We are where we are, exactly in the condition we are in, because of our choices.

I overheard this the other day. “I read the Bible consistently. I pick it up once or twice a week.” This person actually said this with a straight face.

I chuckled to myself, “If they only knew where all their excuses for not picking it up more often was going to lead them.”

Fake news and deception are on the rise. And, it will only get worse as humanity plunges toward the chaotic world of a fake Jesus.

The latest research shows that only 10% of Western Christian Boomers, 7% of Gen X, 6% of Millennials and 4% of Gen Z will be able to see through this person’s deception. They are quite frankly not in the Book enough to know how to hear from the true Jesus in any given situation they encounter.

The excuse that “it’s the pastor’s job” to tell them what Jesus thinks or to make disciples simply does not square with what Jesus said in Matthew 28:18-20. It’s the job of every Jesus follower.

You, yes, you can be used of God to pass on to others how to hear from and follow Jesus for themselves. Not sure how? Click the Resources tab an, read about Bible Impact Groups and get started!

Want additional tools to be able to hear from Jesus directly for yourself in order to pass on? Click the Resources tab, and read about the Disciple Training Center. It’s one four-week course per quarter free of charge via Zoom. After which, you’ll get better at hearing from Jesus for yourself in order to pass on to others what you’ve learned!

The Spirit is waiting to use you! Make the choice, no matter your age, to make Jesus disciples who can hear directly from to follow Him!

It’s not how busy you are, but why you are busy. Bees are praised. Mosquitos are swatted!

A good friend once said. “One may not like the answer, but it makes it no less truth and no less reality. One can choose to live according to one’s preferred answer, with the ultimate result of one being a wrecking force within reality.”

We currently live in a world where being safe and feeling good are the prime movers in right or wrong. Both are destructive forces if being safe and feeling good come at the cost of freedom.

Jesus fulfilled His purpose, despite not feeling good or being safe. Yet, He brought freedom, healing and wholeness to our lives.

Fulfill your God given purpose by listening to and following Jesus. As you do, you’ll be a healing agent to a hurting world.

Will it always feel good? No. Will it always be safe? Not a chance! But, is it the most fulfilling path to take? Yes.

A wrecking force or building agent? Thank the Lord, the flowers and the bees get it!

He is the Great I AM to whom I owe all that I am.

The following lyrics have been running around in my head, “I couldn’t earn it. I don’t deserve it … Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending reckless love of God.”

He deserves our attention simply because He earned it by what He did for us. So, if we truly believe this, how would it affect how we approach Him?

I mean, do we only come to Him when we need or want something, making God the great Pez dispenser? Or, can we simply sit in His presence because He deserves it?

Being transparent, I find it a little uncomfortable to sit and “do nothing”. Yet, being in His presence is not doing nothing. It is an act of worship because He earned it and deserves it.

Maybe you wrestle with this as well. Your God is more than a Pez dispenser (if you are too young to know what that it is, look it up. LOL) for your every whim and whimper.

He is God. Give Him what He deserves, you. And guess what? You still win as His presence will rub off on you!

Images. Scripture is full of them. Images our Father gives us in order to retain our brains with truths that will set us free. 

Mountains are often compared to faithfulness and strength. Rivers bring peace and pleasantness. While our prayers are seen as a pleasing aroma before God.

It’s hard to imagine peace. We can, however, have a calm river slowly meandering downstream fixed in our mind’s eye.

Jesus is peace, not just the bringer of peace. It is who He is. Therefore, we get peace from being in His presence. How? Imagine or focus on that peaceful river. 

The Spirit put that image into Scripture for a reason! He knew we would need visuals in order to grasp who our God is. 

Stress is caused by focusing on what you can’t do or have no control over. Peace comes by focusing on the One who is in control and can do it. Which one would you rather have, peace or stress?

What scriptural image will you choose to focus on about God that can soak into your brain to wash out the garbage thoughts that take you away from His presence?

As you read God’s Word, let the Spirit pop them off the pages and into your brain. Then choose to focus on the truth behind them and your life will be changed for the better. 

Remember, you become what you focus on and what you focus on only gets bigger. So where will your focus be today? 

“God has a purpose behind every challenge. He uses them to develop your character.” Rick Warren

In search for work, a man, his wife, and their two sons leave home. Their travels lead them to a neighboring country. That’s a lot of moving!

While in their new homeland, their sons grow up to be men and marry wonderful women. Everyone is fulfilled and content, though, grandchildren elude them.  

Then disaster strikes. Death hits the family big time! First, the dad passes away. Then, the boys follow in him. How much can a family take, right?

The mourning widow decides to move back to the country of her birth. She not only hears there is work, but she also wants to be closer to family.

She left home with a full quiver only to return without anyone but her ex-daughter-in-law. She views herself as a huge failure.

One could draw the conclusion that this family’s history would be better forgotten.

Maybe. The Spirit wrote it down in the book of Ruth for all to remember. She was the daughter-in-law who moved to a new country. She marries an Israeli man named Boaz and becomes the great-grandmother of Israel’s greatest king, David. And, she is a direct descendant of Jesus, the King of Kings.

Was this story one of disaster or one of preparation?

If a disaster, we love a God who can redeem our past mistakes that can be used in the present. Or, our challenges can simply have been preparing us for the good work Jesus has for us now, even if it is years later.

Either way, be encouraged. Jesus is on the throne!

We may not always know the why of life, but we follow a God who does. It may not look like He is control, but He is. This is the practical application of Romans 8:28.

Relax and stop wasting time stressing over your past. Let your God put a smile on your face as you follow Him today. Ruth did and look who she became!