Guardian Angel

Psalm 91: 9-13
If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

In a world that is filled with all kinds of evil, we need to know that God is watching and in control.  God created this universe and he created heavenly beings as well.  Angels were created to worship God in Heaven, but also to protect us from danger.  The scripture says that if we make the Lord our refuge, no evil will conquer you.  God will send His angels to protect you and your home.  If you’re going through some hard times, ask God to send you one of His angels for protection today.

I believe God has so many good things for His children.  We have to believe and have faith to do what He wants us to accomplish here on earth.  God will protect you even in your darkest moments.  One great thing about being a Christian is people can’t take away your soul.  You belong to the Most High when you place your trust in Jesus Christ.  Christ conquered evil once and for all, so you have nothing to fear.  

God has given you the ability to trust Him or to deny Him.  What will you decide today to do with this perfect gift that God has given to you?  I hope you will place your trust in Christ and pray for God to protect you from every kind of evil Satan will throw your way to try and deceive you.  Remember, every good and perfect gift comes from God.  Satan will try to distract you and destroy everything around you.  You have to be strong and courageous in the Lord.  Being a Christian isn’t for cowards, but only for those that want to do His will, and accomplish His plans and purposes here on earth. 

Unfailing Love

Psalm 85: 1-2; 10-11

Lord, you poured out blessings on your land! You restored the fortunes of Israel. You forgave the guilt of your people—yes, you covered all their sins. Unfailing love and truth have met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed! Truth springs up from the earth, and righteousness smiles down from heaven.
 

When I think about this scripture, it’s amazing how God’s love is unfailing and true.  Verse eleven says, truth springs up from the earth.  That means that the truth is all around us.  The Bible says that God has written the law upon our heart.  It should be comforting to know that God’s love is all around us.  He is always patient and kind.  He is always just to forgive us of our sins daily.  What a wonderful peace that should feel our hearts knowing that our God loves us so much.

Looking at this scripture, we find a deeper meaning.  We see a people that belong to God, but many times fail and turn away from Him.  Why does God’s chosen people, time and time again, fall away from God?  The answer is quite simple.  They started trusting what they could do and not what God was doing through them. God wants us to see His glory revealed through our lives.  He’s a personal and relational God.  He desires to reveal himself to us the more we trust in who He is. 

I believe that God wants to bless us.  God wants you to feel peace and rest in Him today.  Give God everything and watch what He can do with the little bit we have to do His work here on earth.  God doesn’t have to use us, but because of His unfailing love he chooses too.  Live a life of love and peace today. 

Great Things

Psalm 84: 10-12
A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked. For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in you.

What a great scripture to remind us of how awesome Heaven will be.  Our God is always watching the ones that desire Him and do what is right.  He desires for us to have great things.  The scripture says he will withhold no good thing from those that do what is right.  There is so much joy and freedom when you live for God.  The things that God has for us in Heaven are hard to fathom, but I believe He wants us to have a little taste of it here on earth as well. 

The book of Psalms is so incredibly filled with the most poetic and rich writing I’ve ever read.  When David writes, his words come alive and jump out at me.  This scripture is so encouraging because he understands who God is.  He knows that his life is just a vapor.  It’s here today and gone tomorrow.  Always remember to keep your sight on things above.  When God blesses you, He wants you to remember where the blessings came from.  Don’t boast about anything, but thank the Lord today for everything He has given to you.  God wants us to be grateful for what He has done for us in our lives.

We serve a big God and he loves us so much. I am thankful for a God that showed us how much He loved us when He took our place at cavalry.  Thank God today for his love and mercy.  Live with a passion to tell people about how much He loves us and how much he has in store for those that trust in Him.     

Stubborn Nation

Psalm 81: 11-13

“But no, my people wouldn’t listen.  Israel did not want me around.  So I let them follow their own stubborn desires, living according to their own ideas.  Oh, that my people would listen to me!  Oh, that Israel would follow me, walking in my paths!

Today’s scripture reminds me a lot of our nation today.  Our nation was founded upon Christian principles and laws, but has fallen from these principles over the years.  This country has been blessed and we have been a blessing to so many countries over the years.  God is watching us and knows where this country is heading if we don’t wake up from our sleep.  America was once a thriving and innovative country, but now has stopped dead in its tracks with the debt it’s accumulated over the years.  We are still blessed more than any other country that has ever lived.  I don’t remember the Israelites having cell phones, computers, and all the rest of technologies like we have today. 

I believe God has been giving us chance after chance to get things right with Him.  One amazing thing about God’s love is that it is patient.  America still has so much potential, and I believe we have the resources to fulfill The Great Commission in our lifetime.  We have already begun that journey through so many organizations like the IMB and NAMB.  There are several others that have this same goal in mind. 

So where do you play a part in The Great Commission?  You might think this is just for people called to the mission field or maybe into ministry.  Let me ask you something.  Does it say in Matthew 28: 18-20, that you have to be a missionary or a minister to make disciples of all nations?  If everyone would step up and do their part in what being a Christian is all about, then we could very easily accomplish this command of God.  I believe if you are a Christian, then you are called by God to go and make disciples. Jesus took time with twelve men, and in their lifetime they reached the entire known world before they died.   If more people would die to their self and get involved in discipleship, then our churches and our nation would be able to fulfill The Great Commission. 

One Family at a Time

Psalm 78: 5-6

He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.

               

It is so important that we teach our children the truth.  The commandments and laws of God should be brought down from generation to generation.  We live in a culture where that is soon vanishing away.  The Bible is no longer taught in public schools.  Prayer is no longer allowed in most public places and sporting functions.  We are getting closer and closer to having God completely out of our lives for the sake of political correctness.

My question to you is where do you stand? If you believe that Jesus is the truth, then don’t hold anything back.  Stand up for what you believe in.  Teach your children the ways of God.  Show and lead them the way that Christ leads the church.  Fathers need to stand up and be the spiritual leaders that God has called them to be. 

One reason our country is in such turmoil, is because parents aren’t teaching their children the Bible.  More specifically, fathers aren't being the spiritual leaders they need to be.  Fathers need to read the Bible and pray with their spouse and children.  If you aren’t doing that already, I strongly encourage you as a family to start.  The only way we can win our nation back is one family at a time. Be that family today!

Storms of Life

Psalm 75: 1-5; 9-10

We thank you, O God! We give thanks because you are near.  People everywhere tell of your wonderful deeds.  God says, “At the time I have planned, I will bring justice against the wicked. When the earth quakes and its people live in turmoil, I am the one who keeps its foundations firm. “I warned the proud, stop your boasting!” I told the wicked, “Don’t raise your fists! Don’t raise your fists in defiance at the heavens or speak with such arrogance.”  But as for me, I will always proclaim what God has done; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.  For God says, “I will break the strength of the wicked, but I will increase the power of the godly.”

This past week, Turkey experienced a devastating 7.2 earthquake.  Hundreds are dead and hundreds more are missing.  It’s hard to fathom the aftermath of such a tragedy.  People ask all the time why do these things happen? This is a hard question to understand and it’s hard to find the answers.  Psalm 75 is a perfect example of what to do in times of turmoil.  When destruction and natural disasters are all around us, we can’t give up hope in the Lord.  These are the most pivotal times in the Christian life.  How we react to these situations will determine how strong are faith is in Christ.  Nations will rise and fall.  People will go from being wealthy to having nothing left. 

Let me ask you a question. If a natural disaster came through your town right now and destroyed everything you had, what would you do? Who would you trust? Would there be anyone you could turn to in your life? I hope your answer is yes.  Jesus Christ said he will never leave us nor forsake us even in the hardest of times. 

In Mark 4: 35-40, Jesus and the disciples are crossing the Sea of Galilee.  A horrible storm comes and threatens their lives.  The disciples find Jesus sleeping and ask Him does he care that they are going to perish.  Jesus rebukes the wind and the sea and says peace be still.  He says to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”  The disciples look at each other in fear and wonder how the wind and seas obey Him.

How amazing is it that even Jesus went through storms of this life.  We see a picture of how Jesus is in control even when we don’t think He is.  The scripture says, that even when the earth quakes and the people live in turmoil, He is the one who keeps the foundations of the earth firm.  The proud and arrogant will turn their back on Him, but those that trust in the Lord, He will increase their power.

I believe God wants to bless us even in the storms of life.  The way you respond in those storms  will determine the outcome.  Jesus faced the worst death and persecution anyone could have ever gone through.  There is nothing that we have gone through or going to go through that Jesus hasn’t already faced.  He will be there even when you don’t see Him at work.  You have to trust at all times that God is in control and to not give up.  Patience is hard to obtane these days in a world that is moving so fast.  That's why you have to stay in the Word of God daily and pray for God’s will to be so clear in your life even when you face the worst of storms. You will be amazed how much you will grow spiritually when you stay focused and persevere to the end. 

Orphans of God

Psalm 72: 12-14
He will rescue the poor when they cry to him; he will help the oppressed who have no one to defend them.  He feels pity for the weak and the needy, and he will rescue them.  He will redeem them from oppression and violence, for their lives are precious to him.

For three years I went on a mission trip to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico to work at an orphanage across the Texas border.  The first year I didn’t know what to expect.  The news and newspapers were talking about how dangerous it was due to drug trafficking.  Even though there was some turmoil, we decided to go.  God richly blessed our efforts, but it wasn’t without some delays and some change of plans.  We had to wait for over an hour each day to go across the line into Mexico.  It sometimes took longer, but it wasn’t going to stop us from what God had called us to do.  The long ride there to the orphanage sometimes didn’t seem to take long at all most days.  It was mostly on the way back to America each day that took forever.  

The first time we got to the orphanage it was eye opening and shocking.  Several of the buildings were run down.  The one hundred children living at the orphanage were very encouraged and so loving toward us despite their living situation.  We played games and soccer with them.  We had teams doing construction projects.  We had a group of us do VBS with them each day. The first year, the construction team remodeled their cafeteria, put in some air conditioner units and put in a fresh water system.  Each year we started on a new project.  The second year, we worked on a building so they could have a media room.  The third year, we remodeled a building and turned into an art school.  At the end of every week, we would go into the community and hand out food boxes that our church donated before we left on the trip.  We were able to hand out over 300 food boxes.  The homes in that community were pieced together by scraps of metal and whatever they could find.  Most of the people slept on dirt floors. 

We were also able to reach out to that community because we had another construction team that built a house for that community.  We tried to partner with a church in that community and it was amazing to see how God took what little we had and did so much with it.  Each year it got better and better.  The relationships we built with those children and the excitement on their faces when they saw you was priceless.  A team still goes out every year to help the orphanage and community. 

This scripture in Psalm 72, is true to the heart of God.  If you want to do something great for God it’s not how big you can grow a church.  It’s about going after the ones that nobody else will go after.  That’s the heart of God.  There’s a song called “Orphans of God.”  The chorus says, “There are no strangers, there are no outcasts, there are no orphans of God.” Remember, people might stereotype people groups and cultures, but God never will.  God’s love reaches to everyone.  It doesn’t matter how rich or poor you are.  Christ came to give us life and life more abundantly.  His love and grace is so abundant and that’s enough.  God loves the poor and needy.  He wants to use us to share His love to them.  Find ways in your community to get involved.  Ask your pastor about opportunities that you can be apart of starting today.

You Are My God

Psalm 63: 1-5

O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you.  My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you!  I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. You satisfy me more than the richest feast.  I will praise you with songs of joy.

In the 80’s and 90’s, there was a Christian songwriter named Rich Mullins.  He played with Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant, and several others over the years.  His music has been played by some of the biggest Christian artists in the industry.  He made such an impact through his music and his faith, but in 1997 he was tragically killed in a car accident.  The year he died he wrote many songs that hadn’t been recorded yet.  Some of his fellow music colleagues decided to take these songs and record them.  One of the songs on the album was called “My Deliverer,” which won song of the year in 1999. One of his most famous songs is called “Step by Step.”  This song came straight from Psalm 63.  The first verse says, “O God, you are my God, and I will ever praise you.”  It goes on to say, “I will seek you in the morning and I will learn to walk in your ways. And step by step you lead me, and I will follow you all of my days.”

Notice here that we don’t follow Jesus whenever it’s convenient for us.  Remember, Jesus was persecuted, spitted on, flogged, and died on a bloody cross for you and me.  When we get discouraged and frustrated with where we are in life that is not the time to give up and walk away.  The book of James in chapter one, verse one, says to count it as pure joy whenever you face trials and tribulations of many kinds.  Why? Because this will help develop and mature you as a Christian.  God wants you to run with endurance and persevere as we walk with Him.  We have to daily pick up our cross and die to our self and follow Him. 

This scripture is a perfect example of how we should live out our lives for Christ.  God’s love is never going to fail us nor forsake us.  Are you earnestly seeking after God today? Is your soul thirsting after Him?  We should be praising God everyday for what He has done for us on the cross. Take time today to thank God for his unfailing love for you.  Listen to some Christian music today and tell Jesus how grateful you are for what he has done in your life.

The Greatest Commandment

Matthew 22: 36-40 –Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?  Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

Do you remember when you were the happiest? When it seemed like everything was going your way? Everybody thought you were cool and popular! You seemed to make everyone laugh and smile! You could do nothing wrong. This scripture is telling us to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.  And to love your neighbor as yourself.

When Christ said this he wasn’t telling them anything new. They knew that loving God with everything was the most important commandment.  But then, Jesus threw in a curve ball and said love your neighbor as yourself.  That is hard for people to understand sometimes.   Hopefully by now you have thought about when you were the happiest in your life.  You see, this is where we get it all wrong.  We determine how happy we are from what other people think about us. We very seldom rely on God for acceptance. Why does that matter?

It matters because wherever you are in life, God wants you to give Him the glory for everything He has given you. People should not determine who you are. God should be the one that you should want to please and find true joy and happiness from.  People will let you down and hurt you, but God never will.  Don’t confuse your life’s circumstances with who God is.  Lots of times we get mad at God because things aren’t going the way we thought they would, so we think God is being mean and doesn’t care about us.

It’s actually just the opposite. If we truly rely on God and seek after him then he will start to give back to us. Don’t misunderstand that. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and then it will be added unto you.  Too many times we seek after what we want and not what God wants, but we still blame God for the outcome. Start realizing that life is too short to play the blame game.  When you get in God’s Word and start praying for His will and not your own, you will start to see how God will transform your life. Learn to give Him everything today and love people like you love yourself!