Burdens gone

Yesterday I had a back adjustment and massage. I always forget how bad my back gets until it gets back to normal.
Isn't it weird that we will just cope with pain and discomfort? We allow it to become a part of our lives. Instead of dealing with our problems we adjust to them.

Then one day we wake up comfortable with our sin. We allow the enemy a foothold and then a stronghold. As a result we bear heavy burdens we were not made to carry. This could result in back pain, it could result in a dry spiritual life. It could steal your joy, or it could render your ministry ineffective.

What can we do? Fight back! Scripture says, "strongholds of the enemy are defeated by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony."  Pray against agreement with sin and share God's victories in your life. When Jesus died, conquered death and came back on the third day, he took all our burdens with him.

WWY = strong without burdens

New Day

Today is a day of change. It marks the end of an era in my little family's life. Etta starts her new job today, working for the first time since she was pregnant. Azariah spends an entire day being watched by our friend and not by his mom. As the man of the family my role changes, and my daily routines change. Add all that up to the sunshine and beautiful day in Nashville.
One conclusion God is good! Praise the Lord of heaven and earth!

It is in days like today that i can take comfort that our God is a constant God. He is our rock and foundation when everything around us changes. I know that He works through everything for the good of those who love Him. So i can trust Him with anything, because i know His intentions for me.

WWY = warm with you

Johnny Alive

Remember John the baptist, or John the baptizer? Im sure you do. But do you remember what the angel of God said to Zechariah his father, in promising his birth?

"You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mothers womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before them in the spirit and power of Elijah,  to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared." -Luke 1:14-17

I could write a book on this passage its so rich. This is one of those epic moments in the bible, when ever an angel shows up its epic.

One thing I will point out is, he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mothers womb. First of all, that can happen? Before the spirit came on pentacost? Awesome.
Second, this is another case against abortion. God is alive in a child still unborn. Wow.

Praise the Lord!!!

WWY = Alive in you

Why were you looking for me?

If you read the gospels the first thing Jesus says as a flesh and blood man, that is recorded. Is, "why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Fathers house?"

Now the context is this, Mary and Joseph were a part of a caravan with family and friends, they went to the temple for Passover and Jesus stayed behind without them knowing. They thought he was with them. Luke tells us Jesus was 12 yrs old here. I don't have a son that old but I do know people that have a nack for getting left behind. 

Ok, now the awesome meaning in the seemingly simple story. The Passover celebrates when God delivered Israel from Egypt. When the angel of death "passed over" the doors who were covered by the blood. The Angel went in to kill the firstborn if the blood was not on your door. You remember the plagues.

Something I learned recently while reading the book of Leviticus is, "the first born if the womb is holy to the Lord."

Remember when Jesus was born, and Herod decreed all the baby boys to be killed, it was the same thing for Moses in Egypt.

Could it be that on Passover Jesus was spending time with his Father and remembering those who were holy to the them, that were just babies.

Right before Jesus spoke in this story, Mary says this: "Son why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress?"

father, Father. Catch that?
Let's go to the Fathers house.

WWY scale = weak without the Father

Leviticus 26:3-13

Pop open your bible and read this fresh vs from the OT.

God gives this beautiful promise for obedience. The language is that of action, keep His commands and "do" them. Some times we think obedience is just not doing what we know is wrong. When really God wants us to "do"them not just keep.

God promises success at the work of your hands, being well fed, peace, your enemies run from you, and He himself will be with you.
Can you think of anything else we could need? What a good God. Bless you Father Son and Holy Ghost!!!

Sacrafice busy

Give it up,  make a stop doing list, subtract something from your schedule.

When you find your self without the busy excuse. Your heart can rest, your mind can think.

You can do this thing called living.

Most of us can think of something we don't need to be doing. Take that away and give that time to God as a gift. Its the least we can do to show appreciation for the gift of Jesus.

Spend time with the gift giver.

WWY = time for You

Starbucks lines

For some reason waiting in line for a White mocha doesn't irritate impatience. When ever I go it makes me relax. Having been on the other side of the counter for years, I know what it takes to bring a line down.

Starbucks gives a feeling like home, or coming home, and everything seems simple here.

Why is it that we can't have patience for the things in life that matter?

If we really trust God, we need to be patiently waiting on Him.

WWY = Waiting with You