28 Days of Loving - Day 2

This past Sunday I was talking about how the love God has for us changes our view of ourselves.  At least it should. When we truly realize that God values us as special and sacred, it should change the way we look at ourselves.

Are we allowing the things of this world to damage our value?  I Corinthians 6:19 says that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit.  Because of this, we should honor God with our bodies.

That means we should care about what we allow our eyes to see.

Do you remember that song, "Oh be careful little eyes what you see..."  Already you are singing that song in your head.  Well, this simple nursery rhyme is a powerful song.  Why? Because we should be careful what our eyes ponder on. 

This week the new cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue came out.  All the talk is about the new girl on the cover page.  She may be a beautiful woman who is dressed in a very revealing swimsuit.  But do I really need to be looking at her like that?  Is that good for my mind?  Is that good for my image of my wife?  Will I be thinking of her instead of my wife?  All because I took a peek at a Magazine cover.

God wants you to be careful with what you look at.  He knows how impressionable our minds are just by simply looking around us. Learn from King Davids mistake.

Read 2 Samuel 11 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+11&version=NIV (Click Back Arrow on web browser to return)

David's eyes caused a great problem.  Did he flinch when he saw her bathing?  Did he try to walk away? Did he justify his thoughts?

Oh be careful little eyes what you see...David was not careful with his eyes and the thing he did, displeased the Lord.

I want to please the Lord with my eyes.  So I need to guard them.  I need to be thinking ahead so that I can protect them.  Are you doing the same?

As you close: Ask God for his help to keep your eyes pure from the filth in this world.  Ask God to give you wisdom to know what is good to look at and what is not. 

God Bless!

28 Days of Loving - Day 1

During the month of February, we will be talking about love.  I know that sounds so cheesy, but hey, we be cheesy at least once.

We all have a need to love and be loved.  Many flower shops and candy stores see their revenue go up just because of this need within each of us.  Every February, commercials flood the airwaves to remind us of our duty as husbands.  What do you do for your wife, obviously if you are married, for Valentine's day?

My wife is lucky to get anything from me before Valentines Day.  I wait until the day after and get it 50% off.  While most people have moved on, I'm expressing love to my wife and saving money at the same time.  I hope she finds it as romantic as I do.  Giving is an act of love and it doesn't matter when you give it.

God gave something very precious to us to show us how much He loved us.  He sent His Son to live here and to die for us.  Read about it in I John 4:7- 21 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+4%3A7-21&version=NIV  (Click back arrow on web browser to return)

The kind of love that God showed us is different than we are used to.  We understand romantic love and brotherly love.  But we have no idea what Divine love is all about.

This is the kind of love He came to give us.  This kind of love is unconditional, unselfish, and sacrificial.  We would never know this kind of love unless God showed it to us first.  That is how special this kind of love is.

And when you exprience this kind of love, John writes that your heart will be complete.  His love is totally satisfying.

So how do I experience this kind of love?  By surrendering your heart to Jesus.  By asking Jesus to forgive you of your sin and live in your heart.  When you believe it and tell it to Jesus, the Bible says the Holy Spirit will come and live in your heart and you will know first hand the Divine love God wants you to have.

Do you have this divine love? Surrender to Jesus today.

As you close:  Thank God for His Divine love and ask Him today who you can share that love with.

God Bless!

I Love My Church - Day 10

On Tuesday, when the big snow storm hit our area, Tiffany, the kids, I and another family were on our way for a scheduled mini-break at Kalahari Waterpark in Sandusky, Ohio.  Imagine this picture with snow covering the ground and people wrapped up in winter coats.

We were able to stay ahead of the storm and return after everthing was plowed.  We even came home to a plowed driveway and shoveled sidewalk.  It was such a blessing to come home to that loving act and I want to say thank you, thank you, thank you.  You know who you are and you are much appreciated.

While we were enjoying the waterpark, something caught my attention.  It was both our families enjoying each others' company.  Laughing, talking, eating and playing (and the momentary emotional breakdowns, but that is to be expected with kids.)  On the drive home I kept thinking, this was a great trip.  A great break and a great time with friends.  This must be what heaven will be like. 

Audio Adrenaline wrote a song, "A Big House" describing what they thought the glories of heaven will be like.  Whether they are right or off by a little, it will be a place for God's people to enjoy Him and to enjoy each other.  And He instructs us to take time off each week to have a touch of heaven here on earth.

He says in Exodus 20, "Honor the Sabbath day and keep it holy."  We are to be a people who take a break each week and enjoy life with our family, friends and God.  Jesus also addresses this issue of the sabbath when he answered the Pharisees about the sabbath in the Gospel of Mark. 

Read Mark 2:23-28 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+2%3A23-28&version=NIV (Click back arrow on web browser to return)

The Sabbath was made for man.  We were given a weekly gift from God; the Sabbath.  It is a time to refresh and enjoy life.

Are you taking time to enjoy life? Family? Friends? God?

What are you waiting for, take a day off and you will see what God can do through it.

As you close: Take some time to thank God for your family, friends and the gift of the sabbath.

God Bless!

I Love My Church - Day 9

The Super Bowl is next Sunday and many people are gearing up for it.  Who will win and who will lose?  Which has the best offense and which has the best defense.  Who will be victorious in the end?

I love watching the big game.  The thrill of victory.  The smell of chips and salsa.  Children running in front of the television. Women playing board games.  Ahhhh.  What a night. Sunday night can't get here fast enough.

Something to consider though, at the end of every game, there is a winner and there is a loser.  It's all part of the game.  And when it's your team that wins, the victory makes it a sweet event.

We are in the middle of a contest and that contest is between Elohim and Diabolos.  Huh?  Who are they?  Elohim is the Hebrew name for God and can you guess who Diabolos is?  Yep.  That is the Devil.  The Devil has been at odds with God since the creation of the world. 

You can examine their offenses and defenses.  You can examine their players.  You can look at the stats.  But in the end there really is no contest.  The Devil is completely outmatched on every detail.  And we already know the end of the game.  The book of Revelation describes for us how God finishes what He started.  The Devil is thrown into the lake of fire and the children of God enjoy eternity with Elohim in paradise.

Read about it in Revelation 20:7-10 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+20%3A7-10&version=NIV (Click back arrow on web browser to return)

You have reason to be excited.  Our team wins.  We are still in the middle of the game but we already know that Elohim wins.  You are victorious because you are His child.

How do you become His child?  By surrendering your life to Jesus Christ.  When you ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, He will do just that.  At that moment you become His child and you my friend join the winning team.

If you are a child of God, are you living a victorious life?  Are you living with Hope?  Are you living with joy?  Are you living with love?  Because the game has already been won, you can live a life that is victorious.  Let's get a little excited.  Put a smile on your face and walk a little taller.  Give a helping hand to someone...

As you close: Thank God for the victory we have because of Jesus.

God Bless!

I Love My Church - Day 8

I was at Winter Jam last night with my daughter and many others from our church family.  For those of you that don't know, Winter jam is a Christian Music Concert featuring many bands.  It was terrific.  Food was okay, music was good, and daughter and friends to enjoy it with, priceless. 

One thing did stick out to me though.  The entire stadium was filled to capacity and something happened when we all worshipped together.  The Holy Spirit became visible and I felt the heart of God must have been pleased.  This must be what God's heart longs for.  A place filled with people who are worshipping Him.  Why?  Because He is worthy of all praise.

Read Psalm 93 or click to view  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2093&version=NIV (Click back arrow on web browser to return)

Can you imagine a sea of people lifting up their voice in worship and praise of Almighty God?  We have moments of it here during our worship services but one day is coming when every tongue will confess and every knee will bow to Jesus Christ who is Lord over all.

That is why I love the church.  I have the opportunity to praise Him and join the ranks in practicing for the day that is to come.

If you need a pick me up, sing Him a song.  He'll love it!

As you close: Thank God for the privilege for worshipping Him.

God Bless!

I Love My Church - Day 7

I like to eat.  Eating is a good thing.  I find it can be very fulfilling, especially when I'm hungry.  What satisfies your tummy when you are hungry?

What about the soul?  How do we satisfy the soul?  Since birth, there is a hunger in the soul that many feel but have no idea how to satisfy.  So we satisfy it with sexual addictions, food addictions, beverage addictions, material addictions, adrenaline fixes, you name it.  We are trying to find something that will satisfy the soul.

There is only one place where you can find satisfaction for the soul, it is in God's Word, the Bible.

God told the people of Israel to remember He is the provider and sustainer in life.  They will find satisfaction for the soul in Him.  Read about it in Deuteronomy 8 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%208&version=NIV (Click back arrow on web browser to return)

"Man doesn't live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord."  God's words will satisfy the soul.  Where do we find His words?  We find in the age old book that has stood the test of time; the Bible.  We find satisfaction as we read and obey His words.

You've read one chapter today already.  Make that a habit of yours to read a passage or chapter every day.  You can reach for the protein bar and have your tummy filled.  Reach for the Soul satisfaction bar found in God's word and satisfy the soul.

As you close: Thank God for His Word, the Bible.  Thank God it is trustworthy and life giving.  Ask God for consistency in reading it.

God Bless!

I Love My Church - Day 6

One reason I love the church is that we get the chance to develop wonderful friendships. 

Facebook has become the face of our friendship world. It gives us an opportunity to see how people are doing and an opportunity to connect quicker than ever.

What is friendship?  Wikipedia defines friendship, "In a comparison of personal relationships, friendship is considered to be closer than association, although there is a range of degrees of intimacy in both friendships and associations."

In short, we have varying degrees of frienships but the intent is that it is closer than just knowing someone exists.  The degree of intimacy, closeness, is up to each individual.  I choose to get closer to some than others. Others I keep at an arms distance.  I know you do the same.

Frienships are meant to be a part of your church family experience.  You are meant to find a friend, someone you can be open with and be someone for others to open up with.  Do you have that kind of friend in the church? 

King David was a friend of Jonathan.  Jonathan's father, Saul was king of Israel and desired to kill David over a jealous spirit.  David was a mightier warrior than Saul and that produced an anger in Saul and it drove him to attempt murder of David.  God protected David and used Jonathan to protect him.  In I Samuel 20 we read about their last time together as close friends.

Read about it in I Samuel 20 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+20&version=NIV (Click back arrow on web browser to return)

Do you have this kind of friendship in the church?  Being new to Brighton Chapel, it will take some time but I look forward to friendships God will develop in my life in our church. 

That is another reason why I love this church!

As you close:  Thank God for friendships.  Ask God for a good friend.  Ask God to help you be a good friend to someone in our church!

God Bless!