Unfettered

“Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God.  And you count far more to Him than birds”- Matthew 6:26 (The Message).

What kind of job description does a bird have to follow anyway: eat, sleep, raise young, migrate (possibly), stay away from cats…..?  Does that sound pretty free and unfettered to you?  What if that were all we had to do and  be “careless in the care of God?”  The truth is that being “careless in the care of God” is our job description (Matthew 6:25-33).  We’re instructed not to be anxious or worry, but we still cling to that heightened sense of possible “things” that could go wrong: marriage, family, health, job, safety, etc.  Following our true job description frees us from being anxious and worrying.  God supplies the needs of the birds; He’ll supply the needs of His children.  Trust God and live in “careless freedom.”   

Treasure Location

"Everyone comes naked from their mother's womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands"- Ecclesiastes 5:15 (NIV).

Where is your treasure located? Most have toyed with the following question, "If your house was on fire, what would you grab before you ran out of the house?" Our earthly possessions can become our treasures. We collect pictures and archive them as memorials of days past. There are family heirlooms displayed throughout our homes. Expensive treasures we take pride in and show off to visitors. Sentimental gifts, from family, friends, and self-generated, are stored in boxes, drawers, and albums. We must be ever watchful that our collections don't become altars in which we emotionally invest too much time and energy. We're told to build our treasures in heaven; "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:19-21). Plus, it's true...you can't take it with you.

Waiting for the Trumpet Sound

"In frenzied excitement he eats up the ground; he cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds"- Job 39:24 (NIV).

Horses have symbolized strength and beauty throughout history. Bits are placed into their mouths making them obey; you can turn this powerful animal with a tiny bit (James 3:3). They are proud. They are courageous (Job 39: 19-23). There will come a day when all will behold an approaching army, beyond numbers. Fire will consume behind as they advance; they never break rank or change course. These warriors will have the appearance of horses, drawn up into battle formation, following the Lord, who thunders at the head (Joel 2:1-8). Jesus holds the bit of the snorting pawing army behind Him...waiting for the trumpet to sound.

Moving Mountains

“When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said”- Acts 8:6 (NIV).

Don’t you desire faith strong enough to move mountains? Faith can seem so frustrating and unstable at times. How can God use me, I’m such a weak Christian? Look at Philip, one of the Lord’s disciples, who had witnessed Jesus’ miraculous powers. Jesus told His disciples He was the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The only way to the Father was through Him and that by knowing Him, they knew the Father. Yet, Philip wanted more proof and said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us” (John 14:8). Just how much proof did Philip need? All his senses had been given multiple evidences of the Truth. Everyone has moments of doubt, weakened faith, questioning what we believe. Philip’s weak faith didn't keep him from sharing the Good News and God did wonderful works through Philip. You learned the song as a child: “Jesus Loves Me”.  Bet you can still fill in the blanks..”_____are weak, but He is _____." God reveals His strength through our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Think of the faith of the early leaders: Moses didn't want to go, Gideon was doubtful, Peter was in denial. Through their weaknesses, by His strength, He moved mountains.  He’s still in the business of moving mountains.  

Finish the Race

"Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness"- 2 Corinthians 9:10 (NIV).

God supplies all your needs according to the riches of His glory in His Son Jesus (Philippians 4:19). He knows what you need in order to finish, so don't be anxious about these things (Matthew 6:31-32). He's preparing you as His workmanship for good works...meeting your needs to run the race He's set before you (Ephesians 2:8-10). He chose you as part of His royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9); bought at an exorbitant price, we no longer belong to ourselves (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Your life should only have One goal...finish the race, complete the task God has given you...the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace (Acts 20:24). 

Stand Firm

“Thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain”-1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (NIV).

Stand firm.  Let’s do a little visualization during this Scriptural gleaning.  Picture a battle dressed warrior, ready for battle, braced with feet apart: his sword held in one hand and a shield in the other.  His face is set, eyes looking off in the distance for the enemy.  He doesn’t move.  He remains statuesque; only eye movement and breathing verify he is alive.  Sometimes standing firm, not moving from your spot, is hard.  We know Jesus will give us the victory, but the battle still has to be fought.  Today’s battles are on different fronts:  work, family, neighborhood, church, health, finances, and within our own hearts.  Believe me…you have been or will be fighting on one of these fronts.  We are commanded to give ourselves “faith” fully; knowing the work of the Lord is never in vain and always victorious.  Stand firm.     

Walk the Walk

"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy"- Philippians 1:3-4 (NIV). 

Uplifted prayers are sweet smelling incense before God (Psalm 141:2). In your prayers, don't fret or be anxious (Philippians 4:6). Instead, in prayer be earnest, unwearied, steadfast, alert, intent, and thankful (Colossians 4:2). Our Heavenly Father, hearing your prayer, will relieve you of your distress and have mercy on you (Psalm 4:1). Share your prayer needs with each other, pray..."The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective" (James 5:16). Margaret Moore Jacobs is quoted, "To live in prayer together is to walk in love together." So talk the talk (prayer) and walk the walk (in love). Amen! 

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"- Isaiah 6:8-9 (NIV).

Do you see the exclamation mark at the end? The definition for this punctuation is "a forceful utterance of strong feelings." Isaiah was quick to emotionally confirm his willingness and desire to be the chosen. We are a culture of planning our days, weeks, months, and even years. Each day has an agenda and time is "mark"ed off for one event to the next. Are we willing to react with Isaiah's strong declaration ended with our own exclamation mark? Which should have the priority: Our calendar mark or our exclamation mark? It's just a question of which mark we want to live by. On your mark, get set, go!

Watch and Pray

"And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days"- Joel 2:28-29 (NIV).

Afterward? After what? Joel is prophesying about the devastation preceding the Lord's return: The Day of the Lord (1:15). Fire will devour the land (v.19), streams will dry up (v.20), and locusts will take what is left (v.4). The sun and moon will be darkened (2:10). A heavenly army, forces beyond number, will advance against the world (1:6; 2:11); a day like never seen before (1:2) and we are to tell our children, who are then to tell their children, generation to generation until the time arrives (1:3). Lives and souls are at stake. And then...the "afterward:" reconciliation and restoration. Jesus said, "Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36). These warnings should, but don't frighten non-believers and trouble those who haven't made a commitment to Jesus yet. We grieve for their afterward.  

Wallop of Passion

“On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul”- Psalm 138:3 (KJV).

It was God who “made” the psalmist “bold.” Max Lucado says, “Check your vital signs. Something stirs you. Some call brings energy to your voice, conviction to your face, and direction to your step. Isolate and embrace it. Nothing gives a day a greater chance than a good wallop of passion.” The things you are passionate about are the very things you become bold about.  In His passion, God created you! Bearers of His image, we possess that same passion. Do you look for God’s calling in your life? The things which stir up your passion are the indicators, the blinking lights of His calling, His purpose for your life. May God stir the burning embers of your soul. My prayer for you today...“a good wallop of passion.”   

Faith Seeds

"He replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you"- Matthew 17:20 (NIV).

Jesus teaches faith. A mustard seed, black, brown Indian, or white, is usually 1-2 mm in diameter and one of the smallest seeds in the Middle East. Jesus used this hyperbole to show that something so little can be so much when it comes from God. He uses a similar illustration, substituting a mulberry tree in place of the mountain, in Luke 17:6. Faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8), in which pulsates the incalculable power of God ready to be unleashed: fig trees wither (Matthew 21:21), men walk on water (Matthew 14:31), children are healed (Matthew Matthew 15:28), friends get off their mats and walk (Matthew 9:2). Through faith, we are shielded (1 Peter 1:5) and victorious (1 John 5:4), but we are not to rely on our own wisdom...but faith in God's power (1 Corinthians 2:5). Faith is confidence in what we hope for (Hebrews 11:1)...Jesus.

Getting Lost

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand"- Isaiah 41:10 (NIV).

One translation asks, "Why do you anxiously look around yourself?...for I am God!" Where should our eyes be? Francis J. Crosby wrote the song "Blessed Assurance."  Here are some of the lyrics: "Perfect submission, all is at rest, I in my Savior am happy and blest; Watching and waiting, looking above, Filled with His goodness, lost in His love." Submit to Him and lift your eyes. Your help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 121:1). The rest is easy...get lost in His love!