Get out of the entrance!

I heard a pastor say this weekend, that our acceptance of Christ was like walking through a door.  That we often enter in and then we stop.   It brought to mind the image of the door way and what happens right there.   That point then made me ask the question, how many lives are being lived in a 5-7 foot radius?   Think about it...   How that feeling is the first time you approach a person's door.  Anxiety, Fear, Concern, etc.    Yet, right at our feet is a sign that says, "Welcome!!"   Welcome!!   Wow, how often in my life did I possibly approach that door and even though Christ was saying "welcome" I just failed to commit.  

Then I began seeing the image of people standing in a foyer/entrance way.  There on the other side of the door is a welcoming environment.  But the question is that once you have made it into the house, is that all there is?   NO Absolutely Not.    The relationships don't happen at the door, they happen in the living room or the kitchen or any number of places.  So why are so many people either standing at the welcome mat and failing to accept the invitation that Christ has given or once they have accepted the welcome and walked through the door, why do we still stand in the foyer.   We must walk in!!  The journey to the kitchen table or the living room couch is found right in God's word.   Let go of the door knob, take a few small steps to learn your way, and get moving.   The road is narrow, but it is still available to be used.  

Live it OUT!!!

Get UP!!

John 5:  This chapter God always emphasizes the lame man.  

38 years this dude was cripple.  Right at the edge of a place he desired to be (pool), but didn't get there. Why?  He says because everyone gets there before him.  Sounds like he wants something but not real sure how willing he is.  I love Jesus' conversation.  He asked "do you want to be healed", but the guy doesn't answer the question. Instead he gives focus on why he can't get into the pool.  "Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.... (John 5:8-9 NIV).  I read this and Jesus didn't reply, you are healed, He commanded "action" on the man.   So often we sit back a give God reasons why we can't get somewhere in our life, when He is saying "Get Up!!"  Think about how this guy hadn't walked in 38 years, what about the muscle in his legs??  When we trust in Him and take actions of faith, God will provide the ability if we just provide action and obedience!!  Basically.  Live It Out!!!

Have an awesome day!!!

Stood up!!

Ok. I'm reading John 8 today and honestly sum it up with the statement "stood up straight". Scripture says that Jesus stood up straight after writing in the sand. He is strong and stands firmly.  How are we at doing that?   Then I pick up on this.  "At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there." (John 8:9 NIV). Hmmmm.  Why does the scriptures point out the oldest first?  Are they the ones that have more hidden issues, they have old religion?  Maybe a once saved always saved mind set (I know in those days there was not saving grace, but today it's different).  Are the elders dealing with more hidden shame or not as passionate about their position?  Maybe they know the truth and yet stay trapped in their legalism?   How are we?  Do we base our faith in how long we have been churched or off if our passion for being born again and renewed everyday?   I'm praying for daily renewal!!  How about you?!  Live it out!!!

Mud in the face!!

Ok.  John 9, I could write for hours about it.  Awesome.  I mean I love this blind dude and once he could see, he had the boldness to stand there in front of the Pharisees and be straight up with them.  Even his parents saw the truth, but pushed it back to him so they wouldn't get in trouble!  But let me focus.  Let's talk about spit, clay, power, obedience.  Check this out!!  "After saying this, He spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “GO,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” . So the man WENT and washed, and came home seeing. (John 9:6-7 NIV).  AWESOME!! Here we go, blind all his life, touched by God!!  Not healed until he WENT!  Jesus could have snapped His fingers and the dude could have seen, He could have done a number of things.  But we see the healing only happens when the man is obedient.  If he would not have listened to the direction, he would not have experienced the miracle?   He would be left with mud in his face.  What is God telling us to do?  Is there something we are desiring and asking God to do, but we are still standing there with mud in our eyes?  Love His word and praying to carry that passion every day!!  I pray that we are all Living it out!!

Cultivate or Captivate - What will you choose?

I have a question.  

Do you ever have those stumble thoughts?  You know, the ones that get you to deviate from a God focused journey.  A thought that you wouldn't want your church friends to know about?  Or worse yet, the true believers in your life to know?  I'm sure all of us do.  Unless Jesus is following me, which that can't happen because I'm following Him!!  The deal is that we have a choice.  We can choose to allow those thoughts to cultivate or captivate.  You decide!!   I'm choosing to captivate, take captive!!  Make it happen today.  Live this out!!

Here is your stone!!

 "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV)

Are you out of your mind?

Are you out of your mind?  Have you ever heard that question?  I know many kids have heard it or those that are just highly adventurous.  But let me ask you, have you ever heard it about your faith?  Think about that.  Many things that we do, at times, as believers, are what has been considered a stamp of approval from other believers.  "Out of your mind" seems more like, why would you be so different.  Now there is a question.  Why be different?  Are we living a "Christian" life style, but not actually being different? Maybe "living to be accepted" in the minds of other believers and not living out our minds?  If we live out of our minds, we begin to not "think" about what others "think", but rather live out of our hearts, because that is truly where Christ should exist.   Our lives can not be lived to gain approval of others.  We should be "out of our minds" and living a life that will CHANGE the world for Jesus.  

Here is your stone!!

"We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you." (2 Corinthians 5:12, 13 NIV)

I don't know about you, but that my friend will preach!!!

IF

One word consisting of only two letters, yet according to God's word, life changing.  God's word is a map for our lives.   A perfect and flawless love letter to each one of us.  A guide to hope, joy, and eternal salvation.  Yet reaching that destination is sitting on this one small word.  That word......."if".  That word reminds me of the free will that God has given us.  That word separates the now from the eternal.  It gives us the choice.  So daily we ask, which side of the "If" will we live?   "But IF we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin. " (1 John 1:7 NIV)