DRIVEN BY THE WIND

 Our thoughts are a lot like waves. Sometimes our emotions are stormy and angry, other times choppy and unfocused, sometimes circumstances wipe us out leaving our psyche in s frenzy of confusion.

Unless we are grounded in faith, we will be tossed about and driven by our feelings. One minute our minds will rise to the crest of faith in hope and the next we will sink below the surface of doubt in despair. The Bible puts it this way. "When you ask, you  must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. (James 1: 6-8 ) 

World news, coupled with our own personal circumstances, can leave us feeling hopeless in the face of all the chaos. Even though we are surrounded by trouble we need to fight the urge to quit. Instead, we are encouraged to continue to pray no matter how long it takes for God to answer our requests. As children of God we don't get a free pass. We are not privileged. We are not oblivious to the trouble surrounding us. Instead, God tells us to pray in faith...before we see any change... and fight our natural tendency to doubt. 

 We can't have schizophrenic faith and expect to ride our wave to victory. At some point, we have to stop living in the shallow waters of fear and unbelief  and go deeper to ride the "drop", the most uncertain moment of the wave. After all, life is always going to be unpredictable, thrilling and terrifying but God promises he will never leave or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)

Heavenly Father,  Instead of fear and doubt I choose to let praise set the tone of my day. When doubt tries to overwhelm me, I will run to you as soon as I start to drift into unbelief. I believe you are my refuge and fortress, my God in whom I can trust.

 

 

 

Surfing info inspired by Srinivas Rao

Lessons from Surfers

IDENTITY...THE NEW HOT BUTTON

  We don't need a PhD to realize God created two distinct sexes...Male(XY) and Female (XX) yet some parents, teachers and churches are allowing a false narrative to spin our kids lives out of control. In our attempt to include everyone's preferred pronoun we are participating in a lie that is leading this generation further away from God and the abundant life he's planned for them. So what has sparked the increase in sexual identity confusion? Many professionals think its influenced by group dynamics and social media. 

Sounds reasonable. Teens and young adults have always been peer conscious and tend to define themselves by the opinion of others. Let's face it...identity is a big deal. Everyone needs to be loved, valued and accepted. The way we perceive ourselves shapes the outcome of our lives. "As a man thinks in his mind, so he is."(Psalm 23:7) 

Unfortunately, these new social norms are telling us if we don't like a part of ourselves we can cancel our true identity and take on a new sexual orientation. It's as easy as transforming our bodies, our personalities, our sexuality, and slapping a new part of speech in front of our names. This idea will kill, steal, and destroy the lives of everyone following this path to self delusion. In the end your mind still comes with you on your transformation journey. Until you align your thinking with the correct source you will never be happy. 

The truth is...you are not here on this planet by accident. "For you shaped me first inside then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. Body and soul I am wonderfully made, bit by bit you sculpted me into something amazing."(Psalm 139:13-14) God had you in mind at conception. He decided your gender before you were born. In His eyes you are beautiful/handsome, smart, talented, worthy, capable, and valuable. He has a purpose and plan for your life. HE KNOWS ALL ABOUT YOU. YOU ARE LOVED. YOU ARE CHOSEN. YOU ARE ENOUGH. 

 This world is confusing and scary right now "but God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7) Everyone has an opinion about this topic but the only thing that matters is God's truth. He alone can transform you into the person you want to be. Place your identity into the hands of Jesus, the one who gave his life to set you free. Believe what the Bible says about you.                           God doesn't make junk.

LORD GOD, HELP ME TO LOVE THE PART OF MYSELF THAT I STRUGGLE TO ACCEPT AND GUIDE ME IN THE PATH YOU HAVE CHOSEN FOR ME.

IN JESUS NAME. AMEN 

2022 CHALLANGE

Self-control has become a flashy concept. This hyphenated English word has turned heads and grabbed headlines since the 1960's. People spend millions of dollars every year on the latest Self Help program trying to harness this elusive virtue. Controlling our desires has proven to be the epitome of "easier said than done."

Let's face it...the reason we keep coming back for more every year is because there is a lot more riding on this than saying "NO" to another Oreo!

The good news for believers is we have our own super power living within us- the Holy Spirit- to help with our personal transformations. Think of self-control as the glue that holds the other virtues together. We can't love properly without it. We will never experience real joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and gentleness without developing self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

This fruit, as it's called in the Bible, is the result of the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives. As we live our lives in Christ we grow a little bit at a time. With God's help we don't have to struggle to measure up to some impossible standard. Change will come as we continue to draw close to Him. 

Jesus is our example and he also grew and developed as he worshiped God. We can't change by believing in the 'gospel of self-help'. Instead, we are guaranteed to be Transformed by the renewing of our minds."So don't be conformed to this world; instead be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so you can prove what is good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2)

NAUGHTY OR NICE?

Some people have the idea that God carries around a list, like Santa, giving him a blow by blow description of everything they have done wrong in their lives. Maybe you are one of those people who believe its only the church goers who get their prayers answered; not some runaway sinner like you.  You imagine if you keep off the radar God will forget about you and shoot that lighting bolt of vengeance in some other poor souls direction. Somewhere along the line you were told that God gets glory when you suffer in silence and accept your lot in life.

WHAT A LIE! The Bible tells us God gets glory when the lame walk and the blind see!

God sent his son into this dark, hurting world to seek and save the lost.  Jesus was born on our harsh planet not to condemn humanity but to heal your diseases, to deliver you from all your hurts and disappointments, and to set you free from every type of bondage so you can live with hope and joy.

As you approach this Christmas and New Year, realize one thing.  Jesus keeps no record of wrongs. He told us to ask and receive.  Instead of running away, go to the manger just as you are. Don't be afraid to tell Him what you need.  Our problems and failures seem huge to us but "nothing is impossible with God." Let this be the year you begin to believe He cares for the naughty and nice.

Luke 19:10  "For the Son of man came to save that which was lost."
Salvation is just the beginning of all God has in store for those who trust Jesus.  He intends to save us from our sins, and everything that tries to ruin our lives.

John 3:17  "For God did not send his Son into the world in order to pass sentence on people, but that humanity might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.

A father came to Jesus and told him a spirit would often throw his son into both the fire and water, intending to kill him. The dad begged Jesus and said,  BUT IF YOU CAN DO ANYTHING have mercy and help us.

Jesus answered him as he answers us....."All things are possible if you will believe."  Mark 9:23

  

TIDINGS OF COMFORT AND JOY

 Funny how "The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" has a way of magnifying our sins and failures. As I sat at my desk pondering what I could possibly write to encourage others when my own thoughts were full of defeat and condemnation... God showed up... in my morning devotional with a word that set me back on the right track.  

You don't have to get to the end of your struggle to experience wholeness. Jesus came to forgive our sins and bridge the gap that separates us from God. Let His presence soothe your anxiety and give you peace and a sound mind. Accept His forgiveness this Christmas and share his gifts of mercy, grace and love with others. Remind this generation that God sent His only son into the world to forgive their sins. "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)

 

"Come now, let's settle this," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool." (Isaiah 1:18  NLT)

ON THE ROPES

                                                                                     


Have you ever been so down and out you felt alone in your corner?  Maybe your emotions are telling you no one really cares, no one understands what you are going through and at this point in life's journey you are sure things will never change. Sometimes life throws us a punch we think we can't recover from, so we stay down and decide it's just too much trouble to get up and try again. Before you throw in the towel let me assure you defeat is not your only option.

God is in your corner.

 If you will let Him into your world he will be your coach. He wants to take your life to places you can't take yourself. Once you sign on with God he will begin a training program, created just for you, to help you reach your best potential. You will need a trainer,,,that is where Jesus comes into the picture. He becomes your teacher, role model and friend who will help you see the champion you are meant to become. In this boxing ring we call life you are going to need a trusted manager to help you  negotiate the path to the final round. The Holy Spirit will keep you motivated to fight the good fight of faith as long as you're on this earth.

 God loves you. He knew life would be hard so he prepared a way through every struggle even when their seems to be no way out. Jesus is the way.  His hand is reaching out to help you get up off the floor and get back in the fight. You don't have to just roll with the punches, you can rise above your present circumstances and reach for the prize. That Championship Belt is called eternal life.

If you want to give God a try, I have included a prayer for salvation.
Heavenly Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus Christ, Your only Son. Your word says, "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Acts 2;21). I am calling on you. I ask Jesus to come into my heart and be Lord over my life. Salvation is your gift to me. I can't earn it. It's free. No strings attached. I believe and confess with my mouth that Jesus is Your Son the Savior of the world. I believe he died on the cross for me, and took all my sins, paying the price for them. I believe in my heart You raised Jesus from the dead and He is alive today. I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins and ask for forgiveness. By faith I receive Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I am saved! I will spend eternity with You. Thank you Father. I am part of the winning team and I'm grateful. In Jesus name. Amen.

NAVIGATING THE CHOPPY WATERS OF FREE SPEACH

 Today, everybody has an opinion. Not only do we feel passionate about our convictions we also tend to share our thoughts loudly and without censure. Our culture has morphed into a playing field where we care little for the welfare of our verbal opponents. Our priority is to make our point at any cost.

Don't get me wrong. We all need to have hills we die on and no amount of cancel culture should shake us. But here's my point...some of our opponents are rotting in God's Harvest Field. We are needed now, more than ever before, to humbly join the fray and lead this generation to Christ. "The harvest is plentiful , but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (Luke 10:2)

 Jesus is saying to us..."I tell you , lift up your eyes, and look at the fields; for they are ready for harvest." (John 4:35-38) It doesn't take a bible scholar to see what is happening around us. We are living in perilous times and watching the corruption of humanity unfold before our eyes. The bottom line is people will die eternally unless the son's and daughter's of God intervene.

God gave us a blueprint of how we can act in our woke culture. "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

What does acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly have to do with the harvest?

Justice is doable when we realize how important the harvest field is to our heavenly father. Salvation of souls is still His first priority and unless we let our inflated idea of self die and replace it with an attitude of love and respect for each other people will remain dead in sin with little or no knowledge of their eternal future.  

 It takes deliberate thought and self control to show compassion and acceptance to people who are argumentative and combative. When our reason in the discussion is to win a convert and not our point it becomes easier to use our words wisely to bring a sense of peace to a heated conversation. In many instances people with opposing views feel misunderstood. We certainly don't have to agree with their point of view but it is our job to make them feel heard and respected. 

Jesus has shown us mercy by his example. The world we live in wants revenge but God commands us to forgive and let it go: not once but over and over again, just as He forgives us. We are His ambassadors on the earth right now. In order to reap a harvest we need to bring a better perspective to this madness we are living in.

 With all the division we face on a daily basis the only way to stay centered and focused on sharing our faith with the people in our circle of influence is to begin each day in the word of God. His truth, not our opinion, is what will draw people to God's light. In this world where people are proud, abusive and full of hatred we need to show kindness. 

Humility acts out of love and obedience to God's principles. We can't make disciples of all nations by screaming, ranting and belittling others. Our mission is to carefully and gently lead them away from error and into the truth. Look around you. People are lost, afraid, hurting and confused. Believers hold the answers humanity seeks. Let's not waste this opportunity. This is the Harvest Season.