Jesus: Reality At It’s Best

Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:3

As I read the news this morning, I came across a story about police officers who were shot and killed in Pittsburgh by a man
having a domestic argument with his mother. The officers who responded were not given the vital information that the subject
had weapons in his residence. During the initial 911 call, his mother told the dispatcher that he owned guns and that they were all 'legal'. At this point the dispatcher should have asked more questions about the type and location of the weapons. The information that the guns were present and accessible should have been given to the responding units for their own safety and this along with the additional information, that was not gathered, could have made a life saving difference.

I share this with you today because I truly believe that what happened here was not intentional. It is a by product of becoming comfortable, complacent and sometimes weary with the day to day almost routine situations we all see. Each of us experience repetitiveness in our lives. We eat at the same places, we see the same people, we hear the same stories over and over again. In our jobs, we may do the same tasks again and again day in and day out. What would normally set off an alarm bell in our minds or souls, we have become accustomed to and it not longer seems significant.

Our spiritual lives can fall victim to this repeat syndrome as well. We all have tendency to be intrigued by the new, the exciting or the different. If our devotional or spiritual walk becomes routine we get bored. If we get bored, we get lax and grow weary. We start looking for what will make our blood churn and our hearts beat faster so we can feel the thrill we once did. And sometimes, those quests bring sin and death with them instead of life and glory.

We have to continuously ask God to be at work within us, around us and through us. We need to keep our eyes open, our ears listening and our hearts attentive to his Spirit. We have everything to be excited about in Jesus. He lowered himself to our level so we could be raised to His in His name. If you feel yourself getting 'bored' reread the gospels and remind yourself of the sacrifice he made. It's better than any thriller novel or movie you will ever read or see. It's reality drama at its best!

God I thank you for reminding me today that I cannot allow myself to be comfortable in my job, my family life or my spiritual journey. Complacency leaves room for the enemy to take a foothold and influence my decisions and actions. May your story always be what thrills my heart and humbles my soul.

Look to the true story of Jesus for the best reality show you will ever see or experience. Ask God to bring it to you in living color by working in and through your life today!

Speak Boldly, in Faith

Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
Matthew 21:21-22

As we enter this Holy Week in between Palm Sunday and Easter I want to focus on Jesus, what he was doing and what he was teaching during those last few days prior to the crucifixion. In Matthew it says that he after he entered Jerusalem on Sunday he went to the temple. Being greatly disappointed by what he saw there, moneychangers and peddlers, he overturned tables and benches declaring that his house would be 'a house of prayer'. He healed people of blindness and lame limbs. He was extolled by the children proclaiming "Hosanna to the son of David". The chief priests and teachers were enraged and questioned his authority and position. After this, Jesus left Jerusalem for the night and stayed in Bethany.

The next morning, Monday, he returned and on his way he got hungry. He approached a fig tree on the side of the road and finding no figs he spoke to it, cursing it for bearing no fruit and it withered. The disciples were amazed and begged to know how Jesus did this. Here, in this simple statement above from verses 21-22 we find a great truth delivered straight from the mouth of Jesus to our hearts.

This statement of fact, this promise from He who is the author and perfector of our faith, confirms the power we are given through him. We must have faith when we ask something in His name and we must not doubt. We cannot doubt His existence, His power, His grace, or His mercy nor can we ever doubt that He loves us and wants us to live in His abundance. We must believe in Him and trust Him. Knowing, as a human man walking this earth, that He had this kind of power and yet He chose not to save himself from the certainty of his fate, the torture of scourging and the suffering of crucifixion. Since He did not use His power to save himself He bore our shame, guilt and sin on the cross, but instead He chose to endure the immense pain so he could show us that he has defeated death. His resurrection is testimony to the power we have access to through faith in Him. That same victorious power is ours and by faith we can move the mountains that stand in our way.

God thank you for being the power and truth in my life. I am standing by faith at the foot of a mountain that I know I can move by your power!
I am humbled as I am reminded of the great sacrifice you made for me. I pray I live a life that brings honor to you!



I love you girls! Stand tall in faith today and speak boldly and with power to whatever mountain or molehill is blocking your view of Jesus today!

I know the Truth..It Comforts me.

Show me your ways, O LORD,
teach me your paths;

guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.

Psalm 25:4-5

I am forever thankful that God teaches me to walk in his path. He ordained my life before my existence on this earth. He knows the numbers of my days. So who am I to question that He would know best? I take comfort in His guidance. I find reassurance in knowing that He is God and by trusting in Him who can do more than I could ever ask or imagine I will not need for anything. My hope is in Him, in who He is not just what He does. I know the truth. He is the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Alpha and Omega. My Almighty God and Heavenly Father, my God, my Savior. In Him alone do I put my trust and pledge my undying love and obedience.

Thank you Lord for just being and allowing me to know you. Thank you for your sacrifice of your Son so that our relationship would be possible. I trust you this day and ask that you guide me in the way you would have me to go. Give me wisdom and discernment, fill me with your gentle spirit and allow me to see with eyes of faith what is possible by your power instead of stumbling blocks in my path. I know that no matter what this day brings God, you are in control of it. You will provide whatever is needed at the proper time if I just trust and believe in you, seeking you first.

My prayer for you this morning is that the truth, the real facts of who God is in your lives will find its way deep into your soul this morning and bring you great joy, hope and peace. No matter what you are facing, and I know some of you have sadness and hurts on your hearts this day, He is greater than all of that. He desires to comfort you and encourage you. He will give to you whatever you need if you seek Him as He offers to hide you in the shadow of his wings allowing you rest. Go to Him my friends. He is your hope.