We are at war!

“When I have brought them into the land flowing with milk and honey, the land I promised on oath to their ancestors, and when they eat their fill and thrive, they will turn to other gods and worship them, rejecting me and breaking my covenant.”

Deuteronomy 31:20 NIV -- http://bible.com/111/deu.31.20.niv

We are at war! Yes, we are at war with ISIS and Islamic Extremists. But, the war is broader than just with this hate filled group. The war is against Satan and the devaluing of human life itself. Our nation and really the world as a whole, have been given blessings beyond measure. In our "abundance" we have forgotten the great God of creation.  We have become selfish and completely focused on our own lives, neglecting the lives of others. Satan has buried his lies in the hearts and minds of Islam. He has also filled the hearts of many of our own citizens with death through abortion and abuse of drugs, sex, and alcohol. We have lived so well that we have ignored God. We have been given a land flowing with milk and honey. We have eaten our fill and thrived. We have now rejected the same Lord that filled us with abundance. We have backed down when our faith is challenged. We have displayed a air of weakness and vulnerability and the enemies, from Satan himself, are on the attack. I cry out to the Lord for strength to change hearts. I ask for wisdom and guidance to stem the tide toward hate and death. I know, Lord, we win in the end. In the fight that is today and now, I beg your blessing, wisdom, and strength. Help me be a messenger of your love, your grace, and your mercy. Help us defeat ISIS and the radicals that want to destroy our faith in you. Please send leaders that listen to your word and your wisdom. We can not do this without you! We need you Lord!

Praise God!

Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him! (Psalm 147:1 NIV)

This world is turning more and more hostile to Christians. I saw a story the other day that said religion would be eliminated in the next generation. It saddens me to hear such hate for my God. But, through all the hate, through all the anti-Christian sentiment, I praise my God for his love, mercy, and grace. I don't care what others say, I have seen his greatness, I have seen the real God of the universe active in the lives of the people I know.

It is great to give praise. It is great to openly celebrate the wondeful love of Jesus with all we see. Thank you Lord! I praise you and am honored by your love even when I don't deserve it, even when the world turns against you! I love you and worship your holy name!

Overwhelmed?

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV)

Most people I know have experienced the point of being overwhelmed at some point in their life. It can happen on a daily basis at certain times of the year. For me, the anxiety level increases at the start of school, at the end of school, and times of confrontation. I feel powerless when I see my family going through tough times, illness of loved ones, and through tragedies in the community. The news is another source of stress and tension. I can get myself into a state of amazing stress and anxiety. Then I realize, I serve the creator of the universe, he is my strength.

All of these sources of tension, stress, and anxiety, are also sources of strength. When I get to the place where these contentious moments overwhelm me, I turn to God. He is always there. When I finally turn to the creator of all things, it's amazing how the anxiety fades away. The paralysis of life, is eliminated, I can get back to living life knowing God's strength is perfect and I feel his strength in me. My God has already conquered death, he has won the victory over evil and pain. 

The relief I feel is supernatural. It's not just some placebo. It exists in my life and can also be real in your life. I can not imagine dealing with the troubles of this life without Jesus. You can have that reality in your life. Get in your knees, ask forgiveness for your own sins, commit yourself and your life to Christ, the son of the God of all things. Turn your troubles over to him and your weakness will be made strong!

Read -- Do

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (James 1:22 NIV)

I love reading scripture. It is a special time for my own personal growth. It is the greatest avenue of communication with God. Yes, I pray and that is also an intimate communication tool. There is something about reading verses that I've read over and over again. Yet, they provide new insights for my daily life. 

Reading is certainly a start to getting to know the heart of God. Doing what these wondeful words say, that's the the real value of God's word.  If we just read like we are reading a dime store novel, we lose the power of the voice of our creator. We need to savor the verses. We need to examine there application in today's fast paced society. We need to open our hearts to the message intended for us. Doing is the extension of a real faith in Jesus Christ. We can't just read and ignore the voice of God.

Dear Lord, I love you. I read your wondeful words with awe and amazement. But, I ask your forgiveness that I don't apply that wonderful message every day of my life. Help me Lord! Help me to recognize the opportunities to serve. Give me direction very day of my life that I might me in your will and not my own. Amen.