God Uses People

Today when I opened the bible I read John 1:6. It says that there was a man sent from God, and his name was John. This helped me. It helped me, it edified me, because I am but a man and know that I will always be. In speaking with a friend today he told me that he settled in his heart long ago that there were just certain things that he seemed to always mess up. He said God know that, but gives him his gift anyway. This also edified me, because I know God gives me the gifts he gives me, not because I am perfect or because I need to do something to earn it, but because that what God chooses to do. All of us – you me, others – all of us are given one or more gifts by God, even though He knows we are human and will mess some things up. He is a good dad, and will help us along the way. Be of good cheer, God picked you because you are human, not in spite of being human!

Prayer
father, please help us in our humanity. Please help us along the way. Please pick us up when we fall. Please help us to impact the world for Your kingdom. In Jesus name. Amen.

Each Time I Read…

Each time I read the Psalms I am encouraged. today I read Psalm 76, which is short, but again I was encouraged. The psalmist writes about how God defeated the Egyptians when they pursued the children of Israel into the desert. He then goes on to say that this is what God does for all of us. He encourages us to keep our commitments to God because God is on our side and cut off the evil rulers of the earth. This latter point I believe deals with the dark forces behind the evil deeds and not necessarily the people. God is victorious and on our side!

Prayer
Father, You are an encouragement to us. You great and mighty deeds, down through time, have always delivered Your people. We are those people today. We praise and thank You. In Jesus name. Amen.

Finding Our Way

Yesterday was an interesting end to a very unusual week. By the end of the day, my mind was completely scrambled with ideas and events, so much so that I got them intertwined and even became frustrated. Somehow now thinking about it, it seems strange to think that we could get upset with a series of good events. I guess it comes down to the fact that we are all trying to find our way to God. When that gets obscured, we struggle and get upset.

Sometimes I just need to stop and take account of what God wants me to do and how I will do that. This can be a challenge for me because I can get so caught up in life’s events that I forget to take a moment to think about the One that gives life, God.

Take that moment today, now, won’t you?

Prayer
Father, we praise You for watching over our lives. We thank You for making these things happen in the manner they need to happen versus the manner we want them to happen. Please be with us and guide us today. In Jesus name. Amen.

Bear Fruit Films – A Comfort

Today I had the pleasure to watch a group of po=eople reach out to a community to encourage them. Was it church? Not exactly? Did they feed the poor? In a way. It was the faith based film company, Bear Fruit Films, and they were in Culver, IN. Today they had an open casting call and almost 300 people showed up, including the parents of children trying out for the roles. The people from the movie company were comforting and encouraging to every person that wanted a chance to be in a movie. The c0-founder and director, Paul Tomborello, stayed until he saw each person, never rushing a soul. The film is called “Little Savages”, includes several stars from Disney as well, and shoots during the month of August in Culver, IN. As for the movie company, they are courteous and considerate of every person, very unassuming, and wanting to impact the lives of all involved.

In this blog I have never recommended a company or product, but you will definitely want to follow these guys and see their films! They are in post production on their previous film, “Rumors of War” (see link below), which looks like a must see.

Rumors of War

If you end up in Culver in August, look them up and tell them thanks!

Prayer
Father, I ask that You bless each person involved in this movie. Keep them safe and healthy. Touch the lives of those that see the film. Touch us all. In Jesus name. Amen.

Do Not Be Moved

Today I was comforted by reading Psalm 62. God is our refuge. If we trust in Him, we will not be moved. Those that bless us to our face but curse us behind our backs will be brought to nothing. They are like a leaning wall and a tottering fence. Should riches come our way, we must not trust in them. God is our defense. It is Him in whom we should trust.

This is good stuff!

Prayer
Father, help us to trust in you. Help us to be the ones You want us to be. Please help us through our times of struggle. Encourage our souls. Help us to be better each day than the day before. In Jesus name. Amen.

Amazing

Today I am overwhelmed with thankfulness. I look around and see so many blessings for people I know! God is doing marvelous works though and for His people. If we can but trust in Him, He will come though for us. Psalm 117.

Prayer
Father, thank You for this day. Thank You for all that You are doing for those I know and love. thank You for reaching out to them and to me.

In Jesus name. Amen.

Battles Can Be Won

God sets us up to win. He definitely does not set us up to lose. What we experience in life is many times up to us. We can set ourselves up for failure by what we say success is. We can set ourselves up for failure by not taking the time to assure ourselves what God is saying to us (not the other guy – not your job). When we know that we know that we know, then we have to ride that horse to the end of the rodeo. All we control is us. If we refuse to quit, even unto death, we win. Period.

Let’s fight!

Prayer
Father, we love You. You are the King. Help us to always remember the battle was won long ago, You are on our side, and we are winners. In Jesus name. Amen.

Edification, Or Not

The body of Christ needs building up. We all have a responsibility to do this for ourselves and for each other as believers. This is how our lives improve as believers, by becoming more like Jesus. Leaders, especially those that lead a congregation as a Pastor, have an even greater responsibility to be a source of edification. So, if you are a Pastor, how do you know if you are edifying those around you? Look around. How are the people doing? How are your relationships with others, including other leaders. That is how you are doing. And the same goes for the rest of us.

Prayer
Father, we ask today that we might be a source of edification to the others in the body of Christ. Help us to connect with you and others in a way that leads us here on earth to usher in Your kingdom. In Jesus name. Amen.

Every Moment Counts

We have blessings all around us every day. If we can the time to slow down and see these moments, whether big or small, they can be sources of encouragement. Often I find myself praying for things that are already all around me, but I am caught up in life’s daily routine and I miss them. Then I wonder where my answers are when I already have them. today I encourage everyone that reads this to take a moment and consider all of the blessings you have. Thank God for them one by one. By the end of that, I think you will find yourself encouraged in God.

Prayer
Father, thank You for the little things we have. Help us not to focus on what we think we do not have. Thank You. In Jesus name. Amen.

Our Hope Is In The Lord

In my readings this morning I was looking for comfort. God has granted me many great gifts – life, family, friends, and fellowship. These are a great comfort to me. But in times when I feel unworthy, I cry out to God for mercy. Even though I cannot seem to always choose the best things to do, I trust that He will deliver me and comfort me by growing me up into the likeness of Him.

In Psalm 33 this morning I saw great comfort. It begins with a call to praise and worship of God our King. It speaks of His great power in creation. It speaks of a God of great wisdom that is on our side. As the psalmist wrote, we are to be comforted because no plans of men can work against us. Great men that trust in their power, their strength, will come to nothing as God provides for His people. He will give us our needs. He will protect us from famine. In Him we can trust. In Him we place our hope, knowing that He will take care of us always. This is a very great comfort.

Prayer
Father, You are our God and King. You rule the earth and the heavens. By Your great power You created everything. By Your great power You will deliver us from the strong men. By Your mercy You will lead us on. We praise and thank You. In Jesus name. Amen.