I plopped down on the floor when I reached their house and just cried. I couldn't even say what was the matter. Then, something happened. "GET UP!", said my stepmom, powerfully. No one had ever said that to me before. It rather shocked me into reality; but amazingly, not in a bad way. It was as though someone believed I was going to make it in spite of what was happening.
 
When you feel downtrodden, get up! Don't let the things that try to keep you down stop you. Recognize these as attacks from the enemy. Don't let him win. Let God's Spirit rise up inside of you. Let the truth and peace that you know is real bring you through to the next place, and remember how much He loves you, in spite of any circumstance you may be experiencing. He loves us so much more than we will ever know.

Built on Jesus

“They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.”  -Luke 6:48

What does it mean to have a life built on Jesus? I heard someone say once, “Many people build their lives around Jesus.  But that’s very different from building your life upon Jesus. When the storm comes, everything that’s not built on a solid foundation won’t be able to stand. But, if our lives are built on Jesus, our faith will remain.”

Everything in this world will fall away that’s not built on Jesus.  That is why He said, “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” -Matthew 6:20  When the storms come, and we find ourselves shaken, we can always fall back on Jesus.  He is the rock that will never fall away. “Truly He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken.” -Psalm 62:6

If we build our lives on money, we will find that it never satisfies. If we build our lives on relationships, we will find ourselves let down by unmet expectations.  If we build our lives on religion, we will find that we’re never good enough.  If we build our lives on government promises, we will find ourselves disenchanted by imperfect people. Even still, if we build our lives on having a perfect body, or people's approval, we’ll find that it doesn’t last forever.

What lasts forever?  Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. (Rev 1:8) Building our lives on Jesus is the best, most solid investment we can ever make.

Are you building your life on Jesus?

Overcoming the Stress Disease

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" -Matthew 6:27

We have a problem with stress in our culture. Coupled by the fact that we work a lot, and have many distractions, we juggle all our plates on sticks hoping to make something of ourselves, overcome our problems, and make it look easy.

But is it really easy?

According to the American Institute of Stress, Time Magazine's June 6, 1983 cover story was called "The Epidemic of the Eighties" and cited stress as our leading health problem. Since then, it has only gotten worse. In 1996, Prevention magazine asked respondents if they had "great stress." Seventy-five percent said they did, while just 55% of those queried in the the 1983 Time Magazine article said they did. Now, 80-90% of all visits to primary care physicians are for stress-related problems.(1) Stress also has a detrimental effect on work and productivity, too. "American businesses lose an estimated $200-$300 billion dollars per year to stress related productivity loss and other costs."(2)

How are we to look at stress as Christians? Is stress something we should have? I can't imagine Jesus having any stress. Sure, he had righteous anger for the selling at the temple. (Matthew 21:12-13) And, he mourned for his friends. (John 11:35) But he wasn't stressed out. His father is God, for crying out loud! If your dad is God, I don't imagine you'd get upset about very much. If there's a problem, He'll take care of it or empower you to. But, aren't we all His children?

Some days I do a better job than others believing that the ultimate outcome is up to God. We can do and say the right things, but when it comes down to it, we have no control. Even still, what we are responsible for is our own decisions and responses to situations. We need to do the right things anyway. It is likely God will use us in every circumstance to bless others when we do. But we need to realize it's not about us - it's about Him. Even if we did all the wrong things He would still love us.

Are you able to let go of outcomes to God and let go of stress? The thing we think about the most becomes an idol in our lives. Are we thinking about the love and peace of God, or are we thinking about something else? There is nothing He can't handle - let Him have it today. There is no burden, stressor or sin that He can't overcome.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." -Matthew 11:28

1. http://www.stress.org/americas.htm 2. http://www.holisticonline.com/stress/stress_introduction.htm

Keys of the Kingdom: Generosity

"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." -2 Corinthians 9:6

 

Have you ever experienced extraordinary blessing in your life? Or, have you had the opportunity to be a conduit for blessing in someone else's life? Generosity is a huge key that unlocks the door of God's kingdom into our lives. 

I had just received a very large gift from someone that was rather unexpected. So large, in fact, that the gift was very difficult to accept! 

But, I realized this gift was as much for me as it was for the giver. After speaking with several trusted people about the gift, we joyfully received it. It was an unexpected blessing that helped us in greater ways than could have been quantified in natural terms! The uncanny thing was that we had given money to a kingdom ministry just a day before that had now returned to us 100 fold. 

All that we have is not our own. We are simply managers of what God has entrusted to us. It is by God's grace that He gives it - as it says, "every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change." -(James 1:17)

God desires that generosity cover all of us - so that we are never in need. "Then Jesus said to his disciples: 'Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.'" -Luke 12:22 & 23 He desires that we place our trust in Him so that we can have peace that He is the source of our provision. 

Generosity unlocks the windows of heaven into our own lives. Have you graciously received or been generous today?

God's Refining Fire

"Then I will purify them and put them to the test, just as gold and silver are purified and tested. They will pray in my name, and I will answer them. I will say, 'You are my people,' and they will reply, 'You, LORD, are our God!'" Zechariah 13:9 (CEV)

Did you know that God tests us? He doesn't do it to be mean or to play a joke on us, but He does it to see where our heart is. He does this because this is the most important thing to him - our heart.
 
As children of His, he wants us to experience life as it was meant to be, full of purpose, meaning, and great relationships. In order for us to experience those things, he puts us through the "refining fire". This is the place of testing, where the bad comes out, and the good stays intact, like gold in a kiln.
 
Everyday, we experience tests and trials, though we may not recognize them as such. When big ones happen, we question God. "Why did this happen? Why did they do that to me? It wasn't right! It wasn't fair! God, change them!" When really, it is us He is desiring to change.
 
Have you ever heard the quote, "He loves us too much to keep us where we are"? It may already be an old cliché to you, but I believe it to be true. Testing removes the impurities in our hearts, so we may be found spotless and holy, as a living sacrifice, just as Jesus was. (1 Peter 1:19)
 
Have you experienced God's testing? If not, ask him to work his perfect miracle in you, to transform you into a person who reflects God's glory. Let the gold that is in you be refined, so that the destiny God has for you can be revealed and lived out. Let him work his perfect miracle in you today.

Begin Again

"But though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity." -Proverbs 24:16

 

Have people ever let you down? If you're dealing with human beings, in ministry or in business, or anywhere for that matter, it's likely they will! 

But what do we do when people mess up? Do we tell them there's no hope, that God is angry with them, or do we tell them that God is a God of second chances, waiting with open arms for us to run back to Him when we repent? The second picture is the more accurate one. 

Peter was in the garden with Jesus. Jesus told him he would deny him three times before the rooster crowed. Peter didn't believe he would do it. 'I will never deny you,' he said. And yet, when he was asked by Roman soldiers if he knew Jesus, he denied it three times.(John 18:27) But even after all of that Jesus still said to him, 'You are Simon Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church." (Matthew 16:18) 

As Christians, we need to realize that God is cheering us on. He loves it when we lead a life that's pleasing to Him. And He knows it can be difficult sometimes. We need to believe in others like He believes in us. People WILL let us down, there is no doubt about it. But there is always hope in God, He is the hope of the world! We need to place our faith and trust for the outcome of their lives in His hands, and learn to see them as He sees them. 

If you're like a lot of people, YOU have let you down. But we need to learn to dust ourselves off and get back up, and try again. The Bible says the righteous fall 7 times, but they get back up. Are you getting up from whatever it is you're encountering, or are you staying on the ground? We can't let ourselves or others fall into the trap that there is no grace, no hope. As long as we're alive we have the ability to turn things around. 

Is there someone you need to forgive and believe in again? Do you need to forgive yourself? May we all receive the grace necessary for our journeys, and give it to others who need someone to believe in them. If the church doesn't believe in people, who will?

Personal Worth

"Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they?" Matthew 6:26 

Sometimes in life we may feel undervalued, unappreciated, and understated. Things happen which make us think that other people don't care about us, and we do not feel valued us as a human being, employee, friend, son or daughter, or brother or sister. We take it upon ourselves to think that we are not worth enough to them whatever the circumstance may be. 

We sell ourselves short. We think we are not worth the effort, the money, the resolve, or the energy. We think somehow that by playing the miser or self-denier we will make our humanity right. That perhaps, in some way, we will justify ourselves to the world. That our reason for being will be, well? explained. 

But why do we keep on making excuses for ourselves? Why do we have to be explained? If God destined for us to enter this world, then surely there must be a reason for it. Jesus said, "If I care so much for sparrows, how much more do I care for you? The hairs on your head are numbered." (Matt 10:30) 

The fact is we are not worthy. We are not worthy of anything that is given to us. It is through His grace that we are made worthy. Worthy of our calling, worthy of His mercy, and worthy of His best for us, personally. We may mess up, yes. We may hurt others, yes. We may choose wrongly, yes. And others may hurt us, too. But at the end of the day, when all is said and done, when we've renounced our mistakes, and asked to start over, God is faithful to forgive us, see us as the children that we are, and love us no matter what. We are worth that much to him. 

You didn't have to do anything to be somebody. God has already made you a somebody. There is a great quote that says, "God didn't have one of you, and he wanted one of you, so he made one of you." Choose to believe that today.

The Kingdom of God

"Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, 'The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, "Here it is," or "There it is," because the kingdom of God is within you.'" -Luke 17:20 & 21

 

Dr. Myles Munroe, senior pastor of Bahamas Faith Ministries International, wrote a book called "Kingdom Principles: Preparing for Kingdom Experience and Expansion." In the book he describes the difference between religion (do's and don'ts) and the Kingdom of God that Jesus taught in the Bible. He calls the Kingdom of God "the foundation of God's plan for mankind." (p. 81) 

Jesus mentions the "kingdom of God" or "kingdom of heaven" about 85 times in the New Testament. In fact, if we read the entirety of Jesus' teaching in the New Testament, we will find He spent nearly all of His time on earth talking about the Kingdom! 

Why then is the kingdom so misunderstood? What is the kingdom exactly? 

According to Merriam-Webster online dictionary, a kingdom is: "a politically organized community or major territorial unit having a monarchical form of government headed by a king or queen." In this case, the King is our Father God in heaven. From this we can gather that true Christianity has a lot more to do with a perfected and uncorrupted form of heavenly government then it does with religion. 

Dr. Monroe goes on to say, "Life in the kingdom is really about returning to the governing authority of God in the earth and learning how to live and function in that authority." (p. 158) Because of Jesus, we are now in the process of gaining back what was lost in the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 3)
Repentance and our acceptance of grace through Jesus Christ unlocks the door for us to enter God's kingdom. But, it doesn't stop there. Jesus teaches about many keys that, when activated, unlock the power of heaven in our own lives. 

There is so much we can learn about God's kingdom. Ask the Lord to show you His kingdom and the part He might have you play. He desires that we pray, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matt 6:10) and that we seek first his kingdom and his righteousness (Matt 6:33). He promises that all these things will be added to us when we do.

Honoring Others in Business and In Life

“If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.” -James 3:13

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Ah, the golden rule.  It seems so simple, and yet due to our humanness, woundedness, (and as evidenced by human history), we have the hardest time following the golden rule and honoring others.  The self always wants to be promoted, seen & heard.

There was a season in my life during a Bible college I was attending where I was learning all about service. We were asked to do a lot of service-related activities as a part of our Bible college training.  Looking back I really appreciate this, because in order to be promoted in life, we must learn to serve and honor those around us!  We never graduate from serving. Our responsibility to serve grows as God finds us faithful with a little. We serve others knowing that we are really serving God.

“Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.” -Proverbs 29:23

There are a lot of examples of dis-honor in our culture.  Can you think of any? Honoring others has become counter-culture.  However there are cultures where honor is highly esteemed.  The Japanese culture is one. That may be why they have the highest life expectancy!  (Eph 6:2&3)

Honoring those around us may mean letting them go first when the opportunity arises.  It may mean opening a door for someone, being respectful, and not cutting in on a conversation.  It may mean listening better, not trying to get our own way, but giving someone else the right of way.  It may mean putting our own feelings and aspirations aside for the benefit of someone else.  In the end, we have to realize that it’s not about us.  It’s about others.

What could you do to honor someone else today?

Embracing His Lordship

"Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." -Phil 2:9-12

Each of us comes from a different spiritual background, with perhaps a different perception of who Jesus is.  Some of us have only known God as our all powerful God, a God to be reverently feared, while some say that through Jesus we can be friends of God. Both are true, however sometimes we fall into the trap of thinking that because we are God's friend everything (including our sin), is accepted by Him. This is a dangerous presupposition.

If we were to think about a romantic relationship, the two parties of the romance must decide at some point, that if they are to go further in relationship, they will be choosing each other and not another people who could have held their interest before.  Now their relationship is exclusive - with one choosing the other, and not someone else.  It is much the same in our relationship with God.

Sometimes there will be things we'll need to sacrifice in order to make Him Lord of our lives. The Bible says those who practice "sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these" (Gal 5:19-21) will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Don't let this be you!  

"You say, 'I am allowed to do anything' - but not everything is good for you. And even though 'I am allowed to do anything,' I must not become a slave to anything." -1 Corinthians 6:12
 
It all comes down to what we are following. Are we following our sinful desires or God's Holy Spirit? As sons and daughters of God we are called to a higher standard. And although we need to live in "God consciousness" vs "sin consciousness", we need to be sure that there isn't any sin that is holding us back, or holding us hostage.

Have you embraced Jesus as the Lord of your life today? 

Make It Right

"...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 

Have you ever done something you've regretted? Have you ever said something, and wished you could have captured your words before they entered the atmosphere? We've all done things we're not proud of. Regret is a part of being human. 

When we do things we regret, what should we do? How do we make things right? We can apologize, we can be sorry, we can go above and beyond the call of duty to try and "pay-back" the people we've wronged. But in the end, what's said has been said, what's done has been done, and there is no way to erase the damage it may have caused.
When we do things we regret, there is no possible way to make it right. No way, that is, apart from God. 

God can turn circumstances into good. He can erase them like they never happened.
I am continually amazed by the grace of God. He gives so much grace, it covers every sin, every bad thing said, and every regret we've ever had. Anything I try to do by myself is stifled by the message of trusting God for the outcome, no matter what my wrong has been. Sometimes our wrongs separate us from others. Sometimes they may have painful consequences. But we can trust our God to make whatever it is right and to make our hearts clean again. 

What needs to be made right in your life? Are there circumstances, events, or situations you've regretted? Turn to God and ask him for forgiveness. And then trust him for the outcome. He is more than able to right any wrong.

Signs & Wonders

"I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth"- Genesis 9:13

Has God ever given you a sign?  Something that meant something to you, that only you could comprehend?  Or, have you ever put out a "fleece", so to speak, as Gideon did, to determine or confirm the direction of His leading, and God came through? (Judges 6:37-40) 

I remember the first time I really felt God reach out to me.  I knew he had been there all along, but amidst all my feelings of depression and hopelessness he felt so far away. 

It was the evening of my 17th birthday, and my mom was taking me to a restaurant to celebrate.  I was feeling very downhearted and discouraged, and I had no direction or vision for my life.  My parents had divorced when I was twelve, and the effects of their marriage had clouded my life, although I didn’t want to admit it.  It was during that ride in the car when I was feeling so pitiful that I was contemplating why I was here on this earth.  “God, why…” I asked, “…am I here if only to experience heart-ache?  Why am I here if that’s all you have for me?”  At that moment tears started to well up in my eyes and I looked out the window so my mom couldn’t see them. I was contemplating how to take my life.

But then, as we pulled into the parking lot of the Chinese restaurant where we were going to eat, right above the restaurant was a beautiful rainbow!  All throughout my life rainbows were my very favorite things.  It was like God put a present there, just for me – as a sign that He loved me and he did have a purpose for my life.  It gave me hope. Only later would I come to realize all the meaning hidden in the rainbow – God’s promises, His grace, all the aspects of his nature and his nature in us, and his restoration of brokenness. That sign started a new chapter in my life, where I discovered Jesus’ healing, God as my perfect father, and the Holy Spirit’s comfort and power in my life.  There were many more rainbows to come, at significant moments in my walk with God. 

Have you ever had God give you a sign?  Pray today, and ask Him for one.  His promises do not return void when we put our faith and trust in him.

Seeing What Others Can't See

"And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around." - 2 Kings 6:17

There are times we may look at someone and think they're crazy, or see a situation and see no solution. We think to ourselves, "There is no possible way to make this happen," or, "She is definitely out of her mind!" This is human. But to look past the circumstance or reality and see God's potential, this is supernatural.
 
It takes a lot to see potential sometimes. It definitely requires imagination. But when people's lives are so messed up that they can't see out of their situations, we need to be the ones who can see past their circumstances for them. But before we can do that for others, we need to be able to do it for ourselves.
 
God has a very different view of you than you have of yourself. He sees you in a way that no one else can see you. He sees you for who you are, unhidden, transparent, and with all the personality, gifts, and talents that he placed in you from birth. Many times the weight of the world puts layers on our soul. It takes awhile to peel back the layers of the onion, but when we finally do, we are able to see more of what God sees.
 
When we do, we become freer in the realization that God is our source, and we can do anything with Him.

Who are you? What has God placed in you that you have yet to discover? Ask him today to show you your potential. And see what amazing things will happen when you do.

A Spirit-Fueled Life

“...and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’”  -Luke 3:22

Pastor Dean Sweetman, senior pastor of Christian City Church Atlanta, wrote a book called “Direct Connect:  Understanding and Getting to Know the Holy Spirit.”  In this book he describes the “most misunderstood” person of the Trinity:  The Holy Spirit. 

He says of the Holy Spirit, “A vital relationship with the Holy Spirit is, without doubt, the most potent weapon any believer can have today.” (p. 7)

Many in the body of Christ believe that the infilling power of the Holy Spirit was just for New Testament times, for the purpose of birthing the church that exists today.  Some people even believe He is New Age!  However, this belief leaves Christians devoid of power.  It renders us helpless to minister the very thing that can change people’s lives:  The presence of the Holy Spirit. 

How can we live a Spirit-fueled life? Here are a few ideas:

• Hang out with others who have the Spirit working in their lives
• Go to services that teach about the Holy Spirit
• Spend alone time with God - worshipping & seeking Him

The Holy Spirit, God’s presence in our lives, is the oil that keeps us fueled.  Before Jesus began His ministry, He was filled with the Holy Spirit.  We cannot effectively minister to others without the Holy Spirit.

Are you a vessel that is filled with the Holy Spirit’s oil?  Make sure you are filled with God’s presence, so that you can be a reflection of His glory in your life. 

Glimpses of Heaven

"Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying, 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty - the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.'" -Revelation 4:8
 
Have you ever wondered what heaven is like? I definitely have. I've heard there are streets of gold, houses made of fine gemstones, and angels that are greater than twenty feet tall. Could you imagine creatures that were covered in eyes? That would be so intense!

"The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass. The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones: the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst." -Revelation 21:18-20
 
The book of Revelation gives us several clues about what heaven, and heaven on earth is and will be like. God is so creative, and is not limited to our natural world - or our natural mind. Can you imagine what kinds of things we will see when we get to heaven? It is incredible to think about.
As we walk through our daily lives, we shouldn't get too caught up in only the things we can see, the things that make sense to our natural minds. God desires that we have a greater vision. Hollywood often portrays the dark side of the supernatural, but I would love to see more movies portraying the reality of heaven!

Through the Bible, God has given us revelation to see just a glimpse of heaven.

---------------

Kat Kerr is a woman who has had visions of heaven. Don't believe it? Read the story for yourself!

Forgiveness

"Forgive people when they do wrong things to you. If you forgive them, your Father in heaven will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive them, your Father will not forgive you." -Matthew 6:14-15

 

Forgiveness can be so hard sometimes. Someone you think should know better, someone you thought you could trust, someone you depended on who let you down - abuse, mistreatment, betrayal - we will all experience hurts, disappointments, and frustrations in life.

Although we may know better, sometimes it feels better in the moment to hold on. Parents, teachers, peers, friends, neighbors, bosses, companies, churches, government officials, ourselves, God - the list could go on and on. "It serves them right," we say. The immediate gratification of making our feelings known or acting upon them seems like the right thing to do... in the moment. 

However, in that split second, we forget how detrimental unforgivness can be. Harboring unforgiveness can result in diseases in our bodies, fear, anxiety, anger, and troubled or estranged relationships. When we feel we cannot forgive, the person it hurts the most is us. This is where we need God's intervention and healing. We need to make forgiveness a priority and realize that it is ALWAYS better to forgive - to let God take it, and let God be God. Forgiveness frees our minds, gives us peace, and brings us closer to God's purposes for our lives.

I went to a training one time that taught the participants to practice "pre-forgiveness," the act of forgiving someone before they do anything - deciding that no matter what they have done in the past, could do now, or will do in the future, we have chosen to forgive. 

"Then Peter came to Jesus. 'Lord, if my brother keeps on hurting me, how many times should I forgive him?' he asked. 'Should I forgive him seven times?' 'No, not just seven times, but forgive him seventy times seven times', Jesus said." -Matthew 18:21&22

 

Is there anyone you need to forgive today? Is there an issue in your heart that feels unresolved? Resolve yourself to forgiveness. Let us be pure in mind and in spirit so that God will "find nothing in us" (2 Peter 2:2) that the enemy could use to deter us from God's purpose for us.

Unconditional

 

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." John 13:34

 

What does it mean to have unconditional love and acceptance for others? The world seems to do a good job. The song "Born This Way", a statement of unconditional acceptance by Lady GaGa has been on the Billboard Music Chart's #1 spot for several weeks. But as Christians, even though it's our command to love others, we seem to have failed miserably. This is evident in the world's view of us as hypocritical and judgmental, nothing more than a political action group trying to push our agenda.

But Jesus is no respecter of persons, and He is no respecter of sins. He modeled unconditional love in the story of the woman who had committed adultery and was brought to Jesus in the temple courts. The Pharisees said, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" Jesus had been kneeling on the ground writing in the sand. He said to them, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." He then said to her, "I do not condemn you, go and leave your life of sin." (John 8:1-11)

We need to love others, and also realize that their behavior is caused by a root of something else that happened long ago. Issues like addiction, pornography, homosexuality, and overeating have to do with lack of love in a person's life or traumatic experiences that happened at a very young age. If we are really going to be Jesus to people, we need to show the type of love that Jesus modeled. That may include dealing with our own issues so we don't come off as hypocrites along the way. We need to model what we say.

Jesus loves us before we change. Jesus loves us if we never change. He invites us to experience the fullness of His love by giving up our sinful desires, but His love remains the same.

Is there someone you could love unconditionally today?

"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35

Everyday Miracles

 

“You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.” -Psalm 77:14

Have you ever had something miraculous happen to you?  We tend to think of miracles as big things such as winning a million dollars or getting healed from cancer.  When these types of big things happen, they are incredible!  And we should give God the glory.  But too often we forget to remember the everyday miracles that God puts right in front of us. 

We miss getting in a car accident by just inches, or, we gain the courage to try something new.  We find the perfect dress for the perfect occasion (for girls), or a butterfly flutters across our path – these are many a small miracle that we tend to take for granted.

The Bible says that not one sparrow falls without God knowing about it. ”Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.”  -Matthew 10:29

Things that may seem small really are miraculous. It is a miracle to me that we have so many jobs in America, even if the unemployment rate is high.  It's incredible that my Father in heaven takes care of my mom everyday, and there isn’t more crime and hated among people with everything negative that’s happened to each of us.  The presence of love is a small miracle in itself!  But I can also cite specific times when God did small miracles.  It helps me recognize His presence and activity in my life.

Can you think of a time when God performed a miracle in your life, small or big?  Reminisce on that today, and thank Him for it. If you can’t think of a time, ask God to reveal himself to you in this way.  We never know what can happen when we have faith in our unfailing God.

What's In A Name?

But now, this is what the LORD says--He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.”  -Isaiah 43:1

What’s in a name?  In ancient Hebrew culture, what you were named as a baby would reveal your purpose in life. 

In the story of Elijah the prophet, Elijah is sent to Ahab and Jezebel, who were worshippers of the false god Baal to warn them and tell them to turn back to the God of Israel. In I Kings 16:33 it says, “Ahab also made an Asherah pole and did more to arouse the anger of the LORD, the God of Israel, than did all the kings of Israel before him.” 

Elijah’s name meant, “My God is the Lord”.  So, literally, if Elijah’s parents called him in from playing outside as a young boy, they would say, “My God is the Lord, time for dinner!”

It sounds funny, doesn’t it?  But in the Hebrew culture, you knew who you were and what you had - from birth.  In our culture today, we’re privileged if we ever figure out our purpose - it’s now considered normal to have a mid-life crisis at age 40 because we do not know!

Since Jezebel and Ahab had decided to worship Baal, even Elijah’s name was in direct opposition to what they stood for.  And it made them angry!  But, God fulfilled His purposes through Elijah, the only prophet during that time who was not killed.  God showed up in a big way!  (1 Kings 18)

But even though we do not live in Biblical times, our names still have significance today.

Sindy was a porn star who went into the porn industry at a young age.  She describes her journey falling into porn and how the enemy had tricked her into believing she was named Sindy because “she was meant for sinful things.” 

However, once she realized she had been lied to, she cried out to God to give her a new name. “God, Give me a new name – I don’t want to be called SIN anymore!” she said.

“And GOD answered gently to me: ‘You never have been, Sindy! SINDY contains two letters more: DY-DIE - SIN HAS TO DIE!!! – Sindy, you are called FREEDOM!’”
 
What does your name mean?  What does it reveal about God’s plan for your life?  God has called us out by name, so that His purposes can be revealed through our lives.

(Read Sindy’s full story at http://thepinkcross.org/pinkcross-articles/december-2011/sindy-escapes-porn-and-sex-work)

Caught vs. Taught

"Come and follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." -Matthew 4:19

 

When I first started going to church where I am going now, I was struck by their emphasis on relationship. I, being a super melancholy (personality type) only child couldn't wrap my head around all this relationship stuff. We were there for God, right?

But this emphasis on relationship was because they knew the Christian life was better caught than taught- meaning: you can't really know how to do something you read out of a book. You have to be shown. Then you have to do it. Then you'll know.

Now, there's nothing wrong with reading books. And there is certainly nothing wrong with reading the Bible. In fact it would be wrong not to. But the cool thing was the things the people were doing were lining up with the books I was reading about God (including the Bible). I now get my coolest revelations by hanging out with people, either by something I am saying to them that I hadn't thought about before, or something they say to me, that may not necessarily be meant toward me.

Jesus said "Come and follow Me". The disciples walked with Jesus, talked with Jesus, ate with Jesus - they did everything with Jesus. They did life together. In this process, the disciples were able to 'catch' what it was Jesus was showing them. This is why it's soooo important that our actions match our words as Christians. Verbal communication encompasses just 10% of communication. The majority of our communication lives within our actions.

There is a transfer that occurs in relationship with others who love God that shapes the course of our destiny for good.

No one should be an island. Is there someone you can think of who could help you further in your faith, or who excels at something you want in your life? Try to get around that person. Life is better caught than taught.

POWs

“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners” -Isaiah 61:1

We have many prisoners of war in the body of Christ today. People are plagued by deception, unforgivness, bitterness, and small thinking.  They feel unable to step into a better future, the “spacious place” the Psalmist talks about in Psalm 18:19.  “He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me.”

There is no doubt that there is a war going on - between the forces of the kingdom of darkness and God’s kingdom.  This battle is for souls, for relationships, and for destinies.  The enemy of our soul has no greater purpose than to see you and I destroyed, never able to be the people God intended us to be.

The enemy wants us, first and foremost to believe the lie that God doesn’t love us, that He isn’t good, and He doesn’t have our best in mind.  He wants us next to be isolated, so we are unable to believe the truth.  And, he wants us to continue believing lies about ourselves and about others so that God’s purposes cannot be revealed in our lives, and we cannot in turn set others free.

There once was a Hollywood executive who produced a well-known movie that my dad and his friend went to visit.  My dad’s friend had a word of knowledge about this executive that he was struggling with committing suicide.  The man became visibly shaken. It was true!  How could this successful executive be struggling with suicide? He was a Prisoner of War - in his mind. 

Is there any area of your life where you’ve been believing a lie about yourself, about others, or about God’s good nature?  Pray today and confess that lie to Him.  He never wants us to feel alone in our journeys - talk to or pray with someone you trust that can help you believe the truth.  It may be that you are the key to unlock the truth in someone else's heart.  God’s desire (and complete plan) is that we are victorious!

“For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves” -Colossians 1:13

Solve People's Problems, but Let Them Find the Answer

"I am the way, the truth and the life, no one can come to the Father except through Me." ~Jesus, John 14:6

When I was a little younger, I needed help with something. At the time, there was only one person who could help me - my dad. My mom thought at the time that since he had the means, he should be the one to solve my problem. It had been extremely hard for me to ask for help, so when I did, I had expected for him to say yes. Instead, I got a different response: He said, "no."
 
I was taken aback by his response. At my time of most dire need, how could my father, who obviously had the means, not be willing to help his only child? I was hurt, let down, isolated and felt so abandoned. I queried, "How could there be no one to help me? God, why is my life this way? Am I not worthy of someone's help, in my time of greatest need?" I cried and cried, and felt pretty pitiful.
 
But then, I realized I could not place my trust in a man, even if the man was my father. I had to place it in God. And He turned up in a greater way then I could have ever thought possible. He had solved my problem, in a much bigger way.
 
Later, dad and I were having dinner, and the topic emerged in conversation. He said, "I knew you would be hurt, but I also knew that if I solved your problem, you wouldn't have found the answer, and grown as a result?
 
That was huge. Much of the time, we expect others to solve our problems. Often, we are let down as a result. But if we realize that the source of all things is our Father in heaven, we can rest assured that our future rests in his hands, and when we place our trust in him and are obedient to His will, he is not going to let us fall.
 
Who or what is your source? Is it in a lifestyle, a boy or girl, a substance, or a mentality? Ask God to show you what is needed to resolve your problems. He has all the answers we will ever need.

Seeing People For Who They're Becoming

"And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."  -Matthew 16:18 
Have you ever doubted someone else's potential? Or have you ever doubted yourself? Have you ever said to yourself, "I don’t possibly see how God could use me... I have so far to go."

Well, the good news is, God is always looking at our future potential.  He doesn't care that we have this or that issue going on in our life.  He sees the finished product - when we've gone through what we've needed to go through to be refined.  He sees us at our best - in our complete capacity. 

There are many people who didn't believe they could do what God called them to in the Bible - Moses, Abraham & Sarah, Gideon, and Jonah just to name a few.  But God called them anyway - even though they were often not "assignment-ready" material when He called them.

What about the people you encounter?  What about the people you lead?  Do you see their future potential?  Do you see what God is calling them to?  I get so excited when I think about the potential that God placed in people, to change cities, nations, or even just their own families due to the changes that are happening within them. 
 
"God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called." Why not ask Him today to show you a glimpse of the potential in yourself?  Why not ask Him that about others you encounter, and those you are called to serve?  God sees us for who we are becoming, but He loves us for where we are now. 

Alive in Jesus

"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." -1 John 4:4

 

There is growing discontent in America for Christianity today. Many see the Christian faith as judgmental, hypocritical, insensitive, and domineering, best cited in David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyon's book UnChristian. Perhaps this has a lot to do with our less than perfect track record in the Christian faith and our lack of authenticity. If we are not growing in authentic love, we will tend to grow in religious rituals, false beliefs, or animosity.

If you've ever encountered a person who has outright rejected Jesus because of offenses or hurts you will know how powerful those emotions can be. Even still, we are called to be the salt and light in the world, preserving people until they can be open to receiving the love of Christ, and shining light on the dark places where negativity can dwell. (Matthew 5:13-16) We are called to bless the world. (Luke 6:28) We are called to be full of hope. (Ps 25:3) Light disperses darkness; it kills "bacteria" growing in dark places. Our love and our hope in love must be more powerful than the darkness. Not our religion - our love, through Jesus. Hope does not dwell in religion - it lives with the One who is love.

When we encounter people who seem to hate the idea of Jesus, (more often it's the idea of Christians), it can be easy to shrink back in fear. But God has not called us to live in fear. God has called us to live in His presence. He has called us to live in His truth. Most of all He has called us to live in His love. God's love is the only thing that truly changes people. As the darkness gets darker, so Christ's light in us can shine brighter.

Are you secure in your faith in God? Be sure to arm yourself with the power of His presence and the light of His word, (Ps 119:105) so that His love may be revealed in your life. He truly is greater and mightier than anything we will encounter on this earth. We just have to believe it, and walk in it.

"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ. ~2 Cor 4:6

You Are Valuable!

"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?" -Matthew 6:26

Have you ever felt worthless?  I spent much of my teenage years feeling this way.  If someone had asked me if I felt worthless, I probably would have said no, but deep down inside, I really didn’t like myself.  I felt like I had nothing to offer.  This manifested itself in depression, cutting, and other destructive behaviors.

Now I see there were many reasons why I felt the way I did back then.  A distant relationship with my dad, an overbearing relationship with my mom, and their past relationship with each other had set me up to fail relationally and emotionally. But thank God for His love!  If I hadn’t experienced God’s love for me and realized that He valued me so much, I wouldn’t have gotten healed from all that happened back then.

What about you? Do you feel like God's prized possession? Well, you are.  Although our relationships with God may differ a little depending on if we are a son or daughter of His, He still love us just the same.  And He wants us to know His unfailing love!
Many people struggle with unworthiness. In fact, the words "Born Loser" is one of the most common tattoos! But Jesus died so that we could experience freedom from sin and death.  That is how much we were worth to God, the complete and total life of His son, Jesus! 

Do you feel like God’s prized possession?  If you have not yet received a revelation of His love for you, why not ask Him.  He wants nothing more than for us to know & experience His love!


Some good scriptures to meditate on are: 

"Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments;  Deuteronomy 7:9

"See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him." 1 John 3:1

"Long ago the Lord said to Israel: 'I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.'" Jeremiah 31:3
 
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."  John 3:16

"By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has beheld God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us."  1 John 4:9-12



"But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to For the Lord your God is living among you." Romans 8:37-39
 
"He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs." Zephaniah 3:17