Given September 20, 2006
I remember, as a kid, the weeks leading up to our summer vacation. The excitement that would build as my younger brother and I would imagine the wonderful things that were coming. Then, the night before we were to leave, we could hardly sleep. It was the same at Christmas. How grand it was to have something wonderful to look forward to!

You know, I found that, in my present life, if I’ve got something coming up that is pleasant; something that I can look forward to, it makes the humdrum, even the bad stuff pass more easily. As Christians, don’t we have something to look forward to?

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 2: 17-18“. The vacations, Christmas, and even the big snow forcast that would cause us to miss shcool, (I still get excited about that), all are temporary. But Heaven and the unimaginable glory that awaits us there is eternal! Now that’s something to look forward to!

As I grow older, in my mid-fifties, I notice I’m “looking forward” more than I did when I was younger. I guess that’s natural. But it does seem to make this “vapor” of time here on earth more bearable. “For our citizenship is in Heaven, from where we also wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Phillipians 3:20“. It’s gonna be good!

Given September 25, 2006

We’ve all felt pressure in our lives. Sometime pressure comes from things we’ve committed to, from too many things we’ve said “yes” to. Pressure can come from family, work, or even church obligations and duties. We can feel pressure that comes from bad choices we’ve made. People in our lives can pressure us and, yes, we put pressure on ourselves to perform to a certain level. This pressure can build up and almost feels like it’s going to cave us in! So how do we handle it when we feel the weight of that pressure bearing down on us? You may be feeling it right now!

Might I suggest you look at it this way. In an airplane, many safeguards are in place to equalize air pressure. If the pressure outside is too great, it causes problems inside. The inside pressure has to be equalized so there’s no problems. The pressure inside of you is the Holy Spirit and your faith. If the pressure outside of you is too great, it causes problems inside. You have to equalize the pressure from within.

The Bible says, “But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Jude 1:20“. When you feel the pressures of life pressing in on you, build up your faith by praying in the Spirit. Paul told Timothy, “Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee…2Timothy 1:6“.

Pray in the Spirit, stir up the gift of the Holy Spirit which is in you, increase the “pressure” inside of you and the forces from outside will be overcome!

Given September 21, 2006
I heard something on XM radio the other day that made me think. The speaker was talking about the difference between giving a testimony and being a testimony.

“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; Revelations 12:11“. We’re supposed to proclaim the Good News to any who will listen; to speak our testimony. But it’s easy to tell something to somebody even if our heart is not right. We can say all the right things and deceive many but there is another, failsafe, way to give our testimony.

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:8“. Showing yourselves to be my disciples. It’s one thing to say who and what you are but it’s entirely another thing to show it. Yes, we can GIVE a testimony but it’s more important to BE a testimony. “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16“.

To God be the glory!

Given September 6, 2006
The Holy Spirit has been reminding me a lot lately about pride. Pride can be a bad thing. Sure, I’m proud of my family, some of the things I’ve accomplished, and the things I’ve been blessed with but those things can get up there too high for God’s liking. I have to watch out for that. So, I’m not going to brag on my boys right now. “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2”

The other morning in prayer, I was saying, “Lord, I lift You up…”, then I thought, “Who am I to be lifting God up to a higher place? He’s already as high as you can get!” I realized what I needed to do was to lower myself and get in the right position before God. That’s why we bow when we pray. “…Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought… Romans 12:3”.

God is reminding me that I’m to be a servant. And, even in the leadership positions I’m in, I need to be a servant; to think of others above myself and not look down on any of God’s creation. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Phillipians 2: 3-4”. My flesh doesn’t like that but that’s the way it’s gotta be for God to be pleased with me. God will lift me up in due time.

Given September 5, 2006

A friend related a story to me that she called a testimony. She and her husband had a big bill due and the checking account was a little low. They wanted to pay off this debt completely instead of making small monthly payments on it. My friend had prayed for God to supply the need. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19”.

The next day, she was doing some checking in her bank records and found that they had $3000 more in the account than she thought they had. And guess what the amount was they needed to pay off the dept? You’re right, $3000! She was testifying how God supplied their need, and He did.

I rejoiced with her at this news but shared a thought I had with her. The blessing she and her husband needed was there all the time, they just didn’t know it. And that’s the way it is many times with the things of God. He has provided wonderful blessings for us that we are just not aware of. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, Ephesians 3:20”. God can and has done more for us that we can even imagine! And…it’s by His power that is at work within us! It’s already there!

Now, when we get ahold of that truth and begin putting it to the test…”and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Malachi 3:10”. Study God’s Word and find out what He’s given you and, “go in and possess the land!”