Remember the story of Mary and Martha playing host to Jesus in their home (Luke 10)? While Martha worked hard at being the perfect hostess, Mary chose to sit at the feet of Jesus and held onto every word He spoke and took it to heart. Martha became agitated at Mary for this because she was the only one “working”. But let’s take a different perspective of the story and see why Mary chose the “good part” (Luke 10:42)

I believe she discovered the truth of while abiding in God’s presence, God speaks to us. But how do we continually abide in the presence of God? How do I, personally,  take Him with me every single day?

When we spend time in the presence of God, and just listen to Him speak to us you’ll begin to see His character coming through in our attitudes, the way we think about things, the way we respond to others, and the way we handle situations all together. When Christ is made Savior of our lives, we are transformed, and because of that transformation, we’re given the ability to take Him with us everywhere we go.

Sometimes I believe we can get so busy “doing” church that we neglect our prayer lives, personal study, spending with with Him etc. When we get in God’s presence and hear His voice, inspiration, creativity and service can flow. But first we have to get to Him, and walk with Him daily, before we have this outflow.

God longs to have this kind of fellowship with us. Imagine the creator of the universe wants to spend time and have a relationship with us. But sometimes we feel so unworthy that we hide from Him. There are times, we feel like we have no time to spend time with Him because we are so busy. I believe God wants us to get rid of our hindrances and do away with our excuses and just talk to Him.

Here lately I feel God has been talking to me about “abiding in His presence”. I need to learn to put this into practice daily, because like many of us, I tend to allow other things to take priority in my life and time.

Let’s make the decision today, together, to spend this day and every day abiding in God’s presence – no matter how we feel. I believe in my heart we’d see a great difference in our lives!!!

I was just listening to the song, “No Longer Slaves” on my phone and the words in the chorus really spoke to my heart. They say, “I’m no longer a slave to fear, I am a Child of God.” What a great lyric! What a GREAT reminder!!

Fear is like that stubborn weed in your yard that takes root and grows out of control until it finally takes over your entire yard. If we continually let fear control or manipulate us, it will eventually overtake you. It will literally just take over, suffocating us and choke out all hope, peace and joy. It will grip your heart and fill your mind so that we can no longer function the way God intended.

The more we dwell on what we’re afraid of, the more power we give whatever “it” is. And the more “it” has, the more it becomes bigger than life, almost as Goliath in the bible, and all-consuming. To overcome fear, we have to give everything over to God and live from a heart and attitude full of praise. When we offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, fear begins to lift—because as Psalm 22:3 tells us, “God inhabits the praises of His people!”. The more we thank God and praise Him, the less grip, the less hold fear will have over our lives. It is forced to let go and loosen up its grip.

God is the only one who can help us out of the hold fear has on us. Trust Him, God is always with us. We are reminded again in I Corinthians 15:57 that we are already victorious through our relationship with Christ.

I shared this one time with the Youth Group:

Have you ever caught yourself saying something completely out of the blue?

I was reading a devotion talking about a guy who was talking with a group of friends and instead of nodding in agreement or saying “I agree with that” out of nowhere the man shouted, “Boom!” The look on their faces was probably the look you have right now after reading that.

“Did he just say boom?”

The man went on to say, “I had no idea where it came from. It’s not a response I’d usually make, so I brushed it off and moved on. Until later that same evening, I did it again! Then again and again!!”

A few weeks later the man was talking to a guy he works with, and when he said something he agreed with, he yelled out, “Boom!” Suddenly, the lightbulb went off in his head. His coworker is the reason he keeps saying boom to everything. He had rubbed off on him and he didn’t even realize it!

That story is silly, but it’s an example of a real biblical principle.

Who you surround yourself with will influence who you are more than you can imagine.

Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”

Here’s my question for you today. What are you being sharpened toward? Are you being sharpened toward the things of God, or are you being sharpened toward the world?

There is an old saying, perhaps maybe you’ve even heard it that says, “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future”?

Your friends are influencing who you are today and who you will be tomorrow.

You are being sharpened, and you are sharpening others. This is why it’s vital that your closest friendships are with other believers. When one of us is going through a hard time, we can pray for and come alongside each other in the fight. When someone is going through a great time, we can celebrate with each other instead of being competitive or jealous like the world is.

I encourage you to ask the Lord, “How am I being sharpened?” If you need Christian friends, ask Him to guide you and connect you with people.

Maybe He’s asking you to lead and be the one who is sharpening others toward the things of God. Allow Him to speak and you will be sharpened in your faith and experience all God has for you.

“BOOM!”

Prayer: “Father, how am I being sharpened? My desire is to know You more so please bless my friendships that we could be people who encourage one another to grow and be closer to You. Thank You for leading me and guiding me. I trust You with my friendships. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

The most recent excavation work revealed caves that have narrow passages leading to a group of rooms. In one cave alone the path led into a room 165 feet high with pools of water that a person could drink from.

It was to this area that David fled when he was being pursued by King Saul (1 Samuel 24). In this wilderness he found caves that provided perfect hiding places.

David was able to draw on these experiences when he thought about God, his “hiding place.” God provided security and safety for David. When he experienced fear, he could find safety in His presence. He could find peace and rest. He was reassured that all would be well.

That’s exactly what God offers to us. He offers an escape from all the dangers and chaos of life (Thank You Lord!). He offers us a place of refuge where we can find peace and feel secure. A place where we can pray and get God’s direction and perspective. Where we can be renewed by His Spirit.

Do you feel discouraged today? Perhaps overwhelmed? Do you seem to be plagued by problems? Weak and weary? Unsure what to do? These are opportunities to turn to God. To get alone with Him and seek Him in prayer. To lay everything else aside and focus on Him. To sit and wait in His presence. To rest in Him.

Make Him your hiding place today.

“But seek (aim at and strive after) ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and all these things (what you’ll eat, drink or wear) shall be unto.” – Matthew 6:33 (KJV)

As I was listening to Coach Bennett Wednesday night as he gave our devotional, he reminded me through God’s Word, that the secret to a happy and successful life is putting God first…in EVERYTHING!  

How often or how many times do you try and take care of everything in the area of finances, or dealing with every difficult circumstance that comes our way, long before we look to God for His guidance and help?

If you’re like me you hate to admit it, but there are times we try to work out everything because we “know”  God is busy with everyone else’s problems and so we don’t want to bother Him with our little request. How many times in the Bible do we read where God says, “Call on Me”? You may be asking, “How will we ever make it through this, with everything going on around us?  How will ever get all these bills paid? God reminds us in this verse, “seek first His kingdom”.

It’s in putting God first in everything and seeking His righteousness – “His way of doing things and doing them right the first time.” Look at His promise, “All these things shall be added unto you.”

Many have found when we put God first, all the hard, difficult things we’re facing, start to come together in such a way that you know, “only God could do that!”  God does answer our prayers and will intervene, as long as, we honor Him and put Him first. Now it may not always be the way you saw it happening in your plans but it’s ALWAYS right on time and what we needed to happen!

So, if you are facing a real struggle right now, give it over to God. Choose today to “seek first His kingdom”.  Put God first and watch Him take care of everything.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Ephesians 4:8 (KJV)

If we would just apply this verse to everything in our lives, what a difference it would make. There are so many unholy, unlovely and impure things in this world. It’s all around us. So it is so important that we don’t allow ourselves to dwell on the things that are contrary to the Word of God, so we don’t get caught up in those things we have no business even entertaining. We need to dwell on what is pure and lovely. And God’s word is the place to start.

We can also dwell on negative thinking towards others or ourselves and replace those thoughts with positive thoughts. Think life giving thoughts. You may be a product of our upbringing, but you don’t have to stay that way. God can bring about change in the way we think and in the way we live our lives. His word is truth, and Christ promises that truth will set us free and we will be free indeed!! As we dwell on what is true, pure, lovely, kind and gracious – it will transform us!

Think on these things!

Whatsoever is true, honest, lovely and praise Him for His goodness!!
Let those things transform your mind!

Have you ever just sat and watched a group of kids play? It seems like they just go and go and never run out of energy. I was asked one time, “Wouldn’t you like to have that much energy?” My reply got a laugh, “No, I hurt myself with it!” After watching those kids, it’s hard to imagine them ever growing tired. They seem to have an endless amount of energy and have only two speeds: fast and faster!

When you try to put them to bed or take a nap, they’ll deny they’re even tired and have no need for rest. But just as soon as their heads hit the pillows, they’re out like a light.

From time to time, we have to be reminded that we also need to take time to rest and know our limits. Try going a day without a Coke, Dr. Pepper or coffee, or a night without sleep. It’s hard! But why? The answer is simple, every one of us need times of refreshment and rest.  

The same thing is true not only physically but also in our spiritual walks. No one walks around not needing rest. Although oftentimes, we don’t always go to the right sources of rest, we’re always looking some type of magical Youthful Spring that we can jump into so that we never run on empty or grow tired.

The verses of Isaiah 40:30-31 remind us that those that wait on the Lord, in other words, who look to Him for refreshing or allow Him to restore their souls, find that His supply is never empty, His sufficiency never runs dry. Young or old, rich or poor, sick or healthy — God is able to supply our needs, not just for a moment, but over and over throughout our lives.

Go to Him for rest !

“And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

⁷ But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.” – Mark 16:6-7

Do you ever feel a need for a second chance? On that first Easter morning, Peter did. He needed a second chance. It was there in the Upper Room, he had insisted that he would never deny Christ, no matter the cost, no matter the pressure. But Jesus had told Peter it would happen. And not only did he deny the Lord, but Peter denied Him three times. The last glimpse Peter had of Jesus before Jesus was crucified was in the glow of the fire in the high priest’s courtyard, where he actually made eye contact with Jesus. And then he went out and wept bitterly.

What kind of look do you think Jesus gave Peter when their eyes met? Do you think it was one of those “I-told-you-so looks?” Do you think it was one of anger, as if to say, “How could you betray Me?” I don’t believe it was either one. I believe it was a look of love, a look of compassion that said, “I still love you, Peter.” And I believe that is why Peter went out and wept bitterly. He had failed the Lord so miserably. He probably thought there was no hope for him.

But then a message went out from the empty tomb that Jesus had risen!!  That message was followed by these instructions, “Go, tell my disciples—and Peter. . . .” It was not, “Go tell the disciples, including Peter, James, and John. . . .” It was just Peter, because Peter needed a special word of encouragement.

Do you need encouragement today? Maybe life seems to have let you down. Maybe you’ve been in a valley for quite some time. You may feel you have fallen short. You didn’t plan on it, but it did happen. And like Peter, maybe you ended up with the wrong people in the wrong place at the wrong time, ultimately doing the wrong thing.

God gave Peter a second chance that day. And He will give you one, too—because He is loving, patient and a God of the second chance!

anLooking back, I have to say I have been truly blessed. I have a great family who supports me and is always there for me. I have been blessed with some of the greatest friends anyone could ask for, and I get to Pastor the most amazing church!

 The one thing I think I am missing, is a good memory. I say this, because I often forget how blessed I am; I forget how fortunate I am to have the friends that I do, and an amazing church family in my life. I forget, that I didn’t do anything to deserve salvation, but God thought I was worth saving, and He gave His only Begotten Son for me!

I think this is something that we all forget. We look at our lives and see what we are missing, instead of what we have. We look so far down the road, that we miss the blessings that are right in front of us.

One of the biggest problems we seem to have is this: we are never satisfied. We always want more. More money, more power, more influence, perhaps a bigger house or a more ‘normal’ family. There are a lot of things we want in life, there’s a lot of things that we just “have to have”, and those things keep our focus.

And of course, this misguided focus, is most often the very thing that hurts and destroys relationships. Think about Adam and Eve. They had everything anyone could have wanted; they had each other, they had a garden full of fruits and vegetables, they were the rulers of all beasts, and they had one of the closest relationships with God.

But for Adam and Eve, that wasn’t enough. They wanted more! Instead of looking around at the beautiful garden, and how blessed they were, they wanted something they couldn’t have; the forbidden fruit.

And because they pursued that desire, they lost nearly everything. By focusing on their desires, instead of their relationship with God, they destroyed it.

Christmas is a great time to reflect on the blessings we have received, it is a to be satisfied; a time for us to appreciate and cherish the gifts God has given us. The salvation provided to us through His son Jesus Christ, the personal relationship we have with Him, our families and friends, and the many other blessings we have received.

This season, be thankful for His Presence, and not just the presents!

When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! Isn’t this the carpenter? – Mark 6:2-3a