Mid-Week Message - The Puzzle of Life

"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."  Romans 8:28 (NLT)

I like puzzles.  Crosswords, word puzzles, jigsaws and others, I like seeing how all the pieces come together.  My neighbor keeps a jigsaw puzzle on her table all the time.  Each time I see it a few more pieces have been added.  Before long, the picture emerges and she boxes it up and begins another one.  The fun is in finding how the pieces adjoin.  I got curious and researched how many jigsaw puzzles are sold annually.  I was very surprised to find that number to be somewhere between forty million to sixty million. Although I knew they were popular, I had no idea that many were purchased each year.  

One of the best selling genres of books is mysteries.  Readers like to look for the clues and see if they can solve the mystery before the end of the story.  It seems that many of us enjoy the mental challenge the author provides.  Once again, we find ourselves taking the bits and pieces and forming them into a conclusion.  

Real life is a bit more difficult to figure out.  I don't know how many times I have heard someone ask, "What is God doing?"  As we go through the moments of our lives and encounter joys and sorrows, we wonder why we are here and what the purpose for our existence is.  We know our Creator doesn't make mistakes and that surely He has a plan for each of us, but, like looking at the underside of a tapestry, sometimes all we can see are the hardships and toils and we can't quite see any design.  

Just like the author of a good mystery, our Lord already knows the outcome.  Because He is all-knowing, He knew before He created us exactly how the fragments of our lives would come together.  He takes each thread and weaves it into a masterpiece, just as a tapestry is created.  We may not be able to see the full pattern, but He knows what the end result will be.  

There is a story of a little girl who was learning about the United States.  Her father found a picture of the country, cut it into pieces and challenged her to put it back together.  Assuming it would take her quite a while to do so, he leaned back in his easy chair with his newspaper.  Soon, the girl came into the room carrying the picture that he had cut out.  She had taped it together to show him.  The father was shocked and asked her how she had finished the puzzle so quickly.  Her response was that it was very difficult until she looked at the back side where she found a picture of Jesus.  When she put the pieces of Jesus together then the map was perfectly put together as well.  

The lesson we learn from that story is this:  No matter how difficult life gets, no matter how confused we become about our lives and our purpose, if we look for Jesus then He will guide us through.  Life is a puzzle.  But only to us.  The Lord has always known how the pieces fit together.  For that reason, we need to keep our faith focused on Him and believe that He will take all things, good and bad, and work them together for His purposes.  Stand in His love and grace.  God bless.  

Daily Word of God - Ecclesiastes 9:17-18

Ecclesiastes 9:17-18 New International Version (NIV)

17 The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded
    than the shouts of a ruler of fools.
18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war,
    but one sinner destroys much good.

Daily Word of God - Psalm 46:4-7

Psalm 46:4-7 New International Version (NIV)

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Daily Word of God - John 21:15-19

John 21:15-19 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Reinstates Peter

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

Daily Word of God - Philippians 1:9-11

Philippians 1:9-11 New International Version (NIV)

9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Daily Word of God - Matthew 23:16-22

Matthew 23:16-22 New International Version (NIV)

16 “Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath.’ 17 You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? 18 You also say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gift on the altar is bound by that oath.’ 19 You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 Therefore, anyone who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21 And anyone who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it. 22 And anyone who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who sits on it.

Daily Word of God - 1 Timothy 1:5-7

1 Timothy 1:5-7 New International Version (NIV)

5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. 7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

Sunday Praise & Worship Message - Let the Spirit Lead

One of the most difficult things for me to do is to allow the Spirit to lead me. Since I am a control freak and a type-a personality who must be in total control of everything, I find myself slipping back into my worldly ways and wrestling control of my life away from the Lord. One of my professional skills is project management. Although most, if not all businesses, prize that sort of skill, it means nothing when it comes to my Christian life and my desire to serve the Father. I have tried very hard to allow the Lord to guide and direct my steps. As I start to feel stress and pressure in my life, I, almost instinctively, snatch back control of my life from the Lord and try to manage whatever situation I am facing. It is only after making a mess of things when I realize what I have done. Like the prodigal son in Jesus’ parable, I go back to the Father and ask for forgiveness. I relinquish my control of my life back to Him and let Him guide my steps, actions and thoughts.

For many, like myself, it is so easy to take control of our lives and just tell God that you have everything under control. But, do we really have things under control? Early this week, I was sitting in the middle of rush hour traffic. In just a few short minutes, things changed for the worse. Traffic came to a screeching halt and I sat motionless for almost four hours. Later I found out that someone tried to cross I-20, one of the busiest highways, at six in the morning and was hit and killed by a motorist. That accident started a chain reaction that resulted in a ten-car pile-up that shut down I-20 for hours. Ambulances, fire trucks, police cars and several other emergency vehicles swarmed to the location of the accident.

Each person probably woke up that morning with no clue or thought of being in an accident. Each person stuck in the middle of the gridlock didn’t believe that they would be late to work by hours. No one could have guessed that, within a few seconds, a single misstep by a man trying to cross the busiest highway in Atlanta during the early morning hours would change the lives of hundreds if not thousands of people.

In chaos theory, a branch of mathematics that studies random events and how those events could come together to cause a bigger series of events that cascades into even bigger series of events, there is a very interesting term for how all of these random, small events could add up to bigger and bigger events which affect more and more constituent elements of a system. It is called “the butterfly effect”.  

The butterfly effect is the sensitive dependence on initial conditions in which a small change in one state of a deterministic nonlinear system can result in large differences to a later state. Put simply, imagine a butterfly that lands on the nose of a cow. The cow is spooked and it runs. That scared cow starts a stampede that results in a herd of cattle running towards a man on horseback. His horse gets spooked and throws him off and he is killed. That man might have created a miracle cure for cancer. 

This example is a gross exaggeration of the butterfly effect, but you get the point. One thing can lead to another and so on until it finally ends with a big impact to a lot of people. Our lives are the same way. One thing outside of our control can lead to disaster or devastation in our lives in just a short period of time.

So, thinking that you can control everything and not rely on God to give you peace is a true expression of arrogance. As God’s children, we must rely on Him daily. He provides for our needs and watches over us. 

Think of how Joshua may have felt when Moses called him to be the new leader of Israel. Joshua would be taking the place of Moses. Those are some big shoes to fill. But, Moses gives Joshua the best advice and words that any leader passing on the mantle of leadership to someone else could give.

In the thirty-first chapter of Deuteronomy, Moses tells Joshua, “Be strong and courageous! For you will lead these people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors he would give them. You are the one who will divide it among them as their grants of land. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Let us break this down a bit. Moses first tells Joshua to be strong and courageous and that God had made a promise to His people. Because God keeps His word, Joshua has nothing to fear or worry about. God will be there with him personally.

God tells you the same thing daily. Don’t be afraid. Don’t worry about anything. The Lord has everything under control. Just like the Israelites, we, too, will go through some hardships, but, in the end, everything will work out and the glory will be God’s. So, don’t try to do things on your own. Give it to God and He will lift you up in victory at the right time.

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul, in chapter 5, writes, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.”

Paul tells us that in all aspects of our lives we should follow the Spirit and not be conceited or jealous of one another. It is so easy for us to follow our own sinful nature and try to control things. If we solve our problems on our own, we take credit for it and do not give glory to God. We begin to move God out of the center of our lives and replace him with our own abilities. We no longer look to God for help or guidance. We no longer follow the lead of the Spirit. 

But, we must remain true to God in our actions. He has promised us so much and continues to bless us daily. He showers us daily with His blessings and gifts. His biggest gift is eternal life which He gave us through His son, Jesus.

As you go through this week and face problems, always remember that you have a choice. You can choose to allow God to direct your life through the leading of the Spirit or you can snatch back control and try to do things on your own. The choice is yours to make. But, if you allow God to take control and be master of your life, you can definitely stand firm in His grace.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Daily Word of God - Matthew 12:25-29

Matthew 12:25-29 New International Version (NIV)

25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

29 “Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.

Daily Word of God - Philippians 1:3-6

Philippians 1:3-6 New International Version (NIV)

Thanksgiving and Prayer

3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Daily Word of God - John 8:42-47

John 8:42-47 New International Version (NIV)

42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. 43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! 46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

Daily Word of God - Proverbs 4:18-19

Proverbs 4:18-19 New International Version (NIV)

18 The path of the righteous is like the morning sun,
    shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
    they do not know what makes them stumble.

Daily Word of God - John 14:27-29

John 14:27-29 New International Version (NIV)

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

28 “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.

Daily Word of God - Proverbs 14:29

Proverbs 14:29 New International Version (NIV)

29 Whoever is patient has great understanding,
    but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.

Daily Word of God - John 3:5-8

John 3:5-8 New International Version (NIV)

5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[a] gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You[b] must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”[c]

Footnotes:

1. John 3:6 Or but spirit
2. John 3:7 The Greek is plural.
3. John 3:8 The Greek for Spirit is the same as that for wind.

Daily Word of God - 1 Corinthians 15:42-44

1 Corinthians 15:42-44 New International Version (NIV)

42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.

If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

Mid-Week Message - Living His Mission

"This is my commandment:  Love each other in the same way I have loved you.  There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command."  John 15:12-14 (NLT) 

When my daughter was in junior high school, she encountered a group of girls who were less than kind to her.  Although these girls had been together for several years in a small Christian school, when puberty hit, suddenly these young ladies began comparing themselves to one another and found the need to find someone to elevate themselves over.  Unfortunately it was my child they chose.   She handled it fairly well until one of her closest friends joined with the bullies.  That was simply more than she could handle.  She felt totally isolated and her self esteem fell to the point that her comment to me was, "I'd rather die than go to school."  

Friends have great power in our lives.  Who we choose to align ourselves with will influence our thoughts, our choices and how we see ourselves and others.  That is why it is so important to choose wisely.  So many lives have tumbled out of control by "getting in with the wrong crowd."  Jesus laid down His life for us.  His command to us is that we love each other the way He loved us.  As He reached out to us with the love of the Father, so we are to reach out to others.  He says we are His "friends" if we do what He commands.  In other words, He wishes for us to align ourselves with His purpose, His mission to bring salvation to the world.  He wishes for us to spend our lives sharing His love and honoring the Lord.  The greatest friend we can be to someone else is by sharing the gospel message and by living our lives for Him rather than blending in with the depravity of this world.  In order accomplish this, we must be willing to allow Him to change us from the innermost parts of ourselves, to call out sin when we see it in ourselves and others, and to speak truth as it is revealed in God's Word.  This will definitely not make us popular with the world but if others are able to see Jesus in us and make a decision to follow Him, then that is the greatest gift we can give.  

My daughter's heart was troubled that she was not part of the "popular" circle.  We may experience the same feelings when we are scorned for seeking to live our lives for Jesus.  We live in a time in this country when more and more people are moving away from churches and are developing their own ideas of spirituality and what they want to have faith in.  False religions are becoming more prevalent and the idea that "all paths lead to Heaven" is becoming more acceptable.  Scripture tells us that the only way to the Father is through His Son.  That is the ultimate truth.  We are to be the messengers that boldly carry that message in a time when it is not popular.  This is one way that we "lay down our lives" for our friends.  We will be laughed at.  We will be argued with.  Many will call us crazy and tell us that we are believing in fairy tales.  However, we must not lose heart.  Too much is at stake if we give up.  

I know that what I have spoken about today is difficult.  None of us want for others to turn their backs on us or slam doors in our faces.  Sometimes we tend to think that loving others means that we stay quiet about what we know is sin.  Jesus did not do that.  He loved, but He was truthful.  When we consider though that by not speaking truth we are aiding and abetting sinful choices, then we know that we are not truly being loving at all.  The greatest love is the love of God and it is honest and convicting and life changing.  I pray that we all examine our hearts, that we repent of the sin in our own lives and ask the Lord to help us fulfill His desire for us to carry out the mission He has laid before us,  With sincerity of heart, God bless. 

Daily Word of God - Luke 13:28-30

Luke 13:28-30 New International Version (NIV)

28 “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. 29 People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. 30 Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.”

Daily Word of God - James 3:13-16

James 3:13-16 New International Version (NIV)

Two Kinds of Wisdom

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

Daily Word of God - Luke 23:39-43

Luke 23:39-43 New International Version (NIV)

39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[a]”

43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Footnotes:

1. Luke 23:42 Some manuscripts come with your kingly power