INFORMATION OVERLOAD

In today’s world we are bombarded with information. TMI or too much information is available at our fingertips; we have the answers to just about anything.  There are search engines,  GPS devices, millions of websites, billions of web posts,  satellite radio, cellphones, social networks and television shows that fan the flames of controversy and human depravity. Whatever we desire is available to us at the click of a button.

And once we click a button, another is demanding our attention. We are streaming our music nonstop while working, looking up facts on the latest browser, checking emails on numerous accounts, sending/receiving text messages, browsing through photos of old classmates, answering phone calls on multiple lines, and recording shows on DVR while we do all of these other things. For convenience, some of us have reduced all of this activity to one device; and yet we are still bombarded with too much information. We have all of this excessive access while slowly diminishing our reverence for God and direct contact with people.
But isn’t it just like the enemy to pervert what God has had for us all along? Yeah, feel it for a moment…let that marinate before moving on.
God! in His infinite wisdom has always been accessible… ¹In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1 NIV). The manifestation of Christ conveys the wisdom and revelation of God in the written word that is the Bible, which is full of information that is necessary for survival in this world and for all eternity. The Bible teaches us about wisdom, joy, love, pain, betrayal, forgiveness, grace, and mercy- revealing a peace that is found only in relationship with Jesus Christ; and it is solely inspired by God, with no additives or preservatives…just raw truth (see 2Timothy 3:16 and 1Corinthians 2:13 NIV).
The Internet, smart-phones, cable television,  and unlimited access to information are useful distractions…these things are just tools for survival today, not the eternity that God has for us. So the next time we log-in, turn on, turn up, plug-in or click those buttons, remember that God put us here for His purposes, with unlimited access to Him.  He has blessed us with many tools for kingdom purposes, to worship, bring joy, offer praise, and spread the wisdom that is only found in relation to God through the Word that is Jesus Christ!

Scripture: The Word 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. John 1:14 NIV

Prayer: Father God, we thank you for giving us unlimited access to Your Word.  We pray for those with no access to the written word at all; and that the Holy Spirit will deliver the Word where laws and cultures will not allow. Forgive our selfishness when we were disconnected from You through our extended use of things, and forgive our disregard for others. Help us to get better connected with you and the Body of Christ as we spread the good news for all to witness. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

Read John 1:1-18, 10:34-39; 1Corinthians 2:4-16; 2Timothy 3:15-17

THE SWEETEST NAME

What do you do when you find yourself at your wit’s end? You have given your time, your service, your prayers…you have given your all. Yet you find yourself without hope for a situation. Prayers will no longer fall from your lips, words fail you completely…what then? There is one name I know to call…

JESUS!!!!!!!!!!

That is where I am today. This is all I am able to say…Jesus!

I patiently await His reply...

DON'T JUST TAKE MY WORD FOR IT

I tread lightly as I write these words of wisdom because I never want to mislead anyone about the Word of God. I realize that many believe in God, many are saved and have accepted Christ as their personal Savior, but a lot of people do not read the Bible at all. Many of us serve in all manners within the Body of Christ, but have no idea where to find verses of scripture. We walk around quoting “Pastor said this, Pastor said that,” but have no idea where “Pastor” got the information from in the first place. Many of us do not study or reverence the Word of God, or we pick and chose what parts of the Bible we want to believe. In my life, it is all or nothing.

Someone once asked me how could I believe that God could raise a man from the dead after 3 days in a sealed tomb, and how can this same man walk on water, turn water to wine, and raise the dead himself? How can I believe the Bible? My answer was simple: that nothing is impossible for the God that I love and serve (see Matthew 19:36). Yep, God is just that awesome! But many, like this individual, are more willing to put faith in man and man’s creations, than in God and His Word. People will get on a plane without fully understanding how thousands of pounds of metal fly through the air, some folks are slaves to the world wide web without an understanding of where cyberspace is, or will check the news to see what the weatherman says the temperature will be next week, but will not pick up a Bible to save their lives. Go figure.  

To me, the Bible is more than just some words on a page that have stood the test of time; the Bible is a direct connection to who God is and His instruction for His chosen people. The Bible says that “all scripture is God breathed, and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (see 2 Timothy 3:16). This would be enough for me even if I never read another passage, because God is Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent and He is everything that was, is and ever will be (see Revelation 1:8).

Don’t just take my word for it, seek God’s face and pick up the Bible and see what He has to say to you personally. I implore you to do as Paul told Timothy: study and show thyself approved (see 2 Timothy 2:15). Do this and all things unto the Glory of God, and as the Bible says “you do not have to be ashamed for correctly handling the word of truth.”

Have a Blessed day in the Presence of The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit!

Scripture:For no Word from God will ever fail. Luke 1:37 NIV

Prayer:Father, I thank you and praise you for who you are and the Word that you have given me to save my life. I will forever have your praise on my lips for giving me the instructions to a life in your presence. Forgive me if I ever doubted what you have proven time and again to be true. Help me to show others your true nature by allowing me to live and breath according to your purpose. I call out to you with thanksgiving and heartfelt honor to be a part of the Body of Christ and I ask that you would continue to lead and guide me for Christ's sake. I pray this and all things in the name of Jesus! Amen!

Read  2 Timothy 2 for inspiration to study His Word for yourself.

LED BY THE SPIRIT

I hear people say all the time, “the Holy Spirit did this and the Holy Spirit said that.” I used to wonder how they knew that the Holy Spirit was the one leading them to do or say anything. Well I don’t wonder anymore, now I ask people when I hear them say it; and it is no surprise that more often than not, they cannot give a definitive answer. Many will ramble on about everything under the sun except for what matters most and that is the confirmation from the Word of God. We must be careful what instruction we follow because the enemy has an influence too and there are all kinds of voices crying out (see 1 Corinthians 14:10).

When the Holy Spirit dwells within us and speaks to us, there is always confirmation that either precedes or follows the instruction. God will not set us on a path that is not of His choosing. What happens is that we choose a path for ourselves and pray that God will bless it, even though we go against what God has intended for us.   

We are faced with choices and often we choose what appears to be easy and comfortable. We cry out saying “the Holy Spirit led me here to this path marked X.” Path X is comfortable; it is smooth, well lit, easy to navigate, but it leads to a dead end.  When in all actuality God purposed us for the path we were on in the first place. Yes it is ripe with rocky terrain, so dark in some places that we cannot see the light, and it has a slight incline that make us have to work harder to climb. Yes, navigating on that road is treacherous, but this path we decided to forgo holds the ultimate prize. This path opens up to a place of redemption, victory and rest in His presence. This path takes us directly to our purpose.

Instead we opt for comfort, something familiar, and what appeals to our senses. We rely on our natural shortcomings instead of honing in on what the Spirit of God is trying to purpose within us. We go for what we know instead of trusting that God is aware of what lies ahead, regardless of how it looks in the moment. See, God does not operate according to our whims and wishes; God has a plan for each of us and it is revealed through His Spirit. As children of God, we have a direct line to what God wants of us (see Romans8:14).

The spirit speaks to us in several ways and they are all God driven. So no, the Holy Spirit did not lead you to bed with your friend’s spouse, it did not make you break your boss’ nose, it did not lead you into marriage with a loser, it did not make you go into debt living beyond your means, and it did not tell you to paint your kitchen with that hideous color. The Spirit speaks through the Word of God, and in many other ways. So when in doubt, always, always consult scripture. The Bible teaches us not to grieve the Holy Spirit and that means not doing anything outside of the will of God (see Isaiah 63:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 & Ephesians 4:30).

The Holy Spirit nourishes a ministry within us all (see John 14:26) and the purpose is to lead and guide us in truth (see John 16:13). This requires that we have a personal relationship which includes fellowship and communion with the Spirit of God (see Philippians 2:1-2 & 2 Corinthians 13:14). When the Spirit of God speaks, certain Bible verses will catch our attention. The message is repeated again and again from various sources, like the pastor’s sermon, advice from a friend, or a song on the radio.

The Spirit of God dwelling inside has a voice that will call out to us, a gut feeling so to speak that has nothing to do with emotion. It is a voice that halts us or propels us into action (see Romans 8:16, 9:1 & Acts 16:6-7). And even today, the Spirit will speak to us through visions, dreams and prophesy (see Joel 2:28-29), but we must be able to discern His voice .

Remember that when the Spirit of God leads us on a path, we must have faith that those rocky places will strengthen our resolve, the darkness will usher us into light, and in learning to navigate the rocky terrain, we are able to show someone else the way. So when unsure, take a moment and dwell in His presence.

Ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit and His will for your life will reveal itself to you. So be prepared to listen and take action!

Scripture: All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you. John 16:15 NIV

Prayer: Father God I honor you and praise you for your Spirit and the truth found only in you and your Word. I thank you for allowing that Spirit to dwell in me so that your will is done in my life. I ask forgiveness for the sinful nature that is part of my being human and I pray that the Holy Spirit continues to conquer it, preventing me from doing wrong in your eyesight. I pray that you would continue to bless me that I might be a blessing to those around me and I ask this and so many other things in the precious name of Jesus! Amen!

Take some time and read Romans 8 this week!