Archives for March 2006

Given March 10, 2006
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 peter 5:8” I was meditating on this verse and, as happens to me frequently, I got a picture of what this might look like but it was differnt. First, this verse tells me the devil can’t get to everyone, some are easier than others. And some things that are good can result in harmful outcomes.

I saw the devil and some of his demons roaming around looking for those he could get to. Now, these are Christians mind you. They come upon one guy who is doing “church work” but he’s doing it all the time. Old Slew Foot says, “Get that one, he’s unbalanced, we can influence him” Then they come upon one who is spending time with family, work, recreation, and church activities and the devil says, “Don’t bother with him.”

Then they come upon this guy who is balanced, knows the Word, AND believes it. The devil tells his crew, “Whoa, get on the other side of the street. This guy’s dangerous, don’t be around him!” That’s the one I want to be!

We can get so involved with good things that we get out of balance and open ourselves up to deception. We focus on the work and get our eyes off Jesus. Other areas of our lives will be affected. Take a look at the “things” in your life and ask God to show you if anything is unbalanced. Then do something about it.

Given March 3, 2006
We’ve seen this term, and others like it; raising a ruckus, raising cain, raising the roof, and probably used them from time to time. They all mean we’re complaining, arguing, in conflict with or something of that nature. The Bible says, “A hot-tempered man stirs up conflict, but a man slow to anger calms strife.” Proverbs 15:18

One of my boys got a big disappointment recently from somewhere he’d applied to and his first inclination, as was mine, was to retaliate. We wanted to let them know how we felt! And how wrong they were! But, in his youthful wisdon, after thinking about it, he said this, “When you raise hell, you only bring up fire and misery.”

I thought that was a very true assessment. As Christians, we’re supposed to do our best to be at peace with everyone, to turn the other cheek, to forgive. Our flesh wants to retialiate and fight back but that usually only does what he said, brings up bad things and makes the situation worse. His reply to these people was goinig to be more Christlike, and that makes me proud of him. Way to go JD.

Given March 1, 2006
During my morning prayer time, I was visualizing how it must be in Heaven with God on the throne and all the residents there worshiping and praising Him. A vast crowd, I’m sure. Or, He’s taking care of some of His duties running the universe. Whatever He’s doing, He stops when I lift up a prayer.

I can see God holding His hand up to the crowd as He hears me and He says, “Wait a minute, my son’s calling.” Even in the midst of all that’s going on in Heaven, He hears my prayer and takes the time to listen and respond back to me! “I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. Psalm 116:1-2“. What an awesome thing!

Jesus did this too. Many times, although crowds were around him, He took the time to listen to Jairus, (Mark 5:22-24), the woman with the issue of blood, (Matthew 9:20), or the centurion, (Matthew 8:5-7). He takes the time to listen to us too.

Given January 24, 2006
I was thinking about my time and the things people like to do to spend their time. I spend about 6.5 hours sleeping, 8.5 hours working, 2.5 hours eating, 2 hours at the computer, (while not at work), maybe an hour or so watching TV, and an hour for prayer/devotions/bible reading/tape listening. That leaves about 2 1/2 hours for everything else!

If we’re spending all this time doing these things here, what are we going to do in Heaven? I can’t see us watching TV, talking on the phone, or surfing the web in Heaven. My point is, we need to be doing more of the things we’ll be doing in Heaven while we’re here on the earth. Things like spending time with Jesus, worshiping, and praising.

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Psalm 1:1-2″ Think about it.