FAITH OR FEAR?

From the 10K foot view, we would likely all agree that those things in our lives which often lead to the most anxiety or fear are only a possibility of an unknown future.  It is often the fear of the unknown which can cause the most stress in our lives.  It is what lies just beyond what we can see which can bring on fear and anxiety.  Even when we are right in the middle of a difficult situation, we are likely most concerned about an unknown future.  What should I do next?  How long will it last?  How will it impact my future plans?  What will so-and-so think?  What if this...what if that?

Can I just tell ya something?  The way I see it, there are two ways to face our unknown future.  We can face it with faith or we can face it with fear.  The writer in Hebrews referenced the example of the faith of Moses.  Moses was raised with a silver spoon while watching his Hebrew people suffer as slaves.  As Moses made plans for his future, he relied on his faith as he looked ahead to the reward.  He faced his future by relying on faith instead of by running in fear.  His perspective was heavenly, not earthly.  In faith regarding his future, Moses gave up the riches of Egypt in order to gain the reward of eternity.

When we are tempted to allow fear of an unknown future to grab hold of our perspective, we ought to allow faith to guide us into a heavenly perspective.  A heavenly perspective is seeing life the way God sees it and trusting in Him to be with us regardless of what our future holds.  A heavenly perspective is also a constant awareness that as Christians and co-heirs with Jesus, this place is not our permanent home.

What it will take in order to develop a more heavenly perspective is actually quite evident:  We must take our eyes off of ourselves and put them squarely on God and the things of God. #MásDeTi

Prayer

Father, forgive me for allowing the fiery darts of Satan and the distractions of the world to allow fear and anxiety to creep into my heart.  Please help me keep a heavenly perspective in this temporary place which is not my home.  My hope, because of the cross, is the anchor for my soul.  Oh hallelujah!  I set my eyes and my heart on eternity with You Father!  Amen.

By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter and chose to suffer with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasure of sin. For he considered reproach for the sake of Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, since he was looking ahead to the reward. -- Hebrews 11:24-26 CSB

ARE YOU TOO NICE?

Some people are too nice.  Are you too nice?  Some people are SO nice!  How nice are they?  Some people are so nice, it keeps them from a saving knowledge of Jesus.  

Some people are so nice, they know they are nice because they are trying very hard to BE NICE.  They have a standard in their mind for what they think is NICE.  They live what the world would call a "moral" life.  They support charity efforts.  They treat others well.  They are good neighbors.  Maybe they regularly attend church services or even occasionally read the Bible.  Many also assume God must surely be pleased with them.

Can I just tell ya something?  They may be missing THE key element to the equation.  They may lack the one thing they must have to please God.  That one thing is:  FAITH.  The Bible essentially says you can be the nicest person in your family, behave in public better than anyone in your neighborhood, or even memorize the entire Bible.  But, with or without that "good" behavior, you will not please God without FAITH.

HAVING faith is not only about believing God exists but also about chasing hard after God and His Biblical standard for living.  According to the Word of God, it is not enough to BE NICE or to TRY to BE a nice person.  It is not enough to simply acknowledge God exists.  James 2:19 tells us even the demons believe God exists!

The key, not only to a future eternity in Heaven with the Creator but also to the greatest reward, satisfaction, and fulfillment in life today is:  FAITH.  God has promised to reward those who seek Him, His plans, and His purposes for their life.  

You hold the key to the promises of God.  You hold the key which unlocks everything God has in mind for you both in the abundant life of today and of the eternity with Him in your future.  That key is your faith.  One step we must take toward a deeper faith and relationship with God is simple and quite evident:  We must have more of God and His ways and less of ourselves and our ways.  #MásDeTi


Prayer
Dear Lord, help me find a deeper faith in the midst of the chaos. I long for a deeper desire and ability to see You, hear You, talk to You, worship You, and give thanks to You. In that effort Lord, I pray I will draw nearer to You and that my faith will deepen as I gain a greater understanding of who You are.  Amen.


Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. -- Hebrews 11:6 CSB

DO THEY SEE GOD IN US?

To be fair, what the world often sees in us in our day to day is what appears to be a devoted Christian who is serving God.  However, they are often NOT seeing God.  Why would that be?  Are we sure to give God the glory?  Are we giving God the proper recognition for the motivation we have to serve Him?  Are we only attempting the things we know WE can accomplish?

Can I just tell ya something?  If all we are ever willing to do, in our service to God and His Kingdom, are those things which we can accomplish in our own strength, there is no God to see in us in the way we are living.  Listen Christian, Jesus didn't die on a cross for you so you could work very hard to build up a big portfolio of good works you can accomplish without His help.  Only God takes up the cross and dies for others.  We must regularly take an inventory of our lives and ask ourselves the question:  What am I doing for the world to see God at work in my life?

The call of God on our lives is something which is greater than smiling and behaving in public.  It is more than showing up to church.  It is more than raising your hands during worship.  It is more than wearing Jesus t-shirts.  Who does our Creator say we are?  He says we are His witnesses, the salt of the earth, the light of the world, and His ambassadors... and much more!

Jesus challenged us, as followers of Christ, to deny ourselves, to take up his cross, and to truly FOLLOW Him.  We are to reach out and take His nail-scarred hand and not ever let go.  Though that is often easier said than done in our natural human condition, one step which we must take is quite evident:  Each day we must choose more of God and less of ourselves.  #MásDeTi

Prayer
Father, in my salvation I invited Jesus as my savior and for You to be my Lord and Master.  Forgive me for grabbing the wheel back.  Forgive me for even trying to sit in the front seat.  Help me Lord to get in the back seat and stay there.  Help me Lord to be sensitive the lead of Your Holy Spirit within me and the courage to follow where You lead.  Amen.

Calling the crowd along with his disciples, he said to them,“If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me and the gospel will save it."
-- Mark 8:34-35 CSB

OUR LEGACY

You could say we each have two legacies.  One of the legacies is the one we are born with.  WE INHERIT a legacy from our parents and family.  It is a legacy which is left to us and the one which we have zero control over.  We do not have the ability to turn back time or to reshape the lives of those who have gone before us.  The other legacy is the one WE LEAVE behind.

We are absolutely able to heavily influence the legacy we leave behind.  There are several areas of life which may become the focal point in the legacy which is left behind when we are gone.  The legacy left behind could be centered in our career choices, achievements in business, real estate investments, etc.  That legacy may instead be centered in hobbies, athletic ability, artistic or musical talent, etc.  For most who identify as believers and followers of Christ Jesus, it is a legacy centered around family and faith.

I have the ability to influence what will stand out in the memories of me and my life, in the minds of my children, grandchildren, and maybe even a few great-grandchildren. However, I am not likely to know what my great-great-grandchildren and beyond will know about the legacy I leave behind.  Can I just tell ya something?  What they know about me they will know thru the stories they hear about me.  How humbling to consider whether or not they will know and tell the stories themselves of how I lived to testify to God's grace in my life.  Whew!  Got me.... got something in my eyes on that one.

So, let me ask you:  What do you think your legacy will be after you are gone?  As I study God's Holy Word, I see that one step we must all take to to ensure our legacy will point others to Jesus is quite evident:  We must have more focus on God and the things of God in our lives and less focus on ourselves.  #MásDeTi

Prayer
Father, help me to be who You created me to be.  Give me a soft and pliable heart that I might seek and receive what I need to have revealed about You, about me, and about the steps I need to take to look more like Jesus.  Help me to remain mindful of the legacy I am leaving behind that it might bring glory to Your name and not my own.  Amen.

But I consider my life of no value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace. 

Acts 20:24 CSB

BUSYNESS MERIT BADGE

For many years, I had a standard initial response to the question:  "Hi, how are you?"  In that beginning chit-chat, catching up with someone I had not spoken with for a while, my first response most often had something to do with how incredibly busy I had been.  It was a simple conversation starter model which would then segue right into a whiny list of all the things which had been keeping me so busy.  

As is often the case in my life, I first became aware of this habit when I noticed this model being used by others.  I realized that some people were using that approach on me every time I ran into them.  We were essentially having the same conversation every few months.  We would both whine about our busyness as if in a competition, in a short and superficial interaction.  

It began to really sink in to me that we all have the same 24 hours per day and 7 days per week.  Also, we are only as busy as we choose to be.  At some point, I began to realize that perhaps the negative connotation in my mind was due to the fact that I myself was a habitual perpetrator of said conversation template!

This perspective sends some messages to others about our lives, especially as Christians.  For one thing, it says, "Me, me, me...check out me.  I'm so productive.  I'm so busy because I'm getting things done."  It is as if busyness is some kind of badge of honor. We use it, even if only subconsciously, to justify why we have not done things maybe we should have.  We say to ourselves "I'll get to that eventually" or "I'll make up for it later." We could use the opportunity to humbly not focus on ourselves but instead share what God has been doing in our life and revealing in our heart.  What a novel concept, right?

Can I just tell ya something?  God knows you are busy when He calls you to His service.  God knows you are busy when He orchestrates a divine appointment, a "chance encounter" with someone who needs encouragement or to hear about the love of Jesus.  When God places these opportunities in front of us, His timing is perfect.  He does know what He is doing.

What was your response to God's call on your life yesterday?  What is God calling you to do today and what will your response be?  One thing which is required in order to be who we were created to be is actually quite evident:  We need less focus on ourselves and more focus on God. #MásDeTi

Prayer
Lord, I know that ultimately Your will, plans, purpose, & timing for me are they best.  I know that ultimately, my surrender and obedience to your call on my life will bring the greatest reward, satisfaction, and fulfillment in life.  Forgive me disobedience and give me the courage to chase hard after You in all things.  Show me the next steps and give me the courage to take those step.  Amen.

15 Pay careful attention, then, to how you live ​— ​not as unwise people but as wise ​— ​ 16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil.  -- Ephesians 5:15-16 CSB

OUR DAILY BREAD

A few years ago, I took an evening college Spanish class.  Our classroom was a blend of part-time and full-time students.  It was also a blend of younger 18-21 year olds and then some fully grown adult humans such as myself in the 25-50 age range.  I and the other part-timers had mostly all forked over the nearly $500 in tuition and book fees from our own pockets.  Most of the younger full-time students had their fees paid for them by their parents or through grants and scholarships.  

There was a stark contrast in perspective between those who had to pay their own way and those who did not.  There was not the same sense of urgency, ownership, or personal responsibility.  The professor would give an assignment with a deadline and specific formatting instructions including font size, margins, footnotes, etc.  For the most part, the part-timers followed the instructions as closely as possible, turned them in on time, and hoped for an A.  Generally speaking, of course, of those who had not paid their own way, several would act surprised to find out the paper was due when it was due.  And I watched as they handed in hand-written assignments on lined paper torn from a spiral notebook.  They did not appear to have the same sense of ownership or responsibility.  

There was a similar contrast in my home as a child.  I never considered where the money came from to buy the food which my mother prepared and put on the table.  I did not consider who was responsible for providing for our family.  I just showed up to fill up when mom said dinner was ready.  I simply handed the responsibility for provision over to my parents and did not give it another thought.  My dad's perspective about providing for our family was very different from my own.

When Jesus gave instructions about how to pray, one of things He said we should pray is "Give us today our daily bread."  Jesus was actually presenting a Biblical principal in that statement.  It would have been offensive for me to have doubted my father's ability to provide for our family.  When we doubt God's ability to provide for us (as He has promised to do), it is offensive.  We are to trust Him to meet our every need.

It is not so much a lifestyle of apathy or lack of urgency, ownership, or personal responsibility.  It is instead simply a lifestyle which is dependent and in submission to the Providence of God.  It is a lifestyle which says, "God, I trust You to do Your part.  I hold You to Your promise to meet my needs.  Father, give me today my daily bread."

It all boils down to a simple concept and one which is actually quite evident:  We need more focus on God and His promises and less focus on ourselves and our preferences.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, You have promised in scripture to take the ultimate responsibility for meeting all of my needs.  Help me to be in full surrender and submission to that promise of your Providence.  I trust You to do Your part.  Give me today my daily bread, to willingness to receive it, and the courage to take actual steps in the direction You lead.  Amen.

9 “Therefore, you should pray like this:  Our Father in heaven, your name be honored as holy.  10 Your kingdom come.  Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  11 Give us today our daily bread.  -- Matthew 6:9-11 CSB

PRAISE THE LORD!

It is easy to praise the Lord when life is easy. It is easy to praise God from the mountain top. When something great happens in our lives, our first thought might be to praise the Lord. However, when the struggles come, and they will, it can be a struggle to praise the Lord. This is something every Christian knows.

There are some realities of our human nature and the Christian life we might keep in mind:

1. We are not likely to continue in our praise of God in worship and gratitude after an extended period of the good times. Human nature is such that we begin to take God and His Provision in our lives for granted, not unlike the behavior of a spoiled child. We forget about the valleys of the past. Too much of the good times and we forget who and where we once were and the lengths God has gone to rescue us from ourselves. 
2. We ALWAYS have a list of reasons to praise God regardless of our current circumstances. With minimal but intentional effort, we can always recall blessings which can lead us right into a moment of praise and gratitude. Can I just tell ya something? Whatever your struggles may be today, you always have something to praise the Lord for. You absolutely CAN find a way to praise God in your valleys. 

Sometimes, the valley is so low and dark, it can be difficult to even pray at all. This is one of the biggest reasons for intentionally engaging in a local community of faith. A church family can help you pray or pray for you when you cannot. One step we can take is to make a list of our reasons to praise God. Granted, that list will be easier to prepare from the mountain top. However, my experience has been that the first simple expression of gratitude opens me up to a line of interaction with God. Each new acknowledgement of who God is and His Providence in my life, comes easier than the previous. Praise God for His mercy, grace, love, etc. Praise God for reconciling you to Himself. Praise God for keeping His promises. And when you simply cannot bring yourself to praise God, you say just that to God. Even speaking your frustrations to God is still prayer.

Finally, consider what God has done for US, as the people of God. Praise God for His Provision for your church, your family, your friends, and your community. Today’s Christian culture reduces Christianity to the individual experience. This is not how the New Testament church in it’s beginnings conducted themselves. God uses others to mold us into the image of His Son. We absolutely need one another for encouragement, accountability and ultimately, to fulfill God’s will as the body of Christ. Can I just tell ya something? When I praise God for what He has done, and is doing, for others and not just for me, I am acknowledging that I am a part of God’s big ole plan for the world! 

What it will take for us to praise God when things are not going our way is a deeper level of humility.  Humility releases us to shift our focus from ourselves and our circumstances to God and His ways,  What we need is actually quite evident:  We need more God and less us!  #MásDeTi

1 Hallelujah!  Praise God in his sanctuary.  Praise him in his mighty expanse.  2 Praise him for his powerful acts;  praise him for his abundant greatness.  3 Praise him with trumpet blast;  praise him with harp and lyre.  4 Praise him with tambourine and dance;

praise him with strings and flute.  5 Praise him with resounding cymbals;  praise him with clashing cymbals.  6 Let everything that breathes praise the Lord.  Hallelujah!  

Psalm 150 CSB

VIRTUALLY UNCONTROLLABLE URGE

I save the notes from every sermon I have ever preached.  In December, 2007, I spoke for a week of chapel services in Mexicali, Mexico for a group of short-term missionaries from Michigan.  This was a group of high school students and their leaders.  Our missions staff and the ministry team gathered each morning during our week of team ministry, just across the border from Calexico, CA.  We met in a Bible Institute building used for church services and for training local pastors.  The ministry team was there to share the Good News of Jesus through Children's, Sport's, and Women's ministries.

I was reminiscing this morning through my old sermon notes, from that week in Mexicali, so many years ago.  God was challenging us to consider the signs that we as individuals or as a church need to see a renewing, refreshing, and revival in our hearts.

I shared a list of red flag indicators that you and/or your church needs revival:

• church dinners are better attended than prayer meetings
• bored with worship
• must be begged to give and/or to serve in the church
• would rather make money than give money
• no burden for the lost
• unmoved by the 2.5 billion who do not know Jesus (that number is now 2.8 billion)

God called me to challenge this mobile church to consider what our reaction might be if we knew someone famous would be visiting our home church when we returned to the United States.  We talked about how we might react if it was our president who at that time, was George W. Bush.  We agreed we would be telling all of our friends and family and inviting them to pack the house for the special visit.  Just try to imagine the advance security issues to address for such a visit!

What a different feeling we get about Jesus honoring us with His presence in our churches.  Can you just imagine it?  Jesus, in the flesh, in YOUR church this Sunday!  Would we not be overwhelmed with a sense of excitement?  We would be obsessing about who He is what He can do...things which are really infinitely beyond the scope of anyone else we have ever met.

Because we KNOW He is the unique Son of God, it would be an absolutely marvelous privilege to Have Him as a guest at our house of worship!  The excitement of having Jesus visit OUR church is definitely something we would want to share with our friends.  We would have a virtually uncontrollable urge to tell people about our special visitor!

Can I just tell ya something?  The virtually uncontrollable urge to talk about Jesus is one of the characteristics of individuals and entire church bodies which are experiencing revival!  And, I've got some good news for you.  Christian, as a true disciple and genuine follower of Christ who has surrendered your life to God, Jesus absolutely WILL be visiting your church this Sunday.  God has promised to never leave or forsake you and His Holy Spirit lives inside true followers of Christ!

A first step we might take when seeking a genuine revival, renewing, and refreshing in our hearts is actually quite evident:  We need more focus on God and the ways of God and less focus on ourselves, our personal preferences, and the distractions of this world.  #MásDeTi

Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:9 CBS

WE RUN THIS RACE TOGETHER

If you are interested in losing weight, I present to you the incredible new “Loser’s Diet”. Just follow this diet and you are sure to lose. 

LOSERS DIET

Breakfast

• ½ grapefruit 
• 1 slice whole wheat toast 
• 8 oz. skim milk 

Lunch

• 4 oz. lean grillled chicken breast 
• 1 cup steamed broccoli
• 1 Oreo cookie 
• Green tea 

Mid-afternoon snack

• The rest of the package of Oreos 
• 1 quart of rocky-road ice cream 
• 1 jar hot fudge

Dinner

• 2 loaves garlic bread 
• Large pepperoni and mushroom pizza 
• Large pitcher of root beer 
• 2 Snickers bars 
• Entire frozen cheesecake, eaten directly from freezer

Diet Tips:

• If no one sees you eat it, it has no calories. 
• If you drink a diet soda with a candy bar, they cancel each other out. 
• When eating with someone else, calories don’t count if you both eat. 
• Food used for medical purposes never counts, such as: hot chocolate, toast, and Sara Lee cheesecake. 
• If you fatten up everyone else around you, then you look thinner. 
• Movie-related foods don’t count because they are simply part of the entire entertainment experience and not a part of one’s personal fuel. 
• Cookie pieces contain no calories. The process of breakage causes calorie leakage. 

So...that all seems pretty ridiculous, right?  So funny.... ha ha ha.  Here's the thing though, a whole bunch of us Christians today try to live our Christian life using the same silly model.  We start off great in the morning.  Maybe we squeeze in some Bible time.  Maybe we even find some time to talk with God in prayer.  But, by the end of the day, we have already blown it big time...more than once.  We can always rationalize our actions by saying things like:

• "Well, if nobody sees me sin, then it’s really no big deal.” 

OR

• “If I sin with my friends, then it’s ok because everyone is doing it.” 

Can I just tell ya something?  That is just as ridiculous as the “LOSERS DIET”.  When we commit to Christ, for real, we are signing up for the long haul commitment.  The Apostle Paul said, "I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God...".

Paul started well and Paul ended well.  He did not give up when the going got tough.  Jesus said life would be tough.  Paul did not try to bend the rules in order to make life easier.  He hung in there and he finished the race.  Christian, keep in mind that you are not alone in this race.  As true disciples, together we are the adopted children of God and co-heirs with Jesus.  We run the race before us - together!

Paul was just a guy like us.  One thing Paul did which is a proven method for finding real-deal reward, satisfaction, and fulfillment in life is that Paul put more focus on God and His Biblical standards than he put on himself and his own preferences.  What we need is actually quite evident:  We are in great need of more God and less us!  #MásDeTi

I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.  

Philippians 3:14 CSB

GREAT JOY

If the storms and trials of life bring great joy, why is it that very few people are chasing after storms and trials? Why isn't everyone trying to scare up some more storms and trials? When we think of JOY, we imagine smiles, happiness, children playing, sunshine, and flowers, etc. We are not naturally inclined to think of life challenges, such as grief, health problems, financial difficulties, relationship struggles, etc. as a path to JOY. Those circumstances often include much pain AND it often seems to take so long to complete the learning process. The truth is that the only thing which can keep us from becoming bitter in the storm is an understanding of the value in it. Nobody enjoys the pain. James is not saying we should enjoy the pain. James is challenging us to accept and endure the pain with our eyes set on the future blessings. It is about perspective.

You cannot purchase those future blessings or the great joy, as James calls it, which come as the result of the storms and trials of life. You will not find them on Amazon. You cannot buy a secondhand version on Craigslist. The future blessings of God in the joy which comes through the storms and trials of life include things like: a deeper understanding of God's love, divine appointments and opportunities to minister to others who are going through similar difficulties, an inner peace which surpasses our own human understanding, and so much more. There are no emergency blowout sales or BOGO’s for the future blessings of God which come as a result of the storms and trials in our lives. They cannot be bought.

Part of the redefining, rethinking and reconsidering which needs to take place in our own perspective is a shift of focus from what are our own personal preferences and comfort zones to the preferences of God. What we need in our lives is more focus on God and less focus on ourselves. What we need is actually quite evident: We need more God and less us. #MásDeTi

Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  James 1:2-3 CSB

BECAUSE OF HIS GREAT LOVE

Yesterday, unannounced and for the second time in a week, I looked out to see my neighbor clearing the snow from my driveway with his tractor. I actually do not even know this particular neighbor very well. It is not a huge sacrifice on his part but it was a huge and unexpected blessing to me.  It is humbling to stand and watch someone who has no expectation of a return favor, do something so kind for you.

When you are surprised by similar gestures, there comes a rush of emotion and a quickening of your heart. Initial confusion is followed by a feeling of humility as you are overwhelmed with the realization of the fact that someone would go out of their way to be so kind in a random act of kindness. The level of sacrifice on their part is immaterial in that moment.  It really is the thought which counts.

There can be a similar experience in our heart each time we consider what our Creator did for us when He sent His only son as a sacrifice for our debt. It is even more overwhelming to consider that it was no RANDOM act of kindness. Can I just tell ya something?  What Jesus endured on the cross was absolutely an intentional act of perfect love.

Though the perfect love of God may be a depth of love which is beyond the realm of our comprehension, it is not beyond our apprehension through the power of God’s Holy Spirit within us.

A primary mission of Satan is to tempt us to forget just how deep God’s love is for us. Distractions often come in the way of difficult circumstances.  Problems with our health, financial struggles, relationship issues, etc. provide opportunities for distraction and to take our eyes off of our hope.  Lasting joy comes not from our current circumstances in this temporary life.  Our joy comes from our identity in Christ.  Rather than dwelling on our circumstances, let us dwell on this:  We are a new creation, no longer a slave to sin, and alive in Christ simply because of His intentional act of perfect love. 

Christian, what we need in order to maintain lasting joy in this temporary life is quite evident: We need more focus on the things of God and less focus on ourselves. #MásDeTi

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! 

Ephesians 2:4-5 CSB

A FULL QUIVER

This family though. Are we just a big crazy-town circus half the time? Yes, yes we are. But who is more blessed than me? My quiver is full and my cup runneth over!  God gets first place in my life but this crew gets a very close second.

Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord, offspring, a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons born in one’s youth. Happy is the man who has filled his quiver with them. They will never be put to shame when they speak with their enemies at the city gate.
Psalms‬ ‭127:3-5‬ ‭CSB‬‬

WHAT IS LOVE?

How do you LOVE God? Jesus commanded us to love God with all of our heart, mind, and soul. We were created to be in relationship with our Creator and to love Him to the point that His glory becomes our desire and purpose. What is love and what does that look like?

Can I just tell ya something?  You can bet it is more than singing songs or wearing Jesus t-shirts. Actions really do speak louder than words so what do we DO?

Jesus said showing compassion “to the least of these” is the same as if you were doing a kind thing directly for Him. Showing compassion for others makes us look more like Jesus and illustrates a love of God in your heart.

To love God with our mind is to chase after knowing more about Him. The more we study God’s Word, the greater our understanding will be of WHO God is. A greater knowledge of God and His ways further prepares us to live out the beauty and hope of the Gospel of Jesus.

Obedience to God’s Biblical standard illustrates our love for God through our soul AND provides us with great joy, reward, and satisfaction. It is the life abundant God has in mind for us.

Love is much more than a feeling of fondness, affection, or romance. Love is beautiful and complicated and a gift created by God. God’s love for us is the example we are to follow.

What it will take for us to follow God’s example is quite evident: it will require more of God in our lives and less of ourselves. #MásDeTi

He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Matthew‬ ‭22:37‬ ‭CSB

‬‬

OVERFLOWING WITH ACTIVITY

Our lives are overflowing with activity. Preparing and planning for those activities, all of the to-do lists, dr visits, grocery lists, church activities, children’s sports, errands, etc. all occupy the limited real estate of our minds. We find it difficult to turn it all off - to stop thinking about all the stuff on our calendar.

But can I just tell ya something?  Here is the thing: WE are actually in charge of our thoughts AND our calendar. One of most effective weapons in Satan’s arsenal is to take advantage of every opportunity to attempt to persuade us we are too busy to relax, to pray, to read our Bible, or to worship God in gratitude for His Grace, Mercy, and blessings in our lives.

We may begin each day with the best of intentions but then the notifications and alerts on our phones take over.

We need to purpose in our hearts and minds to pull back and look at our day and our lives from that 10K foot view. We absolutely CAN choose to be PRESENT in the moment and to experience what is really happening right now. We CAN choose to live each moment of each day as if it is our last day on this earth.

CHALLENGE: How about we work to slow down and acknowledge the wonder of every individual day? This life is temporary. Christian, this not your home. How about we set our eyes on the hope of our permanent home in eternity with our Creator and take time today to thank God for the many blessings in our lives?

What it will take for us to meet this challenge is quite evident: it will require more of God in our lives and less of ourselves. #MásDeTi

Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring — what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes. James‬ ‭4:14‬ ‭CSB‬‬

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

Christian, the ability to offer unconditional love, through the power of God’s Holy Spirit within us, sets us apart from the rest of humanity. To truly and genuinely love unconditionally is one of the few things left you can do which is still shocking. It is so beyond the norm and outside the realm of what is common it is seen as almost scandalous.

Can I just tell ya something?  This is how God loves His creation in humanity and what is at the center of what ultimately paid our sin debt and set us free: a love which was and is unconditional.

In fact, loving others unconditionally is not simply one of the options. We are actually commanded to love others in this way. It is required and cannot be accomplished without God’s Spirit within you. It sets you apart, revealing who and whose you are.

Practice loving others with the shocking sincerity of what it means to lay down your life for them like Jesus laid His down for us. Do not allow society to define who you are allowed to love or how you love them.

What it will take for the world to see more unconditional love from the people of God is quite evident: it will require more of God in our lives and less of ourselves. #MásDeTi

This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends.
‭‭John‬ ‭15:12-13‬ ‭CSB‬‬

FROM THE LORD

 Ever wonder why God went to such great lengths to create so much natural beauty in the world?  Catching even a glimpse of an average sunrise leads to a feeling that surely God created such beauty for us to enjoy. God’s creation was deliberate, and its natural beauty is an indication of the depth of God’s love for us.

Can I just tell ya something?  The endless and breathtaking natural beauty of the world cost our Creator nothing to create. But, for the opportunity provided for us to spend eternity in the unimaginably MORE beautiful heaven with Him, He left His throne to be born in a barn and to die a violent death He did not deserve. That exchange cost Him everything!

The world contains so much beauty, but we must never forget that our help does not come from beautiful sunsets, mountain streams, glistening blue lakes, or picturesque horizons. Nor does our help come from ourselves. Our help comes from our Creator, the maker of heaven and earth.

We can enjoy God’s gift of the beauty of creation according to our own preferences and affinities. But we can worship the One who created it and trust in His Providence.

What we need is actually quite evident: We need more God in our lives and less of ourselves! #MásDeTi

I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭121:1-2‬ ‭CSB

IF GOD IS FOR US...

Can I just tell you something?  Your Creator absolutely KNOWS you. He designed and planned you before the foundation of time. He then created every part of you inside your mother’s womb AND He wants what is best for you.

If God gave you His only Son (He did) as a sacrifice SO THAT you might spend all of eternity with Him... seriously what good thing here on earth would He hold back from you?  If God is for us, (He is) who can be against us and who cares?

Nothing can separate you from the love of God (see Romans 8:38-39). God’s love is a gift. You cannot earn it or impress Him for more of it. You cannot cause it go away or to be less on account bad behavior.

Christian, your Creator wanted you with Him so hard, He gave you His gift of love and salvation. As a true disciple, God more than just "for you".  His Spirit lives within you!  So often, we cannot see the forest for the trees. We cannot see past our own weaknesses and failures to get to the love of God. What we really need is quite evident: We need more of God and less of ourselves! -#MásDeTi


What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
‭Romans‬ ‭8:31‬ ‭CSB‬‬

WALKING IN VICTORY

Part of our “walking in victory” in the life abundant Jesus had in mind for us includes choosing to put on the full armor of God: truth, righteousness, peace, and faith— and carrying the sword of the Spirit, (His Word). God’s Word contains all of God’s promises for us which we can use to extinguish the fiery darts of the enemy.

Christian, in God’s Word He calls you a child of God, a friend of Jesus, the workmanship of God, wonderfully made, a co-heir with Jesus, and no longer a slave to sin. He calls you chosen, holy, forgiven, and redeemed.

Can I just tell ya something?  Oh hallelujah!  As a true disciple, you have ALREADY been promised the victory!  You can rest easy knowing that no matter what comes your way, you are not responsible for winning the battle. God is. In fact, He has already won!

The world says chase hard after personal happiness because you deserve it.  The world says our focus should be on "me, me, me" as you look our for yourself and fighting your own battles.  You will never find true joy in your life if your focus is yourself.  And, you will find yourself losing those battles over and over.

The greatest reward, satisfaction, and fulfillment in life comes from being who God created you to be.  It is actually not all about you.  When you make it all about Him you will find the peace and joy in your life only God can provide.  Give God your life and your battles and make His glory your desire and purpose in life.  What we need is actually quite evident: we need more of Jesus and less of ourselves! #MásDeTi

Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!   1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:55-57‬ ‭CSB‬‬

A NEW CREATION

Can I just tell ya something?  You can count on the simple fact that our Creator in heaven certainly knows each and every one of us. He planned for, designed, and then created our unique individual personalities, our hair color, our pet peeves, our hidden talents, and our spiritual gifts. Our Creator is well aware of our weaknesses and our shortfalls. And yet, oh hallelujah!  He came chasing after us anyway... in spite of who we are and what we have done.  

Our Creator is ready to write a whole new story for us the moment we accept Jesus as our savior, surrender ourselves to Him, and make Him Lord and Master of our lives. Christian, as an adopted child of God, you are a new creation.  As a true disciple, you have a holy inheritance and you are co-heirs with Jesus.  Regardless of what the world says or what lies Satan may whisper in your ears, you are a child of God.  

Chasing hard after the new creation God sees in you will absolutely bring the greatest reward, satisfaction and fulfillment in life.  The world says, "treat yourself".  God says, set the world aside and focus NOT on this temporary place.  Instead, set your sights of your HOPE in eternity.   What we need is quite evident: we need more of Him and less of ourselves. #MásDeTi

Therefore, if anyone is IN CHRIST, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! 2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:17‬ ‭CSB‬‬

WE BELONG TO JESUS

What would be different about your day to day if you always kept at the forefront of your thinking the simple fact that you belong to Jesus? Christian, you are His valuable possession! Jesus bought you with a price, His Spirit lives in you, AND He would leave ninety-nine others just to go after you!

Why allow others or your current circumstances to define who and whose you are? As a true disciple, you are adopted into God's family as a co-heir with Jesus. Your identity is IN Jesus. Imagine how your day might differ if you dwelled on these things.

The Apostle Paul tells us we are chosen and marked by God's Holy Spirit. He says God's Holy Spirit is the down payment on our inheritance as God's adopted children. We belong to Jesus because He bought and paid for us through His sacrifice on the Cross. When we can occupy our minds with those delightful things, why dwell on what is only temporary?

Can I just tell ya something? If we will place our focus on God and the things of God, we will come closer to walking in the Spirit and living the life abundant Christ had in mind for us as His followers.

What we need in this life is quite evident: more Jesus and less of ourselves. #MásDeTi

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:28