“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18

It was study on Ephesians, but it was really a look at our ‘focus.’ Our FLAP Bible Study was taking a look at all the doctrines of what we believe just from Ephesians 1 alone. Things like Grace, Peace, being chosen or predestined, given All Spiritual Blessings in Christ… NOW! It made me realize how much time I focus on the past and present, instead of the Eternal.

This morning I read a paraphrase of C.S. Lewis that said, “When we get to heaven, it’s not that we look back and see the reasons bad things happen and say, ‘Oh, that’s why that happened!’ Rather, we will say, ‘What bad things?’ In that moment we will be so consumed with God’s finished product we will scarcely remember the process he used!” WOW!

Working on my taxes yesterday, I had an underlying worry that I might do something wrong or miss something. Even in preparing for Bible Study, I subconsciously was concerned I might miss something or not make something interesting or clear. When I read an article about what life will be like in Eternity, and that it is FOREVER… I had to smile. What real worries?

J.D. Greear said, “For the believer, the brief pain of this world is the closest to hell they will ever come; for the unbeliever, the brief pleasure of this world is the closest to heaven they will ever come. And it is just seconds away!” How profound. And it puts into perspective where and how I should look at my life today. What about YOU? Where is YOUR focus?

“So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” Revelation 3:16

It’s another 3:16 verse. One I was reminded of because of the time of year. Last night at bedtime, the house was warm. Too warm for sleeping. So I turned on the air conditioner. This morning when we woke up, the temperature in the house was 4 degrees colder than the setting from last night. I turned on the heat! Are we spoiled?

It’s just that time of year. Day times can get warm, then plummet at night. Not knowing has us preparing with extra blankets if needed. Having experience with heating a house with coal or wood, I know what it’s like to have to get up and out in the cold to make heat. It’s not fun! So I’m grateful for modern AC systems.

But temperature fluctuations are not the only place where hot and cold collide. It can also happen with attitudes toward people, places and things. What fires ME up, might cool your jets! Which is typically ok. Unless we’re talking about our relationship with God and His people! Today’s verse is not a subtle hint from my Savior. It’s a burner!

Is it possible to be a Believer in Jesus Christ… but not on FIRE for Jesus Christ? Today’s verse shows that a whole BODY of people had lost touch with Jesus’ purpose for their lives. Neither fired up for Him, nor chilled at His directives, they just passed on through life not giving Jesus a thought or concern. Jesus’ reaction was NOT subtle.

So how about YOU? Are YOU fired up for Jesus? How and where does that show? How would your family, friends and associates describe your walk with Jesus? If you appear to be hiding under a blanket of apathy, covering up your faith and relationship with Him, you MAY want to heed Jesus warning of how HE feels about your not feeling!

Why not get into the Word and get FIRED UP for Jesus!?

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

I knew what he was going to do before he did it… cuz it’s what I would have done! Driving in the left lane myself, the sporty little car with the license plate “PASSAVE” slipped in between me, and the car in front of me, with room for maybe a big dog in between! Then, just as quickly, zipped around and to pass another car on the right!

I wasn’t terribly upset because I wasn’t in too much of a hurry. But I thought “Aggressive” could have been added to his license plate.. if there were room! Being a “Passing” kinda guy myself, I took note to find a Bible verse to commemorate the event. This one spoke to me because ‘Peace’ passing ‘understanding’ seems odd!

I don’t know everything. But I don’t need to… because I know Jesus. But I don’t know EVERYTHING about Jesus either! This verse though, has its roots IN anxiousness… something I DO know a lot about. Jesus wants me to UNLEARN anxiousness, and gives me a formula to ‘get over it!’ How? By Praying, asking and giving it all to God.

This verse is not a one time fits all verse either. It says in EVERY situation. Which means I can do the same thing with my anxious situations when they come. But I have to LET peace pass! That means giving up on fretting and working things out myself, to LET HIM PASS! Is that something You are willing to do pilgrim? Why not give it a try?

“When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me.” Hosea 13:6

I’ve got an earworm. You know…a song that gets stuck in your head? It seems no matter what I am doing or thinking, it’s still playing in the background? Oh yea.. It’s a big one! Now, I can’t decide if it’s because of the beat or the words. It’s gotten to a point where I am taking exhaustive measures to get rid of it. Maybe if I dissect it, cut it up, or break it down I might get it to disappear.

It’s my son’s fault! He loves music. Which means it’s probably MY fault because… so do I. Growing up, ALL my kids heard so much music, they liked it too. When my son got a subscription to an online music service, he offered me as one of his recipients. I love looking up songs, artists and genre’s… then listening through my headphones as I work. But now… an earworm!?

The song is “Don’t Start Now” by Dua Lipa. The earworm is, “I’m not where you left me at all!” It’s about someone who has been jilted, but then has finally moved on. The mood of the song (hence the beat) is celebratory, since the pain of the breakup is over and life seems joyful again. Today’s verse lays out a process all too familiar. Fed, satisfied, proud, then forgetful! How sad.

This verse in Hosea summarizes the process of Israel’s estrangement with God. Sadly, even God seemed to question His own methods to win His people. Blessing them, led them to self satisfaction, pride and then forgetfulness. Sadly, the process doesn’t stop with Israel. I find that I can, if not careful, begin to forget God far too easily. It’s then that an earworm may be needed.

I am a FOLLOWER of Jesus Christ. I personally committed to go where He leads. But now that my earworm is engaged, I feel like He’s asking me to look where I am right NOW. Am I closely following Him? Since He promised to never leave me, is He asking me if ‘I’ have moved? Do I desire Him so much that moving away from Him is out of the question? It’s a good Lenten thought for all.

MAYBE this earworm is God telling ME that He wants ME to be sure I am more sticky! Which doesn’t surprise me at all! How close to Jesus are YOU in your following? 

“When we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.” 1 Corinthians 4:13

Yesterday was garbage day. Garbage day is a little different than it used to be. The county recently delivered garbage cans on wheels that we can wheel out to the curb. The truck comes by, and a lifter picks it up and dumps it into the top of the truck. It is fully automated so the driver needs no help and needs not get out of the truck. But I have a problem.

Yesterday I walked out to the street to lift the lid to see if the garbage truck had come by so I could wheel my monstrous trash can back from the road. Each time I lifted the lid, I could see my 1 bag of trash WAY down in the bottom. I guess I should have ordered the smaller can! Add that can to my recycle can, and I have room for a LOT of garbage and waste!

In listening to a young man talk last week he was emptying his trash to someone he trusted. I heard him say that he is not really liked very much, and that his former friends now get together, without him, to talk about him. Feeling bad for the guy, I decided to give him some hope. I asked if his old friends were Christians, he emphatically said, ‘no!’

There is no good news about learning the bad news about receiving and passing on the Good News. Today’s verse makes it clear, and my experience is verification. To the ‘lost’ of the world, Christians smell like trash! It’s true. Being a sheep, gives off a smell the world can catch from very far away.

When I came to Christ I was told that Heaven was a free gift that I only had to RECEIVE! AFTER I received it, I came to find out that LIFE was the most expensive prize on earth… costing me EVERYTHING! I am continually learning that EVERYTHING is a very cheap price to pay for Jesus. Even if I look like trash to the world. What garbage are YOU holding onto?

“Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4

With just a short amount of time between Katie getting home from work and a church meeting, I had to call a play. Dinner was not going to be a leisurely fancy affair. It needed to be quick. Quick to me also means cheap. There’s no sense spending a lot of money on something we wouldn’t enjoy for long. Finding some coupons, we headed for fast food!

The pictures on the coupons, coupled with previous experience, showed 2 healthy looking chicken sandwiches with 2 fries for $7.99. That fit my specifications, so we ordered. It turned out that what I desired… I received. A fast, cheap meal. But it really gave me no delight. I was disappointed. But not overly so. Delight had been sacrificed to both time and money.

I don’t ask myself this question out loud every day, but my attitude continues to keep score on what I subconsciously desire and what I get! If I am happy, it is because the majority of my desires are being met. If I am grumpy, it’s usually because of some unmet expectation. The question that is constantly being asked of myself is… what do I REALLY want?

I am a fickle man. Most of us are. I often THINK I know what I want. But upon delivery, my heart can easily score that desire as a waste or disappointment. The order of today’s verse is absolutely the correct approach. If I take delight in the LORD first, my heartfelt desires are promised to be met. That means if I put my heart and eyes on HIM, attitude will score a 10!

What do YOU REALLLLLLY want or desire? Is it Godly? If your disappointment meter goes off after receiving it, you can be sure… it isn’t! Go ahead… give it a test! 

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.“ Psalm 33:12

Last year I was escorted off a public school campus by security, then my speaker credentials were revoked because I had mentioned to a student body that our motto in America is “In God We Trust!” I was discouraged. Last night, President Trump addressed a joint session of Congress to deliver a speech that brought back the joy and hope of being an American.

Being a Believer and Disciple of Jesus Christ, I don’t THINK I know God and what He wants… I ABSOLUTELY know! With The Holy Spirit living inside me and His Word before my eyes, I read what He has to say, and take it seriously. I am smart enough to know that there is my way… and there is His Way. Having tried both, I’ve never been surprised at either outcome.

While last night marked a clear directional shift in America’s direction toward becoming a more Godly nation, that status does not come by accident. It takes work and effort on MY part. Today is the first day of Lent where, for the next 40 days, all believers in Christ are to give up, or fast, from our normal routines and place emphasis on God’s Word and direction.

It is my prayer that today, and everyday, that you will join me in opening God’s Word and devour what He has to say about where we are, and where He wants us to be. Evil does not turn and run. It only slinks off to make better plans. It is time I stand up to it and join hands with other fellow Believers to do God’s will. What an honor it is to join with YOU in His work.

What is God calling YOU to give up… or take on… for HIM and our Country?

“…now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires… make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge…” 1 Peter 1:4-5

Looking at our Lemon Tree… it appears to be working! About 2 weeks ago I saw that the leaves had turned a dull light green. Knowing that spring is the time for blossoms, I thought I’d do a little ‘adding’ to it to see if that might make lemon production a more sure thing. Scattering some citrus fertilizer to its base, all I could do was wait. Now look at it!

I am not very good at growing things. It’s cheaper for me to simply buy tomatoes or lemons than to try to grow them myself. The costs for the plants, both in time and money, as well as for supplies, far exceeds any savings. But there is just something about having a lemon tree in the front yard that activates my motivation. This is our 3rd try at it in 35 years!

Looking at the lemon tree yesterday produced hope! The leaves at the top of the tree are still an ugly pale yellow/green, but the leaves at the bottom are greening up nicely. It appears that adding the fertilizer may have been the proper thing to do to make this tree look and become more healthy. Only time will tell. Advice from others will also!

Tomorrow is the first day of Lent… the 40 days before we celebrate Easter. Today is considered ‘Fat Tuesday’ in many places. A last time time for people to enjoy things such as fatty foods, sugar, alcohol and other items considered “decadent.” After today, folks can voluntarily give up their decadence to take on a more holy attitude toward growing in Christ.

The verse today explains that Christ has subtracted from us the corruption of our eternal lives by worldly passions. When I exchange lives with Christ, HE becomes my life and HIS righteousness becomes mine! The verse goes on to tell me what Christ expects after that exchange. I am to ADD to my life many other significant virtues offered through His Spirit.

God-likeness is not an accident! His Word tells me that when I cooperate with the guidance of His Word and Spirit, I can become more like Him in every way. The question is, what do ‘I’ want? What am ‘I’’ willing to add or subtract to get there? I have added a 40 day devotional to this email, a short daily help to grow you in the special Lenten time. I pray you enjoy it.

“We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” 2 Peter 1:19

“WOW!” was all I could say… through squinting eyes. I’d gotten up last night to get a drink of water, and tripped over my own shoes lying in the middle of the floor. It was dark then… black like coal. I grumbled some kind of promise to myself to make sure to not leave my shoes there again… then laughed at the idea that I’d actually keep it! Now… it was sunrise!

When I walked through the living room, the sun was at a perfect angle to allow it’s rays to burst forth into the room without any interference from tree limbs or curtains. Squinting was just a natural occurrence. God made eyes to see, but NOT with the ability to look directly into as bright a light as the sun. It reminded me of the Son verse of today.

So much of my life is spent in darkness… and I don’t mean just the absence of real light. News, moods, current events, feelings and interactions with the world and people have the ability to darken the walls of my heart, turning it black instead of bright. The most important thing I need to do is to realize and admit my need. Doing so can lead me to The Bright One.

I found myself staring directly at The Son this morning as I found myself listening to an online sermon on Wisdom. The preacher said that Wisdom is not for those who want it, but for those who can’t live without it. The sentence made sense, making me question what it is in this I cannot live without. The Su(o)n was just a reminder! What is it that YOU can’t live without?