The PROOF!

Acts 4

 ¹³ When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. ¹⁴ But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. ¹⁵ So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. ¹⁶ “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷ But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”

I have a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics. I loved teaching Math. I especially loved teaching Geometry with all of it's postulates, theorems, and proofs. My mind is wired for Math. That part of me, created by God, is also a big reason why I am a follower of Christ!? Yep, I can prove Christ is who he says he is. 

Today I attended a motorcycle event called "Ride for Recovery". This event is organized by the area county drug and alcohol rehab organizations. At the end of the ride we got to hear the testimony of 4 men. These men know the power of a real GOD because they have seen it. To hear their stories. To hear how they came to be sober and clean from drugs is literally a miracle with no explanation except GOD. To hear how they all, skeptically, came to rely on God to keep them sober is proof enough for anyone. They all had experiences where they tried with God, were successful. Then they forgot God and failed. Then tried with God again and were successful again. They know why they are sober. They know why it's so important for them to keep God at the center of their lives.

I can also tell you, with my own life, why I am where I am right now. I can tell you how I've gotten through tough times. I can tell you how a handle my struggles. It's GOD. I am Proof. These men are Proof. GOD IS REAL. 

Turn to him now. Ask him in your heart. Ask forgiveness of your sins. Ask him to change you from inside out. He's real. I am the Proof!

Faith: Letting God be God!

Romans 4

 ¹⁸ Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”^[d] 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. ²⁰ Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, ²¹ being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

God promised Abraham to be the father of many nations. Yet, he did not even have any offspring of his own. He was 100 years old and he could feel his body aging beyond his ability to have a child. How could he be so strong in his faith? He did not waver. The reason is in verse 21. He was persuaded that God had the power to do what he promised. 

I think it's been clear that I have been very frustrated lately. But, don't think that I am wavering in my faith. In a very small way I'm like Abraham. I am fully persuaded that God has the power to do the best for me. I do not  understand why and I'm not loving what's happening. But, I have complete faith that God is in control. I don't need to know why. I just need to be patient and let God be God. In my 51 years of life, God has done amazing things. He has never forsaken me. He has never left me and I can always look back and see how his hand has guided me on the correct path. He will certainly not let me down now. 

God is my God. I love him and have faith in his perfect power and wisdom. All Glory belongs to God.  

God's Play Book!

Romans 3

 ⁹ What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. ¹⁰ As it is written:“There is no one righteous, not even one; ¹¹ there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. ¹² All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”^[b] 

Have you ever met a Christian who thinks they are better than everybody? I have. They act as Judge and Executioner for everyone, even fellow Christians. But, they are the most critical of non-christians. How can we "Go out into all the world..", if we don't get in there and associate with non-christians? And how can we get out into all the world if all we are doing is judging and executing!

We, as Christians, do not have an advantage. We are sinners. "There is no one righteous, not even one." I love it when a "gang" of christians adopts a non-christian and makes them part of the gang. It can be done without judgement, without sacrificing your values. It needs to be done. How else can you build relationships enough to have the opportunity to share Jesus. Are you going to go up to a stranger and convince them of Jesus love? NO. You need to actually share that love. Show them you care with all the sincerity that you have. I have a great Christian coaching staff that has done this time and again. They aren't perfect. But, many of them have brought in outsiders and made them an important part of the staff. Some of them change and some of them don't. But, they keep trying. They keep building those relationships. They keep loving the people they're around and sharing the Love of Jesus through their actions. We should all take a page out of that play book!

Dear Lord, Forgive us for acting as God and judging those who don't know you. Help us to realize we are sinners. Help us to realize we have no advantage except through the grace you have given us. Help us to spend our time building relationships with people and not looking down on anyone. You love all of them and so should we. Amen!

I am not the creator of the Sun!

Acts 3

 ¹¹ While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. ¹² When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 


I have said it before. I will say it many times. I am nothing. As a matter of fact, I am less than nothing. Peter and John would say the same thing. They had just witnessed the power of God through the healing of a lame man. To the people in the temple, John and Peter performed the miracle. John and Peter knew better.


I wish more people were like John and Peter. Our society and this entire planet is filled with people who act as if their own power and "godliness" were the reason for their success. We see it in politicians, business people, pastors, athletes, educators, musicians, actors, and almost every other walk of life. There is no power except that granted by the God of the Universe. Yet, so many people never acknowledge the giver of power. God, in his grace, provides us with gifts and blessings. Yet, we ignore him and his power. We take the credit he deserves. Can we take credit for the stars in the sky? Do we cause the sun and moon to rise and set? What power do we have to change the seasons or create a tree?  We can not take credit for these things and we certainly can not take credit for the blessings God has granted.


Dear Lord, I beg your forgiveness for my arrogance. I know you are the true giver of strength and power. You are the giver of success and failure. You hold all the answers. We have no success except through you. Thank You for those gifts. Thank You for your grace, mercy, and love. Amen!

Acting is better than listening!

Acts 2

 ¹ When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. ² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues^[a] as the Spirit enabled them.


This summer when Stephanie and I were on vacation. We were in our camper and  it poured down rain. If you've never been in a heavy rain storm in a pop-up camper, it is loud.  The camper worked great and we stayed "High and Dry" (Thanks Time-Out Campers!) We also had issues with the Wind. It was just like the rain. It was LOUD! But, it would be even more amazing to have the sound of the rain or the sound of the wind WITHOUT THE RAIN OR WIND!


This magnificent day the God of the Universe sent a gift to his followers. He sent his spirit to live with us in our daily lives. Thus the completion of the Trinity - Father/Son/Holy Spirit.  We are so blessed to be given this Spirit of our Lord to guide us and speak to our hearts, minds, and souls. 


My problem, like many others, I don't always listen to the guiding of the Spirit. Even though God speaks to us like the voice of a violent wind or the pounding of a heavy rain, we are deaf to him. I wonder how much easier and fulfilling my life would be if I just listened to the guiding of the Holy Spirit. Sure, I pray. I even ask for guidance. But, saying you want guidance and accepting that guidance are two completely different things. I so often blame God when things don't go well, but many times it's my fault for not listening. It's my fault for not acting on the guidance of this great gift God has given. Please forgive me Lord!