Being Flexible

"Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that""- James 4:13-15 (NIV).

Sheldon Cooper, one of the characters from the television comedy The Big Bang Theory has a checkoff list for every detail of his life. In case you've never seen the comedy, he's a genius, but definitely on the autism spectrum. Each day is ordered down to what he eats, where he sits, and the required number of three knocks on the neighbor's door. Even his bathroom trips are scheduled. It doesn't bode well with those he is in relationship with. This is extreme, but don't miss the underlying message here: God's will, will be done with you no matter how ordered you make your life. Being flexible should be your life's greatest goal; if not, it'll be your greatest obstacle in maturing spiritually. God has His own plans for your life; plans for prosperity, safety, hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). Trust God; being flexible will bode well in this Relationship.

The Right Team

"The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. he was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him"- Revelation 12:9 (NIV).  

Game over! The last play has been completed; the buzzer has sounded. The Archangel Michael has spiked the football under the goalposts of the world's final field of battle, while the losing team and its coach are hauled off the field kicking and screaming, their days are over. The cheering has abruptly stopped in the opposing bleachers; there is no trumpet sound. Those who were lead astray now face the realization they backed the wrong team; they've lost and it's an eternal loss. However, a trumpet blast is heard on other side of the field, followed by the rise of resounding jubilation, exultation, rejoicing, euphoria...pure rapture. This final victory will give those on the winning side of the field an eternal reward; they had committed to follow the Right Team. 

Jesus Christ Revealed

"In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed"- 1 Peter 1:6-7 (NIV).  

Never is our testimony stronger than when we go through trials; nor, can it ever be more visibly weak. During the anguish of trials we cry out to God, but our outward appearance in the presence of others should be one of trust, filled with hope and certainty, in the salvation of our Lord. Once over, we rejoice and thank God for His deliverance. That joy is worth more than gold, for Jesus Christ has been revealed. It makes faith stronger, Love more revealed and hearts yearning for more; not just for you, but for all those within your sphere of influence. Oh how sad the soul, who must apologize for their actions or words that may have dishonored the Lord during the trial or damaged the faith of a weaker brother or sister. During your trials, let those around you know of the Firm Foundation, the Rock on which you stand, the Steady Hand that will deliver you and wait; be still and know He is God (Psalm 46:10).   

Plot Of Soil

"The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful"- Matthew 13:22 (NIV). 

A garden will not produce unless the soil is prepared and maintained. The tender plants will need a nutrient-rich soil that has been overturned to aerate and loosen the soil for moisture to drain through and growing roots to be unhindered. Weeds have to be removed constantly or they will strangle the life out of sprouting seeds, just as evil will choke out the implanted Word of God. A world (garden), full of sin (weeds), is at war with God and being friends with this sin-filled world makes you an enemy of God (James 4:4). Will you grow to bear fruit in the garden you tend? Be careful to prepare and maintain your plot of soil. Implant the Word of God to keep the soil nutrient-rich. Be watchful for weeds, pull them from the soil, turn the soil back over and reseed if you must start over in some areas of your garden. Your diligence will create fruit that both honors and glorifies God.    

Adjust Your Sails

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens"- Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV).

The winds of change are inevitable. Rashika Jain said, "When the winds of change blow, some people build walls while others build windmills. Remember, we cannot change the direction of the wind, but we can always adjust our sails." The wind, as with life's events, never blows from the same direction; never blows with the same intensity. Wind strength ranges from gentle breezes to tornado strength; one refreshes, while the other has the potential to change the landscape. There is a time for everything; everyone will one day experience both, from babies who are our gentle breezes to death, which changes the landscape of our lives. We stand and face the gentle breezes, but run for shelter when the wind begins to bellow. That is the time when we must adjust our sails for shelter, a safe haven. Jesus is our safe haven, our strong tower and mighty fortress, throughout the storms of our life. We don't have the ability to change the wind, but we can adjust our sails accordingly during our time in that season.

Actions Speak

"Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge Him. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth"- Hosea 6:3 (NIV).

The old adage that "actions speak louder than words" can be applied here: Does your temper get the best of you, are you found in embarrassing places, are your relationships above board, does your work represent the best you can do, are you generous with help? Our actions acknowledge God or ignore God. How will you be found when He appears? That's the strongest question in today's message, because He surely will come. Just as the rain refreshes His creation, He will appear and refresh those who are faithfully acknowledging Him, in a world that ignores who He is: The Truth, the Way and the Life (John 14:6). Press on to acknowledge Jesus.

One Man

"Then the Lord said, "My Spirit will not contend with humans forever, for they are mortal; their days will be a hundred and twenty years"- Genesis 6:3 (NIV).

Methuselah was the longest recorded lifespan in the Bible: 969 years old (Genesis 5:27). Then God set a limit to man's life, 120 years, right before the flood. The wickedness of the world had become increasingly intolerable to merciful God. He could no longer contend with each man up to 900 years; the population had increased, along with sin, and God was no longer honored or obeyed, except by one man: Noah. God brought the flood, basically wiping out all mankind and starting over with Noah's family. Through Noah mankind got a second chance. The flood, however, didn't save mankind; sin still remained. God did save mankind through one Man, His Son, who honored and obeyed Him. Instead of all mankind dying, the one Man died. Jesus honored and obeyed the Father and saved the world from sin. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God is now able to contend with humans forever. 

Speak to Live

"From the fruit of their mouth a person's stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit"- Proverbs 18:20-21 (NIV).

Ideally, people should be cautious about what goes into their mouth and subsequently into their stomachs, but some take no stock in what they eat. I've heard these wise words: "You should eat to live; not live to eat." What happens when you make poor choices in what you eat? You become unhealthy; your quality of life diminishes; you could die. We are just as responsible for what we decide will come out of our mouths. Folks, we're talking life and death here. Each word out of your mouth comes from your heart (Matthew 15:18). Let your mouth produce the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (Ephesians 4:29). I'll flip those wise words and ask, "Do you speak to live; or live to speak?"

Subdued

"Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me"- Psalm 144:1-2 (NIV).

When I was little, my mother was very concerned about me becoming a doormat for others, because I so easily loved people, plus she thought me gullible. I'm grown now and still easily love people and I'm probably still a little gullible, depending on your definition of gullible. I love people and always try to think the best of them, even if they've disappointed me. People can find victory and become more Christ-like with enough love poured into their lives. God has trained me, since I was little, for battle, and my battle plan is this: I love; I forgive. Winning others to Christ is a battle. It is only when I wave the white flag on a person that I lose the fight. God is love and love subdues all; He sure did me.

Happy Mother

"He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord"- Psalm 113:9 (NIV).

As an adoptive mother, this verse resonated in my heart after God gave me two beautiful baby girls: one from an intervention program at an abortion clinic and one from the state adoption agency. We applied for both at the same time. The first took nine months, a normal gestation time, and I took the credit for the speed because I had instituted a writing campaign to the abortion clinic, so they wouldn't forget about me. The second was different. Normal waiting time was seven years and childless couples got first considerations. I was powerless; no kind of campaign on my part would put a second baby in my arms and we didn't have the money for another private adoption. But God can do anything. We picked up our second daughter on the same day, same hour, three years after the first. Psalm 46:10 became my life verse: "Be still and know that I am God." I celebrate every Mother's Day as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord! 

Consumed

"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you"- Matthew 6:6 (NIV).

God hears our every prayer, whether in the car, doing laundry, walking down the mall, ...etc. Prayer isn't just about lifting needs and other people; prayer is worship...no matter what you are saying or asking. I dare say, most of you know the greatest commandment: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength" (Deuteronomy 6:5). Love is undeniably worship. You could replace the word 'love' with 'worship' in that Scripture. Let's look at worship/love from the receiving end. We greatly desire those we cherish to talk to us in the car, doing laundry, walking down the mall...etc, but where do is our greatest desire to hear their words of worship/love? When it's just the two of you. Your Father desires some of your undivided attention, just as you would from someone you were consumed with. Please keep praying in the car, doing laundry, walking down the mall...etc, but don't neglect your private time with the One who is consumed with you.  

Turn it Up

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day"- 2 Corinthians 4:16 (NIV).

I can see the effects of aging when I look in the mirror each morning and the calendar reminds me of my increasing years, but I still feel like the same person on the inside. Let a song play from my younger years and you'll find me singing along and I actually feel younger and more energetic. Maybe I should look in the mirror less and play music more. We cannot stop the wasting away of our outer body; time and age march on. Christians, however, know the Holy Spirit resides within us. The music will stop, but the Holy Spirit never leaves you. It is He who renews us and keeps us from losing heart. If you are feeling "old" today, whether chronologically old or not, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to renew you this day. Then turn up the music.