Putting Down Roots

Chuckle: "I received some bad news today. You know the money you get from those ATM machines? All that money comes from your account . . .!!"

Quote: "Only Jesus Christ by His Holy Spirit can open blind eyes, give life to the dead and rescue slaves from Satanic bondage." --John Stott

"The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God" (Psalm 92:12-13 NIV). "He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither" (Psalm 1:3 NIV).

Spring is my favorite time of the year and I’m hoping the next one will be beautiful with all the colorful wildflowers and green fields. However, sometimes, here in Texas, droughts destroy the natural beauty of spring. Normally, spring is a time when many are busy tilling the soil in their gardens or fields in preparation for planting. If there's one thing a gardener and a farmer have in common, it is the understanding that there must be a deep and healthy root system if a plant is to flourish and bear a bountiful crop. Our Christian lives are like that.

God has commissioned us to "go and make disciples" -- to bear a harvest of fruit for His honor and glory. But we must realize that we cannot bear fruit unless we have deep roots in God's Word and His presence in the form of the Holy Spirit. When our lives are rooted in Him, His Spirit will provide all the life-giving spiritual sustenance and direction we need to grow spiritually and bear much fruit for His kingdom.

How do we go about putting down deep roots in His presence? Jesus' own words will give us the answer. Jesus said this: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5 NIV).

When we spend time in God's presence through Bible study, prayer, worship, and faithful obedience, we are practicing the essentials for maintaining the life-giving connection with Him and being used by Him in His work with people all around us. Are you rooted in Him? Are you drawing His life-giving sustenance into your life? Only by remaining in Christ can we have the fruitful life God desires for us.

As points of reference, the psalmist compares righteous people to palm trees and cedars. Palm trees are known for growing straight and tall with long lives. The cedars of Lebanon grew to 130 feet in height and up to 8.2 feet in diameter. In our passages, Christians are seen as standing straight and tall and unmovable. When their roots go deep into God's presence, they will, inevitably, produce fruit for God's kingdom.

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Books (God's Daily Word)

Dear recipient of my daily devotionals,

Thank you for reading my daily e-mail devotionals, or perhaps you access them via a link from Facebook to my blog or go directly to the Blog at http://jerry-godsdailyword.blogspot.com.  

It has been my joy to publish some daily devotional books that may interest you, for yourself or as gifts for someone else.  If so, I hope the following information will be helpful to you.

 A set of three daily devotional books (God's Daily Word) by Jerry Stratton is available.  Book 1 includes January through April; Book 2, May through August; Book 3, September through December.

At Armonia Publishing, the books can be ordered singly for $14.99 or $29.99 for a set of 3. Here is the link: http://www.armoniapublishing.com. Then click on Books/Devotionals.

Books can also be ordered at Amazon.com for $14.99 each.

   

         

         

In His Grace,

Jerry Stratton

Race for the Crown

Chuckle: Sunday School teacher: "Children, you must never do anything in private you wouldn't do in public." "Hurrah!" shouted one little boy -- "No more baths!"

Quote: “The race is not always to the swift but to those who keep on running.” --Unknown

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day . . . ." (2 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV).

If you have watched the Olympics on television, you have no doubt seen the expressions on the faces of the runners as they strain to reach the finish line. The television cameras make it possible for us to see every detail of the race. Looking into the runner's faces, we see athletes straining every muscle, every sinew, and every ligament as they approach the finish line. We see the blood vessels bulging in their necks and across their brows. Each is giving it all he or she has, keeping nothing in reserve, leaving nothing in the tank. The one goal is to win the race and he or she will settle for nothing less than victory.

The apostle Paul often used athletic analogies to drive home spiritual truths. He saw his faithful service to his Lord as a race to be all God wanted him to be. No athlete I've known was ever successful without giving his or her all in training for, running, and finishing the race. Winning athletes don't settle for mediocrity. Their goal is not to work just hard enough to get by. They give their all.

Paul painted this word picture for us: "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?" Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever" (1 Corinthians 9:24-25 NIV).

What is the goal Paul is straining to attain at the end of his race? Very simply, it is to be faithful to his goal of becoming like Jesus. His aim was to exert every possible effort and ounce of energy to accomplish his goal. God deserves nothing less than our very best in every thing we do for his glory. Like the athlete who gives all he has to win, God expects us to give all we have to grow and become more mature Christians. If we have the "want to," God's Word will teach us the "how to," and his Holy Spirit will give us the "can do" to successfully run, finish and win the race set before us.

Today is a great time to examine our hearts to determine how much do we want to please our Lord. How much time and energy are we willing to expend for Christ when compared to the energy we expend on other things? Are we depending upon His Spirit to give us strength to finish the race God has called us to run? Now is a great time to make a new commitment to spiritual growth and faithfulness.

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Rapture of the Church

Chuckle: "Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on. . . .!!"

Quote: "Martin Luther said he only had two days on his calendar -- today and that day (Rapture)."

"For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever" (I Thessalonians 4:16-17 NIV).

Nowhere in Scripture do you find the word "rapture" as it relates to the second coming of Christ. It is a word coined by theologians, and adopted by most Christians, to describe the events surrounding the appearance of our Lord to take up to heaven both dead and living believers that make up his eternal church. When the "rapture" will occur remains a mystery to us and only God the Father knows the day or the hour that Jesus will return.

I won't attempt to answer all the questions surrounding Christ's return, but, for your consideration, I want to present some of the many Scriptures that confirm that He will return. Our understanding of Christ's second coming is expanded by the words of Jesus himself. "And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you may be where I am" (John 14:3 NIV). Here Jesus promises His followers that He will return to earth a second time to take us with Him to our eternal home in heaven -- to a place He has prepared for all who believe in Him.

Concerning the timing of His return, Jesus said: "At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the heavens . . . No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father" (Mark 13:26-27, 32 NIV). Because of Biblical prophecies that have been fulfilled, we have strong indications that we may be approaching the time of Jesus' return. However, no one can predict with certainty the date and time of the glorious event.

In our primary passage, we are told that when Christ returns for his church, those believers who have died in Christ will be raised first and those who are still alive will be changed into their glorified bodies suitable for God's presence. "Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep (die), but we will all be changed -- in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable and we will be changed" (1 Corinthians 15:50-53 NIV). It's interesting to note that at the "rapture" Christ does not physically come to earth. Instead, we, in our glorified bodies, will join him and all other believers in the air.

There are differing interpretations of Scripture concerning the exact sequence of events following the "Rapture" of the church such as the seven years of tribulation, Christ's return to establish His millennial reign, the Great White Throne judgment, etc. Perhaps I will address these events later. Have a wonderful day as you look forward to Christ's return!

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Hold Your Head High

Chuckle: "All my babies were born out in a little ole town in west Texas . . . at the Nolan Creek Clinic & Grill.  It’s hard to have confidence in a doctor who’s got weenies in his sterilizer!  --Lou Brown

Quote: "Jesus Christ is the key which unlocks the door of the prison cell of our own making and sets us free to live in the wide world of God's love and purpose." --Kenneth Pillar

"I have set you free; now walk with your heads held high" (Leviticus 26:13 CEV). "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36 NIV).

Have you taken a moment, recently, to reflect anew on the glorious truth that, as a born again child of God, you have been set free from the bondage of sin, anxiety, fear, and guilt? You are no longer a captive of the things of this world and you can rejoice because of what God has done for you through Christ.

In our passage, God wants all His people to live like we have been set free and to hold our heads up high, not in arrogance or smugness but with confidence and rejoicing. He wants us to be filled with joy and thanksgiving and never allow anything to diminish this joy.

Just think what it must be like for a slave laborer to be set free. Our passage reminds us that God brought the children of Israel out of centuries of slavery and instead gave them freedom and dignity. We, too, are set free when we accept through faith Christ's ultimate sacrificial gift that redeems us from the slavery of sin.

We can now walk with confidence and dignity because not only has God forgiven us of our sins, but has completely forgotten that we were ever in the bondage of sin. "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more" (Isaiah 23:25 NIV).

God sets us free because He loves us, yes, but He has another purpose. He wants us to use this freedom for His glory and to inspire the highest level of righteousness within us. He wants us to grow more like Jesus each day as His Word teaches us and His Holy Spirit guides us, convicts us, and strengthens us.

God knows that the greatest security and happiness His people can enjoy comes from our living in close fellowship with Him. With an omnipotent God who has our best interests at heart, we can face even the most discouraging situations with confidence, joy, and hope. We can walk with our heads held high. PRAISE!

Love, Jerry & Dotse

God's Never Ending Grace

Chuckle: A kind woman watched a small boy as he tried to reach the doorbell of a house. Thinking she should help, she walked up and rang it for him. “Okay, what now?” the woman asked the boy. “Run like crazy,” he answered. “That’s what I’m gonna do!”

Ponder This: “Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will gladly go and sell all that he has. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life.” –Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"The Word (Jesus) became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father , full of grace and truth . . . From the fullness of his grace we have all received (one) blessing (grace) after another" (John 1:14, 16 NIV).

God's grace is an amazing attribute of his character. Literally, "grace" is getting what we do not deserve -- or more than we deserve. Grace should not be confused with "mercy," which is not getting what we deserve, or "justice," which is getting what we deserve. Initially, it is God's grace whereby we are saved: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).

As important as God's grace is for our salvation, there is much more of his grace available to us every single day. Remember, God wants each of us to experience a life full of joy and peace. He wants us to have the absolute best and fullest life that only he can give us. See John 10:10.

In our basic passage, we are told that Jesus came full of grace and truth. God's "grace" springs from his never ending boundless love and generosity. "Truth," on the other hand, stresses God's determination to be consistent, reliable, predictable, and trustworthy in his dealings with us. You can trust all the promises of God recorded in his Word. You can take them to the bank, so to speak. Grace without truth would make it meaningless. In declaring the character of God, Jesus combined an infinite tenderness toward us, as sinful people, with an unswerving fidelity and faithfulness.

Also, notice that God gives us his grace followed by even more grace -- one portion of grace after another. The flow of God's grace is like the waves of the ocean. One wave of grace is followed by another wave of grace over and over again. God's grace is never ending. Once the gift of God's grace is received, it never stops flowing and growing. God wants us to be conscious of his grace and draw upon it daily for strength, peace, and comfort. And, as the God of truth, he wants us to trust him implicitly and rely upon his promises. Promises like: "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5b NIV), or "I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:20b NIV).

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Get Out Of The Boat

Chuckle: "Its always darkest just before dawn. So if you're going to steal your neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it."

Quote: “Storms make oaks take deeper root.” --George Herbert

"All right, come," Jesus said. "So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus" (Matthew 14:29 NLT).

Our passage is from one of the most revealing accounts of faith, doubt, fear, and trust in the entire New Testament. As you recall, Jesus' disciples were in a boat crossing a lake on a stormy night. About three o'clock in the morning, they were terrified by a figure walking toward them on the surface of the water. After Jesus assured them that it was really Him and not a ghost, Peter asked to be invited to walk on the water toward Jesus. Jesus' told him to "come."

God both causes and allows storms in our lives and always with a purpose. There are storms designed for correction, like Jonah experienced when he disobeyed God by refusing to go to Nineveh as God commanded. Then there are storms of instruction, like the one here in our passage. Peter took a step of faith by stepping out of the boat. By-the-way, In Scripture, only Jesus and Peter walked on water. By getting out of the boat, Peter was learning to trust God and to grow in his faith.

But when Peter took his eyes off Jesus and saw the deep dark water and high waves, his human doubts and fears immediately replaced his faith and he began to sink. What a powerful lesson for us. By keeping our eyes on Jesus, our faith will sustain us in every storm of life. Peter became terrified and shouted, "Save me Lord!" Instantly Jesus reached out his hand and grabbed him. "You don't have much faith," Jesus said. "Why did you doubt me?" Here, Jesus used the occasion to instruct Peter in what it means to have faith -- to trust your Lord in all circumstances.

Although you may start out with good intentions to do something God has asked you to do, sometimes, like Peter, your faith may falter and you become insecure and afraid. But this does not mean ultimate failure. Notice that Peter, in his weakness, reached for the hand of Jesus, the only one who could help him. He was afraid, but he looked to Jesus for strength. When you become apprehensive and doubtful during the storms of life you must sometimes endure, remember that Christ has promised to be with you always. He is the only one who can help you.

Because of this adventure on a dark stormy lake, Peter experienced Jesus in a new and powerful way. No matter what storm confronts you, just get out of the boat and trust Jesus. We may be tempted to be critical of Peter for his lack of faith, but remember, he had the faith to get out of the boat.

Love, Jerry & Dotse

God's Perfect Timing

Chuckle: "How come wrong numbers are never busy?"

Good Quote: "The way we pray shows how we live; the way we live shows how we pray." --William Arthur Ward

"For you know quite well that the day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night" (1 Thessalonians 5:2 NLT).

In chapter four, Paul described the events of Jesus return to remove His church (all believers) from the earth. Here in chapter five, he deals with the timing of our Lord's return. How and when Jesus Christ will return was an often asked question in Paul's time as it is now. Most of us live by the clock and are constantly looking at our watches and calendars as we anticipate our next church service, meeting, work assignment, or vacation. I must admit I am a stickler for things being done on time and according to plan.

When thinking about the return of our Lord, we must remember that we aren't God and we do not view time from His perspective. Of course God knows all about time. After all, He created it. But God's time-table is difficult for us to understand. For us to try to predict with certainty, the date for Christ's return is an exercise in futility and foolish. It is not for us to know these things. Jesus Said, "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father" (Matthew 24:36 NIV). Evidently, the timing of Christ's return is a closely guarded secret even within the Godhead. All we know is that the event is certain to happen.

The key message from Paul's writings and the words of Jesus is that we cannot know when Christ will return, but we should be ready for Him to return at any moment. There's no way that God will adjust his time-table just to suit us. God's timing is always perfect and everything fits into His master plan for the universe, the earth, and His children. If we understood all about God's timing, we would be God.

Many have been made to look foolish by predicting exact dates for Christ's return. None of their predictions has been correct. Having said this, we do know from Scripture that many of the prophecies have been fulfilled that are prerequisites to our Lord's return, and this has led many of us to believe His return could be soon. But we just can't know for certain. As Christians, we should just trust God and His perfect timing, be ready, continue our work for Him, and listen for the trumpet call (1 Thessalonians 4:16).

Love, Jerry & Dotse

God's Will, Not Mine

Chuckle: Eddie's father called up to him, Eddie, if you don't stop playing that trumpet I think I will go crazy!" Eddie replied, "I think you have already, I stopped playing half an hour ago."

Quote: "I was kept fast bound, not with exterior chains or irons, but with my own iron will. The enemy held my will and of it he had made a chain which fettered me fast." --St. Augustine of Hippo

Jesus prayed, "Father, if you are willing, please remove this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine" (Luke 22:42 NLT). Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. . . Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that" (James 4:14-15 NIV)

As we awake each morning and begin to consider the day ahead, I wonder how many of us think to pray for God's will to be done today. As Christians, there are basically three attitudes with which we can meet a new day. We can (1) make our plans for the day and then ask God to bless the plans we have made; (2) we can pray for God to reveal His will and plans for our day with the assurance that He will give us strength and understanding to carry out those plans; or (3) we can ignore God's will and leave Him out of our daily planning altogether.

I've heard somewhere that if you want to make God laugh just tell Him of your plans. Our James passage makes it clear that to make plans without considering and seeking God's will beforehand is a dangerous practice. I'm sad to say, this is a trap that I have fallen into many times in my Christian life. The moment we decide to leave God out of our thoughts, plans, and prayers we are not walking with Him and seeking His will as He desires.

Romans 12:2 (NLT) gives us a formula for knowing and living out God's will. "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is." God has plans for His children that are good, pleasing, and perfect. But to ascertain God's will in all things requires a transformation of our hearts and minds by His Spirit.

We know that God only wants what is best for us and He proved this by giving His only Son to make a transformed life possible. If you have accepted God's free gift of eternal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, won't you let God transform you into a totally new person by changing the way you think? Then, like Jesus, your primary goal in life will be to know and live by God's will for your life. Agreeing with God in all circumstances will result in a more satisfying and happy life.

Remember this old hymn? "Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Thou art the Potter, I am the clay. Mould me and make me After thy will, While I am waiting, Yielded and still." 

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Repentance and Rejoicing

Chuckle: "You're just jealous because the voices I hear only talk to me!"

Good Quote: “That great word repentance has five 'r’s': 1) recognition, 2) remorse, 3) resolution, 4) restitution, and 5) reformation.” –Unknown Source

A few years back, I received these reflections on this verse from Suzanne Hanna. I have been so blessed by her insightful words that I want to share them with you.

"I tell you, "There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance" (Luke 15:7 NAB).

Jesus gives us a wonderful image of what happens when we come to Him with a repentant heart. Not only will there be joy in heaven, but verse 10 goes on to tell us that “there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Wow!

How often does the enemy of our souls deceive us into thinking that we cannot come to God with our sins, for if we do, we will be judged harshly and condemned. That is a lie from the pit of hell. The devil knows that if we hold on to our mistakes, every hurt we’ve experienced, every offense, every wrong decision we’ve made that has led us away from God, he knows that they will eventually become toxic to our bodies, and sooner or later will effect our physical health.

God is love, and is waiting for us, in love, to take every mistake, every hurt & offense that we have chosen to hold on to, every wrong decision we’ve made, to Him. If we hang on to those things, over time, they become like poison in our spirit, mind, soul and body, and can begin to effect our physical health. God waits for us to come to Him with a heart of repentance and when we do, a celebration in heaven takes place ... and healing begins!

God knew we were not perfect, and that’s why He sent His Son ... to SAVE US! Jesus came for the sick, not the healthy. Remember, the devil wants to accuse and condemn, but there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus! So, today, if you find yourself oppressed and feel like you are carrying an unbearable load, burdens that the Lord never intended for you to carry ... burdens of guilt, shame, unforgiveness, bitterness, anger, etc., bring them to the Lord with a repentant heart today. He is faithful to forgive. Let it all go, so the healing and restoration can begin!

A celebration awaits, and if you listen carefully, you may overhear the sounds of angels rejoicing over YOU in heaven!

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Repentance; the Need For

Chuckle: "Some days you're the bug; some days you're the windshield."

Good Thought: "An obvious indication that we have not genuinely repented is that we make excuses for our sinful behavior." --Henry Blackaby

"For God can use sorrow in our lives to help us turn away from sin and seek salvation. We will never regret that kind of sorrow. But sorrow without repentance is the kind that results in death" (2 Corinthians 7:10 NLT).

"Noah's message from the steps of the Ark was not, 'Something good is going to happen to you!' Daniel was not put into the lion's den for telling the people, 'Possibility thinking will move mountains!' John the Baptist was not forced to preach in the wilderness and eventually be beheaded because he preached, 'Smile, God loves you!' Instead, the message of all these men of God was one word: 'Repent!'" –Illustrations for Biblical Preaching; Edited by Michael P. Green

Jesus Himself, along with Biblical writers, preached repentance as a necessary step in the forgiveness of sin and receiving eternal salvation. Repentance is a word that makes us feel uncomfortable because it requires us to change our ways of thinking and acting. The word "repent" means to change direction -- stop going in one direction, do a 180 degree turn, and start going in the opposite direction. It also means to be genuinely sorry and regretful for the sin in our lives. Repentance can be a life-changing experience.

Do you see repentance as a positive or a negative word? I hope you see it as positive and comforting. Just think about it! God, in His amazing love, has cared enough to warn us of coming danger and has given us the remedy for avoiding it. Yes, repentance is necessary if we are to be born again and receive salvation through faith in Christ. But the need to repent can also be a real problem for Christians as well. If you see repentance as a negative word, you will try all sorts of other actions in order to avoid repenting. Some of the ways we avoid being genuinely repentant include, rededicating our lives to Christ; making resolutions to be more faithful to God; and being sorry for our sins, but unwilling to turn from them.

Repentance requires allowing God to do major surgery on your heart. It indicates a major and radical change in both heart and mind. It means we have come to see our sins as God sees them and we have come to agree with him about their seriousness. Repentance requires us to take specific and decisive actions to bring our lives back into the center of God's will for us -- to realign our thinking with his. Repentance requires us to change, not just have a desire to change.

In our passage, Paul warns about the dangers of having sorrow for our sins that falls short of genuine repentance. Being sorry we got caught, but not sorry for sinful action falls into this category. We can be sorry for the effects of our sins on ourselves and others but not for the sin itself. But a changed life will be the evidence that true repentance has occurred.

If you are a Christian struggling with a "pet" sin in your life that you just can't turn away from, you are in need of repentance and forgiveness. Listen to I John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse (purify) us from all unrighteousness." If you have a genuine desire to change your life, God will forgive you, cleanse you, and give you strength to overcome that stronghold Satan has in your life. Repentance is key to a victorious life in Christ!

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Eternal Values

Chuckle: “Why is it that you always find what you’re looking for in the last place you look? Because you stop looking for it after you find it.”

Quote: "Whenever the insistence is on the point that God answers prayer, we are off the track. The meaning of prayer is that we get hold of God, not the answer." --Oswald Chambers

VALUABLES WITH ETERNAL WORTH:

"He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity, and honor" (Proverbs 21:21 NIV). "Seek first his (God's) kingdom and his righteousness, and all these (other) things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:32 NIV).

Each of us will approach God in our own way to gain understanding of the values he would have us assimilate into our hearts and lives. However, here is a simple set of steps that may help guide you toward that end.

1. Focus on the valuable. "For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food. Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good" (Job 34:3 NIV). Have you determined what is right, good, and important for your life? Rich or poor, you can have the joy of knowing you're living by values that are important to God. Don't be deceived by the world's values, but seek God's values. Write down what's most important to you -- your valuables. Will they last?

2. Discard the valueless. This is elementary but so important. "Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your Word" (Psalm 119:37 NIV). Say, "My family members are important and I will spend time with them." "I will wisely spend the money God has given me for Him and my family." "I will guide and teach (disciple) my family in spiritual matters." You begin to give God His place. Eliminate anything that does not build relationships with God and other people. Remember, you can't add God's values (priorities) to a life already filled and stressed to the max with other time-consuming less important activities unless some less important things are eliminated. Time for prayer, Bible study, family, church, etc. must replace something in a busy life.

3. Focus on the eternal. What lasts? What matters? What continues? "And now these three things remain (forever): faith, hope, and love" (I Corinthians 13:13 NIV). If you love God and people, and make them your priorities, you're building a life of eternal value. If you have a strong and growing faith in Jesus Christ, you have discovered the important. You will win at life! The test of your faith is how important other people are to you.

What is most important in your life? You have two options: the world's values or God's values. Which appeals to you the most? To which set of values is your heart drawn? Sadly, "Some have missed the most important thing - they don't know God" (I Timothy 6:21 NIV). If you don't know Jesus Christ as Savior, Just open your heart to him and by faith claim the most valuable gift of all time. "Everything else is worthless compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. . ." (Philippians 3:8 NIV).

Love, Jerry & Dotse

We Are What We Think

Chuckle: The pastor search committee was interviewing candidates for the church. "What kind of man do you want?" asked one minister. The chairman said, "We want a preacher who has never been to the Holy Land, who cannot sing solos, and who has never studied Greek!"

Quote: “I think, therefore I am.” –Descartes (French Philosopher; 1596 – 1650)

“For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are. Nothing in all creation can hide from him” (Hebrews 4:12-13 NLT).

The very thoughts that we entertain are important to God. A biblical concept that was particularly difficult for me grasp is that, in God’s sight, sinful thoughts can be just as condemning as sinful actions. You may remember Jesus’ words during His sermon on the mount concerning adultery. “But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart (mind)” (Matthew 5:28 NLT). “For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34b NIV). “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7 KJV).

As damaging as an impure heart and ungodly thoughts can be to our relationship with God and our ultimate happiness, pure, positive, and holy thoughts provide a basis for godly actions that are pleasing to God. Godly thoughts also provide us a healthy, happy, and beautiful outlook on life. Jesus said, “Blessed (Happy) are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8 NIV).

In our quote of the day, Descartes emphasized the truth that we are what we think. Here are some amazing words from the deaf and blind Helen Keller: “Mine has been the limited experience of one who lives in a world without color and without sound. But ever since my student days I have had a joyous certainty that my physical handicaps were not an essential part of my being, since they were not in any way a part of my mind. This faith was confirmed when I came to Descartes’ maxim. ‘I think, therefore I am.’

Those five emphatic words waked something in me that has never slept. I knew then that my mind could be a positive instrument of happiness, bridging over the dark, silent void with concepts of a vibrant, light-flooded happiness. I learned that it is possible for us to create light and sound and order within us, no matter what calamity may befall us in the outer world.”

“As selfishness and complaint pervert and cloud the mind, so love with its joy clears and sharpens the vision.” –Helen Keller. The condition of our hearts and our innermost thoughts will determine who we really are before God. “I think, therefore I am.”

Love, Jerry & Dotse

What's in a Name?

Chuckle: "Birthdays are good for you -- the more you have, the longer you live!"

Quote: “Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you an automobile.” --William Ashley (Billy) Sunday

"The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch" (Acts 11:26 NIV).

The story is told about Alexander The Great, the great military leader of the fourth century B.C. He once confronted a cowardly soldier and asked him his name. The soldier replied, "Alexander." Then Alexander the Great said to him: "Change your ways or change your name."

Names are important and often have significant meanings. This was especially true in Biblical times. Today, we bear the name Christian because of our relationship to Christ. But we must remember that being called "Christian" does not make us Christians. As I reflected on the story about Alexander the Great, I began to wonder if my actions as a Christian would cause Jesus to say: "Change your ways or change your name." Do we live up to the meaning of the Name we bear -- Christians?

It's interesting that from our text we know that the followers of Christ did not give themselves the title of Christians -- it was given to them by the non-Christian world because their lives reflected the teachings and characteristics of Christ. In the Scriptures, Christians were called various names that defined them as Christians and described their relationship to Jesus Christ. These terms are still used today to define "Christian."

Believers: This term is often used to describe a belief system that Christians espouse. We believe in God, the Creator. We believe the Bible -- God's Holy Word. We believe that we are sinners and that we desperately need a savior. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and is our Savior because of his atoning sacrifice on Calvary's Cross where he paid the penalty for our sins. We believe we have been saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We believe that God's presence lives within us in the form of his Holy Spirit. We believe in the bodily return of Jesus Christ one day and that eternity in heaven awaits all true Christians.

Disciples: This term means a student, apprentice, and follower of Christ. A disciple is submissive to God as Jesus was submissive to the will of his Father when he died for the sins of the world. A disciple's actions are patterned after the life modeled by Jesus when he was here on earth. This includes living a life of love, humility, and service to others. Disciples strive to conform their lives to the will of the Christ they serve.

Saints: This is a Biblical term which describes all genuine Christians. Paul often began his writings with the words like: "To the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi," etc. It means we have been sanctified (set apart) and made holy for God's service. It means we should live saintly lives. It means we should live up to the name of Christ that we bear. We are to be holy, pure, and clean -- not contaminated by the evil of the world around us. We are to be like Christ.

Witnesses: Speaking to his followers, Jesus said, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8 NIV). In New Testament times, it was not uncommon that those who were faithful in carrying out this mandate laid down their lives for Christ as martyrs. When threatened for preaching in the name of Jesus, "Peter and the other apostles replied: 'We must obey God rather than men!'" (Acts 5:29 NIV). On another occasion, they said, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:19-20 NIV). As Christ's witnesses we are charged with the mission of telling others what we have experienced in Christ -- to give our testimonies. Are you and I living up to the name, "Christian?' What's in a name?

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Choices Have Consequences

Chuckle: A minister asked a group of children why they loved God. After several answers, one little boy said, "Sir. I guess it just runs in our family."

Quote: “God’s love for us is constant and will not diminish, but he cannot rescue us from the painful results caused by wrong choices.” --Marvin J. Ashton 

"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life" (Galatians 6:7 NIV).

I remember an old 1950's television show called "Truth or Consequences." Contestants were asked silly trick questions which they almost never answered correctly. The host then told them that since they had failed to tell the truth, they would have to pay the consequences. The consequences were often embarrassing and humiliating -- all in good fun of course.

Unfortunately, there is nothing humorous about making bad choices in life which can have serious consequences. It is a natural law to reap what one sows, and it is true in all areas of life. In the same way that a crop is harvested from a seed placed in the ground, every choice you make in life will reap its consequences. If you do not know Christ as Savior, each time you make a choice not to accept Him, you risk eternal consequences. ". . . . how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?"  (Hebrews 2:3 NIV).

If you are a born again Christian, you will want to make choices that please God and bless others. However, sometimes we will make wrong choices resulting in sin. When this happens we must quickly confess our sins to God with an attitude of genuine repentance and receive forgiveness and cleansing (I John 1:9). But God's forgiveness does not always mean the consequences of our actions are removed.

I'm reminded of King David who committed the sins of adultery and murder. God forgave him and used him mightily, but the consequences of David's choices (sins) brought much pain and disappointment to him and his family throughout his life. As a genuine born again Christian, you will never lose your salvation, but your bad choices can certainly bring pain to you and others close to you. Also, wrong choices in service to your Lord can result in your missing out on the joy and other rewards God wants to give you. "If any man's work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire" (I Corinthians 3:15 NIV).

Right choices will bring God's blessings and rewards. When we trust Christ as Lord and Savior, we have God's promise of eternal life and the best possible life here on earth. If we make the right choices as Christians, God will reward us. If not, we forfeit those rewards. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad" (2 Corinthians 5:10 NIV).

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Choices Reveal Character

Chuckle: A preacher was writing a sermon and his son asked, "Daddy, does the Lord tell you what to say?" "Of course He does!" "Then why do you keep scratching some of it out?"

Good Quote: “By making choices consistent with eternal truth you will develop righteous character.” --Richard G. Scott

"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much" (Luke 16:10 NIV).

Every day, God allows each Christian to be tested with a series of small choices. "Little things mean a lot." You might say,"I would never rob a bank or swindle someone out of their possessions. However, I might choose to cheat a little on my income tax -- or be less than completely honest in a business deal. After all, doesn't everyone operate that way?"

Some seem to think it's OK to be less than honest in relatively insignificant matters -- as long as we are honest in the major transactions of life. What does this attitude say about our character? What are we teaching our children and grandchildren about character? What does God think of us when we compromise our integrity? Jesus teaches us the importance of making good choices even in what we perceive as the most minor of situations.

In our passage, Jesus teaches us that our character will determine our assignments from God. In a parable, Jesus said: "Well done, my good servant! . . . because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities" (Luke 19:17 NIV). If you feel your place of service in your church is not as important to God as someone else's, perhaps you will want to think again. There is no insignificant ministry to others in Jesus' name. Jesus made this point like this: "I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward" (Mark 9:41 NIV).

Right choices and faithfulness in the small tasks, develops Christian character and prepares you for even greater responsibilities. God is more interested in your availability and faithfulness than he is with your opinion of the relative importance of what he has asked you to do. He wants us to maintain our integrity at all times and make godly decisions in all matters, whether great or small.

My prayer is that each of us will take another look at how we make daily choices and decisions in light of these passages of Scripture. The daily choices we make reveal our true character. Someone has said, "Your ideal is what you wish you were. Your reputation is what people say you are. Your character is what you are."

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Choices Reveal Character

Chuckle: A preacher was writing a sermon and his son asked, "Daddy, does the Lord tell you what to say?" "Of course He does!" "Then why do you keep scratching some of it out?"

Good Quote: “By making choices consistent with eternal truth you will develop righteous character.” --Richard G. Scott

CHOICES REVEAL CHARACTER:

"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much" (Luke 16:10 NIV).

Every day, God allows each Christian to be tested with a series of small choices. "Little things mean a lot." You might say,"I would never rob a bank or swindle someone out of their possessions. However, I might choose to cheat a little on my income tax -- or be less than completely honest in a business deal. After all, doesn't everyone operate that way?"

Some seem to think it's OK to be less than honest in relatively insignificant matters -- as long as we are honest in the major transactions of life. What does this attitude say about our character? What are we teaching our children and grandchildren about character? What does God think of us when we compromise our integrity? Jesus teaches us the importance of making good choices even in what we perceive as the most minor of situations.

In our passage, Jesus teaches us that our character will determine our assignments from God. In a parable, Jesus said: "Well done, my good servant! . . . because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities" (Luke 19:17 NIV). If you feel your place of service in your church is not as important to God as someone else's, perhaps you will want to think again. There is no insignificant ministry to others in Jesus' name. Jesus made this point like this: "I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward" (Mark 9:41 NIV).

Right choices and faithfulness in the small tasks, develops Christian character and prepares you for even greater responsibilities. God is more interested in your availability and faithfulness than he is with your opinion of the relative importance of what he has asked you to do. He wants us to maintain our integrity at all times and make godly decisions in all matters, whether great or small.

My prayer is that each of us will take another look at how we make daily choices and decisions in light of these passages of Scripture. The daily choices we make reveal our true character. Someone has said, "Your ideal is what you wish you were. Your reputation is what people say you are. Your character is what you are."

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Choices are Important

Chuckle: “Did you ever eat a puffed rice cake? It’s like eating the lid off a Styrofoam minnow bucket” –Lou Brown

Quote: "You can judge a man pretty well by whether -- if given a choice -- he would ask for a lighter burden or a stronger back." --Unknown source

CHOICES MATTER

" . . . choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve . . . . But as for me and my household, we will (choose to) serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15 NIV).

Each day, we are faced with a series of choices that determine the course of our lives and often the lives of others. Joshua made his choice to serve the Lord. This is a basic choice each of us must make. However, every day we make hundreds of lesser choices that not only impact our lives but the lives of those around us. An eternal perspective on life's choices is to know how to choose wisely.

Are your choices based on selfish motives? "Do nothing from selfishness or empty 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" (Philippians 2:3-4 NIV). Who do you think about when it comes to making choices/decisions? Is it "what's in it for me?" "Will this benefit me?" "How will this affect me?" Are you always looking out for old number one? The above passage tells us that the interests of others should be more important to us than our own when we make choices.

Are your choices based on material things? "Let your character be free from the love of money. . ." (Hebrews 13:5 NIV). "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many griefs" (I Timothy 6:10 NIV). This passage is often misinterpreted. It is not money or possessions that are the problem -- it is our infatuation with them. It is our all-consuming preoccupation with acquiring money and possessions that grieves our Lord. They can become the most important and treasured things in life to us. God's Word encourages hard work and good management. Having possessions, or not, is not the issue; it's our attitudes toward them, and how we use them.

Are your choices based on spiritual compromise? "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted (or stained) by the world" (James 1:27 NIV). As we make choices in life, they should be from a different motivation. You've probably seen the letters WWJD (what would Jesus do). These letters remind us to make decisions from an eternal spiritual perspective, no matter how great or small these decisions might be. To make choices that are pleasing to our Lord and benefit others should be our goal.

Love, Jerry & Dotse