Ephesians 2:10 says "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (NIV).
An amazing verse that many of us are familiar with. And yet, I believe the most important word in that verse is not "God," "workmanship," or even "created." I believe the most important word in that verse is found with only three letters. It is the word "are." May not be flashy or mind-blowing, but it sure does bring comfort, strength, and even confidence to those who are His!
Just think, at this very moment, God is working in you to make you what He wants you to be! He is using the events, issues and circumstances in your life to prepare you for the future. A future that could be literally seconds away!
How would you answer the following: Describe God in one word. Amazing. Love. Kind. Forgiving. Father. Wonderful. Truth. The list could go on forever. After this past week I would have to answer: worker! Probably not what you expected. However, as I have seen the work of God in people's lives it brings me to tears!
God is constantly loving, forgiving, meeting needs AND working: healing, comforting, saving, answering prayer, etc. God is doing amazing, wonderful things in people's lives every day. It is time that we start reflecting on the positive in our lives and the lives of others rather than on the negative.
Besides, God is working in our lives at this very moment for His "work" for us. He has something He wants you to do. Are you ready? No. Why? God is still working!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
What, me worry?
Worry is defined as: "to be fretful, perplexed, anxious; to cause mental distress to." Yeh, I know, I am not supposed to worry! Well, we do, don't we? We probably wouldn't call it "worry" but that is exactly what we do. We "worry" about our family, our jobs, our possessions and so much more. And yet, if we take time to reflect on ALL that we do "worry" about, how much of it is really under our control? The answer: NONE OF IT!
This past week was one in which I have to admit, I "worried." There were issues in my life that, despite my lack of control over, I "worried" about. And yet in it all, God was still there and took care of them.
Isn't it mind-boggling that we can sing about God's amazing grace, His mercy and faithfulness and then still find ourselves spending too much time in the "worry" department? Over and over again I have been reminded that not only is God faithful to me on a daily basis, He is fully aware of everything going on in my life and has it all under HIS control. I am so glad that God is never surprised by things in my life, let alone yours!
Take time today to: (1) Thank God for His faithfulness in your life; (2) Confess those times when you "worried"; (3) Ask God to help you trust Him more each day.
And remember these words from Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount":
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? [26] Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? [27] Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life" (Matt. 6:25-27)?
This past week was one in which I have to admit, I "worried." There were issues in my life that, despite my lack of control over, I "worried" about. And yet in it all, God was still there and took care of them.
Isn't it mind-boggling that we can sing about God's amazing grace, His mercy and faithfulness and then still find ourselves spending too much time in the "worry" department? Over and over again I have been reminded that not only is God faithful to me on a daily basis, He is fully aware of everything going on in my life and has it all under HIS control. I am so glad that God is never surprised by things in my life, let alone yours!
Take time today to: (1) Thank God for His faithfulness in your life; (2) Confess those times when you "worried"; (3) Ask God to help you trust Him more each day.
And remember these words from Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount":
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? [26] Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? [27] Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life" (Matt. 6:25-27)?
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Warning Lights
Coming from behind you, they may be red and blue. As you sit in your car it may be orange. But whatever color it is, warning lights are designed to make us aware of some type of emergency or letting us know that our vehicle needs repair.
Usually when we see lights flashing, we slow down so that we don't find ourselves as part of the problem. If we see our "check engine" light come on, we have a mechanic check out what the problem is.
But what about your life? It would be easy to have a light go off when there is a problem. However, God did not give us one of those. He did provide us with events, people and most importantly the Holy Spirit to be the warning lights in our lives. One of the responsibilities of the Holy Spirit is to convict. Jesus says in John 16:7-8 "But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. [8] When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment." (Italics mine)
As believers, being indwelt by the Holy Spirit is to result in our producing or living out the fruit of the Spirit. And until we submit to the Holy Spirit's leading in our lives and allow Him to direct our path, we will never be able to walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16).
So, this is what we have to do. Take the Bible and read, study, and apply to our lives what we find. Then we must walk in the Spirit and allow the Spirit to produce in us: "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance" (Galatians 5:22-23). And at the same time we must flee "the works of the flesh which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like" (Galatians 5:19-21a).
Think about that check engine light. We don't like it when it comes on, but it sure can save us from a bigger headache later. Besides, I don't know anyone who likes to be stranded on the side of the road. So, take this warning and check your life and make sure that God hasn't sent a warning light for you. If He has, then don't ignore it, address it, confess it, and draw near to Him.
Usually when we see lights flashing, we slow down so that we don't find ourselves as part of the problem. If we see our "check engine" light come on, we have a mechanic check out what the problem is.
But what about your life? It would be easy to have a light go off when there is a problem. However, God did not give us one of those. He did provide us with events, people and most importantly the Holy Spirit to be the warning lights in our lives. One of the responsibilities of the Holy Spirit is to convict. Jesus says in John 16:7-8 "But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. [8] When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment." (Italics mine)
As believers, being indwelt by the Holy Spirit is to result in our producing or living out the fruit of the Spirit. And until we submit to the Holy Spirit's leading in our lives and allow Him to direct our path, we will never be able to walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16).
So, this is what we have to do. Take the Bible and read, study, and apply to our lives what we find. Then we must walk in the Spirit and allow the Spirit to produce in us: "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance" (Galatians 5:22-23). And at the same time we must flee "the works of the flesh which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like" (Galatians 5:19-21a).
Think about that check engine light. We don't like it when it comes on, but it sure can save us from a bigger headache later. Besides, I don't know anyone who likes to be stranded on the side of the road. So, take this warning and check your life and make sure that God hasn't sent a warning light for you. If He has, then don't ignore it, address it, confess it, and draw near to Him.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Are you kidding?
We have all heard them. In response to our asking for help or for someones participation, we have heard them and then are amazed that people actually think we believe them. What am I talking about? Excuses. The reason why help or participation is not going to happen. Now don't get me wrong. There are times when the excuse is legitimate. However, I don't believe the percentage is very high.
We have heard things like, "I am too busy," "That's not really what I am good at," "well...uhm... well..." And to think that we are all guilty of this at some point in our lifetime.
What I want to challenge you with today is this: Do you really believe that God accepts your excuse? Whether it is for not coming to church, not participating in church activities, or serving Him, do you really think that God hears and knows your excuse and says, "Ok. I understand"?
This coming Sunday I am starting a series through the book of Jonah. He definitely gives us some great indicators of the need of "Returning to God." Take the time to consider what indicator from the life of Jonah applies to you. If you are not at church to hear the message and would like a copy, contact the church from our website at www.ohcalvary.org.
We have heard things like, "I am too busy," "That's not really what I am good at," "well...uhm... well..." And to think that we are all guilty of this at some point in our lifetime.
What I want to challenge you with today is this: Do you really believe that God accepts your excuse? Whether it is for not coming to church, not participating in church activities, or serving Him, do you really think that God hears and knows your excuse and says, "Ok. I understand"?
This coming Sunday I am starting a series through the book of Jonah. He definitely gives us some great indicators of the need of "Returning to God." Take the time to consider what indicator from the life of Jonah applies to you. If you are not at church to hear the message and would like a copy, contact the church from our website at www.ohcalvary.org.
Friday, October 2, 2009
A Good Fall?
Many times when we fall it is considered a negative situation. It may be a result of tripping over something or losing our balance. We often injure a body part and the healing time can be extensive.
However, I want you to think of falling as a good situation. I want you to think about falling in regards to your position before God. When was the last time you truly humbled yourself before the Lord?
Peter wrote to Christians: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time" (1 Peter 5:6). James wrote: "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up" (James 4:10).
The old life is focused on self whereas the new life is to be a life focused on God and His plan for our lives rather than what we want for ourselves. In order for that to happen, we must fall to ourselves and allow God to "lift us up."
Someone once said, "Humility is the acceptance of the place appointed by God, whether it be in the front or in the rear."
Now is the time for humility if we want to see God do something great in our lives and do something with our lives. The time for self-reliance, self-promotion, and self-indulgence is gone. Now is the time for humility if we want to see God do something great in our lives and do something great with our lives.
I close with a couple of verses from Proverbs:
> "The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor" (15:33).
> "Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life" (22:4).
However, I want you to think of falling as a good situation. I want you to think about falling in regards to your position before God. When was the last time you truly humbled yourself before the Lord?
Peter wrote to Christians: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time" (1 Peter 5:6). James wrote: "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up" (James 4:10).
The old life is focused on self whereas the new life is to be a life focused on God and His plan for our lives rather than what we want for ourselves. In order for that to happen, we must fall to ourselves and allow God to "lift us up."
Someone once said, "Humility is the acceptance of the place appointed by God, whether it be in the front or in the rear."
Now is the time for humility if we want to see God do something great in our lives and do something with our lives. The time for self-reliance, self-promotion, and self-indulgence is gone. Now is the time for humility if we want to see God do something great in our lives and do something great with our lives.
I close with a couple of verses from Proverbs:
> "The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor" (15:33).
> "Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life" (22:4).
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