God's Tour Of The Human Race

Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.....for it is light that makes everything visible.
Romans 13:11

Over the Thanksgiving holiday season I have met up with quite a variety of people. They ranged from the most devout Christians to atheists with prison records. I pondered each group of people that I had been in contact with and was pretty impressed by the diversity. What I really became aware of was how each person had some quality that was pure gold. Then I started to get a sense of God showing them off to me like a proud Papa. I remembered that he is the Father of us all.

I know that he tells us to not judge and he tells us to think about the good things. Instead of criticizing, he has asked us to pray for others. When he says to having nothing to do with the darkness, it means nothing. He doesn't want us to focus on the darkness in others. He wants to take us on a tour and show us good qualities in people. I think that this is one of our calls as God's children, to enjoy the good in others as our Father in heaven does. In some way, it is an encouragement to them. It is even more empowering if you actually speak it to them. Regardless, they will feel it if you have a positive frame of mind about them. Remember how when you are with someone that has a good attitude, you feel free and happy. This is a gift that you can give to others. If you honestly can't find something to like about a person, ask God to show you how he sees them. You will be pleasantly surprised. In the midst of this, remember that he is proud of you. As you know his love and approval, you will be able to see it more towards others. Have fun with your new outlook on the human race. You will be such a blessing everywhere you go. Your light will shine brightly. This light will expose the darkness. This light will set others free.

Awake

Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.
Ephesians 5:12

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. Isaiah 60:1

Yesterday was the first Sunday in Advent. We are now officially preparing for Christmas. During this time we remember that Jesus came to earth and why. We also remember that Jesus will return and are reminded to stay awake and be prepared for his return.

This morning, as I pondered this, I remembered a vision that my friends and I had together. In the vision, we were standing out on the street shouting, "Wake up. Jesus is coming."

All up and down the street people opened their windows and shouted, "Shut up! We are trying to sleep!"

We are truly called to encourage others to stay awake or to wake up. This morning, I feel God challenging us to ponder our own wakefulness. That's all. We are to each go to God and ask him where we are asleep. We are to ask him to wake us up and give us the ability to stay awake. I know that through this process he will reveal himself to us in a new and beautiful way.

Gifts From Our Father

one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all .
Ephesians 4:6

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:45

Last night I became really aware that God is the Father of us all. That means all, not just those that know him and call on his name. He is showering us with gifts because he is so kind and generous. I had the sense that as we were sleeping, he was getting a whole bunch of gifts together to give us today. He is doing this for every one, constantly. In fact before we were even created, he started planning the gifts that he will give us. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful Father.

Give Thanks To The Lord

[1] O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures for ever.
[2] O give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures for ever.
[3] O give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[4] to him who alone does great wonders,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[5] to him who by understanding made the heavens,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[6] to him who spread out the earth upon the waters,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[7] to him who made the great lights,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[8] the sun to rule over the day,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[9] the moon and stars to rule over the night,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[10] to him who smote the first-born of Egypt,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[11] and brought Israel out from among them,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[12] with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[13] to him who divided the Red Sea in sunder,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[14] and made Israel pass through the midst of it,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[15] but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[16] to him who led his people through the wilderness,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[17] to him who smote great kings,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[18] and slew famous kings,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[19] Sihon, king of the Amorites,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[20] and Og, king of Bashan,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[21] and gave their land as a heritage,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[22] a heritage to Israel his servant,
for his steadfast love endures for ever.
[23] It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[24] and rescued us from our foes,
for his steadfast love endures for ever;
[25] he who gives food to all flesh,
for his steadfast love endures for ever.
[26] O give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his steadfast love endures for ever.
Psalm 136

Pleasing God

"I long just to please you" (Jeremy Riddle

I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox, and more than a bull with his horns and hoofs.
Psalm 69:30-31

As I sang the line from a song by Jeremy Riddle, I was aware that God loves me. He doesn't just love himself and his agenda. So part of what pleases God is to bless me and that I know his love for me.

We do not prostitute ourselves to God. He wants us as a bride; to be his friend, partner, soul mate. I know my spouse is my best friend. We do fun things together. We work together, laugh together, cry together. We talk about life and confide in each other. As time goes by, we love each other more and more deeply.

This is what God wants with us, and more. So pleasing God isn't just being good. He wants us to be his bride in every way. This would please him more than anything.

God is For You

No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame.(3) 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.(4-5)Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.(8-9)The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.(15) Psalm 25

Our hope is only in God. He did a perfect job creating us, and he has a plan that is perfect for us. We must continuously seek his face and he will guide us in the direction we should go. Others have lots of opinions of what is right for you. You may have even decided on an agenda for yourself. Lay it down and seek God's face. While you are at it lay don all of your "I shoulds." He will show you a better way. If God is for you, who can be against. I am so comforted to know that God is on my side. Even my mistakes can't ruin my life when God is on my team. He wants us to be at peace and trust in him. He wants to guide us into the amazing plan that he has for us. You were born for "such a time as this." You don't have to be the responsible one. God will do that job for you. You can rest in his love and let him carry you. It will really be exciting to see where God leads you. He will open up doors that you never even considered an option. He has a much higher and glorious plan than you can image. Hop on God's train. His train is bound for glory.

Our God Is For Us

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:28-31

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9

All of us are in a battle of some sort. Today, I am fighting for my health and God's truth. Some people I know are fighting for their marriage, their children, their finances, their health, and even their lives. The list could get pretty long.The good news is, "If God is for us, who can be against us." We are not alone in this battle. God is for us. God will give you strategies just like he did the children of Israel. "The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."As I write this, I get the impression that some of you are having trouble believing that God could actually be there for someone like you. Others look at the struggles that they are going through and can't see evidence that God is for them. I declare it. I speak it over you. God is for you. You are more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus. You will win this battle.