HOW DO WE EXPERIENCE GOD'S BLESSINGS IN OUR LIVES?

2 Chronicles 17:1-6 - "The Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments... Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand. And all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great riches and honor. His heart was courageous in the ways of the Lord."

After King David died there was a vacumn in leadership. Both godly and un-godly men were in places of position and power and the result was a great division in the land. It was eventually divided into "north" and "south" with good and bad leaders on both ends. The bottom line was this: if they walked after and followed God - then blessing followed them in their leadership and prosperity came upon the land. However, if they did not follow God - the opposite took place. It became so important for the godly leaders to hear the voice of God to lead and navigate them through the rough waters that lay before them.

Jehoshaphat was one of the good guys who led the area of the south. I like the scripture in 2 Chronicles 17:6 that says "His heart was courageous in the ways of The Lord." He led with integrity and wisdom. He listened to and heard the voice of God and as a result - the land prospered greatly under his leadership.

There are principle's in 2 Chronicles 17, that if applied to our own lives will bring great help and understanding will help us navigate through the land mines that we call life. Jehoshaphat knew how to listen to and hear the voice of God.  He was obedient to follow God.  As a result he and the people he led experienced great blessing from God in their lives.

How Do We Experience God's Blessings In Our Lives?

What do we know about Jehoshaphat?  

First, He sought after the Lord and the Lord was with Him - 2 Chronicles 17:3-4. As a result, the Lord blessed him because of this and established his kingdom 17:5. Not only did he avoid war with others and with Israel (1 Ki 22:44) - He received tribute from others because God was with him (17:5,11).   Even the Philistines brought him tribute. The “fear of the Lord” or a reverence for God fell on the land. The people saw that God was with the king and didn’t attack him because of God’s hand on him. God was protecting the people from harm.

Secondly, As he sought The Lord - he used his influence to have the idols that people were still worshipping put away. He made sure that only "God" Almighty was to be worshipped. He used his power to try to draw others to the Lord and to be a good influence on them. He was obeying the 1st and 2nd commandment in Exodus 20:3-4 which tells us not to worship idols.  We must not allow other "gods" to rule and reign over our life.  We cannot compromise in regards to this.  We must only seek "The Lord" and Him only.  Idols (seen or unseen) cannot be tolerated with - even idols of the heart.

Thirdly, He taught people how to be people of the Word Of God.  He sought to influence his people to be people of the Word. He sent the Levites out to teach the people. He honored the Word of God. He felt that it was important that the people understand who the Lord is and what the Word says. He didn’t want them worshipping just because he said so. He wanted them to understand it for themselves - 17:7-9. 

I heard a humorous story that is worth conveying here: "A new minister was asked to teach a boys class in the absence of their regular Sunday School teacher. He decided to see what they knew,so he asked who knocked down the walls of Jericho. All the boys denied having done it, and the preacher was appalled at their ignorance. At the next deacon’s meeting he told about the experience. “Not one of them knows who knocked down the walls of Jericho.” he lamented. The group was silent until one seasoned veteran of disputes spoke up. “Preacher, this appears to be bothering you a lot. But I’ve known all those boys since they were born and they’re good boys. If they said they didn’t know, I believe them. Let’s just take some money out of the repair and maintenance fund, fix the walls and let it go at that.”

This is a humorous story that illustrates the spiritual ignorance that many have about the Bible. Former Secretary of Education William Bennett has concluded that “We have become the kind of society that civilized countries used to send missionaries to.”Pollster George Gallup Jr has often referred to American as a “nation of Biblical illiterates.” In his polls, he finds that only 4 in 10 American know that Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. A majority of Americans cannot name the 4 gospels in the N.T. Only 3 in 10 teenagers know why Easter is celebrated. 2/3 of American believe that there are few, if any, absolute principles to direct human behavior. Earlier surveys by a man named George Barna revealed that barely half of Lutherans, Methodists and Presbyterians believe in the devil, but 56 percent of Lutherans and 49% of Methodists believe in UFO’s. 

Fourthly, He wasn't lazy. Even though he was at peace with Israel, he fortified the cities neighboring Israel. 17:2,12-13. He realized that the best offense sometimes is a good defense. He was pro-active in doing things for God.  He didn't just sit back and waited for God - he did something.  Faith requires action.  Step out in faith as God speaks to your heart.  It is then that we begin to walk in the blessings and prosperity of The Lord.

ENDING WELL

As I was reading my devotions this morning I looked at the passage (1 Kings 15, 2 Chronicles 13-16) and thought "How boring." It is part of a detailed passage of war between Israel's north and south. Little did I realize at the time the wealth of spiritual insight that would be released through these passages.

2 Chronicles 14 tells of one million men led by Zerah the Ethiopian coming against Asa (a leader in Judah - Israel's southern territory) who only had 300,000 men. I realize that the numbers are perhaps an exaggeration and aren't really exact but I think the obvious is seen here - the good guys very greatly outnumbered in battle.

Asa and the people of Judah cry out to God and "The Lord defeated the Ethiopians... and the Ethiopians fled."

This is one massive victory that barely has but a few lines of scripture attributed to it.

A prophet named Obed goes out to meet Asa after the great victory over the Ethiopians with a simple reminder that this battle was from The Lord and not by his own power.

....“Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The Lord is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. (2 Chronicles 15:2 ESV)

This is where it gets complicated. Apparently Asa did "not" remember The Lord in the last portion of his life and didn't end well. After several years, he returns to his old ways and leadership patterns by relying on man rather than God (2 Chronicles 16:7-12).

Again, the prophet shows up to confront him and he ends up getting angry and puts them in jail. 

2 Chronicles 16:10 states that he also became a very oppressive leader to the people of Judah and he died a very shallow man and did not finish up well in life.

This begs a very personal question - "How is my life going and am I doing what God has assigned for me to do in life? And, will I end up well in regards to my personal life, my family and my ministry assignment as a pastor and leader?"

Sadly, Asa stands with the majority of leaders in the Bible who did not end up well.

DAVID was an anointed king, mighty warrior and musician of The Lord. He faithful and a loyal man of God. He was a great leader who made preparations for the temple.  

Yet... look at how his life ended - disloyal to his men, committed adultery, committed murder, tried to cover his sins. As a result, he brought judgment on his family.

Another example is in the leader SOLOMON. Again, he was an anointed king and a humble person of prayer. He was a temple builder. He acquired great wealth and wisdom and authored anointed proverbs and songs.  

Yet...like David, his life did not end well. He turned his heart from God and became an idol worshipper. He bought into vain philosophy and selfishly sinned against The Lord and he sought to kill Jeroboam.

As I look over these passages I am reminded that God has an assignment for me that requires full attention until the day I breathe my "last" breath. I cannot count on past victories or success but must remain focused and faithful till the time my life is ended on earth.

David, Solomon and Asa are all my teachers today. God used and blessed them mightily - yet, they failed to follow God's assignment in the latter years of their life and didn't follow God fully to the end.

It's not always easy to make the right decisions and to continue to walk faithfully. Yet, it is the right thing to do.

I'm not perfect and I have failed in many things in life. However, I have been faithful to God and to my family and to myself. I have led my church with integrity and look forward to a continued season of blessing and ministry in life.

Whether my time on earth is long or short - MY GREAT DESIRE IS TO END WELL. I want to be one of those Christians for whom The Lord speaks over and says, "Well done, good and faithful servant - enter into the joy of The Lord. I want to end well!

KNOCKING HOLES IN DARKNESS

Once you lived in the dark, but now the Lord has filled you with light. Live as children who have light. Light produces everything that is good, that has God’s approval, and that is true. Determine which things please the Lord. Have nothing to do with the useless works that darkness produces. Instead, expose them for what they are. It is shameful to talk about what some people do in secret.

because light makes everything easy to see. That’s why it says: “Wake up, sleeper! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” (Ephesians 5:8-12, 14 GW)

Being in a third world country is a eye opening experience.  The darkness is predominant and the idols are everywhere.  It's oppressive and stifling and obvious.  The Christians who serve in these places are my heroes as they are on the front lines of spiritual warfare everyday.

In America, the darkness isn't as obvious but it is just as real.  We've disguised it and painted it to make it look pretty but its just as oppressive and filled with lies from hell as anywhere else.

In a lot of ways - the church in America has lost its influence in the world. They are no longer penetrating the darkness as they should.  

There are many reasons why this is so, but one reason stands out above the rest. The church has lost its influence because Christians have neglected their responsibility to be light in the world. As we have neglected to be what God has called us to be, the world has decided to ignore us.

When Paul wrote to the young church in Ephesus, he knew they were an island of light in a city filled with darkness. How could that tiny band of believers make a difference in the cosmopolitan metropolis that was home to the world-famous Temple of Artemis? In Ephesians 5:8-14, Paul gives us his answer:

You are the light of God.
Live like it.
Let your light shine.
It will dispel the darkness.
Some people won’t like that.
Shine your light anyway.
Others will join you in the light.

What worked in the first century still works today. In our passage we see three remarkable results when the light of God enters a dark world.

1- Light Transforms

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light” (v. 8).

Here we have a beautiful picture of conversion.

Coming to Christ is like walking from the darkness into a room filled with blazing light. But once you come out of the darkness, you see things you never saw before. When you lived in the darkness, you did whatever you wanted to do. But now in the light, you must put off the deeds of darkness and put on a lifestyle fitting for the children of the light.

We now have a new goal: “Find out what pleases the Lord” (v. 10).

No longer can we say, “If it feels good, do it.”
No longer can we say, “But everyone else is doing it.”
No longer can we say, “I don’t care what others think.”

We must allow the light to transform us into His image and become everything God wants us to be.

2- Light Exposes

“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret” (vv. 11-12).

Shadows hide the flaws, but light reveals all of them. Similarly, when the gospel enters a family, the hidden secrets will be revealed. When the gospel invades a community, corruption will come to light.

Verse 13 describes the result of this ministry of reproof: “But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light” (v. 13). 

The God’s Word translation puts it very simply: “Light exposes the true character of everything.” It’s not hard to understand this principle. When a little child cries in a dark room, his mother turns on the light and the tears quickly vanish. The coming of the light shows him there is no reason to be afraid. 

A wise counselor often told his clients, “You’re only as sick as your secrets.” You can’t get better until you begin to tell the truth to yourself. As long as you live a double life, with one foot in the light and one foot in the darkness, you will be forever torn, double-minded and unhealthy because your heart is divided.

Darkness can only produce more darkness. But light can turn the darkness into light.

3- Light Awakens

“This is why it is said: ‘Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’” (v. 14).

When the light of the gospel comes in, it wakes up the spiritually dead and draws them to Jesus.

That’s conversion.
That’s salvation.
That’s the new birth.

That’s the life-transforming power of the gospel when Jesus Christ comes into a life.

This passage shows us what happens when the light of God begins to shine in the world.

First, the light shines on us and transforms us from darkness into light. In the process that same light purifies us on the inside so that we seek to please God in everything.

Second, the light shining through us chases away the darkness and exposes the evil done under cover of the night. Because men love darkness rather than light (John 3:19), they often fight against the light of God. But when the light does its work thoroughly, it contains within itself a healing power. Because the light comes from God, it can take the darkness and turn it into light. We know this is true because that’s what happened to us.

Third, the light awakens those who are asleep and raises them from the dead. This is why Paul was not ashamed of the gospel. This is why he boldly preached in the very heart of the ancient world—in Corinth and Ephesus and Athens and Rome. Paul knew that when the gospel shines on a society, the light will expose some people and make them angry, but that same light will awaken others to their need of Christ.

When Robert Louis Stevenson was a young child, he was sick much of the time. He couldn’t go out and play like the other children so he spent a lot of time watching at the window. One evening he sat and watched as a man came down the street lighting the gas lamps. His nurse said to him, “What are you doing?” “I’m watching the man knock holes in the darkness,” he replied.
What a beautiful picture. We are called to knock holes in the darkness in Jesus’ name.

We aren’t called to save the world. Only God can do that. But we are called to make a difference. We can’t do everything, but we can do something. What we can do, we ought to do. Let’s go knock some holes in the darkness this week.

Lord Jesus, grant that we would not be even slightly disappointed at the conditions around us. You have made us for times like these. Give us a new vision of the difference we can make in our world. Amen.

WHY I DO WHAT I DO

In a few hours I will heading to the airport with Pastor Brian Hurst and together we will be flying to Sri Lanka - about a 27 hour journey. It is something I do 1to 2 x's a year and it helps me stay grounded and keep my focus on the things important in life.

People often ask me why I feel the need to go to other countries when there are so many needs here in the United States and specifically in the High Desert. The answer: It's because of the words of Jesus from Matthew 28:18-20 that encourages all of us to "go." When I go - I feel like I am being most obedient to Christ by following His direction and leading. When I go - it keeps my focus in the right perspective as I pastor my church and go about my daily activities.

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV)

A story is told of this donkey that was filled with self-importance. He felt that he had it over the other donkeys. He was very well taken care of by his humans and that made him feel all the more special. So, he was prideful that he was called in for difficult assignments. He was strong and he could carry a lot. He also knew how to give comfortable rides to passengers.

He was not surprised to be called to give a ride to a person going into the capital city one day. But he was surprised at what a wonderful greeting he was given by the crowds. People were laying down palm branches and their own cloaks on the ground before him. “Wow! I really am something,” he thought. “People are really appreciating all that I am doing, that’s for sure.”

But the truth was, the celebration was not for him or about him. It had nothing to do with him. He was carrying Jesus. He was simply carrying the Message.

As a church, it is not about us. It is not about the donkey. It is all about Jesus. We are carriers of the message. So, our job is to keep taking Jesus places.

Someone carried the message of Jesus to us, didn’t they? When we heard the good news about Jesus, someone brought it to us.

And when we received the good news, something great happened to us. We were “Never the Same Again.” Transformation takes place which has been our theme this year during our discipleship emphasis.

When we have been changed by the good news, we know that it will be good news to others as well.
It is news to be shared. In fact, that is Jesus’ assignment to us. He tells us to make disciples. We are to… DELIBERATELY MAKE COMMITTED FOLLOWERS OF JESUS.

This is our assignment. And what is our goal? It is effectiveness. It is reaching people. It is fruitfulness. When we lose sight of that, we will get distracted by other things that are not nearly as important!

So, listen…The measurement of success for our church is not the programs, budget or buildings, but the production and development of followers of Jesus.

It is not programs. It is not possessing money. It is not to have great buildings. It is connecting with people.

Let’s go back to the programs for a minute…Because we have a lot of programs at New Life Chapel, and I think we have some mighty good ones. But programs don’t reach people.  People reach people. 

Programs are nothing more than framework. And if they do not aid us in getting connected with people, then we either revise how we are doing them or we get rid of them.

You see…

Our goal is to depopulate hell. We want to see less people there. But, when we are more concerned with ourselves and when leadership is more concerned with keeping Christians happy, we show our lack of heart for those without Jesus. 

Here's a good story: A paramedic was asked on a local TV talk-show program: "What was your most unusual and challenging 911 call?"

"Recently we got a call from that big white church at 11th and Walnut," the paramedic said. "A frantic usher was very concerned that during the sermon an elderly man passed out in a pew and appeared to be dead. The usher could find no pulse and there was no noticeable breathing."

"What was so unusual and demanding about this particular call?" the interviewer asked.

"Well," the paramedic said, "we carried out four guys before we found the one who was dead."

Let’s not be caught dead in the pews! The church is not looking for all-stars, but for all to start. We all need to be moving toward those who don’t know Jesus. 

So, get going! Think of the relationships you have. Think of the relationships you have had and that need restarted. Think of the relationships you need to begin.

Get going.

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9 ESV)

Express what Jesus means to you (II Peter 3.15) - …always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you…Tell your story. Give your testimony. You are a witness. Tell how Jesus has changed you.

Purposely, as you leave the parking lots of New Life Chapel is a sign saying, "You are now entering the mission field." Perhaps you might have the opportunity to go to other countries like I do but for all of us - our mission field is our community, our jobs, our schools and even our homes.

So... let's all get going. The fields are "white unto harvest."

IS GOD'S WORD TRUE?

Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. (Proverbs 30:5 ESV)

People have often asked me "Do you really believe the Bible is true?" Or, they might say, "I think the Bible is a bunch of stories that were for back then and have no relevance for today."

Unlike many people today I grew in a Christian background. Both of my grandparents and parents were Christians. We were raised with the Bible as a central part of our lives and were taught the infallibility of God's Word. To be honest, I have never doubted it's veracity or relevance in my life - I have always accepted it as God's Holy Word.

Here are some things that I have found over the years concerning God's Word.

1- The word of God is CONSISTENT

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you. (1 Peter 1:22-25 ESV)

I know all of us who have kids might not have been as consistent in our words. Kids know our weaknesses. “No” sometimes changes to, “ok, go ahead”. They can either look at you with those sad eyes or they wear you down but consistently bugging you. But God’s word is consistent. It is the same yesterday, today, and forever more. His word never changes.

Now some people would have you to believe that His word changes, after all this is the 21st century. What was written 2000 years ago does not apply to today’s world, but God’s word is consistent, it never changes.

2- The word of God is CONTAGIOUS

And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. (Acts 6:7 ESV)

Then we read that the word spead to the Gentiles.

Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. (Acts 11:1 ESV)

All through the beginning of the church we read about the spreading of the word of God.

I knew a man in jail who asked for a Gideon Bible …He said the paper is very fine and perfect for rolling his cigarettes. The Gideon gave him the Bible on the condition that he before using the pages that he read them front and back. The man proceeded to smoke his way through Matthew, Mark, Luke and a then came to John and stopped when he read chapter 3:16 – and he gave his heart to the Lord

When I hear the word contagious I think about the spreading of something.

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17 ESV)

3- The word of God CONFIRMS

Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.” But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.” (Luke 8:19-21 ESV)

Here we find the mother of Jesus and His brothers coming to see Him but they were unable to because of the crowd. Someone informed Him that He had company and Jesus declared that His true family was those who hear and do the word of God.

If you want to confirm your relationship with the Lord then you need to ask yourself; Do I hear and do the word of God?

4- The word of God CONQUERS

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, (Ephesians 6:17 ESV)

This is what is known as the Bible as one part of the “Armor of God”. And the Bible tells us to put on the whole armor of God. The other parts of the armor are “Gird you waist with truth, put on the breastplate of righteousness, shod your feet with the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, and the helmet of salvation”. All of the other parts are made for protection or defense. The only one that is made for offence is the sword of the Spirit or the word of God. 

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 ESV)

Once again we see the reference of the word of God as a sword. This tells me that we by ourselves are not capable of fighting against the “Wiles of the devil”. 

Remember the example Jesus left us with when He was tempted in the wilderness. Each time Satan tried to tempt Him to sin, each time Jesus responded with the word of God, “It is written”. So if Jesus used the word to conquer Satan then we can to.

5- The word of God CONDEMNS

If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. (John 12:47, 48 ESV)

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17 ESV)

Think what it would be like if we didn’t have “The word of God”. It gives us direction. It tells us how to raise our families, how to be a good husband or how to be a good wife. It tells us how to do every thing we do. But as the verse we just read it tells us, our faith comes from hearing the word of God.
It is the word of God that tells us that we are sinners. 

But, just as it brings condemnation - it also gives us the solution. 

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9 ESV)
So, what are you going to do with God's Word today? Are you going to read it and hide it in your heart or are you going to ignore it and what it has to say? For me, I made that choice a long time ago and can say without a shadow of a doubt - God's Word is true and has been proven over and over in my life.

WHY ARE WE SO ANGRY?

Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools. (Ecclesiastes 7:9 ESV)

Why is everyone so angry all the time?  And here's the thing - some people don't even know why they are so angry.  Plain and simple - they are just mad.

We hear or read about fist fights.  People are taking guns on campuses and shooting up everyone that comes across their path.  People are mad about the government, their job, life, their spouse, etc.  People are mad and frustrated about everything.

Does that describe you today? Being angry seems to be a part of living in this world. We live in an age increased anger and as Christians we need to be careful that we don't get sucked up into it.  It's not acceptable at work or at home.

WHY ARE WE SO ANGRY?

1. We Are Pushed By Circumstances. Unwelcome circumstances present themselves constantly. We are often forced to deal with situations not of our own making.

Zig Ziglar gives this advice concerning dealing with difficult circumstances; "You need to identify the cause of stress. Is it a misunderstanding with a coworker or family member? Is it getting so involved in your responsibility that you lose your sense of perspective for the everyday facets of a balanced lifestyle? If so, what can you do about it? First, if it's a people problem, take time to talk it out. Try to put yourself in the other person's shoes. If you're wrong, admit it and apologize. You won't lose face. You'll gain respect because you have acknowledged that you're wiser today than you were yesterday. Second, find a pressure release. Take time for yourself, even if just a few minutes. Some quiet reading, a good walk, some relaxation, or a shift of scenery can work wonders." (Pp. 179-80) 

What does the Word of God have to say about dealing with these situations?  

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1 ESV)

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention. (Proverbs 15:18 ESV)

2. We Are Pressured By Life.  Achievement is equated with happiness. Do more, more, more is the theme of the day. We are finally pushed beyond our limit to complete the required task and in frustration we lash out.

3. We Are Preoccupied With Things Beyond Our Control. Too many times, that which we cannot control eats at us.

Someone said, "Two things a man should never be angry at: what he can help, and what he cannot help." The feeling that we are not in control of our life weighs heavy on our minds.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5, 6 ESV)

We tend to dwell on the hurts inflicted on us by others-knowing the hurts can't be undone.

So, what do we do?

We must, with the help of God Almighty, put away anger in our lives.  We must, with God's help not allow bitterness or anger or wrath to overcome and overwhelm us.

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:31, 32 ESV)

The Academy Award-winning movie Forrest Gump has been viewed by millions of Americans. Most people remember its line, "Life is like a box of choklits," but there is another line worth noting.
One of the central characters, Jenny, returns to her old home after her father had died. The farmhouse is dilapidated and abandoned. 

As she reflects on the sexual abuse that she endured as a child, she is overcome by rage and begins throwing rocks at the house until she falls to the ground in exhaustion.

The scene close with Forrest Gump sympathizing, "Sometimes there just aren't enough rocks."

Many of use struggle with anger, and some anger seems justifiable. Yet unresolved anger leaves us reaching and crying out for more rocks. The rage is never satisfied, and contentment is never found.
Only through the power of Christ can we find the strength to lay down rocks of anger rather than needing to reach for more. -Raymond McHenery* 

The anger provoking frustrations that we all face are very real. But our help is also very real from our Heavenly Father.  Ask Him today to help you with your anger.  He did it for me and He can and will do it for you.

SEASONS OF LIFE

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11 ESV)

One of the things that has always fascinated me is the different seasons of life we must all go through in order to develop a sense of maturity in our lives.  As I look back on my life - there are some wonderful times and seasons that I went through and there also some very difficult days that I didn't think I would make it through to the end of the day.

Here's some facts about seasons for you to consider today: (Maurice Mccarthy gives this simple outline)...

1. In order to enter a new season we must often be stripped of the last season.
2. Comparison of your season with someone else's can kill contentment in your life.
3. The future is clear to God and fuzzy to us, so lets trust the one who knows

When it comes to the changing seasons on earth - many times the changes are abrupt and accompanied by storms, I think life is often also like that. Storms often signal a change in season, and not necessarily a bad change. Storms come before warmer weather just as much as they do before colder.

Another example about seasons is in the area of pruning. Pruning often takes place just before winter. Is it any different with us?  Before we can enter into a great season of harvest - we sometimes have to be pruned back and laid dormant for a winter season to prepare us for the next season in our lives.

Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. (John 15:2 ESV)

Do you feel the pain of the pruning shears?  Do you feel the abandonment?  The rejection?

We need to take advantage of every season.

Have you ever heard of the phrase "Carpe Diem" - seize the day? That phrase is from the Latin poet Horace, who lived and died just before Jesus was born. Latin scholars point out that the translation of the word 'carpe' (which comes from the verb which described the picking of fruit) is to 'pluck'. So the idiom 'carpe diem' is, literally translated: 'enjoy the day, pluck the day when it is ripe',

The best way to seize the day is to close the door on the past and move in the direction that God is leading you.

Notice these principles about the seasons of your life...

1. To enter a new season you must often be stripped of the last one.

It is interesting that in Ecc 3:3 and 3:5, we read of stripping away before we read of adding on, I think there is some significance in the way the text is ordered:

A time to break down, a time to build up.
A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones.

Later the text talks about getting before losing, both are true. Sometimes in life you must subtract before adding, sometimes you add before subtracting.

Some people carry the past around and all it is a sack full of rocks that are slowing you down. 

The past is like a file folder in which we have:  "What actually happened, all the thoughts you have had about what happened, what others have said about what happened, the spin the devil has tried to put on it, what God has said about it. The file gets so full who can really tell what happened?"

Those who live in ruts have this outlook on life: They assume the course already laid is going to be the course life is going to continue to follow.

If you are in a season you don't like, take encouragement:

The prophet Daniel said by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit: "He changeth the times and the seasons." Daniel 2:21

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:18, 19 ESV)

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13, 14 ESV)

What about those things in our past that are good? Glance back, focus forward.

In Japan they have a custom that at the beginning of the year, they will open the front door and sweep out, symbolically they are sweeping out the bad spirits of the previous year and opening the door for the good spirits of the new year. The only spirit I want to open the door to is the Holy Spirit, but I like the idea of symbolically sweeping out the bad. Some of you may want to literally do that on New Years, we will also close the service this morning by doing that in prayer.

Sweep out hurts, sweep out failures, sweep out ill will towards others. Don't let 2013 ruin 2014 because you spend too much time looking in the rear view mirror of hurt, mistakes, rejections, painful circumstances.

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:19 ESV)

2. Comparison of your season with someone else's can kill contentment in your life.

How many of you have gone driving in someone else's neighborhood to look at the nice houses. Comparison kills contentment.

Or read a magazine about dream kitchens, or dream log homes. 

If you build your dream kitchen today, next week you will see some one else with a feature of their kitchen you will wish you had. It is the same way with seasons of life. You will always see someone in a different season that the one you are in, and it will make you envious if you are not careful.

I don't know what season you are in, but most likely their are people you know that you wish you could be in their season. Most of us wish we could do life like a buffet, we would only take what we wanted. I'll take some of that season that pastor has, and some of that my cousin George has. All that serves to do is make you discontent with your own season.

You can't pray away being a child, or a teenager, or a senior citizen, or the reality that goes along with those seasons of life. When you get up in comparing seasons, you may get very discontent with the season you are in, and try to pray away what can't be prayed away. That makes for a very sad camper! God makes all things beautiful in their time. Each seasons has a reason and a beauty about it. Discontentment may get you to try and force yourself out of a season that you really need.

We must often do two things at once in life: submit to the sovereignty of God, and fight the good fight of faith. It is a very hard juggling act at times. What I mean by that is should we submit to what is going on in life, or fight it in prayer. Knowing what to do isn't always easy.

Some seasons God won't make easier, and He won't explain why, because you don't have a big enough understanding to grasp it. Which takes us to my third and final point for today:

3. The future is clear to God, and fuzzy to us. So it's best to trust the One Who knows.

Consider the work of God: who can make straight what he has made crooked? In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him. (Ecclesiastes 7:13, 14 ESV)

Sometimes life is fuzzy and incomplete.  I don't understand why certain things are the way they are and why God has led me in this direction.  It's at times like that that I must trust the one who knows everything about my life and trust His direction and leading.

I saw a picture of two men looking into a baby's crib, one was the new dad, the other was his father (the newborns grandfather) The grandfather turns to his adult son, and says, "now you are just beginning to understand how much I love you." Kids can never fully understand how much a parent loves a child, until they become a parent themselves. With that thought in mind, I remind you that when your heavenly father is leading you into an unpleasant or difficult season, try to remember He loves you more than any father on earth ever loved their child.

May God give you grace today to be content in whatever season you find yourself in knowing the one who created us knows exactly the direction and place you need to go.  YOUR GOD LOVES YOU SO MUCH AND WILL GO TO GREAT LENGTHS TO HELP YOU GET TO THE PLACE YOU BELONG IN LIFE.

A DEVOTIONAL ON PRAISING GOD

Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (Psalm 150:1-6 ESV)

As we come to the end of the Book of Psalms, we notice that each of the last 5 Psalms begins with, “Praise the Lord,” and each Psalm increases in praise and joy until we come to the last one in the holy hymnbook ­ Psalm 150. For the psalmist, “praise the Lord” was definitely not a cliché but an ecstatic expression of unbridled joy! In six short verses, he uses the phrase 13 times. Every sentence starts off with “Hallelujah” (which is the Hebrew way to say, “Praise the Lord”) and is very short ­ it’s as if he can’t wait to get to the next opportunity to say, “Praise the Lord” again.

The word, “praise” is derived from a Latin word which means to prize. When we praise, we are expressing our approval by valuing something or someone who has worth or merit. The word also means to “shine” or “make a show by raving and celebrating.” To praise the Lord is to prize Him and rave about Him as the only one worthy of glory and honor.

Where to Praise 

Verse 1 begins with a bang: “Praise the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens.” The word used here for “Lord” is “Jehovah,” which means, “the self-existent and eternal one.” The psalmist than shifts his focus to another name and calls him, “God” or “El” in Hebrew, which means, “Strong and mighty.”

We are to praise the eternal, strong and mighty God in “His sanctuary,” which is a reference to the temple, where God used to dwell. Since Jesus died and rose again, God now “tabernacles” within His people, choosing not to dwell in a building. We are His temple and should therefore live out the implications of what that means. While God does not reside in this auditorium, He does reside within us.

The call to praise also extends to the “mighty heavens.” The psalmist is calling the firmament, and everything above it, to break out into a celebration of praise. Verse 1 is really saying, “Praise God in heaven and on earth.” 

And so, verse 1 answers the question, “Where are we to praise Him?” We’re to do it everywhere. Verse 2 gives us the answer to the question, “Why are we to praise Him?”

Why We Praise 

We’re called to rave about God for at least two reasons. First, we praise Him for what He does. We see this in the first part of verse 2: “Praise Him for His mighty deeds.” This is the theme of many of the psalms. The phrase, "mighty deeds” carries with it the idea of God as a champion because of the victory He has won. His acts of power are displayed in creation and in our own lives as we enjoy the benefits of His grace, forgiveness, and salvation.

But, we’re also to praise Him for who He is in the second part of verse 2: “Praise Him for His excellent greatness.” This is especially evident in the last group of praise psalms. Psalm 145:3 says, “Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom.” Psalm 147:5: “Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit.” When we praise God for who He is, we are recognizing his surpassing greatness, or as the Hebrew indicates, for His “muchness of greatness and abundant magnitude.”

This is a good reminder for us. When we praise Him, we should do it for what He’s done in our lives and we should praise Him simply for who He is.

How We Praise 

As we move to the next section in verses 3-5, we learn How to Praise God. Many of us would be a bit unsettled if we worshipped the way the Israelites did. Their music was loud and boisterous.

Let’s take a look at how they praised: “Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise Him with the harp and lyre, praise Him with tambourine and dancing, praise Him with the strings and flute, praise Him with the clash of cymbals, praise Him with resounding cymbals.”

The Israelites used 3 types of musical instruments ­ wind, string, and percussion ­ and all three are used in this pinnacle of praise in Psalm 150. This list of instruments appears to be in a random order and it’s likely that each one was played when it was mentioned and continued to be heard through the last “Praise the Lord.”

The first one listed is the trumpet - (My instrument!).  This was also referred to as the shophar, or ram’s horn. It was the greatest of the Jewish instruments, and could be heard from a long distance away.

After the blast of the trumpet, verse 3 calls us to “praise Him with the harp and lyre.” We go from an explosive expression of praise to the sweet sound of strings. The harp is mentioned more than any other instrument and was played powerfully by David. Scholars believe that the harp and the lyre were similar in function and design, but the harp was probably larger.

Verse 4 gives us the next instruments of worship ­ the tambourine and dancing. Associated with the deliverance at the Red Sea, this form of praise was jubilant and expressive. Exodus 15:20-21 describes the scene: “Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her, with tambourines and dancing. Miriam sang to them: ‘Sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted. The horse and its rider He has hurled into the sea.’”

The playing of the tambourine was often accompanied with dancing. The Hebrew word for “dance” indicates a “twirl or a twist,” and was done in an attitude of protracted praise and adoration. The hands and the feet were both set in motion and the entire body moved in response to God’s greatness and His mighty acts of power. Are there not periods of life when we are so happy that we could dance for joy? Brothers and sisters, there is enough in our faith to create and justify the highest degree of euphoric delight which breaks forth into melodious movement.

Verse 4 combines the joyful sounds of the tambourine with strings and the flute. Strings refer to instruments similar to the violin or cello. The word “flute” represents the whole class of wind instruments and has been translated “organ” in some Latin translations.

Verse 5 kicks up the volume level: “Praise Him with the clash of cymbals, praise Him with resounding cymbals.” These instruments were used in religious ceremonies and were played by the priests. They made a loud, distinctive sound when banged together. When the walls of Jerusalem were dedicated in Nehemiah 12:27, “…the Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps, and lyres.”

The phrase, “resounding cymbals” can be translated, “the clamor of joy.” I like that. God wants us to clamor with joy.

Who Is To Praise 

Verse 6 pulls it all together, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.” Not merely the priests and Levites, nor just the congregation, but all living creatures are included in the choir of choirs. God has given each of us breath; we’re called now to breathe His praise.

This song begins and ends with the command to praise the Lord. We’re to praise Him everywhere, with every means possible because of His mighty acts, and because of who He is. And, we’re to praise Him with a wide variety of instrumentation and with triumphant expressions of worship. God desires for you and for me to live a lifestyle of spontaneous praise ­ for the best instrument of praise is a man or woman, teenager, or child wholly committed to Him. We are to be a people of praise.

THE GOD WHO DWELLS IN DARKNESS

Then Solomon said, “The Lord has said that he would dwell in thick darkness. (1 Kings 8:12 ESV & 2 Chronicles 6:1)

He bowed the heavens and came down; thick darkness was under his feet. He rode on a cherub and flew; he came swiftly on the wings of the wind. He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him, thick clouds dark with water. (Psalm 18:9-11 ESV)

I number of years ago I heard a sermon that stuck with me. I don't remember the title or main points but theme has been close to my heart over the years - "The God Who Dwells In Darkness."

At first, this seems like a paradox in that it is opposite of everything else in the scripture - that "God is light and dwells in light" (1 Timothy 6:16, etc.).

But this is not the darkness of evil that God dwells in but is the darkness of mystery. At times - God's ways are hidden to us - they are dark. His counsels are unsearchable, His glory is invisible and His ways are not always known or understood by us. And yet, when he reveals Himself - the thick clouds pass away (v.12) and light is shown upon our path and upon our situations.

I can't tell you how many times I felt like the ways of God were dark to me. I would pray and pray and things would now be revealed and situations would not be broken. In fact, it seems that things would just get worse. Then the light came and broke away all the confusion and misunderstanding. With just a word, confidence was restored and comfort was received.

A young woman came up to me after church yesterday crying. I was aware of her situation and the issues that she has been dealing with. For months now she has been in much distress and confusion. But then God showed up during the sermon and filled her with His love and filled her with hope. His ways had been are are still a place of darkness to her but she had a great peace fill her soul that God was going to work it all out in His timing and in His way. Light came.

When I read that God wraps Himself in darkness - I really see that as Him wrapping Himself all around that concerns me. He controls the darkness in my life and He controls the light. He knows what is best and right for me. His mysteries are revealed to me at the right season and at the right time. He makes known how much light and revelation comes my way.

I like what the prophet Micah has to say...

But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me. (Micah 7:7, 8 ESV)

It's in the darkness that I seek God. It's in the darkness that I realize that I can't do it alone and that I need His help and strength. It's in the darkness that I come to know myself and I come to know my God. It's in the darkness I seek for answers and direction for my life.

And I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, Who calls you by your name. (Isaiah 45:3 AMP)

I woke up at 3:30 AM this morning and came into my office to seek The Lord. As I began to seek His face - these thoughts began to flow through my mind and heart about THE GOD WHO DWELLS IN DARKNESS. This blog is for someone today. You are walking through a very dark corridor and barely able to distinguish the light. You wonder if there is an answer out there and you wonder if God really has the answer for your situation. The fact that you are reading this is an indication that you are a seeker of deeper things and want to know the heart of God. You might be sitting in darkness right now but know this - God has heard your cry and is bringing the light of understanding your way. Don't give up and don't despair. God's got this and your life is in the palm of His hands. Trust Him today and He will lead you through to the other side.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:1-6 ESV)