This week I celebrated the birthdays of three of the most important people in my life – my wife, my middle daughter and my handsome grandson.

It made me appreciate the love of God in my life.

As far as I understand when reading the Word, we are to celebrate, not just special occasions like birthdays, marriages and graduations, but  everyday.

This is the day the LORD has made;  let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 NIV

We are to celebrate continually in God’s love, His healing  and His provision every day.

In that day the people will proclaim, “This is our God! We trusted in him, and he saved us! This is the Lord, in whom we trusted. Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!” Isaiah 25:9 NLT

Every day that God gives us is a  day of  life, of grace and of  forgiveness!

We don’t have to wait until we get to heaven to be joyous.

Grace and Peace

With all the news of Michael Jackson’s death being broadcasted on every stem of the media tree, it’s easy to get caught up in the world and it’s concerns – “was he in debt?”, “was he sick”, “did his doctor have something to do with MJ’s early demise?”

Here’s the question I propose – did he get a chance to repent of his sins and ask Jesus to be his Savior?

Who among us is privy to a person’s final thoughts?

Who knows what transpires in those last moments?

Are we sure that no prayer was offered?

Eternity can bend the proudest knees.

Could anyone really stare into the wide canyon of death without whispering a plea for mercy?

And could our God, who is partial to the humble, resist it?

He couldn’t on Calvary.

But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

 Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:40-43

The confession of the thief on the cross was both a first and final one.

But Christ heard it. Christ received it.

We don’t know if Michael cried out to God because we didn’t hear him.

But maybe Jesus heard him.

Grace and Peace

God is good… all the time.

Easier said than done.

Do we really mean what we say when we say that God is good? Can we say that God is good all the time?
What about those times when the flaming arrows of the enemy come against you from all angles?
Remember Jesus said we would suffer for His name’s sake. So don’t act surprised when you encounter difficulty. He never said it would be easy to be His follower, but He did promise to hold our hand.
When the attacks come keep declaring the goodness of God. It won’t be easy, but you can do it.

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. Psalm 28:7 (NIV)

Pray for strength to do so and the Holy Spirit will empower you. With all of your wounds–grief, disappointment and bad luck–you will be able to say (like Job), “though He slay me, yet will I trust Him”.
During your darkest hour, you will still be able to proclaim:
Even though I’m being laid off from my job and God knows I have four mouths to feed, a mortgage, and a car lien to pay… God is still good.
Even though I fasted and prayed for seven days about my son’s case, yet he was convicted and sent to prison for a crime he did not commit… God is still good.
Even though I thought I had dental insurance and my daughter needs to have a root canal… God is still good.
Even though I begged God for justice while I was being lied about and mistreated on my job, yet, in the end, I was unjustly fired… God is still good.
Even though I don’t have any children and probably will never be able to have children… God is still good.
Even though I have been diagnosed with cancer and was told I have six months to live… God is still good.
Even though I lost my arm in a car accident… God is still good.
Even though my car won’t start and my bank account is in overdraft… God is still good.
Even if I never get married… God is still good
Even though I studied and studied, and took the exam twice and still failed… God is still good.
Even though the Bank finally foreclosed on my home and I am now a topic of discussion among my friends and neighbors… God is still good.
Even though God does not make sense to me… God is still good.
Be strong and mean every word as you proclaim God’s goodness in your time of distress.

Do all you can do to stand and remain standing.

Make it known to satan that you are not an easy target.
When you declare the goodness of God during your trials, you defeat the enemy and, in due course, the enemy will fear you.
 

The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

God is still good from the beginning of time, and He will still be good to the end of time. Regardless of the difficult challenges, hindrances, disappointments and hurt we experience in life, God is always good. We must believe that. We must learn to trust God.

Grace and Peace

EL… strength, might and power.

That’s one of the many names of our God.

It may not be neccessary for our salvation to know all the names of God but in His infinite wisdom,  Adonai El Elyon, The Lord Most High God (Genesis 14:22, Psalm 7:17, Psalm 47:2)  tells us who He is in His Word.

All His names describe who He is; speaks of His character and proclaim His power.

Adonai Elohim, The Lord God (Genesis 2:4) invites us to call upon His name.

Not because He is unaware of who He is. Not because He needs our accolades. Not because He needs us to acknowledge Him in order to be.

But because when we know who Ha-El Hakkadosh, The Holy God (Isaiah 5:16) is, when we utter  His mighty  identity, our spirit is quickened.

His “strength, might and power” enriches our prayer and our faith in Elah Elahin, The God Of Gods (Daniel 2:47)  is bolstered.  

Regardless what name you call Jehovah, He is faithful to answer.

Grace and Peace

On Sunday morning ask 10 people what they think spiritual maturity is and you’ll most likely get 10 differant answers.

I was recently confronted by a respected friend to examine the question of spiritual maturity in the church today. Furthermore he challenged that there is a significant decline in mature churchgoers.

Does participating in a lot of programs, ministries and or church activities equal spiritual maturity?

I think not.

It doesn’t happen automatically  when we become believers.

It doesn’t happen  after we are baptized. 

It will happen because we pursue  after Christ and allow  God’s Holy Spirit to work in us.

“…until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:13 (NIV)

If we are indeed to mature in Christ,  it needs to be an intentional effort.

It is not the amount of knowledge or wisdom we obtain but the extent to which we allow the Holy Spirit to use whatever we’ve  been given. 

Spiritual maturity is the differance between surviving and  thriving; mediocrity and victory; how we see ourselves  and how God sees us.

Spiritual maturity is a life long pursuit  and cannot be obtained lightly. 

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12-14 NIV).

Even the Apostle Paul had not arrived, yet he continually pressed toward the prize.

 Grace and Peace

My favorite muse, P. Trixie Modeste, tuned me in to this video.

It’s a cover of Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me” performed by musicians around the world (who never even met each other) adding their part as the song traveled the globe.

This song, as well as other covers, is part of the award-winning documentary, “Playing For Change: Peace Through Music”.

The film soundtrack and DVD will be available in stores on 04/28/09.

Hope you dig as much as I did.

Grace and Peace.

“What will you gain, if you own the whole world but destroy yourself or waste your life? If you are ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of you when he comes in his glory and in the glory of his Father and the holy angels.” Luke 9:25,26 (CEV) 

Many of us live in a culture that ridicules faith.

Oh sure, some people give passing reference to Jesus, but their hearts don’t belong to him and they might as easily use his name in vain as they do in honor.

I don’t know about you, but I sure don’t want to make the Lord ashamed because of my behavior.

However, my bigger concern is that I don’t want to dishonor him, whether by things I do and say or things I do not do or say.

I want to be bold and courageous like little Miss California USA, Carrie Prejean.

Last Sunday, Carrie did the unthinkable when answering her final question of the Miss USA competition: she told the truth and it wasn’t politically correct.

I for one am grateful to the Lord for her unashamed conviction on this issue – especially in that arena.

Lord, give me the same courage that I might always demonstrate my allegiance and my love for you; because you left heaven and went to the Cross to boldly identify with me!

Grace and Peace

Dear Lord,

There’s a young or woman far from home,

Called to serve their nation in a time of war,

Sent to defend our freedom

On some distant foreign shore

We pray You keep them safe,

We pray You keep them strong,

We pray You send them safely home,

For they’ve been away so long.

Bless those who await their safe return,

And those who mourn the lost,

Bless those who serve this country well,

No matter what the cost.

Grace and Peace

  ”As far as the east is from the west,
         So far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

Psalm 103:12 (New King James Version)

Grace and Peace

ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE, YOU ARE FINANCIALLY PROSPEROUS WHEN THREE THINGS ARE TRUE OF YOU:

YOU NEVER WORRY ABOUT MONEY.

“Do not be anxious then, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘With what shall we clothe ourselves?’ For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things” Matthew 6:31, 32

Freedom from worry is available to every child of God who trusts His heavenly Father to provide all his needs.

YOU ALWAYS HAVE ALL THE MONEY YOU NEED.

“And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything…” (2 Corinthians 9:8).

God promises to keep you financially prosperous – if you are a generous giver.

YOU ALWAYS HAVE EXTRA MONEY TO GIVE TO GOD’S WORK.

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed” (2 Corinthians 9:8).

Financial prosperity includes having an excess amount of money to give towards the work of God.

Scripture teaches that God wants to bless His people with financial prosperity.

No, not driving a Lexus or taking Caribbean cruises every year.

But if we live and give according to biblical principles, we will never have to worry about money, we will always have all the money we need, and we will always have extra money to give away.
Grace and Peace