Category: God's Power - Jethro TOOLS

Faith and Saving

6/29/2025

Proverbs 3:1-12
Returning home, the house was strangely silent. The flick of the light switch produced no result. The steady hum of the old refrigerator was nonexistent. These and more were the symptoms discovered today as we walked in the front door. The power was off. There was no electricity coming into my home to provide the power necessary to operate normal functions within my home. As with electricity, our lives need the connection to God’s power for successful operation. The book of Proverbs provides powerful word pictures that resemble life and give guidance on how to live a life of wisdom that honors God. Proverbs 3:9 tells us to honor God with our wealth. That is accomplished by giving back to God the first and best of what He has given us. This is a gift that reminds us of God’s rightful authority over our life. The very next verse tells us that when we apply this wisdom that honors God first it will lead to His blessing (10). The problem is that we as people want shortcuts to prosperity. We incorrectly think that righteousness leads to prosperity, therefore I will be righteous because I want to be prosperous. In doing so we love ourselves first and God takes a very distant second place. Prosperity should lead us to thankfulness and serving God with what He has given. When we save solely for our purposes we miss the security of God’s blessing. We must love God for who He is not what we want to get. God in His wisdom and grace has given us His best in Jesus. In Christ our perspective on the power of saving is changed. He saved us so we honor Him with the blessings He has given us. God wants His power to flow through our lives and bring honor to Him. Is it time to flip the perspective switch in our life from saving to honoring?

For More See PROVERBS

The Disciple's Connection

1/12/2025

John 15:1-8
The garden this past summer produced a bumper crop of sunflowers. In fact one was over sixteen feet tall. However, large objects like that do not handle the force of wind very well. Examining the garden after a bit of strong wind revealed sunflower damage. Several plants were down. Upon further inspection we saw that two of the sunflowers had broken stalks and were wilting because they lost their connection to the roots and the life giving nutrients supplied to them. The plants with the broken stalks were beyond repair. They wilted, died and had to be removed. Just as the connection to the roots is essential for a sunflower to grow so also the disciple must remain connected to Christ to grow. In John 15 Jesus tells His disciples that he is the true life giving vine (1). Spiritual growth and fruitfulness are only found though our connection to Christ as our savior. That connection is formed as we trust in Christ’s sacrificial payment of our sin. However, Jesus does not end the conversation with saving faith. He challenges the disciples to a growing faith that is spiritually productive (4). The production of faith and true spiritual life is never found through individual effort. Jesus says that apart from Him there is no life and no fruit (5). The challenge that Jesus leaves His disciples, and us, is to allow His power to flow through us to produce His results and His praise (8). God desires that we have fruitful spiritual lives known for righteousness, giving, serving, and witnessing. That can only be accomplished through a relationship with Christ as we are connected to Him as savior. That connection is maintained through time in the word, prayer, fellowship and worship. Are we connected to Christ? Remember, just like a sunflower, it is not how tall you grow, but that you remain connected.

For More See JOHN or DISCIPLESHIP

Preserve Solid Faith

9/1/2024

1 Timothy 1:18-20
Broken windows, holes in the hull, plus a tilting deck. That is a simple description of various boats I have seen abandoned on the beach. I often wonder what they were like before they were left to rot in the sun and surf. What did they do or not do that led to their undesirable defeated demise? I can recall one boat that is a faded green and a dirty white laying unmoved, at an angle, in the tidal mud for years. A boat that was once valuable and useful is now nothing but wasted junk that clutters the beach. Lighthouses, maps and guides are all available to prevent shipwrecks. The same is true in our spiritual life. We need direction and guidance to navigate the often treacherous waters in our daily life. In 1 Timothy 1:18-20 Paul addresses Timothy regarding the issue of spiritual shipwrecks. He closes out this chapter by naming two men who wrecked their faith because they focused on other things rather than the Biblical truth of the gospel message (20). They rejected personal faith in God and thus blasphemed God through their life. These men were removed from positions of teaching and influence to be taught a lesson. The spiritual shipwreck was public and a visible warning for all. The collapse of faith is evident still today. What do we need to do to combat it? First, we need to be servants, like Timothy, who are committed to serving only God’s agenda in our personal life and church life. Second, we need to be like soldiers who fight for the truth of the gospel not personal preferences and legalistic concepts (19). Finally, we need to be like sailors and use the word of God to navigate life correctly, living as helpful examples of faith not harmful misdirectors. Only by faithfully following Jesus can we find purpose, power and direction to combat the treacherous waters of life.

For More See 1 TIMOTHY

Participate as a Witness

8/11/2024

Acts 1:1-8
Just down the street, from my home, a new house is being built. Have you ever paid attention to the process of building a home? Several months ago several large pieces of heavy equipment arrived on the site and began digging the foundation. Then concrete was poured and now the walls and roof are going up. There is a small crew of workers at the new house site each day moving the project toward its designed completion. But what if each of the workers decided to construct what they wanted without regard or communication with the others? The end result would be nothing but disorganization and chaos. There would be wall without doors and stairs going to nowhere. However, each of the workers reads the house plans, listens to the boss, and does what is being communicated. The same is to be true in the church. The early church, in the book of Acts, saw continued growth with many people coming to faith in Jesus. In Acts 2:41 about 3000 people believed and were baptized. Stop and ask yourself why. The answer is found in looking back to the beginning of the book. In His last words to His disciples Jesus promised power through the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8). This promised individual spiritual power brought change to each disciple and they spoke of Jesus the savior who is alive and no longer in the grave. God gave His power to His disciples to build His church through their witness. The same is true for us today. The promise of the Spirit’s indwelling and transforming power is true for everyone who believes in Jesus. God desires that we listen to Him, point others to faith in Him and thus see His body, the church, built for Him. As believers we are empowered by God’s Spirit for God’s glory to proclaim God’s message! Let us live each day using His power by participating as His witness.

For More See ACTS

Participate in Fellowship

7/28/2024

1 John 1:6-7
Some years ago I borrowed a canoe from a church member and placed it in front of the church as an illustration of fellowship. So how would an old canoe describe fellowship? Well, the best way to travel in a canoe is with two people. However, two people in a boat does not mean that they have fellowship. They merely exist together without participating in any meaningful activity. But if those two people are in a boat and paddling the same direction they share the experience and are able to benefit from each others efforts as they glide through the water. In Acts 2:42 the early church spent time in fellowship. What is fellowship? Biblical fellowship is defined as participation or sharing, as in sharing in and participating in an activity. In the book of 1 John the author confronts false teaching and beliefs that circulated in the early church by addressing true fellowship. In verse 6 and 7 John challenges his audience to a proper conduct and imitation of Christ that walks as He does. In order to do this we need to align our life and participate in fellowship with Christ our savior. In other words, the correct practice of our relationship with Jesus will impact and direct our correct God honoring relationships with others. Our fellowship with one another is to be a living reflection of our relationship with Christ. Like the early church, we are challenged to live the life changing truth of the gospel in our fellowship with one another. By being in fellowship with Christ and following Him we will see the power of the gospel transform us and transform our relationships with others. Just as we benefit from others being in a canoe and paddling in the same direction with us, so we also benefit others by our walk with the Lord and see the reciprocal effects in our relationships.

For More See 1 JOHN

Walk in Wisdom

5/12/2024

Ephesians 5:15-21
The terms wise guy and wise man are different. A wise guy refers to a person who makes sarcastic responses. However, on the other hand, a wise man is different. In the second term, wisdom is used to describe the person that does wise things. So what is wisdom? How is true wisdom different from someone using a witty comeback? In order to effectively answer that question we must clarify the difference between knowledge, understanding and wisdom. First, knowledge is knowing what is right. This is knowing in your head what is the right response. Second, understanding is discerning what is right. This is understanding the right response to the situation. Third, wisdom is practicing what is right. Wisdom takes the knowing plus the understanding and turns it into doing what is right. As Paul continues his letter to the Ephesian church he address the practice of wisdom as it relates to the life of the believer. Paul challenges his audience to walk in wisdom (15-16). So how do we live a life that is noted for wisdom? Paul provides four pointers designed to help the believers in Ephesus and us today. First, wisdom is learned from God (17). Knowing God and His will for our life is the beginning of wisdom. Next, Paul points out that wisdom in the life of the believer is the result of God’s Spirit having control of the believer (18). What fills us is what controls. Is the Spirit of God in control of your life? Third, wisdom is spoken to others, but it comes from an attitude of joy that displays the spiritual foundation of our words (19-20). Finally, wisdom is lived relationally as we honor God by submitting to others (21). God will transform us by His power as we seek His ways and His wisdom. James 1:5 says that if we lack wisdom we should ask God for wisdom.

For More See EPHESIANS

Acceptance

3/18/2024

John 3:1-21
Have you ever wanted to get to know someone but were afraid to talk to them when others were around? In John 3 we see that Nicodemus was a religious leader with serious questions for Jesus. So, he arranged to met with Jesus at night, asking questions that people still ponder today. He began with a general statement regarding what people in the community were saying about Jesus. He then moved too much deeper questions in response to the truth that Jesus presented. His perspective about Jesus was challenged (2-3). His beliefs about Jesus and salvation were confronted (4-8). Through this, Jesus desired that Nicodemus would believe that He was the promised savior as predicted in the scriptures (9-15). The conversation concludes as Jesus emphasized that a new life is only the result of God’s transforming power (16-21). As we read this conversation we often miss what Jesus was modeling for us. Jesus was willing to take the time to meet with Nicodemus. From there He started with what Nicodemus knew and challenged his understanding of the truth. Jesus made sure that the truth was presented in such a way that it would lead to beliefs being challenged and to salvation. Today, we can do the same in our conversations with others. We can only tell others of the truth of the gospel if we know it by experience. Let us ask God to open the conversations and relationships so we can tell others of Jesus and point them to salvation in Him alone. Like Nicodemus, our acceptance by God is not found through what we know about Him or the things we do. We must come to God on His terms through Jesus our savior. In that, God begins a visible transformative process, moving us from spiritual darkness to spiritual light (21). Like Nicodemus, what we know will affect what we believe, and what we believe will affect the way we live.

For more see JOHN or EASTER

What is the Church?

1/28/2024

Matthew 16:13-20
“Throw the rocks into the woods and listen to the music they make… rock music!” We all groaned at the joke that our gym teacher had just made. It all started as the weather began to warm, the rocks began to show up and our Jr. High teacher who was also the track coach saw a need. The problem that needed to be addressed was that the gravel running track around the school was full of rocks that would cause tripping or twisted ankle hazards for the track team. His simple solution was to get each and every gym glass outside to throw rocks into the woods and thus clean the track for the runners. However, multiple rocks making multiple thuds is not music in any form. Yet, often we think of the church in that way. We look at what the church does and use that to define what the church is. The function of the church can never define the church. Instead the church finds its source in who God is as one who has a passion for people (Luke 19:10) and a desire for true worshipers (John 4:23-34). Out of that passion and purpose God created something new through the new promise given in the blood of Christ to create a new community of worshipers who are connected through belief in Christ and under the direction of the Spirit. A proper understanding of who God is leads to a correct definition of the church. This in turn directs the function of the church, one that has a passion to whole heartedly follow and worship God. In Matthew 16:13-20 Jesus states that He will build His church (18). Many people have misapplied this passage to historical or present day people. Notice however that Jesus words are a reference to Himself and His action of building His church. Still today we struggle with the idea that our actions are what build a church. In doing so we define the church by what the church does rather than by who the church is founded on. It is just like saying that rocks make music. When we believe that our actions build the church that is not music to God’s ears… it is just a dull thud, like rocks falling in the woods.

For more see MATTHEW or QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Invitation to Worship

6/18/2023

Psalm 95
Do you remember the school song from your high school or college days? Most schools will have some sort of theme song that is used on various occasions to emphasize the school and its values. I vividly recall one song from one of my previous schools. The song All Hail the Power of Jesus Name was written by Edward Perronet and it captures, in words and music, the picture of honor and submission given to Jesus as the King above all kings. The words of the first verse begin,
All hail the pow’r of Jesus name! Let angels prostrate fall, Let angels prostrate fall; Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown Him, crown Him, crown Him, crown Him, and crown Him Lord of all.
I still remember sitting in chapel and hearing the words of the chorus echo through the auditorium. Crown Him, crown Him, crown Him rolled like thunder through the student body each time we lifted our voices in praise. The worship of God is an expression of praise from our lips, but it is also the submission of our heart, our attitude, and ultimately our life to the King of all. For us as people the concept of submission is often difficult. We as people, at the core, are rebellious and prideful, as we seek our own way apart from God. Our worship of God is not looking for what we can get from God. Instead, the worship of our life and our words is to seek the glory of God by declaring His greatness and submitting to His way in our life. May the constant worship of our great God and savior Jesus Christ continuously roll through our lives each day with thunderous reverberation as we crown Him Lord of all. So, like Psalm 95, I invite you to join me in worship. It is a simple invitation that you can pass on to others as well. Come let us worship and bow down.

For more see PSALMS or INVITATION SERIES

Patient Faith in Pain

5/28/2023

by Job 2:7-13
Pain tolerance is the maximum level of pain that we can put up with. Each person has a different level of pain tolerance. Our body will feel the pain and our brain will register how bad the pain is on our personal pain meter. For example, getting a shot from a doctor would be on the lower end of the pain meter, but having a large rock fall on our foot and break bones is a completely different level of pain. We as people deal with all kinds of pain, through out our lives, that can’t be measured by our personal pain tolerance. We all face physical pain from the bumps, bruises, and cuts in life. Yet beyond that we face emotional or psychological pain over personal loss and grief. How do we deal with pain? If we expect God to protect us from a life of pain we will miss seeing His power to save and our faith grow as He works through our pain. In Job 2 we now see the godly man Job face personal pain after the loss of all his possessions. Job is personally impacted by pain from the sores that cover his body (7). He also faces social pain as he is now an outcast from society sitting in a garbage dump (8). To top it off, Satan uses Job’s wife against him, to carry out his plan of seeking to turn Job from God (9). Job corrects his wife (10), because he understands that God uses problems to test us, train us, and grow us. Job understands that faith involves more than his personal comfort. Yet many people today base their faith on their comfort rather than on God. When the pain of this life can no longer be tolerated they question, doubt, and turn from God. Job did not tolerate his pain, instead he saw God as the only solution to his pain. When our pain comes, may we be like Job and follow God by faith.

For more see JOB

God's Sovereign Persistence

5/21/2023

Job 2:1-6
What do you do when you need fresh produce for a meal at home? Well, the answer is one of two things. The first option is that you may start a garden or plant some fruit trees. However, the results are not instantaneous. The second option is to go to the local grocery store. Upon entering the store you walk to the fresh produce case and examine the fruit and vegetables. You will look for bruises, bad spots, and unappealing bumps. Fruit that is shipped to our local grocery store will often arrive bruised from harvest and transportation. However, regardless of the lumps, bumps, and bruises a banana is still a banana. God made our fruits and vegetables to be consistent on the outside with what is on the inside. If you cut an apple open you do not expect to find a peach. The same consistency is true in the life of Job. As we move into chapter two we again see God’s rule over Satan (1-2). He is the defeated foe as God rules in the life of Job, His servant (3). However, Satan is not done, because he desires another chance to destroy Job (4-5). Yet, God in His sovereignty, allows Satan another chance to turn Job against Him (6). The sovereign persistence of God controlled Satan and kept Job. God, in His sovereignty, acts to preserve His servant. God is persistent in bringing about His plan in Job’s life and ours. We need to trust that only God can save us. Our effort to save ourselves is futile. Our enemy, Satan, is determined. However, God is all powerful, displaying His sovereign persistence. He knows the past, present, and future. His desire is that we submit to His rule and purpose in order to display His honor and glory through us. Like fruit that is squeezed and bruised, the servant of God under pressure displays God’s greatness to sustain and preserve.

For more see JOB

God's Character - Sovereignty

4/30/2023

Job 1:6-11
Have you noticed how much the automobile industry has changed lately? Just stop and compare the very first car that you can remember with the one that you use today. When I grew up there was no air conditioning, no power steering, no power windows, and the heater only worked for the front seat. Now we have all kinds of creature comforts and amenities to enjoy while driving. In spite of all the cameras and gizmos, we still have to drive the car. The driver, even though they do not understand all the technology, is the one that uses all the benefits of technology and engineering to direct the car down the road. To carry this analogy even further, God is sovereign, and in His sovereignty He controls the vehicle of our life and every life in the world. He does this out of His grace. In the book of Job we see God use His sovereignty to display His grace and power. God rules over the angels (6) establishing His purpose and will. In these verses we also see that God rules over Satan (6-11). Even today, we see and feel the influence of Satan, and forget the sovereign power of God over Satan. This passage reminds us, that God is sovereign in all of life, including even today. Like Job, we may not see or understand God’s power and work. However, God in His sovereignty is at work to bring about his purposes in and through our life, just as He was in Job’s life. You may feel like you are stuck with a broken down vehicle on the side of life’s highway. Remember that God is in control. In His sovereignty He knows what is going on. He will work to bring His blessing, if not now, then in the next life. Our job is to trust Him, rest in His grace, and follow Him faithfully like Job.

For more see JOB

Three Legged Service

3/2/2023

1 Corinthians 12:1-7; 2 Corinthians 4:7; 2 Corinthians 12:9
We were on our normal walk, on a normal day, until we spotted them. As the dog and I rounded the corner in the road there they were, a doe and her year old baby, feeding in the neighbor’s yard. The dog and I stood silent and still, as we watched those two deer watch us. Finally, after the deer realized that we were not a threat, they relaxed a bit and started to nibble at the grass again. But, as the baby pranced and played, I noticed something was seriously wrong with the mother. As she went to take a step she limped real bad. It was at that moment, I realized that the doe was missing the lower portion of her front left leg. I have no idea what happened to her, but she was severely disabled, and her walking proved it. The injury had healed over nicely, and she seemed to have learned how to manage this setback in life quite well. She had survived the injury and successfully raised a young one. The dog and I watched in amazement for a few more moments, and then turned toward home. As we retraced our steps I reflected on the disability of the deer and the spiritual correlation to our own brokenness. God equips us and enables us to be His servants. The problem is that many times we allow our past and its problems to haunt us. Satan deceitfully tells us that we are unfit, unqualified, and unable to serve. We wrongly believe Satan’s lie, that our past brokenness makes us unusable to God. This thinking is much like looking at the three legged deer and believing that she could never raise a family. However, God is a God of redemption. He alone is the one who enables and equips us to do what He wants. We believe that God saved us from sin, but we incorrectly believe that God cannot overcome the results of sin and chaos in our past. This is where we need to correct and change our beliefs. In 2 Corinthians 4:7 Paul describes himself as an earthen vessel, a piece of pottery, that has no special ability or power apart what it holds. The value or treasure of the vessel is held in the contents of the vessel. Our ability to serve comes from God who calls us, fills us, and enables us to serve Him. We are like a piece of pottery that is easily broken, but our value and usefulness is not found in our condition but in God who saves us. As we serve, we display the extraordinary power of God working through us, as weak and broken people. It is indeed a treasure to minister and serve our Savior, Jesus Christ. God is all powerful in saving us at salvation, and He is all powerful in equipping us for service. Do we allow the all powerful God to work through us, and enable us to serve, even in our brokenness? God used a three legged deer to remind me of His power displayed in my weakness.

For more see 1 CORINTHIANS or DISCIPLESHIP

Why Pray?

1/29/2023

Luke 18:1-8
You hear the screaming child before you see them. You know, the one in the store in the next isle over that throws a temper tantrum because a wise parent just told them, “No.” There was the certain type of food or specific treat that was just refused and the result is a vocal show complete with flailing arms. The child has gone completely out of control screaming for what they desperately think they need. We groan when we see that play out, but do we not do the same thing with God at times? We think we know what is best and exactly what we need, so we proceed to tell God what He must do for us. Our request turns to a loud demand and then to a scream and God refuses to answer. James 4:3 states that we do not receive from God because we ask with wrong motives. Instead, our prayer should be like the woman in Luke 18:1-8 who persistently asked the judge to do what is right. Her persistence is faith in action. But, what keeps us from prayer and seeking God’s righteousness in our life and our world? The main issue is a lack of faith that displays itself through our response to pain, problems, and pride. When we are in pain we incorrectly think that God is distant and does not hear. When we face problems we attempt our solutions rather than His, because in pride we say that we do not need God. At times we simply do not pray because we do not believe that God hears or is powerful enough to work. Prayer is our communication of faith to our loving heavenly Father who is able to work. God sees, knows, has the solution, and is able to work. Will we let Him? Will we pray?

For more see LUKE or DISCIPLESHIP

Christmas & Illumination

12/18/2022

John 1:4-9
I grew up in an era when the Christmas lights were the size of your thumb. They were the kind that you had to watch carefully because they would get hot and produce enough heat to start a dry Christmas tree on fire. As the years progressed my family replaced those with strings of smaller lights that were less dangerous. It was a real treat when we got the little lights that would flash on and off. It sure added a dimension to the tree that the old big bulbs never could. Still, to this day, I truly enjoy watching the colorful lights dance around the tree and reflect their light off the ornaments hanging on the tree. As I look at the twinkling lights on the tree they remind me of the light that Jesus Christ has brought into the world. Isaiah 8:19-22 speaks of the spiritual darkness and sin of the people. Yet, as we move into the next verses, Isaiah gives hope to the sinful people. A Savior will come for those surrounded by the gloom of sin (Isaiah 9:1-7). This darkness of sin leads to separation from God and others. Even the shepherds (Luke 2:8-20) and the wisemen (Matthew 2:1-12), in the Christmas story, were considered outsiders and not acceptable. Yet Jesus came to show His grace and acceptance of all who turn to Him for salvation. It is His power that transforms our lives. Just as a strand of Christmas lights can never produce light on their own unless plugged in. Likewise we who follow Christ are only able to live a new life through His transforming power that enlightens and enables us (John 8:12). Jesus is the Savior for sinners and the Savior that offers salvation to all. He saves us so we can walk a transformed life by His power and display His light to others.

For more see JOHN or SYMBOLS OF CHRISTMAS

Conformity to God's Standard

11/27/2022

Romans 8:28
William Payne Stewart was an American professional golfer who lived from 1957-1999. He was at the peak of his career, having won eleven PGA events and three major championships, when he tragically died. At the age of 42 he was killed in an airplane accident because the plane cabin did not pressurize resulting in a lack of oxygen at high altitudes. The plane traveled for hours on auto pilot until it finally ran out of fuel and crash landed. People around the world grieved the loss of this flamboyant golfer who was in his prime. Yet, in the pain, God was at work. You see, Stewart and several others on board that doomed flight were believers in Jesus Christ. Through the sorrow of their passing God brought about His good. Others came to faith in Christ through their death. Often we define good as being what is pleasant to us. However, in Romans 8:28 good is defined in the context of the following verse as being conformed to Jesus Christ. Our conformity is based on confidence in the ultimate goodness of God’s work and His shaping of our character in the process. God works in the lives of those who believe Him to bring about His purposes displayed through their lives. Some of those life events may be peaceful from a human perspective while others may be painful. Ultimately, however long or short, our lives are to be lived to honor God. Though the span of years that God allows us we are to consistently display God’s power at work transforming us into the likeness of His Son. Like pottery in the hands of the potter we are molded and shaped under the watchful eye of our loving Father for the purpose of displaying His greatness. Who is shaping your life? Remember, God’s plans are to bring about His good in your life and display you as His masterpiece.

For more see ROMANS or MISAPPLIED SCRIPTURE VERSES

God's Plans - present pain future hope

11/13/2022

Jeremiah 29:1-14
Have you ever had surgery? Some time ago I had to face the reality that cancer and its corruption was growing inside me. The best option was surgery to remove the cancer. In the process of preparation for surgery I asked my doctor many questions. I had to trust him completely for the surgery to remove the cancer and for the outcome that I could not see after surgery. My doctor gave me hope that even though this would be a long process of recovery, I would be better in the end. Like you, I did not like the pain of surgery, but the pain had a purpose of bringing about the restoration of my health. I had a compassionate doctor who sought the best plan for my life. Likewise, the prophet Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet because of his continued compassion for his audience. He wrote a letter to his nation, exiled in a foreign land, to give them hope in God. In his book, Jeremiah records how the people have placed their trust in other things rather than God. This led the people to be discouraged as they were in exile. Jeremiah communicates God’s message that there is hope beyond the pain if they trust in Him. For us today the message is the same. Like the people of Jeremiah’s day we are easily led astray and place our trust any where else but in God. Misplaced trust in unreliable and powerless sources will lead to discouragement. However, hope is found by trusting in God who is all powerful. Through the pain of life God is working out His purpose in our life. At times, pain may be God’s design for our correction and redirection, but ultimately it is for our connection with Him. God will use pain for the purpose of drawing us to Him. God’s desire is to give hope in His future.

For more see JEREMIAH or MISAPPLIED SCRIPTURE VERSES

I Can Do All Things

11/6/2022

Philippians 4:10-13
This week a friend of mine sent me some pictures of my favorite car, a Ford Mustang. I don’t know why, but I have always liked that car. I can clearly remember the first time I saw one when I was about 6 years old. The car in the pictures was a much newer model, yet it still had some of the classic body lines and contours that reminded me of the much earlier version. We discussed, in jest, how I could convince my wife and possibly trade my current vehicle for this one. However, in the end I decided to be content with the car that I have because it is a gift from God, but that is for another story. You see things may make us content for a little bit, but if my contentment is wrapped up in things have I not lost my commitment to God? We can have all the material possessions of this world and lack peace in our circumstances. If we lack a contentment in what God has provided, and a commitment to Christ, we are spiritually lost. Christ provides all that we need for today and eternity. His powerful work of grace on the cross provides new life, new power and new perspective for all of life’s circumstances. If we do not have Christ we have nothing. We do not have His power for living and His joy that sustains. We need a commitment to Christ and a contentment with His provision to have peace in our circumstances. That is the message of Philippians 4:13 which states, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” We need joy in the Lord not our circumstance. We need joy for how God is working in others through our circumstance. We need contentment with what God has provided in the circumstance, and a commitment to God in all of our circumstances.

For more see PHILIPPIANS or MISAPPLIED SCRIPTURE VERSES

Be Still

10/23/2022

Psalm 46
Where I grew up there was a simple saying… “Two men working together can do the work of three or four men working alone.” You would think that it is not possible, but it is. The sheer efficiency and ability to team up on a project, plus the boost of morale helps the team of two accomplish much more together than multiple people alone. I have seen that truth play out in physical life and also in spiritual life. For those of us who know Christ as Savior, we have a partner and strong refuge that we can always rely on. Psalm 46 reminds us as people that God is as a strong defender. This Psalm is written as a song reminding the hearer that God’s power is sufficient for victory over the disasters experienced in nature and the conflicts brought on by nations. Psalm 46 describes God’s strength (1-3), and presence (4-7) that are essential for us to function in a world that is falling apart. We can respond in confidence to the chaos of our world as we worship God who is not only present but powerful to protect (8-11). When we stop our own striving and effort (10), we then have the space to be still and observe who God is and what He does. This Psalm reminds us to praise God for the victory He brings because of His strength and presence. The problem is the difference between knowing that truth and practicing that truth. When I am still and stop my striving, I realize that God is at work in my world for His honor and His praise. He can only be lifted up or exalted as I cease trying to solve my battles my way. When I pause and rest in God, others will take notice and see God’s strength. Have you teamed up with God or are you trying to work out your life alone and on your own?

For more see PSALMS or MISAPPLIED SCRIPTURE VERSES

Priority of Prayer

10/16/2022

James 5:13-20
Have you ever had someone stop and pray for you? It is amazing how that moment in time can change your perspective regarding the difficult life situation at hand. This week I had someone stop and pray for me, and it encouraged me to pause and trust God yet again for the difficulties I was facing. On the other hand, over the course of this week, I have had the chance to pray with and for others involved in various situations. I realized that I was incapable of bringing a solution to the situation, but by faith I trusted God to work His solution. In these verses, James wants his audience to pray to God about their personal situations (13). However, we as people often do everything else and talk to everyone else but God. James challenges his audience to call others to pray over them when they have been spiritually weakened and have lost faith in God (14-16). He wants his audience to see that faith in God in impossible situations is possible. James illustrates this by giving the example of Elijah as one who prayed and saw God respond (17-18). As James closes the book, he provides an encouragement and challenge to rescue and restore those who have wandered from their faith in Christ (19-20). Today we can still display the reality of our faith by praying in the good and bad times. We can encourage the faith of others who have become weak by praying for them and we can share the burden of restoring the faith of others. Our faith is strengthened when we pray because we practice our belief in God by calling out to Him regarding the situation. May God help us see the value and necessity of a mature faith that prays. Who are you praying for and who is praying for you?

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Empowered

8/21/2022

Acts 1:1-8
The courtroom is packed. Witnesses are called to tell the truth of what is known; while everyone else is there to hear the outcome of the trial. Most of the time when we think of a witness we think in terms of a courtroom setting. However, in the book of Acts, there is a description of witnesses that are to go anywhere and everywhere. Luke, the author of Acts, provides a record of the early church and its growth. Luke simply records how the gospel is communicated in the present culture and cross-culturally in such a way that the message of Jesus Christ is spread around the world. In the first chapter of Acts, Jesus gathers His followers and gives them a promise. He tells them that they will be empowered to be His witnesses (8). The source of power is the Holy Spirit and the purpose of the power is to be witnesses of Jesus. The future task of His disciples is to tell others what they know about Him. The disciples of Jesus are to start witnessing where they are and go to the ends of the earth proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Savior. From the beginning of this book, Luke reports that God’s Spirit works through God’s people to spread God’s message. The same is true for us today. The spreading of the gospel message begins where you are. Some will be called to take the message of Jesus to other cultures in the remotest parts of the earth while others will be witnesses to friends, neighbors, and coworkers at home. The point is that all who claim Jesus as their Savior are to be witnesses of who He is. In a court of law, if witnesses were called, would there be enough evidence to convict you of being a committed witnessing follower of Jesus?

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Do You Know?

5/22/2022

Job 38-41
Did you know that about 50 percent of people fail their first driving test? A driving test is given to examine what we know and how we can apply it to various situations. It is easy to spout off answers that we assume to be correct, but do they do not work in driving situations. Gaining the head knowledge is important, but equally important is the application of those truths to life. You may be one of those people that failed the drivers test the first time and dreaded going back to retake it. Many people do not do well on tests for various reasons. Imagine if you were Job and God told you to answer His questions. That is the exact situation that is played out in Job 38:4. God begins the exam by asking Job what he knows about creation in chapters 38-39. There is a pause in the test as God gives Job a chance to respond. Job wisely has no answer (40:1-5). God then continues with a second exam that asks Job about God’s power as displayed in the animal kingdom in chapters 40-41. Job could not explain God’s working in his personal life because he did not understand God’s knowledge or power. Creation is a clear display of God’s sovereignty and knowledge. Through the tests God desired that Job see His knowledge and trust His moral purposes worked out in life. Like Job, we need to trust God and allow Him to work out His plan and purpose in our life. Suffering is not necessarily about what is wrong with our life and what God must do for us. Suffering instead teaches us to trust God and His character and not to demand His blessing. The lesson from Job is simple, we can trust God’s knowledge and power because it is based on His trustworthy character.

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What Are You Doing Here?

5/15/2022

1 Kings 19:1-14
Years ago I learned the value of sunglasses while on a fishing trip. The sun was out and the water was clear, but the fish were not biting. I could sort of see the fish in the stream but my lure was just not getting to them. The problem involved a scientific term known as light refraction. This is an optical illusion where light changes direction when in contact with water. The reality behind the science is that my hook was traveling behind the fish and not in front of the fish where it could be seen. I only learned that after using sunglasses from another fisherman that cut down the light so I could see clearly. Just as our physical perspective can be skewed without sunglasses so our spiritual perspective can be distorted without God’s perspective. In 1 Kings 19 Elijah came to the point of believing that he was the only one left serving God (10, 14). In reality he was not alone because there were over 7000 who had not bowed down to the idol Baal (18). However, his twisted perspective led to disillusionment and discouragement. How can we live to see God’s perspective when we are distracted by discouragement? First we need to rely on God’s perspective and not be influenced by the fear of evil that surrounds us (1-4). Next we must depend on God provision (5-8) and remain where He has placed us (9-10). Discouragement will lead to fear and running away yet God calls us to trust Him. Finally, we need to seek God’s presence (11-14). God brought Elijah to a place where he saw God’s power and heard God’s voice. Today, God still asks, “What are you doing here?” Like Elijah we often get to this location because of fear. God helps us live by faith with His perspective.

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Why Are You Persecuting Me?

5/8/2022

Acts 9:1-9
Years ago one of my elderly uncles caught a raccoon. I do not recall all of the details, but as you know raccoons can be a bit of a bit of a nuisance getting into garbage cans and even into your house. Knowing my uncle, this was probably the case with this troublesome critter. Rather than moving the animal from his farm he decided to make the animal his pet. To make a long story short he succeeded. The raccoon would eat from my uncle’s hand. However, if anyone else walked up the raccoon would snarl and hiss aggressively. My uncle had taught the raccoon to submit and to trust him alone and not fight him. In the same way, Acts chapter 9 records Saul submitting to Jesus Christ. Saul was a bitter enemy of the church (1) who sought the imprisonment of as many as possible (2). However, human power is no match for God’s power and God caused Saul to lose his eyesight (8). Immediately Saul realized that persecution of the church is actually persecution of Christ. Jesus asked him the question in verse 4, “Why are you persecuting me?” That question is important because it points to the reasons and beliefs behind the actions. Saul became a changed man after Jesus confronted him with the truth of his actions. He no longer sought to save himself and what he thought to be religiously correct. Instead he began preaching that Jesus is the Son of God (20). Saul’s spiritual transformation began with the submission of his will and his way to God’s will and God’s way. His action, vision, perspective, and speech all changed. Like Saul, God may use any number of things in any number of ways to get our attention and submission. God may need to break us before He can use us. Today God still asks, "Why are you doing this which is against me?"

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Whom Shall I Send?

5/1/2022

Isaiah 6
Years ago I worked for a printing company that produced anything from business forms to business cards and brochures. One of the key steps in the printing process was a quality check. The easiest way to make sure that a customer received a quality product was to wash your hands. Printing ink on your hands would leave dirty fingerprints on the printed message. Similarly, as kids I am sure we all heard the same message… WASH YOUR HANDS FIRST! Mom always mandated we clean up first before coming for a meal. Cleanliness is a priority for health and none of us wanted to have sand in our sandwich. In Isaiah 6 the prophet Isaiah had a vision of God and His complete sovereignty and power (1-2). But what followed was earthshaking praise as the angels declared God’s holiness (3-4). At that moment Isaiah realized his shortcomings, sin and impurity in comparison to God (5). However, God took the unclean Isaiah and purified him in preparation for speaking God’s message of truth to a sinfully corrupt people (5-6). Then God asked the question, “Whom shall I send?” (8). That question is staggering. The God of the universe seeks the involvement of sinful Isaiah. Like Isaiah we need to clearly understand who God is. However, our view of God will impact our view of our self, our world and the urgency of His message. We need to realize that God desires to cleanse us because He seeks to use us to deliver a clear message about Him. Our view of God will impact our response and availability. Like a dirty smudge mark on printed paper sin in our lives will distract others from God’s message. Remember that God cleans us and calls us so He can use us. What a privilege and responsibility! Today, God still asks, “Whom shall I send?

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