IDENTITY THEFT

For the past decade, Japanese farmers have been  growing square watermelons.

They say the process to alter the shape of fruit is simple. When the melons are small on the vine, a square acrylic box is placed around it.  It simply adjusts to its environment and takes on the unnatural shape of the box.

If you think about it, many of us put ourselves inside a box. Disappointment, failure, and past mistakes tend to make us wilt and take cover in the security of a false identity.  We often build our self esteem around our defects forcing our lives to be manipulated from its intended purpose.

This is not how God wants you to live.  He created us wired to grow, blossom, thrive, and change.  Scripture tells us that God shaped us before we were born so our lives would broadcast His praises. Each one of us has special gifts and abilities placed within us for a God ordained purpose. While the Master Architect created you He decided what role you would play on the earth and equipped you for the task.  The thing is-in his great love for us- he never forces His design on anyone.

No matter how many times we say no to His purpose or miss the mark, His plan for our success never changes. God's blueprints for us are HUGE and He gives us plenty of room to grow into the masterpiece He intended us to become.  Don't give anyone or anything from your past the power to steal your identity . Your perfect shape for the future is walking with Jesus, one step at a time.

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 43; 21
                                Ephesians 2: 8-10

KEEP HOLDING ON

In my opinion, there are two types of people in the world.  The first group learns life's lessons the first time around -no problem-  then there are those who go through the same door over and over again.  I'm part of the second group.

Don't be smug. We all have our share of strengths and weaknesses. First on  my Top 10 Nerve Busters Chart is writers insecurity.  I've had to hold onto the the promise in Habakkuk 2:2 that tells me to, "Write His answer on a billboard, large and clear, so that anyone can read it at a glance and rush to tell the others." (TLB)  Sometimes it's easy to believe I'm called to write but then there are times I feel stale and boring.  Usually these feeling come when I'm "forced" out of my comfort zone and have to send out Query Letters to editors along with a 15 page synopsis of my novel... double spaced. 

 Jesus keeps encouraging me to move forward but its at this time holding on  gets really tricky.  My enemies, fear and intimidation, try to sneak into the Battlefield of my mind and make me doubt the Word. If I fall into unbelief, it will take me away from God's best and farther from my destiny.  I've been through this door before and know the drill.  The Bible tells me to "Walk by faith, not by sight or appearance." Feelings can steal our faith more than any other single influence.  We need to search our hearts, where faith abides, and live from there.

Don't worry about your weakness; its the Word that does the work, not the one holding onto it.  It will bring victory to anyone who will believe.  Are you waiting for healing? Let the Word do its work.  A job offer...a broken relationship....a wayward child to come home?  Fill your mind with one of God's many promises and wait and hope in the Lord.

Scripture Reading:  Psalm 25

VISION QUEST

An insightful Peter Marshal once said, "give us clear vision so we know what to stand for. Unless we stand for something, we will fall for anything."

The new year is in full swing and the entire world is facing serious issues from social unrest and injustice, to nuclear war.  Historians tell us that history has a way of repeating itself. What we watch daily on the news and read in the paper is nothing new.  Centuries ago, during days much like we face in 2014, the prophets encouraged the people to listen to the voice of God.

Unfortunately, many of us tend to think God is rigid and unyielding and will tell us to follow a strict set of rules and regulations that are impossible to keep.  In reality, his requirements have a lot to do with how we view our world and treat our fellow man.  According to Micah 6:8, in times of great hardship and unrest, God has a word for all men who decide to listen.

"Hear, O man, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you....

"*live justly."    Because God is just, he asks us to stand up for the rights of others, and when it's needed go the extra mile and attend to their physical needs.

"*love kindness and mercy,"    We need more kindness in the world; people do not need to be pressured to perform perfectly to receive God's love and acceptance.  On the contrary, it is His goodness that He wants us to demonstrate to our fellow man.

"*humble yourself and walk humbly with your God."    We do not have all the answers to life's many problems but we serve a God who is mighty to save.

Like handwriting on the wall, a day is coming when God will avenge the world of injustice and violence. As we wait for that day, let us hear His voice and give him what he requires.  Not a set of blind acts of conformity to man made rules.  Let us strive to give God what he truly desires of us; to do what is just, to love mercy and kindness, and walk humbly with him.  

   

NAUGHTY OR NICE

Some people have the idea that God carries around a list, like Santa, giving him a blow by blow description of everything they have done wrong in their lives. Maybe you are one of those people who believe its only the church goers who get their prayers answered; not some runaway sinner like you.  You imagine if you keep off the radar, God will forget about you and shoot that lighting bolt of vengeance in some other poor souls direction. Somewhere along the line you were told that God gets glory when you suffer in silence and accept your lot in life.

WHAT A LIE! The Bible tells us God gets glory when the lame walk and the blind see!

God sent his son into this dark, hurting world to seek and save the lost.  Jesus was born on our harsh planet not to condemn humanity but to forgive sin,  heal your diseases, deliver you from all your hurts and disappointments, and to set you free from every type of bondage so you can live with hope and joy.

As you approach this Christmas and New Year, realize one thing... when you ask for forgiveness, Jesus keeps no record of wrongs. Instead of running away, go to the manger just as you are. Don't be afraid to tell Him what you need.  Our problems and failures seem huge to us but "nothing is impossible with God." Let this be the year you begin to believe He cares for the naughty and nice.

Luke 19:10  "For Jesus came to save that which was lost."
Salvation is just the beginning of all God has in store for those who trust Jesus.  He intends to save us from our sins, and everything that tries to ruin our lives.

John 3:17 (MSG) "For God gave his son, his one and only son. and this is why; so that no one need be destroyed. By believing in him, anyone  can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all this trouble merely to point an accusing finger, telling us how bad we are, he came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in Jesus is acquitted, anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why ? Because of that persons failure to believe that Jesus, the son of God, was not sent into the world in order to pass sentence on people, but that humanity might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him." 

Jesus is the gift we need to receive this Christmas. Ask him into your heart. It will be the best decision of your life.