Hearing the Word

Oswald Chambers says,  "Do not pare down the Word of God to suit your understanding.  Never drag the Word of God down to anybody's understanding. Keep digging into the Word until it drives all laziness out of your life and you are willing to face what the Bible says about your condition.
God grant that we will learn to comprehend what the Word of God says about our need, rather than trying to make the Word accommodate our limited understanding."

 2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousnes

Church

Our Lord did not birth His Church so we would have a place to go but a place to belong.  jfs

"Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually."  1 Cor 12:27

Take Away the Stone

“Take away the stone,” the words of Jesus recorded in John 11:39.  And what was behind the stone?-- DEATH, our great enemy.  Lazarus was beyond human help.  When we have done all we can do and given up hope we often roll a stone over the problem and walk away feeling hopeless.  My marriage is over, the relationship is broken the situation is impossible and so as far as we are concerned it is time to roll the stone over the issue, and then Jesus shows up and challenges us to “take away the stone.” Our human perspective ask, why?  It is too late, it is over, it is hopeless, there is nothing anyone can do.  But Jesus is not just anyone.  He created the universe.  “And he is before all things, and in Him all things consist.”  When He shows up you can take away the stone because what is impossible with man is possible with God.  I dare you, go ahead and do what He says and you will discover He is indeed LORD. jfs

Living Forward

I am thankful for many good memories of the past. God has been so good to me, but I am determined not to live my life looking in the rear view mirror. As a senior it would be easy to think it is all over. I can’t do the things I once did like water ski, fly my personal plane to the beach and land on it and picnic with my wife and children, flights for the American Red Cross on beautiful sunny days, seeing clouds from all sides and poking holes in them with the surprise of what is on the other side, trips to Canada fishing with my family, a flight to Colorado to see the Rockies, my son John and I riding our bicycles to the pink church and inventing our own game of bicycle tag, a trip to the mountains on a motorcycle with Mary. It has been quite a do list and much of it has been done. My prayer is: “Oh Lord, don’t let me focus on where I have been but where I am going.” Some people live with a “done” list but I choose to live with a “to do” list. I want to teach in Haiti at 80, I want to live the rest of my life with one lady, sweet Mary. I know the best is yet to come. I will see Jesus and all the heroes of the past. I want to learn to play a musical instrument. I want to explore the universe. I want to fly a jet. That might happen during the millennial reign. We still have family gatherings but not like the one we are going to have in the future. There is just no reason to live life looking in the rear view mirror. I will not back into my future. I will continue to be thankful for where I have been, but the joy comes when I focus on where I am going. jfs

1Co 2:9 But as it is written: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."

Take You Daddy

“Take you daddy” is not good English but the phrase warms my heart. It came from asking my children, “Do you want daddy to take you?” The memory of little arms reaching for me while saying, “Take you daddy take you daddy” still lingers in my mind and heart. We all need a place to run from this bullying world. Lately I have found myself saying, “Take you Daddy take you Daddy.” In Daddy’s arms things look different. The big bad political wolf turns into a teddy bear. The troubled world looks more like a fight in the sand box. I would like to remind you that Daddy is in charge and in your scary moments join me as we cry out, “take you Daddy.” Jfs


Isa 40:10 Behold, the Lord GOD shall come with a strong hand, And His arm shall rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him.

Isa 40:11 He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.

Gnats and Camels

It is 5:09 and I have been awake sense 3:00 praying for people I love and problems I can’t solve, a marriage I can’t fix, a grandson who is not attending church services, church members who want things done their way--people who have lost their focus on what is most important.  Why can’t people just love Jesus and do what is right?  Jesus spoke of people who, “strain at gnats and swallow camels,”--people who are focused on the wrong things overlooking the important issues and controlled by the little stuff.   Could this be why there are so many unhappy people?  Who wouldn’t be miserable with a belly full of camels?  Camel bellyache--a common spiritual sickness with a simple cure.  “This is my command that you love one another.”  Jesus

Decisions

Decisions!!!  they are unavoidable.  Some people are better at decision making than others.  I am not so good.  Decisions have consequences and that is what makes it a serious matter to me.  I have had to live with some bad decisions and that is not fun.  My son asked me  how we can know the will of God and I gave him my simple answer.  You must get your wanter fixed first.  To get the will of God we must first desire it.  I have come to believe that if you really "WANT" the will of God you will get it.  Some people want God to preview His will so they can see if they like it or not.  I have never found it with that method.  Most of the time His will is revealed through a process of surrender and obedience.  We must come to Him with a blank sheet of paper and let Him fill in the page.  The big question is,  in your heart of hearts, do you want the will of God for your life?  Live your life with your spiritual eyes and ears open and I believe you can know the will of God. jfs
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.  Pr 3:5-6