MIGRATING

Greetings!  

I have migrated on over to a brand new WordPress site:

I'm learning how to use it and get things all set up in my digs.

Come on over!

https://chriscanote.wordpress.com/

GOD’S SUFFICIENT GRACE

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.  — 2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:9‬

For the true disciple and genuine follower of Jesus, one of the greatest joys is to have Christ magnified in your life. God will use our suffering and weakness, through His grace, to magnify Christ in our lives.

Paul tells us how when the Lord told him his “thorn in the flesh” would not be taken away, the Lord also helped him to understand why. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.”  The Creator uses this circumstance of Paul’s in such a way that Jesus could be elevated and seen as strong in Paul’s weakness.

Can I just tell ya something?  When we feel and others see us as being self-sufficient, the result is that WE are elevated instead of Jesus.  Paul received this “thorn” as God’s grace in his life and boasted in it.  “Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses...”

Can I just tell ya something?  When we feel and others see us as being self-sufficient, the result is that WE are elevated instead of Jesus. 

To accept and understand in the sufficiency of God’s grace even in our weakness and suffering, requires faith and a willingness to be content with our circumstances.  When we do, we can embrace the principle that Christ is magnified in our lives through our own weaknesses suffering. 

BY GOD, FOR GOD

We were designed and created by God, for God.

For it was you who created my inward parts; 

you knit me together in my mother’s womb. -- Psalm 139:13

FORGIVEN

SELF TALK:  I am forgiven.

I am writing to you, little children, since your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. 

— 1 John‬ ‭2:12‬ 

SPIRITUAL CARDIO

Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life. — Proverbs‬ ‭4:23‬

Medical professionals tell us we should exercise, eat healthy foods in healthy proportions, to get plenty of sleep, to manage our stress, etc.  Doing these things will help keep our physical heart healthy. God is telling us through Solomon’s proverb here how to take care of our spiritual heart.  “Guard your heart above all else...”

The spiritual professional (our Creator) is telling us how to keep our spiritual heart healthy. We are to guard our heart. Guarding our heart means doing things such as: forgiving others who may have hurt us, letting go of any anger, bitterness and resentment toward others, releasing to God the hurtful behavior or words of others, etc.

Guarding our heart means exercising personal discipline over our mind and what we will allow it to think about. Can I just tell ya something?  It means taking care to guard what we will take into our minds.  “Garbage in, garbage out.”  What we consistently see with our eyes will eventually make it’s way into our spiritual heart.  Our minds and hearts are connected. What we think about impacts our spiritual condition.  When we guard our spiritual heart, it creates a healthy environment for the rest of our body.  

Can I just tell ya something?  It means taking care to guard what we will take into our minds.  “Garbage in, garbage out.”

Attending to our spiritual heart is even more important than taking care of our physical heart. Our spiritual condition can continue to deepen and gain strength even when our physical condition has gotten old, weak, sickly, etc.  

Are you guarding your heart?  Are you getting in some heart exercise?  If you haven’t already, today is a great day to commit to a daily routine which includes spiritual cardio. 

CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS

Be the you God created for such a time as this.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do. -- Ephesians 2:10

WHO JESUS SAYS I AM

I am not who others say I am.  I who Jesus says I am.

I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Íon of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  

-- Galatians 2:20

LIGHT OF THE WORLD

That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.  — John‬ ‭1:5‬ 

The Apostle John states two immensely significant Biblical principles here in one short sentence. First, he tells us of the glory what the light does. The light of the world and life, the light of Jesus, shines into the darkness, illuminating, bringing hope, making what was dark, bright.

But then he also acknowledges tension which exist between light and darkness. There is a darkness, which seeks to overcome the light. Darkness in the world, darkness in our lives, darkness in our hearts which is always seeking and pursuing an opportunity to snuff out the light. 

Can I just tell ya something?  Life in this lost and broken world is struggle and the sometimes the light may feel more like a flickering candle than the mid-day sun on a hot summer day.  Scientifically, darkness is no match for the active power of light. Spiritually, the darkness of the world is no match for the supernatural power of the light of Jesus. 

Can I just tell ya something?  Life in this lost and broken world is struggle and the sometimes the light may feel more like a flickering candle than the mid-day sun on a hot summer day. 

This struggle between darkness and light, good and evil, despair and hope, death and life, etc. is the central storyline of some of the best movies, books, and campfire stories. 

As true disciples and genuine followers of Jesus, it is our story. God’s Word and light of the world has come and dwelt among us. It illumines our lives, shines on in the darkness…and the darkness has not, will not, could not possibly ever overcome it.

FAITH OVER FEAR

Fear says:  What if?

Faith says:  Oh yeah?  Even if...!

By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible. — Hebrews‬ ‭11:1

FAITHFUL PRAYERS

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

A FATHER’S COMPASSION

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.

‭‭— Psalm‬ ‭103:13‬ 

Compassion. The dictionary says compassion is “to recognize the suffering of others and then take action to help.”  We could say compassion is a tangible expression of love and understanding for those who are suffering.

But this verse refers specifically to the kind of compassion a father has for his children. Here’s what a father’s compassion is not:  it is not pity, anger, shame, impatience, intolerance, or rejection.  The scripture tells us a father’s kind of compassion is what God, our Heavenly Father, gives to us as His children. He cared enough for the pain and struggles of His Creation to send His son Jesus to enter into our world and dwell among us.

Can I just tell ya something?  It is important to recognize one key phrase from this verse: “those who fear Him.”  In other words, this compassion is for those who have a reverential awe of God. He does not express this same father’s compassion for those who reject Him.

Can I just tell ya something?  It is important to recognize one key phrase from this verse: “those who fear Him.”

We become adopted children of the Father of Compassion when/if surrender our lives to Him, obey Him, honor Him, revere Him, worship Him and trust Him.

YOU ARE LOVED

There is no one now, never has been, or ever will be who Jesus loves more than He loves you.  

You are loved.

GOD IS GOOD

The Lord is good, a stronghold in a day of distress; he cares for those who take refuge in him. 

-- Nahum 1:7

Nahum was a minor prophet who wrote about the end of the Assyrian Empire, and it’s capital city, Nineveh, in a vivid poetic style.  The people of Nineveh had repented and turned to God in the past (see book of Jonah) but had now returned to their cruel and wicked ways and were no longer honoring God.  So, through Nahum, God called them out and warned they would be destroyed. 

But, Nahum also gave the people another message.  He reminded the people that God is good and is can be trusted.  He cares about us and when trouble comes, we will find refuge in Him if we will seek Him.  We have hope in Him.  If we are following Him and trusting in Him, we have a blessed assurance that no matter what happens, we will be taken care of by Him. 

Can I just tell ya something?  The book of Nahum not really a “pretty" book to read. The description of violence is as graphic as any war movie.  But right there in the middle of all the brutality is one of the most beautiful promises in the Bible. “The Lord is good, a stronghold in a day of distress; he cares for those who take refuge in him"

Can I just tell ya something?  The book of Nahum not really a “pretty" book to read. The description of violence is as graphic as any war movie. 

God is so good.  When you have fully surrendered your life to Him, you are in the shadow of His wing and have a refuge in times of trouble.  He is a safe place, a sanctuary, and a shelter.  This dark and dirty world, we only temporarily call home, can become overwhelming and distressful.  But, as a true disciple and genuine follower of Jesus, you have a good God who cares for those who take refuge in Him.

DWELL ON THESE

Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable ​— ​if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy ​— ​dwell on these things.  -- Philippians 4:8

Try as we might to only ever think of right or good things, our mind is a complicated thing.  It plays tricks on us and we play tricks back.  We have all fallen into the trap of thinking about wrong or less than positive things.  If we allow those negative thoughts to hang out in our minds, before long, they can lead us to become upset, discouraged, and something less than God has in mind for us as His children.

We encouraged here in this passage to think on good things.  In fact, the Apostle Paul is very specific.  He gives us a list:  whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, or otherwise has moral excellence and is praiseworthy.  We are not only to think about them.  We are instructed to dwell on these.

What we think about can have a powerful influence over our lives and can lead to a change in our habits and actions.  Neuroscientists have discovered that repetitive thoughts form neural pathways as neurons that fire together, get wired together.  Can I just tell ya something?  This is already way too sciency and above my paygrade.  But this means that the more a particular thought is allowed to stew in our minds, the stronger those neural pathways become.  As those neural pathways become stronger, they become our "go to" pattern of thinking.  So Paul says, do not think about those things.  Think about these other things instead.

Can I just tell ya something?  This is already way too sciency and above my paygrade. 

The challenge for us as true disciples and followers of Jesus, is to redirect negative thoughts when we begin to sense them creeping into our minds.  We need to replace them with thoughts which have moral excellence and then dwell on them.  Purposing in our hearts to only allow positive thoughts to hang out is a setup for success.

JUST PRAY ABOUT IT

Just pray about it.

Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 

-- Philippians 4:6-7

WHEN GOD SAYS NO

When God gives you a NO, give Him a THANK YOU. 

He was protecting you from less than HIS  best.

Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will 

for you in Christ Jesus.  -- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

ALL I NEED

All I need is You, Lord! 

God is my salvation; I will trust him and not be afraid, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my song.

‭‭— Isaiah‬ ‭12:2‬

PURPOSE

It is a lie of a lost world that life is about finding yourself. Life is about discovering who God designed and created you to be. 

#PURPOSE

PERSPECTIVE

Perspective is everything. You can allow it to be your prison. OR you can make it your passport to discovering and becoming who God intended for you to be. 

HAT OVER THE WALL

Throw your hat over the wall. 

In other words:  commit yourself to completing the task ahead. 

Get after it, in the name of Jesus, Amen!

JFK famously announced that the U.S. would have a man on the moon within 10 years. He said it even though the space program had not even been launched yet.  He was bold enough to toss his hat over the wall and then chase after it, even though his political opponents said it was a crazy idea.

YOU CHOOSE

 

Today is YOUR choice.  How are YOU going to utilize this day?  YOU can host a pity party in the past OR YOU may tap into the power of God’s Holy Spirit within YOU and LAUNCH into YOUR future. YOU choose. 

HELP IN THE BATTLE

Simple truths to say to yourself when you find yourself in a 

SPIRITUAL BATTLE 

Say them out loud.  Write them down.  

Repeat them over and over if necessary.

• God is good
• Be still and know that God is God and I am not
• Sin does not define me, Christ does
• My past does not define me, Christ does
• The world does not define me, Christ does
• Jesus conquered the grave
• I am a new creation in Christ Jesus
• Jesus has overcome the world
• Jesus is enough for me
• Nothing I can ever say or do will cause God to love me any more or any less
• God's grace is sufficient
• Fear has not grip on me
• I am fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God
• God had and still has a plan and purpose for me
• I am not alone
• Joy comes in the morning
• It is finished
• He is able
• I am a child of God and coheir with Jesus
• I am the bride of Christ
• Not today Satan
• Jesus loves me, this I know
• The Lord fights for me
• I am in the shadow of God's wing

In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:37‬

MORE THAN JUST A TEACHER

Deeply distressed, each one began to say to him, “Surely not I, Lord?”  Matthew‬ ‭26:22‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Each of the disciples was “deeply distressed.” But Judas was “distressed” for a different reason. Judas knew he had been found out. Judas knew he was busted. 

The other disciples knew Jesus as THE Messiah and had a genuine and deep abiding love for and relationship with Jesus. Judas only knew Jesus as a teacher. Can I just tell ya something?  Judas was thorny soil and Jesus was much more than just a teacher. 

Can I just tell ya something?  Judas was thorny soil and Jesus was much more than just a teacher. 

Judas never surrendered himself in humility and full repentance. He simply hung out with the fellas and dodged any kind of real commitment. Judas maintained a guilty distance and avoided eye contact with Jesus. Judas never let down the walls he had built around himself long enough to come to the realization and genuine understanding, through vulnerability and humility, of his great need for a savior.

I have been Judas. I have known many others who have walked a similar path. Some are there now. It was a response to the gift of the invitation of Jesus, in the understanding of my great need for a savior, based on my own spiritual poverty, which caused me to surrender my life to Him. 

Oh yeah, He’s more than just a teacher!

SEASONED WITH SALT

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person. — Colossians‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Christians, when we talk, we ought to be using words which are seasoned with the salt of God's grace. What does that mean? It means there should be some evidence of the grace of God and the influence of God’s Holy Spirit from within us when we speak.

Others should know we are a child of God not only because we say so but because of how we say what we say including the look on our face when we say it. Can I just tell ya something?  A deaf person from across the room should be able to pick us out of a crowd as being different and uniquely influenced by God’s grace.

A deaf person from across the room should be able to pick us out of a crowd as being different and uniquely influenced by God's Grace.

Jesus said we are both the light of the world and the salt of the earth. If we have to tell others this is the case because it is not obvious, then it is a red flag alert there are spiritual issues which need to be addressed.

Before we were rescued and restored, when we were still unsaved and separated from God, we said whatever we wanted, with no moral compass within us to guide our speech. But, as a new creation, it is a whole new plan. We have been born again by the grace of God. Our words should be seasoned with the salt of His grace so that we might add flavor to the lives of those who God places in our paths.

EVERY GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT

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

According to this verse, "every good and perfect gift" we receive comes from God.  My life is a gift from God.  My family is a gift from God.  Salvation, church family, relationships, job, home, etc. all a gift from my Father in Heaven.  AND it says, He does not change like shifting shadows.  Our God in Heaven, "the Father of lights," is always faithful and dependable.

This is not how it goes with other people.  Our human nature is such that none of can be relied up for the kind of consistency we find in our Creator.  It is not possible.  Sometimes the gifts we receive are not so “good and perfect.” My mother was quite eccentric.  Once in my early twenties, she gave me a cuckoo clock for my birthday.  For me it was an odd “gift”…not “good and perfect.”  Sometimes the gifts we receive from others, come with strings attached.  Those gifts may come from people we have trusted but who have changed like shifting shadows. 

But the Bible says our Creator is the giver of good gifts and He never changes. Never means never ever ever. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. There are no strings attached to His love.  He does not love us based on what we can provide for Him.  Paul tells us in Ephesians 1, His gift of glorious grace is lavished on us, not because we earned it, but because He loves to give good gifts to the ones He adores.

When we can embrace this concept and Biblical principle. we can begin to look at even the simple things with awe and child-like wonder including ever flower, sunset, sunrise, mountain, rainbow, newborn baby, and even a delicious cup of hot coffee. Our Father in Heaven is so very generous with His gifts.  He loved us so much that He gave us His only Son, and He continues to love us by giving us the gift of life.  

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