I'm sitting in the food court of the Mall as I write this (boy that DD's Pumpkin Spice coffee is good!).
I can't get away from last night's bible study. The passage is too powerful.
Gen. 32:27 - "[The Man] asked him, What is your name? And [in shock of realization, whispering] he said, Jacob [supplanter, schemer, trickster, swindler]!"
Maye it doesn't strike you as particularly important or exciting. Rest assured it is a mammoth passage in the midst of all of God's Word.
Jacob is in the middle of contending with God. When Jacob demands that God bless him and that he is willing to wrestle with God all night until he gets it, God pauses and asks Jacob his name.
He already knows his name. What God is really asking Jacob is what does his name mean. He wants to know about how he has lived up to his name.
Jacob means "supplanter", or "deceiver". Indeed, Jacob was all of that and more.
God wanted Jacob to admit it. He did and much more.
Jacob's response came in a whirlwind of self-realization, which will happen to a person when they finally contend with or reckon with God. Jacob paused in shock and was barely able to whisper "Jacob...I am the trickster, the schemer, the swindler..."
I am remembering the day I had to answer God over who I was. "I am Kevin...the schemer, the trickster, the deceiver, the drug addicted alcoholic cheat, thief and liar." I wince as I write it. Yup, that was me, and worse.
God answered me the same way He answered Jacob. "That's not your name anymore (or, that's not who you are anymore). I am changing that right now. God changed Jacob to Israel (contender with God).
He changed me from an enemy to His disciple. A foe to a friend. An estranged impenitent sinner on the road to perdition to an adopted son of God and citizen of Heaven. A hater to a lover of the souls of man.
I remember my "Peniel".
You should too.
Maybe you haven't "wrestled" with Him. Maybe your Peniel wasn't that at all. Maybe you just responded to a religious idea in a religious way.
I tell you today that if you haven't contended with God, if you haven't been changed from what you were into someone God is pleased with then you haven't been born again. If you can't remember a moment in time where the old you disappeared into Christlikeness than it probably hasn't happened.
That doesn't mean it can't or won't. You have to get to a place where you and God can hash it out.
You will have your blessing, but you will have to give up something near and dear to you...you will have to lose yourself in Christ.
The old has gone...the new has come...2 Cor. 5:17.
Let that roll around in your brain a bit today.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
"As You Breathe There Is Hope.", by Pastor Kevin Lynch
The bible says we live by faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for. We do not live according to hope (as a verb), but hope (as a noun) is a truth that cannot be denied.
This is particularly true when referring to the condition of a person's soul.
As long as one lives and breathes there is a hope that their soul will be turned to God.
Even if things are not going particularly well for someone it is better to heed the wisdom of Solomon:
Ecclesiastes 9:4 (Amplified Bible) - "[There is no exemption] but he who is joined to all the living has hope--for a living dog is better than a dead lion."
You lived with the strength and courage of a lion. Respected and depended upon by everyone. All who knew you loved and honored you.
Now you're dead. All that is left are the testimonials and monuments of a life once lived. If they could see you now. Tortured in the flames of hell and the separation from God. Forever. So you lived a great life according to what society calls a great life. So what? The rest of your life (eternally) is not going so hot (oops...sorry...it really is going very "hot"). Well, you always did think you were "hot stuff".
It would be better that you were still alive as a dog than being the suffering dead lion your are.
At least if you were living the dogs life there would still be a ray of hope for it getting all turned around for you so you would escape the pains of eternal death.
See what I'm getting at? Better a dog with hope than a lion with no future.
You're not so tough. Ever hear the saying, "Whatever doesn't kill me makes me stronger"? Not exactly. More than likely whatever doesn't kill you now, and you don't learn from that, will inevitably kill you later. It could also make you think you are indestructible and give you a sense of false bravado.
Hell will be filled with those who thought they were much, much stronger than they really were.
If you're able to read this today than that means you are still breathing. If you are still breathing than you have hope.
Your hope is in Jesus Christ. Put your faith to that and bring that hope into a present reality. Give hope "substance".
You really can teach an old dog new tricks. Better an old dog in heaven than a young lion in hell.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
This is particularly true when referring to the condition of a person's soul.
As long as one lives and breathes there is a hope that their soul will be turned to God.
Even if things are not going particularly well for someone it is better to heed the wisdom of Solomon:
Ecclesiastes 9:4 (Amplified Bible) - "[There is no exemption] but he who is joined to all the living has hope--for a living dog is better than a dead lion."
You lived with the strength and courage of a lion. Respected and depended upon by everyone. All who knew you loved and honored you.
Now you're dead. All that is left are the testimonials and monuments of a life once lived. If they could see you now. Tortured in the flames of hell and the separation from God. Forever. So you lived a great life according to what society calls a great life. So what? The rest of your life (eternally) is not going so hot (oops...sorry...it really is going very "hot"). Well, you always did think you were "hot stuff".
It would be better that you were still alive as a dog than being the suffering dead lion your are.
At least if you were living the dogs life there would still be a ray of hope for it getting all turned around for you so you would escape the pains of eternal death.
See what I'm getting at? Better a dog with hope than a lion with no future.
You're not so tough. Ever hear the saying, "Whatever doesn't kill me makes me stronger"? Not exactly. More than likely whatever doesn't kill you now, and you don't learn from that, will inevitably kill you later. It could also make you think you are indestructible and give you a sense of false bravado.
Hell will be filled with those who thought they were much, much stronger than they really were.
If you're able to read this today than that means you are still breathing. If you are still breathing than you have hope.
Your hope is in Jesus Christ. Put your faith to that and bring that hope into a present reality. Give hope "substance".
You really can teach an old dog new tricks. Better an old dog in heaven than a young lion in hell.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
"What Do I Really Know?", by Pastor Kevin Lynch
I know a few things. There is also much I don't know.
But when it comes to the really important things in this life that I NEED to know and understand, I am sure of this...
Job 19:25-26 - "For I know that my Redeemer and Vindicator lives, and at last He [the Last One] will stand upon the earth. (26) And after my skin, even this body, has been destroyed, then from my flesh or without it I shall see God."
Jesus Christ lives! This I know beyond doubt. He lives and has redeemed me from the punishment of Hell.
He is coming back to this earth again, and whether in my flesh or in my spirit, I will see Him personally.
There are some things in this life we can be sure of. Some say it's pretty much death and taxes. Neither are 100% true.
The one sure thing is that Jesus is Lord and that He is alive and sitting at the Right Hand of God interceding for you and I today. He is preparing a place for us to live with Him eternally. He will soon come to gather His Church. If we are dead before that we will be resurrected and given new bodies. If we are alive we will be transformed in an instant and taken with Jesus to Heaven. At some subsequent point we will return with Him to vanquish the enemies of Israel and God and restore His Kingdom in the Holy Temple of the New Jerusalem.
I also know another thing. If you are not born-again today, and when all of this is fulfilled, you will miss it.
Sad. Heartbreaking. Tragic. Painfully true nonetheless.
Just remember, when it happens and you didn't make it, that it was never God's choice for you. He wanted you with Him but you rejected Jesus.
So...what do I really know? A few things. But none more important than these things.
I hope they become the few things that you really know as well.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
But when it comes to the really important things in this life that I NEED to know and understand, I am sure of this...
Job 19:25-26 - "For I know that my Redeemer and Vindicator lives, and at last He [the Last One] will stand upon the earth. (26) And after my skin, even this body, has been destroyed, then from my flesh or without it I shall see God."
Jesus Christ lives! This I know beyond doubt. He lives and has redeemed me from the punishment of Hell.
He is coming back to this earth again, and whether in my flesh or in my spirit, I will see Him personally.
There are some things in this life we can be sure of. Some say it's pretty much death and taxes. Neither are 100% true.
The one sure thing is that Jesus is Lord and that He is alive and sitting at the Right Hand of God interceding for you and I today. He is preparing a place for us to live with Him eternally. He will soon come to gather His Church. If we are dead before that we will be resurrected and given new bodies. If we are alive we will be transformed in an instant and taken with Jesus to Heaven. At some subsequent point we will return with Him to vanquish the enemies of Israel and God and restore His Kingdom in the Holy Temple of the New Jerusalem.
I also know another thing. If you are not born-again today, and when all of this is fulfilled, you will miss it.
Sad. Heartbreaking. Tragic. Painfully true nonetheless.
Just remember, when it happens and you didn't make it, that it was never God's choice for you. He wanted you with Him but you rejected Jesus.
So...what do I really know? A few things. But none more important than these things.
I hope they become the few things that you really know as well.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Monday, September 6, 2010
"Do You Have Cause To Rest?", by Pastor Kevin Lynch
It's Labor Day. A U.S. National Holiday. Many have the day off today and have enjoyed a long weekend. It's kind of a way the government honors those who go out into the work force each day to make a living to support their families and the framework of America.
It's a nice gesture. Hey, a day off is a day off.
However, it falls woefully short. You could have the entire week off and it wouldn't be enough. Even a month. Sooner or later it is back to the grind.
Only Jesus is enough. He does not just give rest. He IS Rest.
He is our Rest. He will CAUSE you to rest.
There is a lot more at stake than just becoming physically spent by your laboring in the work field. Every hour you spend at work is time away from your family. Every moment spent thinking about something else is time not spent on refreshing your mind and spirit.
People can get so wrapped up in working so hard that they will not take the proper time to refresh themselves.
Here's some good news. Since most of us have no choice but to earn a living, and we cannot take off on a mental health day or week whenever we want, Jesus has built into our relationship with Him a fail safe, fool proof method that ensures our physical, mental, and spiritual stability.
Matt. 11:28 - "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]"
Ease and relieve. Just let those words sink in a moment. Refresh. Rest.
Is it actually possible? If Jesus says it then it is possible.
Your rest is not in a trip to Disney. In fact, statistics show that many people come back from vacation more stressed out than before they left! Yes, you can forget to take Jesus with you even on vacation.
I love the bumper sticker that reads: "No Jesus, No Peace...Know Jesus, Know Peace."
The most important part of the verse this morning? "Come to Me."
Come to Jesus and let Him take care of you. It's sooooo simple that it must be too simple because so many miss it. Is this the epitome of not seeing the forest through the trees?
Come to Jesus. He is your rest. You'll never know true rest until you do because He is Rest. He is the Refresher. He is the Restorer. He is All and Everything. It's ALL in Him. There is no other Source.
Be blessed today. If you are one of the many who is enjoying a day off, remember that while your day off may be the courtesy of your company and the U.S. Government, your rest is in Jesus!
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
It's a nice gesture. Hey, a day off is a day off.
However, it falls woefully short. You could have the entire week off and it wouldn't be enough. Even a month. Sooner or later it is back to the grind.
Only Jesus is enough. He does not just give rest. He IS Rest.
He is our Rest. He will CAUSE you to rest.
There is a lot more at stake than just becoming physically spent by your laboring in the work field. Every hour you spend at work is time away from your family. Every moment spent thinking about something else is time not spent on refreshing your mind and spirit.
People can get so wrapped up in working so hard that they will not take the proper time to refresh themselves.
Here's some good news. Since most of us have no choice but to earn a living, and we cannot take off on a mental health day or week whenever we want, Jesus has built into our relationship with Him a fail safe, fool proof method that ensures our physical, mental, and spiritual stability.
Matt. 11:28 - "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]"
Ease and relieve. Just let those words sink in a moment. Refresh. Rest.
Is it actually possible? If Jesus says it then it is possible.
Your rest is not in a trip to Disney. In fact, statistics show that many people come back from vacation more stressed out than before they left! Yes, you can forget to take Jesus with you even on vacation.
I love the bumper sticker that reads: "No Jesus, No Peace...Know Jesus, Know Peace."
The most important part of the verse this morning? "Come to Me."
Come to Jesus and let Him take care of you. It's sooooo simple that it must be too simple because so many miss it. Is this the epitome of not seeing the forest through the trees?
Come to Jesus. He is your rest. You'll never know true rest until you do because He is Rest. He is the Refresher. He is the Restorer. He is All and Everything. It's ALL in Him. There is no other Source.
Be blessed today. If you are one of the many who is enjoying a day off, remember that while your day off may be the courtesy of your company and the U.S. Government, your rest is in Jesus!
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Friday, September 3, 2010
"Been 'Dissed' Lately?", by Pastor Kevin Lynch
Sometimes when we are "dissed" we are really "dissed". I'm not sure if people in general realize the depth of being dissed and the far reaching effects.
Have you been,,,Disrespected? Disturbed? Discouraged? Disenfranchised? Disadvantaged? Disabled? Disappointed? Disapproved?
How about disarmed? Disavowed? Discarded, and discharged? Perhaps you have been discombobulated? Or even discomfited?
Maybe discomforted...disconnected...discontented...disheartened...discontinued...discounted...discriminated...and discrowned.
This could lead to:
disdain...discouragement...displeasure...disembodiment...disenchantment...disengagement...disestablishment...disgrace...
disgruntlement...disgust...
...and a whole lot of other "disses".
When you allow yourself to be dissed you are in distress!
In these times, and they will come on occasion, remember that you are a...
...Disciple!
2 Tim. 3:14 - "But as for you, continue to hold to the things that you have learned and of which you are convinced, knowing from whom you learned [them]."
It hurts when people come against you in various ways. It distresses a soul in all ways. It taxes ones patience and resolve.
However, our relationship with Christ and the Truth of His Word prevails.
The discontentment of others will always splash over into the lives of the content. People who suffer from chronic discontentment will always try to spread their unhappiness into the lives of those who are living otherwise joyful lives in Christ.
Don't accept it. Don't receive it. Absorb the blows and let Christ in you deal with it. Process it and move on.
A little tidbit for you. If you do this, you will be amazed at how Christ deals with it. Not only will you be protected, but you will rebound stronger. It's almost as if you gain strength and favor in Christ as the result of people's insensitivity toward you.
Hold fast to Him. You will find yourself "dissing" others. You will dis-play and dis-perse the grace of the One Who has taken on your battles!
Disregard the disrespect and you will disable the work of the enemy!
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Have you been,,,Disrespected? Disturbed? Discouraged? Disenfranchised? Disadvantaged? Disabled? Disappointed? Disapproved?
How about disarmed? Disavowed? Discarded, and discharged? Perhaps you have been discombobulated? Or even discomfited?
Maybe discomforted...disconnected...discontented...disheartened...discontinued...discounted...discriminated...and discrowned.
This could lead to:
disdain...discouragement...displeasure...disembodiment...disenchantment...disengagement...disestablishment...disgrace...
disgruntlement...disgust...
...and a whole lot of other "disses".
When you allow yourself to be dissed you are in distress!
In these times, and they will come on occasion, remember that you are a...
...Disciple!
2 Tim. 3:14 - "But as for you, continue to hold to the things that you have learned and of which you are convinced, knowing from whom you learned [them]."
It hurts when people come against you in various ways. It distresses a soul in all ways. It taxes ones patience and resolve.
However, our relationship with Christ and the Truth of His Word prevails.
The discontentment of others will always splash over into the lives of the content. People who suffer from chronic discontentment will always try to spread their unhappiness into the lives of those who are living otherwise joyful lives in Christ.
Don't accept it. Don't receive it. Absorb the blows and let Christ in you deal with it. Process it and move on.
A little tidbit for you. If you do this, you will be amazed at how Christ deals with it. Not only will you be protected, but you will rebound stronger. It's almost as if you gain strength and favor in Christ as the result of people's insensitivity toward you.
Hold fast to Him. You will find yourself "dissing" others. You will dis-play and dis-perse the grace of the One Who has taken on your battles!
Disregard the disrespect and you will disable the work of the enemy!
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Thursday, September 2, 2010
"Fellowship Of The Broken Yoke", by Pastor Kevin Lynch
Some folks live their entire lives as if they feel it's only purpose is to be a warning to others. Afflicted quiet desperation. This life is real long when it's lived under those conditions.
Life not only effected by a yoke of bondage, but as an actual yoke of bondage.
I know a little about affliction. Also about a yoke of bondage. Twenty years enslaved in chains of addiction is affliction by anybody's standard.
Perpetual apathy. Why bother? "If I don't acknowledge my problem maybe it will just go away. Or people will. Or...ahh...who cares...".
It's always darkest just before it goes pitch black.
Need rescue?
How about membership in the Fellowship of the Broken Yoke?
Nahum 1:13 (ESV) - "And now I will break his yoke from off you and will burst your bonds apart.”
Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV) - "28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
OK, in your best Braveheart William Wallace scream, shout it out..."FREEEEEEEDOMMMMMMMM!!!!"
That's just gotta feel good.
Chains, bonds, yokes. Restrictive, confining, oppressive, burdensome, frustrating...
Gone. Really. Simply gone.
Whatever your yoke is today, Jesus says He will take your heavy yoke of affliction and exchange it for His light yoke of following Him.
Yoke of affliction or yoke of freedom?
I think that might just qualify as an official no-brainer.
How 'bout it? Tell Him you're done. Tell Him you would like to stand up straight for once. Tell Him you want to walk in full stride. Tell Him you are ready for peace, joy, love, mercy, happiness...
You can try to white knuckle it. You can try to overcome just by sheer guts and determination. You can read self-help books. You can recite mantras. You can rise up under the weight of the yoke and chains and shout to the world "I am going to beat this thing!"
You will fail. At best you will just be a self-confident pathetic creature with a heavy yoke and chains.
The Fellowship of the Broken Yoke are just people like me who one day realized that they were going to remain paralyzed by the increasing weight of affliction and turned to the Only One who could actually CHANGE the situation. Jesus.
Jesus Christ. 2,000 years of unbroken success in changing lives.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Life not only effected by a yoke of bondage, but as an actual yoke of bondage.
I know a little about affliction. Also about a yoke of bondage. Twenty years enslaved in chains of addiction is affliction by anybody's standard.
Perpetual apathy. Why bother? "If I don't acknowledge my problem maybe it will just go away. Or people will. Or...ahh...who cares...".
It's always darkest just before it goes pitch black.
Need rescue?
How about membership in the Fellowship of the Broken Yoke?
Nahum 1:13 (ESV) - "And now I will break his yoke from off you and will burst your bonds apart.”
Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV) - "28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
OK, in your best Braveheart William Wallace scream, shout it out..."FREEEEEEEDOMMMMMMMM!!!!"
That's just gotta feel good.
Chains, bonds, yokes. Restrictive, confining, oppressive, burdensome, frustrating...
Gone. Really. Simply gone.
Whatever your yoke is today, Jesus says He will take your heavy yoke of affliction and exchange it for His light yoke of following Him.
Yoke of affliction or yoke of freedom?
I think that might just qualify as an official no-brainer.
How 'bout it? Tell Him you're done. Tell Him you would like to stand up straight for once. Tell Him you want to walk in full stride. Tell Him you are ready for peace, joy, love, mercy, happiness...
You can try to white knuckle it. You can try to overcome just by sheer guts and determination. You can read self-help books. You can recite mantras. You can rise up under the weight of the yoke and chains and shout to the world "I am going to beat this thing!"
You will fail. At best you will just be a self-confident pathetic creature with a heavy yoke and chains.
The Fellowship of the Broken Yoke are just people like me who one day realized that they were going to remain paralyzed by the increasing weight of affliction and turned to the Only One who could actually CHANGE the situation. Jesus.
Jesus Christ. 2,000 years of unbroken success in changing lives.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
"When God Blows It Away", by Pastor Kevin Lynch
God deals with things on different levels. Collectively, individually, corporately, religiously, spiritually, physically...
He doesn't like when His house is in disarray.
Your house prospers when His house is running smoothly.
But if it's reversed?
Haggai 1:6 (Amplified Bible) - "You have sown much, but you have reaped little; you eat, but you do not have enough; you drink, but you do not have your fill; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages has earned them to put them in a bag with holes in it."
Ever experience the above scenario? Perhaps even right this very moment?
Nothing is going right. You are working very hard to make ends meet. You are even giving at church. Yet...life is like a giant bag with holes in it. You can't sustain anything. Not relationship, not self, not finances, not anything. Life is an exercise in futility when it doesn't click like it should.
Why?
You pray. You give. You read the Word. You pray some more. Still...it just isn't working. You are not...happy. It's a struggle. A major struggle.
God says "Consider your ways and how things are going in your life" (vs. 7).
God says that many have been so busy building their own house that His house lies in ruins.
"(9) You looked for much [harvest], and behold, it came to little; and even when you brought that home, I blew it away. Why? says the Lord of hosts. Because of My house, which lies waste while you yourselves run each man to his own house [eager to build and adorn it]."
That is called backward living. The presumption that God will allow Himself to be put on a shelf until a time that is convenient for you. That after you get done ordering your life and setting it all up, you will turn to God, dust Him off and insert Him into some small facet of your well planned existence.
Convoluted, upside down, backward, inside out thinking.
"I blew it away!"
Feeling "blown away" today?
Matt. 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
There it is.
The proper order of God.
Silly rabbit. Did you think God would set aside His carefully prepared plans while you submitted a revision? Did you think He would admire your wisdom and tenacity for pulling up your own bootstraps and setting out to conquer the world yourself? Did you think He is merely a rubber stamping quality controller?
"I blew it away!"
It feels like being blown away, doesn't it? Yes, I know. I have been there.
Upside down can actually seem like right side up when we are deceived. Except things don't quite work the same. It's like being in the Bizarro World.
Not to fret. It can be fixed.
Haggai 1:12 - "...all the remnant of the people [who had returned from captivity], listened to and obeyed the voice of the Lord their God [not vaguely or partly, but completely, according to] the words of Haggai the prophet, since the Lord their God had sent him, and the people [reverently] feared and [worshipfully] turned to the Lord."
Done.
Hey, there it is! If you are not pleasing God by caring for His house first, then you are in captivity my friend.
Return to God's way. Turn to Him FIRST. Fill His house with the first fruits of your giving of yourself, your earnings, and your praise and worship.
The promise is every bit as much as He has promised over the centuries.
"(13) Then Haggai, the Lord's messenger, spoke the Lord's message to the people saying, I am with you, says the Lord."
I am God's messnger to you today. He is saying as strongly today as then...
"I AM with you!"
My strongest suggestion is to get to that place in your life today!
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
He doesn't like when His house is in disarray.
Your house prospers when His house is running smoothly.
But if it's reversed?
Haggai 1:6 (Amplified Bible) - "You have sown much, but you have reaped little; you eat, but you do not have enough; you drink, but you do not have your fill; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages has earned them to put them in a bag with holes in it."
Ever experience the above scenario? Perhaps even right this very moment?
Nothing is going right. You are working very hard to make ends meet. You are even giving at church. Yet...life is like a giant bag with holes in it. You can't sustain anything. Not relationship, not self, not finances, not anything. Life is an exercise in futility when it doesn't click like it should.
Why?
You pray. You give. You read the Word. You pray some more. Still...it just isn't working. You are not...happy. It's a struggle. A major struggle.
God says "Consider your ways and how things are going in your life" (vs. 7).
God says that many have been so busy building their own house that His house lies in ruins.
"(9) You looked for much [harvest], and behold, it came to little; and even when you brought that home, I blew it away. Why? says the Lord of hosts. Because of My house, which lies waste while you yourselves run each man to his own house [eager to build and adorn it]."
That is called backward living. The presumption that God will allow Himself to be put on a shelf until a time that is convenient for you. That after you get done ordering your life and setting it all up, you will turn to God, dust Him off and insert Him into some small facet of your well planned existence.
Convoluted, upside down, backward, inside out thinking.
"I blew it away!"
Feeling "blown away" today?
Matt. 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
There it is.
The proper order of God.
Silly rabbit. Did you think God would set aside His carefully prepared plans while you submitted a revision? Did you think He would admire your wisdom and tenacity for pulling up your own bootstraps and setting out to conquer the world yourself? Did you think He is merely a rubber stamping quality controller?
"I blew it away!"
It feels like being blown away, doesn't it? Yes, I know. I have been there.
Upside down can actually seem like right side up when we are deceived. Except things don't quite work the same. It's like being in the Bizarro World.
Not to fret. It can be fixed.
Haggai 1:12 - "...all the remnant of the people [who had returned from captivity], listened to and obeyed the voice of the Lord their God [not vaguely or partly, but completely, according to] the words of Haggai the prophet, since the Lord their God had sent him, and the people [reverently] feared and [worshipfully] turned to the Lord."
Done.
Hey, there it is! If you are not pleasing God by caring for His house first, then you are in captivity my friend.
Return to God's way. Turn to Him FIRST. Fill His house with the first fruits of your giving of yourself, your earnings, and your praise and worship.
The promise is every bit as much as He has promised over the centuries.
"(13) Then Haggai, the Lord's messenger, spoke the Lord's message to the people saying, I am with you, says the Lord."
I am God's messnger to you today. He is saying as strongly today as then...
"I AM with you!"
My strongest suggestion is to get to that place in your life today!
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
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