When people are BIG and God is small....

....is actually a title from a book I read a few years ago.

The points Welch describes in his book include:

1. The fear of God is the best treatment for the fear of man.
2. Jesus was not a people-pleaser.
3. Having more fear of man than God is idolatry.
4. When we fear God we think of ourselves less.
5. When we spend more time with God, opinions of ourselves and what others think of us matter less.
6. We should love people more and need them less (only God can truly provide for our needs).
7. We love others because God first loved us.
8. When God is reduced to our feelings, He becomes less awesome to us while people become larger.

 

The "fear of God" may be defined as having a healthy reverence for God - He loves us and does not want us to be so afraid of Him that we are scared of having a personal relationship with Him.  Read the book and be encouraged to be more concerned about what God thinks and less concerned about what other people think!   When we have a healthy view of Who God is, we CAN say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:6)

 

We need to have a God-centered life and not a me-centered life,

 

Many of us view God like we do our earthly fathers.  And, for many of us, this is a huge problem.  Earthly fathers are imperfect, human created beings just like us.  Don't get me wrong, I think I have a pretty great daddy.  However, I have an Awesome Heavenly Father.  At some silly point in my teenage life, I didn't "feel" my earthly daddy loved me.  Because I didn't trust God was Who He said He was, I went my own way in pursuit of physical love to "feel" love.  If you've gone this route, you too, can vouch for the black hole of disappointment and rejection this path leads to.  No matter how good, bad or indifferent the guy was, it was always about me.  The cycle of self-destruction was never-ending.  "Crazy is trying the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results."

 

Until I fully trusted and understood God's love for me was all about God, and have NOTHING to do with me, could I begin to investigate Who God really is.  And, although I still care about people, I am no longer enslaved to the lie that people's opinions of me matter more than God's view of me.

 

What are you afraid of today?

Our fears really do boil down to either fear of man or fear of God.

Or, fear of other created beings, or fear (awe, healthy reverence) of the Creator.

Get to know your Creator.

He is love.

He is righteousness.

He is holy.

He is justice.

He is all knowing.

He is all powerful.

He is ever present.

He is Comforter.

He is Counselor.

He is Price of Peace.

He is Mighty God.

He is infinitely beyond our wildest imaginations...and yet, intimately interested in a one on one relationship wih you (and me!)!

 

I love you all and pray for you daily!

 

PlanetWisdom.com Devotionals

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Go: Be Confident in Him Posted: 23 May 2009 11:05 AM PDT "So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?' " (Hebrews 13:6) I've never jumped out of an airplane before, so this is purely a guess. But I'd suppose there is a difference in the level of confidence felt between a first-timer and veteran jumper. Once they leave the plane, both will display trust in the parachute by pulling the ripcord; what else can they do other than plummet to their deaths? But the newbie will trust the parachute with a thrill of hopeful fear: "Boy, I hope this chute opens! Boy, I hope I don't die!" The experienced jumper will be much more confident that the chute will open and operate exactly the way parachutes usually work. His faith is not mixed with nearly as much fear about what gravity can do to him. What's the confidence level of your faith in God? How convinced are you that the Lord is with you, that He is your helper, that no person can hurt you in any way that will matter in the long run -- because you belong to God forever? How much of your faith is mixed with fear? Let's choose to be confident in Him today and enjoy the ride because He is completely trustworthy. Think: Is it possible for us to have our full faith in God but for our confidence level to waiver from day to day? Have you experienced a growth in your confidence in the Lord as you've seen Him provide for you through more difficult days? Pray: Ask God to help you to become more and more confident that He is with you, helping you, every day. Ask Him to help you to trust Him so much that you become less and less afraid of anything that might hurt you. Do: The writer of this verse had read Psalm 118. Take a minute to do the same thing. Visit PlanetWisdom.com for more great resources!

"...As if they were My cellmates."

I've never been put in jail . . . for my faith in Jesus.

I've never had to visit anyone in jail . . . for their faith in Jesus.

If I really think about it, I've never been persecuted for my faith in Jesus Christ.

 

Today's verse covered in the PW Devotion tell us to "remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." (Hebrews 13:3)
 

For me, it is hard to imagine being in prison or suffering mistreatment for my faith.  And yet, we are told to "remember" those as if we are there and going through what they are going through!  God wouldn't ask us to do something if it was impossible to do.  The PW Devo mentions Voice of the Martyrs.  And, it even provides a link to their site www.persecution.org.   Today's picture is taken from their website.

 

I've read Fox's Book of Martyrs, Jesus Freaks (Vol. 1 & 2) and The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom.  Fox's Book of Martyrs contains accounts of Protestant deaths in the 16th century.  Jesus Freaks (2 volume set) describe Christians throughout history up to the recent past and how they have been persecuted for their faith and died for not rejecting Jesus as their Lord.  Some of the accounts describe in vivid detail how some were boiled alive, eviscerated, burned alive, etc.  Often, when reading the accounts of how these brothers and sisters in Christ died, I would ask myself, "Could I do that? Would I be able to do that?"

 

In Matthew 10, Jesus is sending out His disciples to spread the good news of the Gospel.  Check out what He says...

 

Matthew 10:16-39

(16) "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

(17) Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues,

(18) and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles.

(19) When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.

(20) For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

(21) Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death,

(22) and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

(23) When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

(24) "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.

(25) It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.

(26) "So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.

(27) What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.

(28) And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

29) Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.

(30) But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.

(31) Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

(32) So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven,

(33) but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

(34) "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.

(35) For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

(36) And a person's enemies will be those of his own household.

(37) Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

(38) And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

(39) Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

 

If you love Jesus and follow Him, it will cost you everything.

 

The Hiding Place is the true story of the Ten Boom family who, during the Nazi occupation of The Netherlands, upon seeing what was happening to their Jewish neighbors and friends, asked themselves this age old question "If not us,...who; if not now,...when?" They answered it, ultimately at great cost.

The Ten Booms were devoutly Christian and lived a simple life. The patriarch of the family ran a watch shop that had been in his family for a century. Some of the family members, the author among them, worked there, selling and repairing clocks and watches. They also lived in the house in which the shop was located.

When the Nazis occupied their country, the reality of what it meant slowly dawned upon them, as they saw the treatment given to their fellow Dutch citizens of the Jewish faith. Moved by their plight, the author at the age of fifty, together with other members of her family, including their father who was nearly eighty, became active in the Dutch underground.

When it became clear to the Ten Booms that Jews were being targeted for deportation and death, they had a false wall constructed in the author's bedroom, thereby creating a secret room. There, they would hide the terrified Jews who were staying with them, in the event of a Nazi raid upon their home.

Eventually denounced by someone to the Nazis, the Ten Booms were arrested and their home raided and torn apart by the Gestapo, in their search for the Jews they believed to be hiding there. At the time of the raid, the Ten Boom home was filled to capacity with Jews in hiding. So well concealed was the hidden room that had been created by the erection of the false wall, that these poor, terrified Jews managed to escape detection.

The Ten Boom family did not fare so well. It was upon their arrest that they learned first hand of man's inhumanity to man, and their faith was put to a test that they had never dreamt possible. It was faith, however, that sustained the author in what was to be her darkest hour of deepest despair. To find out what happened to the Ten Booms, read this book. It is the story of an incredible family, who had the courage to put their convictions to the test.

 

One of my favorite quotes from this book is by Bessie Ten Boom,

"There is no pit so deep, that Jesus isn't deeper still."

 

If it helps you put faces with names of the persecuted in other parts of the world so that you can "remember" them and pray for them, check out Vocie of the Martyrs.

 

Remember the persecuted.  Pray for them.  Imagine they are your mother, father, brother, sister, best friend.

Pray they will feel the very real presence of the Lord with them right now....and not feel alone, forgotten or abandoned. 

PlanetWisdom.com Devotionals

Go: Help the Persecuted Posted: 20 May 2009 02:03 PM PDT "Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." (Hebrews 13:3) It's nearly impossible for most of us to imagine having our friends and family members hauled off to prison for believing in Jesus. Sometimes, we feel stung by angry words directed towards Christians, especially over hot-button cultural issues like creation, abortion, and homosexual rights. But the fact is that most of us are free to believe what we like and broadcast it to whomever will listen without fear of any serious penalty. That wasn't the case in all corners of the Roman empire when Hebrews was written -- and it's not the case in many nations around the world today. As then, Christians are being jailed, persecuted, and killed for acknowledging faith in Jesus. You don't have to know someone personally to go and do as today's verse teaches. There are ways for you to remember those in prison for Christ right now and to help the mistreated. A good place to start is persecution.com, a site run by The Voice of the Martyrs. Stop by to read about persecution happening right now and how you might be able to remember and help. Think: In most cultures, there's a lot of shame attached with being sent to prison for any reason -- and a fear that if you try to help imprisoned Christians, you could end up jailed, as well. If you were being seriously mistreated for your belief in Jesus, how would you want other Christians to respond? Pray: Ask God to help those imprisoned around the world for their faith in Christ. Then ask Him to help you know how He'd like you to remember them and maybe even help. Do: If you haven't, yet, click on over to persecution.com and spend a little time getting to know what's going on with the persecuted church around the world. Visit PlanetWisdom.com for more great resources!

Entertaining Strangers (Angels incognito)

The film & television industries haven't done a great job protraying angels in movies and shows.  Numerous plotlines usually invovle: Either angels are angry God has shown more interest in humans and thus are warring with humans for some nefarious reason; or the angels are jealous of humans and do everything possible to make them fail, sin, blaspheme God so angels look, well, more angelic; or....angels are aware of what God really wants from them and go maverick every now and then, trying to get God's attention again; or, an angel decides to "fall" from the presence of God cause they fell in love with a human.  Whichever movie you pick...angels are always misrepresented and in an unbibilical manner.

 

I wonder what we would REALLY do if we knew we were entertaining an angel?

 

And yet, we are to treat all strangers as IF they might be angels.  Some of you might argue that we only need to be nice to men strangers (as all angels in the Bible only appear as men and never women).  Whoa!  Wait a minute...you didn't know that?
 

Let's digress here and do a quick study of Angelology....

 

If you want a thorough study of angels (Angelology), check out www.ariel.org, the Come and See section.  Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum does an excellent study on the Doctrice of the Elect Angels...and you can listen to him talk about it and download his pdf file to follow along.

 

Brief facts about angels. (All of the following is taken directly from Dr. Fruchtenbaum's manuscript).

 

The Bible does teach that angels exist...Angels are mentioned in the Bible 273 times, in 33 of the 66 books of the Bible.  They are mentioned 108 times in 18 books of the Old Testament and 165 times in 15 books of the New Testament.  Jesus Himself clearly taught the existence of anges and referred to them in every Gospel.

 

Angels were created by God (Colossians 1:16).  According to Job 38:4-7, angels were already in existence when Genesis 1:1 took place.  Angels are inferior to Jesus as God (Hebrews 1:4-2:3) and to Jesus' humanity (Hebrews 2:5-8).  However, they are superior to common man because they are higher beings than man (Psalm 8:4-5; Heb. 2:5-7; II Pet. 2:11).  Angles always appeared as young men (Gen. 18:1-2, 16, 22; 19:1-22; Mark 16:5; Luke 24:4; Acts 1:10-11).

 

Nowhere in the Bible do angels appear in the form of women, children, such as cupids, or old men.  (So, although that female angel tree-topper at Christmas is beautiful...it really is unbiblical.)

 

There are four main attributes of angels.  1-Angels are holy (Luke 9:26).  2-Angels are powerful (Psalm 103:20; Matthew 28:2 - able to roll away the stone from the tomb of Jesus, where normally several men would be needed; Acts 5:19 - open prison doors; Acts 12:7 - able to snap off Peter's chains; other verses referring to their powers - Eph. 1:21; 3:10; Col. 1:16; II Thess. 1:7; II Peter 2:11).  3-Angels are immortal (Luke 20:35-36).  4-Angels are not divine, and therefore forbidden to be worshipped (Col. 2:18; Rev. 19:10; 22:8-9).

 

Most lately, one comfort (among many others) to me when my mom died was a specific ministry of angels.  According to Luke 16:22, one of the works, or ministries, of angels in relationship to believers is to carry the soul to its abode in Heaven when a believer dies.

 

You really should go online and download the manuscript to get a full Biblical study about angels.  And, there are other super great Biblically sound studies on all sorts of topics.

 

Let's get back to "entertaining strangers."

 

In Matthew 25, Jesus talks about when He returns and separates the sheep from the goats. The sheep He puts to His right. "Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 'For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.' "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 'And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 'When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' "The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.' (Matthew 25:34-40)

 

Kinda changes your perspective on how Jesus will view what we did while we are on this earth.  And, notice He refers to them as "brothers of Mine."  Again, I think this is another reflection of loving God and loving our brothers and sisters in Christ.  How we treat each other in the body of Christ really matters to God.

 

If we were to demonstrate that kind of dedicated love to each other in the body of Christ...we'd never want to do anything but go to church, fellowship with other Christians and take care of each other.  The body of Christ would be a brilliant beacon in this dark world saying, "Jesus is here!  Come and thirst no more!"  Today, in the church, we sit with a bunch of "strangers."  We are content to recognize faces, maybe make the occasional nice talk...but it ends there.  No wonder the naked, hungry, thirsty, strangers, sick, or imprisoned aren't welcomed into our clean, tidy and sterile sanctuaries. 

 

Rather than bemoan our stagnate state...I have a responsibility to let the change begin with me.  I want to fall in love with God!  Don't you?!

PlanetWisdom.com Devotionals

Go: Entertain Strangers Posted: 19 May 2009 12:37 PM PDT "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." (Hebrews 13:2) You could read this verse in a few different ways, but I don't think the writer was urging Christians to do stand-up comedy routines for strangers in hopes of "entertaining" angels. For most of human history, traveling has been dangerous. Away from home, you never know who to trust. Is the innkeeper a good guy -- or is he working with thieves to ambush his unwary house guests? In that time, especially, Christians could actively show the love of Jesus by offering kindness, hospitality, and protection to travelers. As more and more strangers were given a night's rest and safe passage by Christians, they would take the message far and wide that Christians are people who do good, even for strangers. Traveling has changed, but there are still plenty of strangers in need of help, food, and hospitality. We can continue to make Jesus known by helping in His name those we do not know. Bonus: You might even end up giving a ride, a meal, or a few bucks to an angel. Think: How often has your family or your church participated in entertaining strangers? Has anyone ever helped you in a moment of need, even though he or she did not know you? How can you be ready to wisely (and safely) help out the next stranger that comes your way? Pray: Ask God to help you and your family or church group to be available to offer hospitality to strangers in the name of Jesus. Do: Ask your parents and/or youth leader about any of their experiences offering and/or receiving hospitality to or from strangers. Visit PlanetWisdom.com for more great resources!

Acquainted or Arrested?

In my teenage years (70's and early 80's), surfing was the "thing!"  Skateboarding was an occasional issue...but hitting the beach, and ultimately the waves, was the craze.  I had friends who surfed.  I had posters on my walls of huge waves, surfers surfing and golden Hawaiian and Californian sunsets.  I EVEN wore OP clothes (Ocean Pacific), which was the brand of choice for the surf-going crowd.  I had a wet suit for a while.  And, I could tell you some pretty gnarly stats about surfing.  I frequented the beach (which is the bane of my skin's existence today!), occasionally got in the water and hung out with the surfing crowd.  But you know, I never actually surfed (huge gasp! I know..I know).  I was pretty well acquainted with surfing, but I was NOT arrested by it!  I was content to sit on the sand and ooh! and ahh! at the brave surf-people grabbing their surfboards, paddling like crazy and riding the waves.  I even had my fair share of would-be teachers, but I never even tried.  But, I talked a good game.  Sometimes I'd be asked, "so you surf?" To which I'd reply, "naw, I just know a lot of people who do."

 

On the other hand, I was arrested with scuba diving!  I loved the water (really, it IS true Frank!)....and I still do.  I just need adequate preparation to get INto the water.  I was so eager to scuba dive that I enrolled in a class my senior year in high school.  Three of my friends were supposed to sign up with me (so we'd have a buddy each - which is necessary when scuba diving).  One backed out...but I was NOT to be disuaded.  Even when I was paired up with this geeky looking, Jake Busey look-a-like, I still resolved to get certified in scuba diving.  And let me tell you, that ALMOST dampened my enthusiasm.  I mean, when you have a buddy, you have to go under water together and share a regulator (the apparatus that feeds you oxygen).  This guy had yellow-green teeth...but I was going to LEARN to scuba dive.  He actually turned out to be a nice guy and we enjoyed our scuba-diving experience together!  My other two friends dropped out.  They couldn't handle swimming laps in the pool with weights on.  They couldn't be bothered to memorize all the atmospheric calculations and gas ratios one needs to know.  Did you know 33' is one atmosphere in diving? My first deep sea dive was off of Casino Point in Catalina Island!  I can ACTUALLY scuba dive.  It has been many years since I last dived...but with a quick refresher...I'd be back in the calming, quiet of the vibrant ocean in no time!  One day...Frank and I will get certified together and enjoy the ocean we love!  Hey...MAYbe that would be a great anniversary present.  Hmmmm....

 

Every now and then, on my way to work, I get to hear snippets of Alistair Begg's teaching on KKLA between 8-8:30 a.m.. If you'd like to hear Pastor Begg for yourself, check out www.truthforlife.org and you can download MP3s of his sermons. 

 

Today, Pastor Begg made the following statement, "False teachers are acquainted with the Truth but not arrested by it."

 

Acquainted - (as a verb) "to make more or less familiar, aware, or conversant." (Like I could talk a good game about surfing! But NEVER actually surfed.)

 

Arrested - (as a verb, 2nd usage) "to catch and hold; attract and fix; engage." (Like I was so interested in scuba diving, I enrolled in a class and actually became a scubadiver!)

 

Pastor Begg went on to clairfy what he meant.  Those who are acquainted with the Truth, know just enough to sound like they really know a lot about something.  However, when you try to pin them down and get a solid answer on an issue, they will waffle and deflect or refer to "so and so's teaching on the subject."  In stark comparison, those arrested by the Truth are able to "walk what they talk."  They are eager to talk about what God says, not what their opinion is or some other fella's opinion on the matter.

 

I'm pretty sure if you are arrested by God's Truth, it will be evident in your love for Him and His people.

 

Which is what the PW Devotional is about today (imagine that!?).

 

So, acquainted or arrested?

 

Oh God!  Help me be arrested by Your Truth...today & every day!!! Will you pray that for me?  And, I'll pray that for you.

 

PlanetWisdom.com Devotionals

Go: Love Each Other Posted: 18 May 2009 09:31 AM PDT "Keep on loving each other as brothers." (Hebrews 13:1) Some people measure Christianity as a collection of "don't" statements. Even some Christians seem to think that a relationship with God is mostly about what we do NOT do. By that logic, the best Christian would be the one who never does anything at all. But the writer of Hebrews, after making the case for faith in Jesus as the only way to receive God's grace, ends his long letter with a command cluster of DO statements. His point is that our faith should compel us to take action -- to DO something and not just sit there. This week, we'll look at 7 things Jesus followers can go and do -- because we are Jesus followers. The first is familiar: Keep loving other Christians like brothers. We are family. Real family, God's family, loves with the forgiving, patient, understanding, grace-giving, helping hand, showing up, not letting go love of Jesus. Let's go and do that today. Think: Have you ever been tempted to define your relationship with God by what you do NOT do? Why is a don't list an unhealthy way to measure what it means to follow Jesus? Pray: Ask God to help you to keep on loving other believers as brothers. Do: Make a list of 3 specific ways you could show the love of Jesus to some other Christians this week. Visit PlanetWisdom.com for more great resources!

P.S. Frank, are you reading down here?  Let's get certified to scuba dive! =D

Good Quote

Faith isn't the ability to believe long and far into the misty future. It's simply taking God at His Word and taking the next step. - Joni Erickson Tada -

Soul Fuel 05.18.09 - Your Life Trek

This was too good not to pass along to all of y'all!

 

Are you to easily please in this life? Read on!

Your Life Trek Do you remember the first time you were punished by your parents? I'm sure I was scolded, put in time out, or threatened with a potential meeting between Mr. Belt and my posterior as a toddler...but there was one day that will live in my mind forever. I don't remember what I did - but I do remember being grounded from the TV for a few days. Not a big deal, until 4 pm on Friday came. Yep, that's when the re-runs for Star Trek came on. This was the sacred and most anticipated time of my week, and here I was, forbidden to beam up and boldly go where no man had gone before. Unacceptable. So I snuck into a parental free room, turned on the tube, and before we even made it past the opening credits, I was more busted than a Sci-Fi geek at a football practice. But did that stop me in the future? Of course not - for Sci-Fi geek I became, and especially in terms of a Star Trek Superfan. Kirk, Spock, and the gang became role models, and a world with warp drives, time travel, and transporters sometimes made more sense than the real world. And just when I thought the Star Trek adventures were headed to the final frontier, the story bursts back into our culture with the phasers way set to fun. The Star Trek film is invading movie theaters and eating up ticket sales like a giant black hole. This is a good thing...not only because one of the coolest (in a chic geek kinda way) franchises in entertainment history has been successfully rebooted, but also because I hope you learn the same lesson from Star Trek that I did: Dream big. In other words, don't skate through life on the path of least resistance, and don't take mediocrity for an answer to your future. Yes, I realize Star Trek is fantasy, but the inspiration for us in the real world is to burst free from the cultural gravitational pull that tells us to settle and set our sights low for life. The Enterprise was built and new lives and civilizations were discovered because our future characters decided to pursue life with excellence and seek to leave a mark on history. Interestingly enough, this is the very picture of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. There is nothing remotely close to a boring and unfulfilling life in God's plan for His followers, which is why the Bible is spattered with incredible promises like these: For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him (1 Corinthians 2:9). The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life (John 10:10). Sound boring to you? Absolutely not! In fact, I can't imagine it being possible to live an adventurous and excellent life apart from a relationship with Jesus Christ and dedicating your destiny to bringing Him honor and glory. And yet we try. We swallow the deception and misdirection of the world which tries to make you believe that money and pleasure are the keys to contentment and fulfillment. C.S. Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia, put it best: Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered to us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased. - C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory How about you? Are you 'far too easily pleased'? If so, take a lesson and download some inspiration from the fantasy world of Star Trek and the absolute reality of God's word. Set your life course to do something great for God's glory, and I promise you'll boldly go where you've never gone before!   When you get past the small talk with most folks, you soon realize that if we were really truthful with ourselves, there is a pervasive and widespread feeling of boredom and a lifestyle of mediocrity in our culture. As Christians, we should live life with such passion and excellence that people are drawn to ask why we are different. As well, it is quite possible that your friends and family who don't know Jesus think following Him is just a matter of going to heaven. This week, show people your passion for Jesus Christ, and pass along the good news that eternal life also has a day to day impact on this life.   Declare his glory among the nations,his marvelous deeds among all peoples (Psalm 96:3). So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (Corinthians 10:31). For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing (2 Timothy 4:6-8).

Donate Now to help support Soul Fuel! Leaders and concerned adults! Be sure to check out the ALT-ernative Discussion Questions for Your Life Trek. Interested in a Dare 2 Share Conference near you? Visit www.dare2share.org/blaze to learn more. © 2009 Dare 2 Share Ministries

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Pleasure Forever & Will NOT Abandon

Over the weekend from Planet Wisdom Devotionals!

 

Is your refuge in the Creator of the Universe or in the finite things you can accomplish?

 

Have a GREAT Monday!

 

PlanetWisdom.com Devotionals

Pleasure Forever Posted: 17 May 2009 07:30 PM PDT "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." (Psalm 16:11) How important is heaven to you? I've got a good friend who is dying, and he knows it. He has always been a joyful guy, and he might be even more so today. He's convinced of the reality of heaven -- that God will fill him with joy and eternal pleasure in His presence forever. I get why heaven is important to people who are forced by leaky life to deal with the reality of death. But I also know many believers who hold on to heaven like a consolation prize. They're not all that excited about the experience; they're still putting a big chuck of hope in fulfilling their dreams in this life. It's hard to blame ourselves for feeling that way; heaven is a tough place to imagine -- and our desires for good things here are so powerful. Ultimately, though, we're built to be with God. Nothing good He gives us in the life will even come close to matching the eternal pleasures and endless joy of heaven. Good days here are fine gifts from our good God. But the good days there -- with Him -- are the point of it all. Think: How often do you think about heaven? Would you say that you're looking forward to it? Do you expect that being with God will be the ultimate experience, the moment when everything missing will finally be complete? Pray: Thank God for the hopeful certainty of heaven for all who are in Christ. Ask Him to help your anticipation for being with Him there to build. Do: Read Colossians 3:1-4. Visit PlanetWisdom.com for more great resources!

Will Not Abandon Posted: 17 May 2009 07:12 PM PDT "Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay." (Psalm 16:9-10) Today's passage is true on three levels: 1) While writing this, David was likely in some kind of danger. But he rejected anxiety because he was convinced God would save him. He chose to sleep soundly, trusting God to keep him safe and sound in spite of his scary circumstances. He was even happy and singing! 2) Both Peter and Paul quote these verses in the book of Acts (Acts 2:25-28 and 13:35-37), and both show how David's words pointed ahead to his descendent, Jesus, the ultimate Holy One. They explained that David's words rightly predicted that Jesus would not rot away in a tomb, but come back to life instead. 3) All Christians can claim these words, in a sense. We may die physically, but God will not let death keep us rotting in the ground, either. As His saints, His "holy ones," we will be resurrected, too, just as He was. (See 1 Corinthians 15:22.) Think: Does knowing that God is with you in hard times -- and that He will ultimately keep you safe forever -- help you to have a glad heart and happy tongue? Why or why not? Pray: Thank God that He was able to keep David safe, that He raised Jesus back to life, and that He has given you eternal life, as well. Ask Him to help you to be happy about that. Do: If you haven't, yet, read how Peter explained these verses in Acts 2 on the day of Pentecost. Visit PlanetWisdom.com for more great resources!

If YoU aRe On ThE fRiNgE oF bEiNg LoSt, BoLdY gO wHeRe No MaN hAs GoNe BeFoRe...

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:13-17)

I haven't watched Fringe in a while, but I did see the latest Star Trek installment and caught up with LOST last night (thanks to TIVO).  Okay, WHAT is going on in LOST???!!!!  Not even Frank was willing to postulate too much about what waits for us in about 9 months (yes, Losties...Lost won't be back until January 2010!).  I can't wait for Jenna to get back and freak out (as I freak out all over again) over the season Finale. =D

 

I am surrounded by much better people (ahem, Bill, Henry, Frank & Debbie) who can theorize and discuss with great depth the issues of time travel, time space continuum (sp?) and the idea of cosmic "do overs."  And they call that Science Fiction!?  I call that Fantasy.  Stepping outside of time, manipulating it and folding it to achieve your devious or altruistic plan is ultimate Fantasy to me.  Hey, it's MY opinion.

 

Unless you put God into the equation.  Then all bets are off and the idea that God is outside of time is mind blowing to me on my best ginko biloba day (which isn't today)!

 

These veins of thought inevitably end up discussing presdestination, foreknowledge, etc.  And, I don't want to dismiss these important topics so lightly...but I have to.  We could get caught up for days, weeks, months and maybe even years debating these issues.  I do find it incredibly fascinating God gives us these intricate brains to somehow even grasp the concept of arguing (er, um, debating) over these topics.

 

All of these debates have to begin and end with God.

 

He is the Creator.

 

He spoke everything into existence, so He knows how it all ticks and spins and moves inside and outside of time.  God knew us, planned us and ordained all of our days. Check out Psalms 139:11-17....

 

If I say, "Surely the darkness will overwhelm me,

and the light around me will be night,"

even the darkness is not dark to You,

and the night is as bright as the day.

Darkness and light are alike to You.

For You formed my inward parts;

You wove me in my mother's womb.

I will give thanks to You,

for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

wonderful are Your works,

and my soul knows it very well.

My frame was not hidden from You,

when I was made in secret,

and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;

Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;

and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me,

when as yet there was not one of them.

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!

How vast is the sum of them!

 

I do love what David says in Psalm 16 (mentioned in today's PW devotional):

 

A Mikhtam of David.

Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in You.

I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good besides You."

As for the saints who are in the earth, they are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight.

The sorrows of those who have bartered for another god will be multiplied;

I shall not pour out their drink offerings of blood,

nor will I take their names upon my lips.

The LORD is the portion of my inheritance and my cup;

You support my lot.

The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;

indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.

I will bless the LORD who has counseled me; indeed, my mind instructs me in the night.

I have set the LORD continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely.

For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.

You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy;

in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

(Psalms 16:1-11)

 

PlanetWisdom.com Devotionals

J.J. Abrams and the God of Time Posted: 14 May 2009 10:15 AM PDT "LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance." (Psalm 16:5-6) Your pop culture philosophy teacher for this last week has been Mr. J.J. Abrams. If you have attended any of his classes -- the "Star Trek" movie, the season finale of "Lost," even a recent episode of "Fringe" -- you may have noticed that he wants you to think really hard about time travel. More specifically, he wants you to wrestle with the ages old debates about whether our paths are predetermined or whether we might be able to change our destiny. It's a fun bone to chew on, but it's also one that leaves us asking some difficult personal questions. If could go back and change my past, would I? Is my "present reality" good enough? What is good? Should I accept things as they are or make every effort in my power to change my reality? If I had unlimited free will and unlimited power to change everything, would I make it better -- or far worse? And, finally, what does any of this have to do with Psalm 16? Only this: David said to the one true God: "You are the only source of good things in my life. I will choose to be content with whatever you give me today -- to enjoy it, even -- and to look forward to all the good things you'll give me forever." Whatever the answer to all those sticky questions, David focused in this psalm on tuning his heart to God's goodness -- and left the past, present, and future up to his powerful, loving, trustworthy Father. Think: Tell yourself the truth: Are you willing to trust God with how our life turns out today, with the good things you do and don't end up with? Do you think you are a source of good; do you think you could create more good things in the universe if you could change the past, the present, or the future? Pray: Thank God for what He has provided for you today, for your lot in life right in this moment. Ask Him to help you to trust Him to provide exactly what you need -- and much much more -- tomorrow and forever. Do: Read Hebrews 13:4-6 and think about what sexual purity, contentment, and the love of money have to do with trusting the God of time. Visit PlanetWisdom.com for more great resources!

The Joy of Quiet

Sorry I missed Youth Group last night!  I didn't intend to.  I came home with a migraine-ish headache and immediately went to sleep.  Frank came home and gently tried to rouse me...but I guess I wasn't rousable (word?) so he mercifully left me sleeping.  I heard good things about Youth Group, however!

 

I love quiet!

 

Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has wrought desolations in the earth. He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire. "Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah. (Psalms 46:8-11)

 

Nestled in these scriptures is my favorite verse: Psalm 46:10 - "Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."  Translated, the first part of this verse emphasizes this: Stop what you are doing...be still...quit flapping around like a bird with clipped wings (he.he.he..)...AND experience and understand that God is God.  God is Who He says He is.  Look at the whole set of verses.  The Psalmist invites us to witness the works of the LORD.  Great and Mighty is our God!

 

One of my favorite songs is by Stephen Curtis Chapman, "Be Still."  Here are the words for you to reflect upon:

 

Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is holy
Be still, O restless soul of mine
Bow before the Prince of peace
Let the noise and clamor cease
Be still

Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is faithful
Consider all that he has done
Stand in awe and be amazed
And know that He will never change
Be still

Be Still, and know that He is God
Be Still, and know that He is God
Be Still, and know that He is God

Be Still; Be speechless

Be still and know that he is God
Be still and know he is our Father
Come rest your head upon his breast
Listen to the rhythm of his unfailing heart of love
Beating for His little ones
Calling each of us to come
Be still, Be still
 

If you've never sat and listened to this song a few times, I highly recommend you do so today.  Go to ITunes and download it.

 

Like the author in the PW Devotion today, some of you have a problem with being quiet...still...silent...noiseless.  And, if you've never spent a whole hour in prayer, silent, before the Creator of the universe...with the God who loves you, it can been quite challenging.  You still should try!

 

Unplug from your technological life...go find a quiet place (not your bedroom) and be still before the Lord.  Let me know what happens.  Okay, you might fall asleep...or you might get distracted by a bird flying by (what is it with these bird references these past two days!?)...or your mom or dad or sibling or whomever, may interrupt you wanting to know what you are doing!?  That's okay.  Keep trying. 

 

Go be still with the Lord!

 

PlanetWisdom.com Devotionals

Peace Week 2!: Who Wants Quiet? Posted: 09 May 2009 02:12 PM PDT "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." (1 Timothy 2:1-2) These two verses are bursting with big ideas worth talking about, but I want to focus on just one of them. Why does Paul want us to pray for those in authority over us? So we can live peaceful and quiet lives . . . in all godliness and holiness. This verse bothered me for a long time. I didn't want to live a peaceful and quiet life. I wanted to live a life of noisy excitement, great adventure, and action-packed thrill rides. What I learned, though, is that you don't grow very deep in godliness and holiness on the action-packed days. You might grow faith in the storm when all you can do it trust God to get you through -- but you're more likely to grow holiness in the stillness. It takes some peace and quiet to know more fully the God we serve. I don't know any longtime Christians who don't have enough action in their lives. But the ones who have embraced the quiet moments with the Father seem a lot stronger when life gets noisy again. Think: Which appeals to you more today, action or quiet? How can you make the most of peace and quiet, in terms of getting to know God better? Do you have a plan for the peaceful days -- or do you try to fill them with more noise? Pray: Pray for the people in authority in your life to do their jobs well in order to provide you with some peace and quiet in which to practice godliness and holiness. Do: Find a whole hour sometime this week in which you do nothing but sit -- awake! -- without any music, TV, Internet, cell phone, or anything else. Use the hour to talk to God about anything and everything -- and otherwise to just sit. Visit PlanetWisdom.com for more great resources!

Just Hit Me Between the Eyes!!! =D

Okay, if this PW devo doesn't get to you...then...then...maybe you are more mature in Christ than me! =D

 

[If you want to bypass my verbose reflection about this devotional...you can page down and get to the PW Devotional! You even have my blessing & permission to do so!!]

 

Not to brag (okay, I'm gonna)...but Frank and I have a really good relationship.  We can talk about anything, anytime, anywhere.  And, we do.  Frank definitely has the gift of faith.  I definitely do NOT have the gift of faith.  God's pretty awesome to work that one out for us.  However, I believe God is allowing me to experience His supernatural hand in my life lately, and is definitely making me wonder if I may have the gift of faith sometimes too! =D

 

The Old Me....

 

A few years into our marriage...our financial situation became unstable (to put it mildly).  Some of you know the gory details and the rest of you will be saved from the tome I could write on our experiences (be thankful).  I USED to get really upset with Frank when he didn't freak out about financial problems we were experiencing.  I now know he was just as concerned, just as upset and just as freaked out as I was...he just has this magical secret (or so I thought) on how to deal with it and not let it bother him.

 

Although, even early in our marriage, we were good communicators...we didn't talk too much about our financial dilemmas.  We had this cause and effect relationship going on: I'd freak out, spin out of orbit and articulate all kinds of strange word-pairings to express my extreme displeasure about our situation (think crazy, large vocabulary enhanced parrot attempting to fly around the room with clipped wings...and you'll get a great image of me).  Go ahead laugh.  The image is pretty funny.  What ISN'T so funny is the amused look on Frank's face, directed at me, when I was flopping around the room freaking out!

 

You know, just once, I wanted to see him flop around the room and act like he was really bothered by all of the junk we were going through.  Thankfully, God gave me Frank and knew I needed his calm, quiet, trusting, faithbased reaction to the storms we weathered in our marriage.

 

Sidebar here.  My sister used to have cockatiels as pets.  She had this really cool one named Sunshine.  This bird was so sweet, gentle and would pick at your teeth for you (if one were inclined to need the services of a toothpick and be at a loss for one).  I think it used to talk too...and bark like our poodle...and other now cute (but then annoying) sounds.  I seem to recall her relating a story about Sunshine getting out and she had to capture the flighty bird (ar.ar.ar...) in a coat closet.  I guess the bird tangled with some wire hangers and dislocated (?) a wing.

 

All that flopping around doesn't solve anything...and can actually do damage (see sidebar above).

 

What used to send me through the roof was when Frank would calmly reply, "it doesn't do any good to get all upset.  We will get through this.  It will be okay."  Other times he'd remind me how much God had taken care of us so far.  Mr. Faith was all pollyanna and the glass half full!

 

What God says....

 

Actually, Frank's reactions were quite Biblical.  As mentioned in today's verse from PW's Devotion.

 

Be anxious[don't worry] for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication [humble prayer] with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:6-9) [emphasis mine]

 

And, my normal reactions, were quite unbiblical and wrong.

 

The New Me (all Praise goes to God!)...

 

I can happily report I don't fly around the room [as much] anymore!  God has, in His supreme knowlege of me, given me plenty of opportunities to learn this lesson and seek to trust Him first in each circumstance.

 

Just like yesterday.

 

Some criminally minded individual cloned my bank check card.  I can plot on a map the joyride he/she took from the Ohio/Missouri border to New Mexico.  This person probably would have gone further (and probably did, but not on my dime anymore) had I not called my bank and alerted them to the "I cannot be in two places at once" scenario and had them cancel my checkcard.  In a few days, I'll get back the $649+change stolen from my account.  Normally, the old me would have gone ballistic over this.

 

And, I did feel a little violated.

 

It was creepy.

 

After I left the Police Station, where I had to file a report, I did stop and thank God, even for this.

 

I had peace.

 

For whatever reason, God allowed this to happen...

to me...

right now...

for my good.  

 

I'd like to make you believe that I've got this lesson down.

 

I'd like to convince you that I'll never fly off the handle again.

 

I can guarantee you, when my total focus is on Jesus...I won't fly off the handle.

 

However, if you see me flying off the handle about something...you have my permission to ask me where's my focus?

 

My prayer is it will be a long time, if ever, when you have to ask me that question!

 

How about you?

 

What are you freaking out about today that God has completely under control? 
 

PlanetWisdom.com Devotionals

Peace Week 2!: Stop Freaking Out Posted: 07 May 2009 11:31 AM PDT "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7) Rejoice. Dial it down. Look for Him. Stop freaking out. Tell Him what you want. Say thanks for what you've got. Wait for the peace. Think about better things. That collection of very short imperative sentences (commands) has changed my life. It is the path to peace of mind in Jesus. v. 4: Push your mental joy button because Jesus is Lord. Repeat. v. 5: Avoid extreme reactions. Remember He's coming back. v. 6: Reject your own anxiety. Tell God what you would like to see happen (and trust Him to decide if it will or not). Remember that He likes to give you good things -- and say thanks for some of the obvious ones. v. 7: Wait for the peace that doesn't make sense to show up with the guard that keeps it it from falling out again. v. 8: Have the bouncer in brain check your thoughts at the door: Is it true? Is it positive? Then let it in. Otherwise, get out. Think: If you struggle with anxiety, look for which of these things you might be missing. It's not a magic formula; it's how we're meant to trust God. And trusting God is the key to having peace. Think about a specific way you could practice each item. Pray: Ask God to help you to obey these commands and to find that peace that transcends all understanding. Do: Write that first paragraph of short sentences on a card or a sticky note along with the reference, Philippians 4:4-8. Put it somewhere you're likely to find it the next time you feel like you've lost your peace of mind. Visit PlanetWisdom.com for more great resources!

P.S. What do you think?  Should we get a cocktiel as a pet??? 

It Happens So Quickly!

A few years (or more) ago, I had this quick conversation with "Minnie Starshine." (Okay, names have been changed to...make it more interesting!) =D 

 

Without realizing it, I had crushed Minnie into a million little pieces.  She was uber upset with me.  And the ripple affect of that upsettedness extended to her family, some friends and complete strangers (who probably still refer to me to this day as "Mud Lady").

 

A days passed and super wise Jedi Master asked me to consider apologizing to Minnie Starshine.  Jedi explained to me the huge ripple affect of my conversation and how it might cause some people to stumble away from church, God, etc.  I felt pretty lousy.  I promised to pray about it and "do the right thing."

 

I have to confess...I didn't feel I had done anything wrong.  I was asked a question and I gave an answer.  I was caught a little off guard by the question, so I am sure I didn't measure my words carefully when blurting out my response.  As I dwelt upon the conversation and the gentle request of Jedi Master...I began to get defensive and, in all honesty, I sinned because I got angry.  I even polled an unrelated party about the conversation to gain support for my side.  What had been a simple situation to remedy with prayer, a phone call to apologize and seeking peace, had turned into a sin-fest on my part!

 

This verse from today's PW devotional instantly reminded me of the above scenario.  Instead of pleasing God and pursuing peace with Minnie Starshine...I let the sin of pride rear it's ugly head in my life.  I really wrestled with calling this person and apologizing for an uninteded hurt to her.  See what pride can do???

 

After a day or so of fuming, defensive thinking and wallowing in the sin of pride...I remembered my promise to "pray about" the situation.  I couldn't really pray until I confessed my sin to God.  Honestly, I had to ask God to help me make that phone call!  Even though I KNEW it was the right thing to do...I still didn't want to do it.  Me, a created being...thought I knew more than God (the Creator) and was pretty sure the phone call wouldn't help anyway.

 

But it really wasn't about the phone call anymore.  It was about this verse!  "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."  Minnie Starshine was never going to call me and explain how I had hurt her.  I had to make the phone call.  And, I did.  In my heart, I genuinely cared about listening to Minnie and trying to make whatever was wrong between us right.  I apologized, she forgave me and I had peace once again.

 

All sin evaporates peace in our lives.  However, I think the sin of pride really stands at the head of the class when it comes to thwarting peace!  How many times do we close our hearts...our minds...our spirit to submitting to God or someone He has brought into our lives to point out an area we need to rethink, work on or change?  Think about it!  It is our pride.  We think we know better...have learned it all and can't be taught anything more...we think no one understands...we think our situation is so unique to us, not one other person has ever gone through this.  We get defensive.  We get argumentative.  We lose our peace....our relationships...and we alienate ourselves from the Body of Christ and God.

 

And, it is completely pointless.  When we submit to God in every area of our lives, we find perfect peace.

 

Another time, I received wise counsel from my friend Debbie (real name).  In a situation, even though I was absolutely right, she counseled me to "fall on my sword."  Take the hit to, hopefully, save the relationship...keep the doors of communication open...be the bigger sister in Christ.  Be at peace with that person.

 

With whom do you need to "if it is possible, as far as it depends on you" be at peace?

 

PlanetWisdom.com Devotionals

Peace Week 2!: What's Your Part? Posted: 06 May 2009 02:52 PM PDT "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." (Romans 12:18) I like that God knows that we live in the real world. He doesn't hand out impossible commands and then sit back to laugh at us when we inevitably fail. God gives us loving commands that He knows are for our good -- and then He helps His children to succeed in following after Jesus. Today's verse is a perfect example. Built into it is the understanding that some people will just absolutely refuse to be at peace with us. God knows that I can't control you. If you have declared yourself my enemy, I can't force you to change that -- and He doesn't expect me to. On the other hand, this command sets the bar really high for us. If we follow it, it means we never get to be the reason someone isn't at peace with us. We must own our part of the conflict, even if our part is only 5 percent, and try to make it right. If the other guy (or girl) is willing to make peace, God-obeyers say "yes." Every time. We are the peacemakers. Think: Have you ever tried hard to make peace with someone who just would not forgive you or accept you? How often are you the reason a conflict remains unresolved? Pray: Ask God to help you to make peace with as many people in your life as possible. Do: If you have any outstanding conflicts, call, text, or talk to someone who might not be okay with you in attempt to own up to your part and make peace. Visit PlanetWisdom.com for more great resources!