“If you’re going to follow Jesus, you will change.” Johnny Cash

The game of baseball has changed. This is no more seen than how infielders play their positions. Normally, you have a 3^rd baseman and shortstop on the left side of the infield and a 2^nd and 1^st baseman on the right.

Depending on the batter’s tendencies, though, the 3^rd baseman could be in the shortstop’s normal slot while the shortstop, 2^nd and 1^st baseman are loaded up on the right side of the diamond.

Why? The odds are that the batter will hit the ball to the right side, giving the defense a better chance of getting the batter out, which increases their chance of winning.

Who makes the decision? The manager.

The way “church” (a group of people moving toward Jesus together) is done is also changing. Doubt me? Remember the closed church buildings and rise of streaming services during the Covid shutdowns of 2020? Review the recent pictures of crosses from buildings along with believers with bible apps on their phones being burned in Afghanistan.

Who decides how church should be done? Jesus. It’s His church.

Where and how believers gather is not as important as the gathering of believers becoming more like Jesus and then sharing Him with those who need Him – regardless of how that might look.

Jesus never changes, but His methods in drawing us closer to Him while defeating the enemy sure do.

Sitting and hearing a concert (worship music) and a rousing speech (sermon) may not be the winning strategy in the days ahead.

Be willing to let Jesus position you, even if it might be out of your comfort zone.

“The future is as bright as God’s promises.” William Carey

Did Carey have in mind what the prophet Habakkuk saw?

Habakkuk saw fig trees without blossoms, which meant no hope of a harvest, no grapes on the vines, olives in the trees, or wheat and barley in the fields regardless of his best efforts (3:17-19).

Despite the fact that he saw no ability to pay his bills or feed his family, he was a victor.

How? He knew his God was his salvation. God had come through again in the past. And, he knew the LORD would come through in the present, despite what his eyes fed his brain.

He saw past what he could see to the One who could see past what he could see. He trusted in the Scriptural promises the Spirit did put down on paper for him to see.

What you might be seeing in your personal life, your state, or your country may not be too bright at the moment. Jesus, however, is the light that can brighten up any moment, if only you focus on the promises He’s given you.

You are a victor not because of your circumstances, but in spite of them. Where’s your focus – on what is not or on the One Who is?

Be open to all of what the Word says God can do.

There was a Korean sleep study that demonstrated human hearts synchronize when couples slept in the same bed.

David wrote in Ps. 63:5-6 that he experienced the same sense of satisfaction meditating on God while on his bed at night as he did after eating a great meal.

Who is with you while you sleep? Jesus. You can sync your stressed out heart with His calm-soothing one.

I friend suggested I do an experiment. While sitting in my rocking chair, after spending time confessing my sin, hurts, and disappointments, I simply shut my mouth and close my Bible.

Do you know how hard it is not to say, do or think about anything? Yet, Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still (aka stop trying to make things happen) and know that I am God.” Seriously, be still. Sit in His presence and experience/know your God.

David also wrote in Ps. 16:11 that he experienced pleasure and joy to its fullest while being in God’s presence. His heart began to beat as God’s.

Get in sync with your God. Go to sleep with His truths on your mind. Isaiah 26:3 reveals that God keeps in perfect peace those whose mind is focused on Him. You are synced.

Get in sync with your God. Quietly sit in His presence and let His peace overcome you. You are synced.

God’s Word is true. But you’ll only really know it’s true when you practice it.

“Sanctify them with truth. Your Word is truth.” – Jesus

Some of us have heard the playground saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” We all know this to be untrue. Words can hurt.

While we can’t stop what others say about or to us, we can stop what we say to ourselves!

And, if we are honest, we can be our own worst enemy, especially when it comes to how we talk to ourselves.

To this point, King David asked the LORD to set guard over his mouth and to watch over the door of his lips.

If we don’t watch the words that spill out the doors of our mouths, we’ll begin to believe and then act on those words, which can lead to bondage and pain.

Jesus even prayed to the Father on our behalf for this very reason. He asked the Father to sanctify or separate us unto the truth that comes from the Word of God that sets and keeps us free.

Watch your words. They can lead to actions – either healthful or harmful. It all depends on where they are coming from.

God is looking for those with whom He can do the impossible – what a pity that we plan on things that we can do by ourselves.” A.W. Tozer

The moment you put your faith in Jesus Christ, the Father gave you a brand new purpose for existing (Ephesians 2:8-10). You had no say or choice as to what that purpose was.

Know this, however, the only way to lead a fulfilling life is to trust the Father’s judgement as to what it is and then love Him through choosing to do it.

Trying to get the Father to bless what you want to do is futile, ineffective and a waste of the little time you have left on this earth.

Decide today to discover and to walk in the purpose He has for you. You will feel alive as you do. Contact me if you want to discover how.