Unaware

Have you noticed how unaware we are at times? We simply miss that which is before us. Many times it’s not until we look back that we are able to see that which was there. Sometimes it is the lost item we are looking for at home, other times it is the person who is trying to get our attention, many times it is the presence and activity of the Lord in the world around us.

Do you find that you are unaware? Does it sometimes seem that you miss the things right in front of your face?

Many times it is far easier to see what other people seem to be missing in their lives. We can see so plainly what they seem oblivious to. Sometimes we miss things because we  are not paying attention, other times it is because of distraction and busyness. Sometimes it is simply because we have not attuned our eyes or ears to be on the lookout for certain things.

Here are the things that we need to be most aware of everyday:

  • We need to be aware of and realize that God is love, He loves us and is presently working that we might know, receive and walk in His salvation
  • We need to be aware of the people around us and that every person we see, meet, talk to or think about has present needs and could use some manner of encouragement, supply, strength, wisdom or love
  • We need to be aware that in this very moment there is available to us everything we need for life, godliness and eternity and it is found in Christ Jesus
  • We need to be aware that apart from God we are nothing but if we abide in Him every moment of every day we can live in fullness of hope, joy, peace and abundant life!

If we are unaware of these things we won’t receive them or the fullness of life that the knowledge of these things bring. If we are unaware of these things we will walk around preoccupied with lesser things and missing out on what matters most for this life and eternity. Please let this be your signpost that says “Be aware: God at work”. Please be aware and then receive all of this from the hand of the One who provides it for you out of the depths of His love and holiness.

Jesus died for them

pexels-photo-9816No matter who you look at. No matter how different they are from you. No matter what “weird” things they like or how they dress or what language they speak, Jesus loves them.

We are all so different in so many ways. Our differences often become dividing lines. We perceive and we judge. We elevate our likes and dislikes higher than theirs. We consider our ways the best ways our our thoughts the best thoughts. If they don’t see it my way, like what I like, or look like, smell like, and sound like me…

But remember that Jesus loves every single person.

He loves them so much that He died for them. Continue reading “Jesus died for them”

What to do with other people’s perceptions of me

How do you perceive me? What do you think of me, when you see me? Do you like what you see? Do you approve? Do I meet your standards? Would you pick me to be your friend/co-worker/confidant/etc? In your thinking of me, do you admire me or loathe me? Do you think I have it figured out or think I know nothing? Do you respect me or have no use for me?

These are questions that we ask ourselves. More properly perhaps, these are questions, laden with doubt, fear, accusation and falsehood that the devil loves to pose to us, so that we might be defeated, divided and destroyed. So what do we do with other people’s perceptions of ourselves?Continue reading “What to do with other people’s perceptions of me”

Wretched, poor, blind and pitiful

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This world is full of many different things and many different people.

There are many things I like (hiking, running, coffee, doughnuts, etc) but there are also many things that I don’t like (Pepsi, sticky tables, fingers on a chalkboard, and more).

If we are honest, then we must admit that at times there are people we like and people that we don’t like as well. We are drawn to some people and push back from others.

Why is that? Continue reading “Wretched, poor, blind and pitiful”

Pride and the battle strategy of the Devil

Pride is something that comes upon us by way of stealth and a sneak attack.

It comes in little snatches of a thought. The whisper of an idea. The simple notion that either some personal offense has been committed against you or sometimes even deadlier: the hint of an idea that you really are doing so much better than before.

The roots of pride come from the seeds of doubt and the promises of great gain; the seeds of pride are nefarious and evil.
They are evil because their origins are from the father of lies, the devil, who desires to turn the attention of people inward thereby averting their gaze from the heavenly Father above. Pride grows in the soil of self-contentment or self-esteem and is nourished by the two constantly flowing streams of negativity and flattery.Continue reading “Pride and the battle strategy of the Devil”

The utter devastation of sin

May I remind you of something you may know in theory, in conscience or in intellect but that I would desire that you know in the depths of your heart and soul?

Sin is destructive.

Sin is devastating.

Sin is a black hole of guilt and shame.

Sin is an abysmal place of agreement with wickedness and evil.

It may have been a while since you thought about or heard about sin in such blatant and unflinching terms. You may have been reminded of these things by the prick of your conscience. You may have had a fleeting thought about the wickedness of our world, the selfishness of such and such a person in your life or even perhaps the thought that you wish you could be a better person, but can I tell you that sin is truly appalling, full of heartache and it wreaks havoc on our lives and relationships?Continue reading “The utter devastation of sin”

Where the Spirit of the Lord is

Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom.

Where is the Spirit of the Lord?

Is there a place where He is not? Where can you go to flee from His presence? Whether you are on the far side of the sea, in the heights or the depths, God is there.

So why is it that so many do not walk in freedom but instead are in bondage? Why are people everywhere bound by fears, shame, guilt and strongholds?Continue reading “Where the Spirit of the Lord is”

The Need to be Still

In my last post I spoke about the need to be productive. Now I would like to briefly consider our deeper need to be still.

It’s not that we don’t have a calling and purpose in this life that ought to be diligently and intentionally pursued, but rather that being still is the greatest thing we can “do” in this life to prepare us for life and eternity and to empower us to make our lives count for something.

When we are constantly busy and working, we will find ourselves continuously drawing from our own strength, our own wisdom, our own experiences and therefore our own limitations. To draw from ourselves as the source of what we need is a frustrating and ultimately fruitless prospect. We are limited at our best; at our worst we are corrupted, double minded and selfish; neither our best or our worst is  the well we ought to be drawing from for inspiration, fulfillment and empowerment. This is where being still comes into play.Continue reading “The Need to be Still”

The Need to Be Productive

It is the beginning of a new year.

As such we are looking back to see what last year held for us and look ahead to see what is yet to come.

In our review of history and in our hopes and dreams for the future, we realize that we analyze the importance of things from our current perspective and we attempt to determine what is the best course of action that we can take moving forward.

One thing that I have noticed in my own personal journey is that hard-wired into me is the need to be productive. I have to create, produce, accomplish, labor etc. I believe this comes from God’s initial instructions to humanity the “tend the earth”. Solomon also recorded that it is a gift from God to do the work of our hands.

Why is it that we need to be productive? One reason is because laziness and slothfulness create a breeding ground for all manner of other destructive behaviors. Another reason though is because our productivity has to do with our purpose in life. When we are accomplishing nothing, we may at times excuse it and say it really doesn’t matter but down deep inside we know that God Himself has given us a calling, created us for a purpose and is leading us to a particular mission for our remaining days on this earth. Furthermore, this inner drive to be productive also comes from a God-given urge to make our lives count for something in the midst of simply not knowing how many days we have left.

If you knew you only had so many days left, wouldn’t you seek to make those remaining days count? I know I would. Perhaps more diligently, intentionally and more proactively than ever. Not all actions and behaviors are equally important when we have a finite number of days left on this earth. The fact that we don’t know how many days remain should actually serve as an impetus and motivator in our lives to be more attentive to that which matters most. 

And so while you are examining last year and looking ahead to the year to come, please ask yourself a few questions to help you with your purpose and your productivity:

  • For what purpose what I created? Why am I here?
  • What is God asking me to do with my time here?
  • What should I spend my time, energy, talents and resources on?
  • Is my life producing anything?
  • Is it really for God’s glory or for my own?
  • What would God have me to produce with my life and the time I have left on this earth?

I want my life to count for something. I believe God has given me a particular sense of direction for how I ought to live my life and what mission I am to be working towards. Now I need to make sure that I am faithfully heeding His calling, stewarding that which He has entrusted to me and making my life count for His glory and for drawing others into His loving embrace of amazing grace.What about you?