Much To Do About Nobody 2Sam.7:1-20

It must have seemed like it took forever for David to finally become King over Israel from the time he had been anointed until the time he finally took over. After finally bringing all of Israel together and things were settled he had a palace built. Of course, this was only possible because God had given Israel peace with all of their surrounding enemies. —-Sometime upon settling into the palace David realized that he was living in the beautiful cedar palace while God was out there in a tent. So King David summoned Nathan the prophet and let him know that he was bugged out about God’s housing accommodations. It just didn’t seem right that David was living it up in the palace, while God’s residence was more temporary. The prophet told David to do what he felt was right. —-But that night God told Nathan to tell David to hold up on the plans to build God a house. God reminded him (them) that He had never lived in a house. Who were they to assume He wanted a house? God had used a tent and the Tabernacle as His dwelling place as He traveled with His people. In fact, (God reminds) “I have never once complained to Israel’s tribal leaders, nor asked for a beautiful cedar house?” —-God turns the conversation on it’s head. It goes from David wanting to build a physical dwelling place for God, to God making a covenant with David and securing the kingly lineage with David’s household for eternity!— A man actually comes up with a decent and good idea; and God blows it away with a humongous blessing.—- The result: David breaks off into one of the sweetest prayers of all time. And in that prayer there were a couple of keynotes that hit me, and I think these hit all of us when we’re in one of those seasons where we’re in tune with God. First, David says “Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?” All who have grasped even the slightest understanding of God’s wonderful mercy and grace have asked this question at one time or another. David says (in my best paraphrasing) “God, with all the wonderful things that you have done for me, you mean to tell me on top of all that you are giving your servant a lasting dynasty? Unbelievable!” Then he said this and I can’t get over it (because I’ve certainly felt this way at times) “Do you deal with everyone this way, O Sovereign LORD?” With that I will add, “Sovereign LORD you have on multiple occasions made me feel so special. I am unworthy, yet you called me out.” And this last thing David says is my personal misunderstanding of why God has blessed me, “What more can I say to you? You know what your servant is really like Sovereign LORD.”—-That’s right God knows what David is really like, and He knows what I am like and He still has given an inheritance to all who will call on Him. God’s will and God’s promise make all these things possible. Knowing everything about us, He still does this. This is especially significant, because it takes David only a short-time to do such a dastardly act that a lesser god would have reneged on the promise. Once again, the greatness of our God shines. Even though He was aware of the atrocious sin David was about to commit, He extended the promise anyway, because ultimately He knew the heart of David. Again, we recount the blessings of God amidst our screw-ups and say “Who am I Sovereign LORD? Do you treat everyone like this?”

YES! You Were Born That Way

We were born sinners. "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned--" (Rom.5:12) We are born that way! There is no doubt about it. So concerning whatever sinward-bent you have, yes, you were born that way.--- Jesus had bold words for a man that came to speak to him one night. The man, Nicodemus, assumed that he was right with God simply because of his birth. In his case he thought that he was naturally good due to his Jewish heritage. However, the rest of us have our own reasoning for thinking that we are right with God. None of us think we're all that bad. Jesus bold words to Nicodemus, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. "(Jn.3:3) Jesus told this guy that felt he was right with God in his own eyes that heaven wasn't even within his view. It wasn't even on the horizon! That is bad news. And if we truly understand this encounter, it would be even worse news for us. If this guy wasn't right with God, we didn't stand a chance. ---Funny thing, God isn't afraid to tell the bad news, because we need to know it so that we turn the right way. If He didn't tell us that we were going the wrong way, we wouldn't see the need to turn around. So, the bad news really opens us up for the Good News. Jesus goes on to explain the love of God. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Christ came and died so you wouldn't stay that way (the way you were born, a sinner). --- Now, we often get upset when someone points out that we are a sinner. Yet, the Bible says that we all are (and we know it). We call them judgmental and all that. Listen to the words of the loving Jesus, "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. "(Jn.3:18) Our sin condemns us. Are you paying attention? Death entered the world through sin. Sin is not good.---Perhaps Nicodemus didn't like hearing the words that he needed " a new birth." Of course not! Nobody likes to be told, even if it is Jesus doing the telling. Nevertheless, Jesus showed him the way out, and ended up doing the work on the cross. ---Later Paul would say " I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.(Gal.2:20) There is a call to turn from our sin nature and live for Jesus. A new creation calls for us to live for the one who died for us and rose again. Lifestyle matters. The other six days of the week matter to God. " And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again... Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! "(2Cor.5:15,17) God has bigger plans for me than the sin I was born into. "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." It's time to make the turn, and be that man/woman God had in mind when He created you. The sinful nature that we enter this world with so seeks to define us, but God has other plans. "While we were still sinners Christ died for us..." Christ didn't die so that you and I would remain in sin. It is difficult, but let's not let his death become void to us. ---Yes, you were born that way...you were born into death; but Christ came that you might have life! Remember Jesus words to Nicodemus, "You must be born again..." Take that fresh start by confessing your sins to God (He already knows them so just come clean), and accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Just be honest and sincere with God. And about all that sin...He'll clean it up. That's what He does! Don't sweat it. Finally, let us pray for one another as we kill off the old man/woman inside each of us.

11:11

I just have this thing: an inordinate amount of times I look at the clock and it is 11:11. After this went on for a year, I started wondering if this was just random or was God trying to tell me something. Then it occurred to me (and I still haven’t figured it out for sure) that God was just stopping by to say hi. I have since accepted this phenomenon as God catching me throughout the day to remind me that He loves me. Sometimes we need a reminder or need some encouragement. Nevertheless, God did once and for all demonstrate His love for us. That is what Romans 5:8 is all about. You see, on the cross, God did the heavy-lifting. He lifted the burden of sin right off us. In life, we have a lot of problems that come in different shapes and sizes. Some are for short amounts of time, while others are lengthy, painful experiences. The Good News is that even in the worst of these times, all we have to do is look back to the cross to know that God has already conquered our biggest nemesis. Jesus Christ has put death in its place...the grave. Thankfully, I don’t need to see a clock to remind me that God loved me, even at my worst, and has put the toughest thing behind me. I can get on with life, and know that whatever good or bad befalls me...God’s got this!

Killing Cycle

In the time before King David had brought the Northern and Southern Kingdoms of Israel together, the two commanders of the respective armies Abner and Joab led the men in battles with one another. On this day Abner had killed the brother of Joab (after warning Joab's brother to back off). Abner knew this would surely heat the battle up until everyone died. So after retreating and gaining some separation, Abner shouts back to Joab to call a truce. And we read: Abner shouted down to Joab, "Must we always be killing each other? Don't you realize that bitterness is the only result? When will you call off your men form chasing (their)brothers?"--2Sam.2:26---It hit me that this was so applicable to today. We are all brothers of the human race. When will the chasing stop? When will the bullying stop? When will the killing stop? These all lead to bitterness and bitterness fuels the fire. Our world is on a perpetual killing cycle. Ultimately, it won't stop until Jesus comes back. However, we can be the voice of reason in our respective households and communities and yell back as we retreat "Must we always be (hating) on each other?" We must do something to eliminate the bitterness that keeps the hate-movements charged up.

On May 3rd

On May 3rd we combined two events, our Cindo de Mayo celebration with our Marriage For Life Date Night. The Date Night is filled with fun, food and a word of encouragement/challenge to all the married couples in attendance. The challenge this time for couples exiting was to do something simple for one another. It was a little thing, but little things can become big things. Some people obviously took the challenge seriously, while others dismissed it as a stupid idea, that was perhaps beneath them. We challenged men to open and close the car door for their lady for the next thirty days with an attempt to bring back some chivalry. Could you imagine if this caught on just from our group doing this? However, in this day and time with two vehicles we’ve had to work at it. Why do something so simple? Well, it requires the man to be intentional, and it requires the woman to be patient. Not to mention, it requires the two to be together every now and then to make it happen. Meanwhile, the women had a different type challenge. The wives were challenged to brag on their man (to him about him) at least once a day. Of course, this would seem forced at first, especially if it hasn't happened in years. Everybody likes to be bragged on, especially men. The purpose in this was to get the man to respect his wife to the point she could have an impact on shaping him into the man God desires. You see, if the man is a “man after God’s own heart” he will be the man the woman wants and needs.—-I know these things simple and trite. But you have to start somewhere. —-If you’re that couple that didn't try, or you just forgot about it, because it wasn’t a habit; I encourage you to start. Try for thirty days, and thank God afterwards. * Confession:(I’m pretty sure I mentioned this that night, but I want to make sure you know) this thirty day thing wasn’t my idea. It was a mixture of things God showed me, and then He just threw it out there. Yeah, I’m saying if you want to call God’s idea “stupid”, then you’re on your own. I think it’s worth trying, What else are you doing?—-By the way, it’s working for the handful of couples that are doing it. Start, restart, persevere… do what it takes to finish strong! God bless you, we know He loves you. (Rom.5:8)— Oh and thanks to all who have testified of how things are getting better.

125 Cheerleaders Abducted From Camp

Breaking News: 125 cheerleaders were abducted from a cheerleader camp held in a plush north Georgia suburban area. The citizens (including parents, local police forces, National Guard, the military) aren’t just up in arms over this; they are mobilized into action as we would expect them to be. The unnamed group of abductors are faceless. Their intent is to make wives of these young girls and/or sell them on the human-trafficking market. —- Obviously, this did not happen…here. But it did happen at an all-girl school in Nigeria a couple of weeks ago. What is the difference? After two weeks, 234 Nigerian school girls are still missing, and the world knows who took them. And the world knows their intention. Not only that, it is a recurrence of this group of people. —- For over a month CNN has made a big To-Do about a plane that is missing and many lives likely lost. As of this moment, authorities still don’t even know where that plane is. Authorities know where Nigeria is. They know where this evil organization resides. —-Some good people in the media would not let the story about the abducted girls disappear this time. Will the world cry out? Is an American cheerleader more important than a Nigerian school girl? Where are the voices? If not for twitter and Facebook news like this would fall to the back page. How can we go on? Pray for our world. Pray for our collective hearts.