“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” – Matthew 6:33-34 NIV

I love it when something that Jesus said is so clear.

▪ He didn’t say seek Him first, but after your second cup of coffee.

▪ He didn’t say seek Him first, but after you’ve read the paper or watched your favorite morning news show.

▪ He didn’t say seek Him first, but not before your spouse and/or family.

▪ He didn’t say seek Him first, but not before your career, career goals or work.

▪ He didn’t say seek Him first just behind any personal goals and dreams you might have.

▪ He didn’t say seek Him first just behind all the church work and church stuff you’ve got to accomplish first.

▪ He didn’t say seek Him first, but only if all your personal needs and desires are satisfied.

▪ He didn’t say seek Him first, but only if you don’t have anything better to do.

▪ He didn’t say seek Him first, but only if you feel like it.

▪ He didn’t say seek Him first if you feel Him close or if you’ve hit rock bottom.

▪ He didn’t say seek Him first, but only after you fret and worry about it first.

▪ He didn’t say seek Him first, but…

He said “seek FIRST His kingdom and His righteousness…”

In the midst of a passage where He is telling us not to worry about our life, what we will eat or drink, or our body and what we will wear, Jesus said, “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Maybe we should ask ourselves…

What is it (or who is it) that we are putting before our relationship with God?

What is it (or who is it) that we are seeking first? Marty Stubblefield

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

Will you be grateful on the hardest of days?

A pastor was known for the prayers of gratitude with which he began each worship service. No matter how difficult the circumstances, he always seemed to be able to find a reason to give thanks.

Then came an especially difficult Sunday. A heavy winter storm blanketed the city, coating its streets in ice and snow. Power was out for many. A bitter wind assaulted the few hardy people who dared to make their way into the sanctuary.

As the service began, the pastor stepped to the pulpit for his customary invocation.

Those in the congregation wondered to themselves, “How could he possibly find a reason to give thanks this morning?” The pastor bowed his head and prayed, “Lord, we thank you that it is not always like this.”

For what will you give thanks to your Father today?

— o —

It’s time to remember, in the midst of a self-indulgent period in our nation, that our primary purpose in gathering together is not to please ourselves; or because it is psychologically sound for us to do; or that it supports the family structure; or that it partakes of traditional family values though all of these things may be by-products of our gathering together. Our purpose in gathering together is to prostrate ourselves before the Almighty God of heaven and pay Him homage.” Bill Fiest

— o —

TRUISMS:

I thought I wanted a career. Turns out I just wanted paychecks.

In filling out an application, where it says, ‘In case of emergency, notify:’ I put ‘DOCTOR.’

I didn’t say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.

A clear conscience is the sign of a fuzzy memory.

You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice.

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

The focus of worship is not human experience, not a lecture, not entertainment, but Jesus Christ–His life, death, and resurrection. Richard Webber

A good deal of the problems in our world and the apathy of too many Christians, “Without worship, we go about miserable.” A. W. Tozer

When we lose focus on the purpose and person of worship, we need to hear and heed the admonition of the angel whom John attempted to worship. His two words remind us all why we go to church today….“Worship God” (Rev. 22:9). Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

Worldliness is the enemy to holiness. Kelly Knouse

Salvation is not a process. It is a person and the person is Jesus. Ken Whitten

Life is not found in an abundance of material possessions. The Minimalist

Most people are as happy as they make up their minds to be. Abraham Lincoln

A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you. C. S. Lewis

Life’s too short to hold a grudge. Forgive. Forget. And let go. Ken Weliever

It’s easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled. Mark Twain

If Jesus is your Lord, you “have eternal life” today (John 3:16). Have you thanked your Savior for the gift of your salvation recently? Have you thanked God for the fact that your death is the doorway to your eternal life? Jim Denison

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ (Galatians 1:10).

With some spare time while hunkered down as the virus continues to threaten us, I decided to sit down and read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Reading the Old Testament really convicted me about the importance of pleasing God.

It begins with creation and the anointing of His chosen people, as He saved them from captivity and with various miracles and provisions while guiding them through many years in the desert, the parting of the Red Sea and finally across the Jordan River to the promised land. He protected and provided them every step of the way.

They divided into tribes, established towns and cities and then divided into Israel in the North and Judah in the South. But then terrible things began to happen. They wandered from worshiping God to worshiping idols. God became very displeased and brought punishment and terror into their lives.

God sent several prophets and told them to tell the people how displeased He was and how He planned to punish them with famine, disease and capture by other nations. Time after time they ignored God’s word and time after time, they were severely punished.

Fast forward to today. Are we pleasing God? Just look at how human conduct and beliefs have evolved away from God, upon whose word our nation was founded and conducted. Walk into the Supreme Court and see the Ten Commandments and Hebrew-inscribed tablets held by Moses, one of a series of historical figures who look down on the justices. It was in the same room that the justices decided that the Ten Commandments erected at another courthouse constituted a government endorsement of religion.

Our nation has wandered away from God. While we don’t worship graven images like the early Jewish people did, we have more modern idols…. power, property, possessions, sports and a whole host of other things. If we profess to be a Christian, then remove anything that becomes more important than Jesus in our lives. How long before God will punish us. Is the pandemic the first suggestion?

God wants us and our nation to return to Him. We have the assurance of God’s Word, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Come to Christ, confess and turn from your sin, and He will keep His promise to forgive and cleanse. He further promises that He will not only forgive, but He will also forget. This is your opportunity to begin life over again and to walk with the Lord in daily fellowship.

It will be pleasing to God when we do.

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

Legalized abortion has killed more than sixty-two million babies in the US. So far this year, more than 675,000 preborn children have died by abortion, three times the number of Americans who have died from COVID-19. Abortion is the leading cause of death in the US, surpassing heart disease and cancer.

The Satanic Temple wants to put up billboards that show people how to obtain abortions more easily. Their “religious abortion ritual” is supposed to be a “sacramental act that confirms the right of bodily autonomy.” According to the Satanic Temple, if people perform this ritual, they can claim a religious exemption from mandatory waiting periods, counseling, ultrasounds, and other measures required by some states before an abortion can be performed.

However, billboards promoting their ritual have been declined by Lamar Advertising. In response, the Satanic Temple has sued the company. In their lawsuit, they state that Lamar rejected the content of the billboards as “misleading and offensive.” The Satanic Temple alleges that this rejection was based on religious discrimination.

It would be hard to make this up.

— o —

Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of anything that distracts us from it. It requires a conscious decision because it is a countercultural lifestyle that stands against the culture of overconsumption that surrounds us. The world we live in is not friendly to the pursuit of minimalism. Its tendencies and relentless advertising campaigns call us to acquire more, better, faster, and newer. The journey of finding simplicity requires consistent inspiration

— o —

And the gospel? It’s not just another message. Another lecture. Or speech. It is the proclamation of a grand promise. The promise of a living hope beyond the grave. The promise of my resurrection from the dead. The promise of living and never dying. The promise of living eternally with the Father. Ken Weliever, The Preacherman.

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

Salvation is not a process. It is a person and the person is Jesus. Ken Whitten

It’s easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled. Mark Twain

There are two great days in a person’s life—the day we are born and the day we discover why. William Barclay

Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death. Albert Einstein

Hell is not full of people the Lord rejected. Hell is full of people that rejected the Lord.

Don’t shine so others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him. C.S. Lewis

The world suffers a lot. Not because the violence of bad people. But because of the silence of the good people. Napoleon Bonaparte

Thanks to Christ, this earth can be the nearest you come to hell. But apart from Christ, this earth is the nearest you come to heaven. Max Lucado

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

In Rick Warren’s classic book, The Purpose Driven Life, he opens the book with a simple, yet profound statement; “It’s not about you.” As our community grapples with the ongoing pandemic, racial and social injustice, and allegations on social media, we have to step back and remind ourselves of the truth of Warren’s statement.

Unless we guard our hearts and minds, it is easy to become consumed with these events to the exclusion of God. In light of these events, the following verse seems especially relevant to us today:

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:2 (ESV)

We should allow God to let us see people as Christ would see them. What are their needs, their hurts, their joys, and how should I think, speak, and act towards them?

With so much division in society, we should be ambassadors for the true peace and restoration that can only come through Jesus Christ.

It’s not about you. It’s all about Him. You are either full of self and empty of God or full of God and empty of self. The real you must surrender to the real God.

Some people want enough of Jesus to get into heaven, but not enough of Jesus for heaven to come to them. Is your commitment to Jesus a life (or death) insurance policy or is it something that permeates everything you think, say or do?

Tell Jesus He can have all of you for He’s giving you all of Him. Are you all in?

Isaiah says: Here am I Lord, send me!

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

Why We Pray – 15 Reasons

1. Psalm 145:18 – Praying assures us of God’s presence
2. Matthew 7:11 – Prayer brings good gifts from God
3. Hebrews 4:16 – Prayer brings help in times of need
4. John 16:24 – Prayer brings joy
5. James 5:15 – Prayer brings physical or spiritual healing
6. 1 Timothy 4:4-5 – Prayer acknowledges God’s ownership of creation
7. Jeremiah 33:3 – Prayer brings understanding
8. James 5:16 – Prayer can be powerful and effective
9. Proverbs 15:8-9 – Prayer pleases God
10. Matthew 26:41 – Prayer strengthens us against temptation
11. Psalm 28:6-7 – Prayer shows that we trust God
12. Colossians 4:2-4 – Prayer helps us advance the Gospel
13. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – When we pray, we obey God
14. 1 Peter 5:6-7 – We pray because we know God cares.
15. Matthew 6:9-13 – We should pray because Jesus did, instructs us to and even gives us a model on how we should pray.

— o —

Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of anything that distracts us from it. It requires a conscious decision because it is a countercultural lifestyle that stands against the culture of overconsumption that surrounds us.

The world we live in is not friendly to the pursuit of minimalism. Its tendencies and relentless advertising campaigns call us to acquire more, better, faster, and newer. The journey of finding simplicity requires consistent inspiration.

— o —

Pew Research Center reports that 79 percent of Americans say, “sex between unmarried adults in a committed relationship is acceptable”; 83 percent say the same of “casual sex between consenting adults who are not in a committed relationship.” Here’s the surprising part: 57 percent of Christians say they agree with the first statement, and 50 percent agree with the second.

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

According to Spurgeon, the more dangerous the fire, the more necessary the fireman.

Of course, telling lost people they are lost is extremely countercultural today. Offering biblical truth to those who do not believe in truth is “intolerant” and bigoted.

The gospels give us approximately thirty-seven miracles performed by Jesus, each of them proof of His personal power.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

There is no mess in your life that God cannot use for ministry. Ken Whitten

Life is not found in an abundance of material possessions. The Minimalist

Most people are as happy as they make up their minds to be. Abraham Lincoln

A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you. C. S. Lewis

Life’s too short to hold a grudge. Forgive. Forget. And let go. Ken Weliever

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. Ephesians 1:11

Throughout my secondary school years, each day began with standing to recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of our county and when I was in elementary school the words “one nation under God” were added by an act of Congress. A prayer followed. Each year the Gideons came to bring us a New Testament and tell us about Jesus.

Our leaders and educators knew how important it was to know and study our country’s Christian heritage and the faith of our fathers. In the words of John Piper, “Life is wasted if we do not grasp the glory of the cross, cherish it for the treasure that it is, and cleave to it as the highest price of every pleasure and the deepest comfort in every pain. What was once foolishness to us—a crucified God—must become our wisdom and our power and our only boast in this world.” As Paul wrote in Ephesians 1:11 we have obtained an inheritance predestined according to God’s will.

Now, flip forward about fifty years and see the slippery slope. Prayer and the Bible have been removed out from schools by order of the Supreme Court (in a courtroom adorned with the Ten Commandments) and legislation is pending to remove “one nation under God” from the pledge.

Now, one legislator is calling for abolishing history from the classroom because current history texts are “miseducating” children and teaching them to be hostile and teaching them “flawed” thinking. Thomas Jefferson wrote that “such education is necessary for maintaining a generation of thinkers, who will in turn keep the population safe by being the ultimate guardians of their own liberty.”

The study of history imparts knowledge of the past to current generations and here is where the importance of the Bible enters. I just finished reading Ecclesiastes and realized how important Bible verses and admonitions are so important to understand how to conduct ourselves in the current generation. Banning prayer in school essentially made God unconstitutional.

The First Amendment provides for the freedom OF religion, not the PROHIBITION of it. Our country was built not on an established religion, but rather on Judeo-Christian values.

Our values include service, thankfulness, compassion, endurance, creativity, justice, peace, wisdom and many more. What better place than the Bible and American history book can students learn how America was built on these principles?

Christians need to step up and speak out before books that teach children who we are and how we got here are removed and replaced with books that tell children what some people want to teach what our forefathers should have been.

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? Romans 8:35

Sometimes there is nothing more to say… the Word says it all.

▪ No matter where we may find ourselves in life’s journey.

▪ No matter if we have stumbled and fallen and find ourselves in the valley of life.

▪ No matter if we are climbing the highest of mountains striving to reach the apex of life.

▪ No matter young or old, sick or healthy, poor or wealthy, near or far away.

▪ No matter where we may be or what we may be going through…

▪ Nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus ~ Nothing!

▪ Sometimes we all have to be reminded of God’s great love for us through Jesus, His Son. Marty Stubblefield

— o —

WISDOM FROM ECCLESIASTES:

▪ If you love money and wealth, you will never be satisfied with what you have.

▪ I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat, drink and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.

— o —

The greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing

In a day when every moral trend seems to be going in the wrong direction, it’s easy to become discouraged. But that’s just what the enemy wants. If he can tempt us to withdraw from cultural engagement, keeping the salt in the saltshaker and the light under a basket, he wins. Jim Denison

— o —

It’s easier to say “I shall not want” when you have a loaf of bread under both arms… An adaptation of an old Jewish proverb

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both. Dwight D. Eisenhower

I know that true joy comes from letting God love me the way God wants, whether it is through illness or health, failure or success, poverty or wealth, rejection or praise. It is hard for me to say, ‘I shall gratefully accept everything, Lord, that pleases you. Let your will be done.’ But I know that when I truly believe my Father is pure love, it becomes increasingly possible to say these words from the heart. Henri Nouwen

We should have the “How may I serve you…” mentality. Marty Stubblefield

God doesn’t love people because of who they are, but because of who God is. Frederick Buechner

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me – Philippians 4:13

How close are you to God? You are as close as you choose to be. Ken Whitten

Remember, God’s delays are not God’s denials. David Jeremiah

Truth is truth, whether or not we choose to believe it. David Jeremiah

We are all in interim positions. Someone is going to follow us regardless of our job or position. Brg. Gen Dick Abel

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. I John 2: 15-17

As this year draws near the close, it certainly is unlike anything we could have expected this time last year. There are unparalleled health concerns, violence in the streets, a sagging economy and the list goes on. Our plates are still full of uncertainty, both personally and as a nation and world.

We believe and pray things will get better. Maybe a vaccine, soon. Maybe protests will become peaceful. Maybe solutions will be found in conversations to make us an even better nation. But in the meantime, where do we find a life of certainty, security and peace? It doesn’t seem to be coming from the world around us. But that’s the problem. Our solutions are not from the world, but from God.

In 1 John 2:15-17 is the answer. It’s not about loving the world, but loving God and following Him in our walk, to love and lift others in the world around us. The text begins with a command: “Do not love the world or the things in the world.” Love for the world pushes out love for the Father.

All things of the world have an expiration date, including you and me, but if You do the will of the Father, you will live forever. In summary, then, the text contains one commandment and three arguments, or incentives. The commandment is, “Don’t love the world or the things in the world.”

▪ The first incentive is that if you love the world, you don’t love God.

▪ The second incentive is that if you love the world, you will perish with the world.

▪ The third incentive is that if you love God instead of the world, you will live with God forever.

The path of victory that overcomes the world and leads to eternal life is the one path of faith toward Christ and love for God. There are not two ways to heaven. There is one narrow way.

The main point of this passage is “Do not love the world; love the Father.” But that’s much easier to read than it is to live. As we move forward facing whatever is before us personally and with what we face together in our communities, nation and world—we would do well to follow this kind of life.

We won’t find life, certainty, success, peace and security in the ways of the world, in our bank accounts, in what we own, or prideful accomplishments. We won’t find it in resumes, trophies, or trying to meet the world’s expectations. But we will find the life we were created to live, by walking in the will of God, by walking with God everyday of our lives. And then one day, throughout eternity. We should simply face whatever is before us each day, by simply walking hand-in-hand with God.

The main point of this passage is “Do not love the world; love the Father.” But that’s much easier to read than it is to live.

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

WISDOM FROM PROVERBS 18:

▪ It’s selfish and stupid to think only of yourself and to sneer at people who have sense.

▪ Fools have no desire to learn; they would much rather give their own opinion.

▪ There’s nothing so delicious as the taste of gossip! It melts in your mouth.

▪ The rich think their money is a wall of protection.

▪ Pride leads to destruction; humility leads to honor.

▪ It’s stupid and embarrassing to give an answer before you listen.

▪ A man’s greatest treasure is his wife— she is a gift from the Lord.

— o —

Sometimes, we have to remember that it’s not all about us:

We have been put into places and positions for a purpose, for a reason. We are where we are to bring glory and honor to God. We are where we are, as John the Baptist exemplifies, to help others see and know Jesus through who we are, what we do, how we act, and how we respond. Our job, first and foremost, is to turn the focus from ourselves and on to the Son of the Living God, the Bridegroom… Jesus. What are you doing with the platform you’ve been given? Marty Stubblefield.

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

Be tolerant with others and strict with yourself. Marcus Aurelius

Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart. Seneca

Discover what God is up to and join him. Henry Blackaby

Faith is when we discern from a myriad of impressions (hear God’s voice) what God wants to do in a given situation and then acting in harmony with it. Great with God

If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn’t sit for a month. Teddy Roosevelt

To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead. Thomas Paine

Name your greatest challenge this morning. Did you choose it? Probably not. Can you choose how to respond to it? Absolutely. Jim Denison

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know (Jeremiah 33:3).

One recent night I awakened and rolled over to check the time. It was 3:33. Immediately it reminded me of God’s phone found in Jeremiah 33:3. God says for me to call on Him and He will not only answer, but tell me great things.

As I lay there, I thought about the prophet and the times. The world was full of wars. It was a bad time to be alive. Jeremiah began his prophesy at a very early age and continued until Judah was taken captive and Jerusalem was invaded and Solomon’s Temple.

Time after time Jeremiah told the people of Judah that God was going to punish them, but the people refused to heed his warning. They called him a traitor, had him thrown in prison and threatened to kill him.

Jeremiah spent most of his life warning his people of severe judgement to come, if the nation did not repent of their evil ways and return to the Lord their God. He was faithful to his calling, yet had to endure an onslaught of mockery; loneliness; imprisonment and rejection. He wept over the city and was known as the “weeping prophet.”

Despite his divinely inspired message Jeremiah was subjected to unbelievable ridicule and witnessed his rebellious nation’s refusal to heed his warning, before being defeated, dispersed and sold into slavery. Jeremiah spent most of his life warning his people of severe judgement to come, if the nation did not repent of their evil ways and return to the Lord their God.

But right in the middle of this prophecy, right in the center of Jeremiah is a passage which prophesies of peace, prosperity, comfort and hope for the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. God tells Jeremiah to call on Him and He will tell the mighty and wonderful things.

Before I drifted back off to sleep, I did a twenty-five hundred year fast forward to today. I thought of all the sin so prevalent today. When is God going to say He has had enough? But in the midst of it all, I believe that He want to call us to remind us that there are great and mighty things and they are housed between Genesis and Revelation in His inspired Word.

May our world have a new great awakening as we turn from being a sinful nation and back to the Godly nation our founding fathers intended for our country to be.

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

I am coming to believe that the troubled times in which we live hold as much opportunity as they do challenge. These days present an incredible opportunity for people to wake up to the ultimate reality of the grace and power of God. History has proven that crisis can be a gateway to awakening. I am thoroughly convinced it will take an awakening, even a great awakening, to turn the tide. Helen Rae Stumbo

— o —

Joe Gibbs, Super Bowl coach and NASCAAR owner wrote of the qualities he expects from his leadership team, players and drivers:

1. Demand excellence
2. Show your human side
3. Be available
4. Let them be their own selves
5. Bury your ego

— o —

When was the last time that you worshiped? I mean… truly worshiped? When you got so lost in Him. So moved by the Spirit that you let your walls down, forgot about everything and everybody else and you worshiped? You bowed down before Him filled with joy and hope and trembling fear?

Stop for a moment and worship. Stop for a moment and bow down. In our offices or cubicles. In our homes or dorm rooms. In our closet or other place where we pray, read, praise. Stop for a moment and worship.

Worship His holiness and His glory. Praise His creativity and His might majesty. Praise Him and worship Him for who He is and what He has done. Take in His awesomeness and His magnitude… Sing of His great love. Listen for His still small voice. Enter His gate with Thanksgiving, bow down and worship.

—Marty Stubbblefield

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

A people that value its privileges above its principles soon loses both. —Dwight D. Eisenhower

A few dead flies in perfume make all of it stink, and a little foolishness outweighs a lot of wisdom. Sensible thoughts lead you to do right; foolish thoughts lead you to do wrong. Ecclesiastes 10: 1-2

Love people use things. The opposite never works. —The Minimalists

Every increased possession adds increased anxiety on to our lives. —Randy Alcorn

You say, ‘If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied.’ You make a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled.” —Charles Spurgeon

Wanting less is a better blessing than having more. —Mary Ellen Edmunds

Your life is too valuable to waste chasing material possessions. —Joshua Becker

A true man hates no one. —Napoleon Bonaparte

TRUST GOD FOR THE IMPOSSIBLE

And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. But as one was felling a log, his axe head fell into the water, and he cried out, “Alas, my master! It was borrowed.” Then the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there and made the iron float. And he said, “Take it up.” So, he reached out his hand and took it (2 Kings 6:4-7).

The prophets asked Elisha if they could build a place to meet, so they went down to the Jordan to cut down trees and make poles for building the new meeting house. In the course of cutting, the axe head broke off and went into the river. Three thousand years ago, during the Iron Age, a metal tool was a thing of great value. It would have been handcrafted from a valuable resource. So this wasn’t just a nuisance, this was a disaster. Worse than that, it was borrowed, but when the man of God was told where it fell, he cut off a stick and threw it in there and made the iron float.

Elisha threw a stick of a special kind of wood into the river that—somehow—changed the chemical composition of the water to such a degree that the iron ax head was temporarily made to float like a bar of Dove Soap. Our God loves to do ridiculous things.

Today, people are desperately praying for things of a larger magnitude….. loss of employment, being evicted, concerned we are going to get the virus and desperately praying for those have been tested positive, some in our own families. We are praying for the messes and stresses of life.

The past may seem implausible and the future impossible, but God works in ways we cannot see. We can focus on the problem or we can choose to trust God. When we see obstacles, God sees opportunities. Our God is a God of miracles. No sea is deeper than the ocean of His love.

Charles Spurgeon said: “The Lord will make a way for you where no foot has been before. That which, like a sea, threatens to drown you shall be a highway for your escape.” You can trust God. He will not let you be tested more than you can stand, but when you are tested, He will also make a way out so that you can bear it. (I Cor. 10:13)

No matter what you are facing, when you pray, know that God is with you. It may even get worse before it gets better, but our Heavenly Father will see you through, even through ways you would think to be totally impossible.

If you’re in great trouble, have confidence in the God who can make the iron swim. If you have some worry, and you do not know what to do with it, or some work, and you do not know how to do it, look to the God who made the iron swim and let Him meet your needs. Trust Him, rest upon Him and know He will come through for you.

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

A Barna Poll recently revealed that one in three practicing Christians has stopped attending church during COVID-19. According to their survey 53% have streamed their regular church assembly over the past four weeks, while 34% are “church hopping” digitally streaming a different online service than their own. Sadly, 32% have dropped out of church for the time being. They are not attending, streaming worship services, or participating in on-line Bible studies. More than ever God’s people need each other. We need connection, community and fellowship.

— o —

Professor Vicki Medvec studied Olympic athletes and found that bronze medal winners were much more satisfied than silver. The silver medal winners were always thinking of how close they came to gold. The bronze medal winners focused on thinking how close they got to not getting a medal.

— o —

After more than four decades of observing leadership within my family and the many years of developing my own leadership potential, I have come to this conclusion: Leadership is influence. That’s it. Nothing more; nothing less. My favorite leadership proverb is: He who thinketh he leadeth and hath no one following him is only taking a walk. —John Maxwell

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

Worship is forgetting about what’s wrong with you and remembering what’s right with God.

You are not just called to believe, but to belong. —Rick Warren

What Uniform Do You Wear?

Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Romans 13:14

Clark Kent puts on his cape and Superman suit. Bruce Wayne puts on his Batman cowl and cape. Our military heroes put on their uniforms and body armor. Policemen and Firemen put on their uniforms. Doctors and nurses have their uniforms. In sports we have Practice Uniforms and Game Uniforms

The average Joe Citizen may wear a business suit and tie, or casual shirt and khakis, or whatever the uniform of the day may be. While Ms. Jo Citizen will likely wear similarly styled apparel appropriate as her uniform of the day for her work environment.

Every day, we wake and put on our uniform of the day and go. Whether we are stay at home parents or top executives, or fall somewhere in between, we each have our uniform of the day. We put it on, and we go and work.

But, in Romans and in Ephesians, we’re reminded to “Put on the Lord”, reminded to put on the “Full Armor” of God. For our enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Knowing this, why would we ever rise in the morning and not put on our uniform… not put on the Lord along with His full armor so that we are ready for the day, and ready for battle?

We’re directed to put on the Lord and the Full Armor of God… reminded to take up our cross and follow Jesus… reminded to glorify God in all that we do and say, even as we prepare for battle against the enemy, prepare to battle our own flesh and earthly desires.

What if Batman went without his cowl or the Lone Ranger without his mask? Then, they were just another man and their weaknesses became abundantly apparent to their enemies.

Much the same can be said of us when we leave behind the Full Armor of God… when we fail to put on the Lord.

Always make sure that you are wrapped in the full armor of God as you begin each day. Marty Stubblefield.

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

If you’re feeling stressed this morning, know that you’re not alone. A recent General Social Survey shows that just 14 percent of American adults say they’re very happy, down from 31 percent who said the same two years ago. That year, 23 percent said they had often or sometimes felt isolated in recent weeks. Now, 50 percent say that.

In total, fewer Americans are likely to call themselves happy than at any point since the survey began in 1972. The study aligns with research analyzing words on Twitter, which reported that Americans’ happiness in recent weeks was the lowest ever recorded.

According to a new report by the American Psychological Association, more than 70 percent of Americans say this is the lowest point in US history they can remember. And the percentage of Americans who are “extremely proud” of their country has fallen to 21 percent, the lowest since Gallup began measuring this sentiment in 2001.

— o —

“So, don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” – Matthew 6:31-33

What is your primary concern? Safety? Food? Shelter? Security? Tomorrow? Is the Kingdom of God my primary concern or is everything else primary? Are all these other concerns and worries and pressures of the moment what I primarily live for and/or live to resolve, or is it the Lord first and foremost?

Where does Jesus really fit in my personal order of importance?

— o —

From Facebook, launched in 2004, to other platforms like Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, Tik-Tok, it is estimated that over one billion people use social media in some form.

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

Whenever you stop being thankful in your spirit, you begin to push God to the perimeter of your life. David Jeremiah

The courage to continue is what distinguishes success from failure. Winston Churchill

Would you ask your Father to make you more like his Son than ever before? Jim Denison

Our eternity somewhere, is determined by our choice today. Scott Whitaker

First, we form habits, then they form us. Ron Gilbert

Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant. Robert Louis Stevenson

Do we trust God enough to wait patiently for Him to bring good out of bad situations? Marty Stubblefield

You shall have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:3

The Bible says a lot about idolatry and to put it concisely, it doesn’t say anything positive. From the very beginning God sets the precedent for His people early on that His people shall have no gods except Him.

For many, including Christians, there is a great misunderstanding about idols. They are often thought of as ancient objects like statues and even household goods placed in certain places that were worshiped in various ways at various times.

Tim Keller in his book Counterfeit Gods says an idol is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, and anything that you seek to give you what only God can give.

Colossians 3:5 tells us to put to death; therefore, what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. I am not saying that all modern idols are inherently bad. Rather we need to evaluate our lives and make sure they are in the right order, that none of these things have become more important than God to us.

It’s easy to place our identity as something or someone other than God. Whether it be our social media following, our position at work, our abilities/skills, or the achievements we are after. For some their identity has become an idol. They have placed more value on who they are rather than in God.

It doesn’t matter if you have money or are broke. The pursuit of money and the acquisition of things is an idol for many in our culture. Many people trust their money more than they trust God. Money isn’t the problem; it’s how we use it and view it that can become a problem. If the motivating factor in your life is money and not God, then that’s an idol.

When our lives become all about the search for entertainment and chase of the best experiences we can find, then it’s become an idol. It’s become more important than God. We are obsessed with sex in our culture, it is everywhere. It might be the only thing we think about more than money. We have taken a gift from God and made it into the god of our lives.

While comfort isn’t bad, it can become damaging when it becomes the main pursuit in life. When comfort is an idol we will struggle when God calls us to something difficult.

Our cell phones are quickly becoming an idol for many. The problem isn’t our phones or social media or any form of technology. It’s the value we place on it that makes it a problem. When our lives revolve around how many likes we get, what our following looks like, or if we can’t sit in silence for 5 minutes without refreshing our news-feed,we might have an idol. When a good thing becomes an ultimate thing ultimately it becomes a destructive thing in our lives.

So how do we know if something has become an idol? Here are 4 questions to ask yourself to help you identify idols in your life.

• Where do I spend my time?

• Where do I spend my money?

• Where do I get my joy?

• What’s always on my mind?

Whatever is my idol is my god. Don’t let anything, even a good thing, take the place of God in your life. You do not have to bow down to a stone statue to be an idolater. An idol is whatever comes first in your life. Anything that comes before Jesus Christ in your affections or priorities—that is your idol.

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

ADVICE FROM PROVERBS:

“Trust in the Lord with all of your heart.” (Prov 3:5)

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” (Prov.12:15)

“Where there is no guidance, a people fall, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” (Prov. 11:14)

“Without counsel, plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.” (Prov. 15:22)

“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.” (Prov. 19:20)

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

When building a team, always search for the people who love to Win. If you can’t find any, look for the people who hate to lose.

Be honest. If people heard what you are thinking most of the time, you would be in either jail or a mental hospital.

We are all lonely for something. We just don’t know what we are lonely for. David Foster Wallace

What God knows about me is far more important than what others think about me. Ken Whitten

Say about people only what you would say to them. Jim Denison

The choices we make determine the direction of your life. Rob Taylor

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me – Philippians 4:13

He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is a folly and shame to him. (Prov.18:13).

Week Thirty-One, 2020

“HOW TO LIVE”

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

To me, the most important message of the Bible comes in those verses that explain salvation, like Romans 10:9-10 which tells us that if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised him from the dead, we will be saved. But there is so much more.

The Bible is a book of life and living. Paul tells in Titus (2:11-14) that Jesus gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us and to make us His very own people, totally to doing good deeds.

Francis Schaeffer was one of the foremost evangelical thinkers of the twentieth century, and long pondered the fate of declining Western culture. In this brilliant book, How Shall We Then Live? he analyzed the reasons for modern society’s state of affairs and presented the only viable alternative: living by the Christian ethic, acceptance of God’s revelation, and total affirmation of the Bible’s morals, values, and meaning.

As I look around our country in these present days, Schaeffer’s words could not be more true. We have slipped away from Biblical morality. It is now the age of anything goes and increase of intolerance. There is violence on the streets. Fake news has become the new norm to form public opinion. Recent polls show that American’s pride in their country has reached a new low. Police are now the enemies, and statues and other symbols of those who made America great are being destroyed.

If this country is to survive, it must return to the advice of the Bible on how to live:

Ephesians – Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Micah – He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Proverbs – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Jeremiah – For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Philippians – Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.

Hebrews – Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Ephesians – Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

How shall we then live? The answers are in hundreds of verses in the Bible. Lord, I pray that our land will return to Biblical foundations and live the kind of life they admonish us to lead.

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!

Serve the Lord with gladness!

Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the Lord, he is God!

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

and his courts with praise!

Give thanks to him; bless his name!

For the Lord is good;

his steadfast love endures forever,

and his faithfulness to all generations.” – Psalm 100 ESV

Praise Him… For He is a God who saves… a God who heals… a God who loves!

Praise Him for who He is, for what He has done, what He is doing, and what He is yet to do.

Praise Him for the day, for the night, for the good times and for the struggles.

Praise Him for wisdom and for the lessons learned.

Praise Him for His guidance, His insight, His direction, His hope.

Praise Him for His creation, His imagination, His detail.

Praise Him for being there in our time of need.

Praise Him for being all we need.

Praise Him for His love, His patience, His forgiveness, His mercy, His grace.

Praise Him for the healing and salvation that only He brings and for the life that He gives.

Praise Him for He is good and His love endures forever.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord all the earth for He is worthy of our praise!

— o —

Our God created every one of the one billion trillion stars in the observable universe (that’s 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 stars). He measures them, names each one of them and the entire universe with the palm of his hand (Isaiah 40:12).

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

Don’t push others down in order to pull yourself up. Ken Whitten

If God’s people won’t speak up for Him, who will? Ryan Denison

God has made it possible for us to come to know Him through the visible and tangible things of our world. Have you ever looked at a sunset and been reminded of who’s really in charge in this world? Chris Seidman

Only God can change this world, but He seeks to use us to do so—one by one, day by day. Jim Denison

Change your thoughts and you change your world. Norman Vincent Peale

One time I bought a treadmill, now it’s the most expensive clothes hanger in my home. The Minimalist

God traded His Son for our sin. (GRACE) Ken Whitten

People need to see our faith, not merely hear about it,” wrote Bob Buford in his book, Halftime.