Empty Space

Deep within the human heart there is an empty space unrecognizable by many. It is a hunger for something more and can never be satisfied with small things--emptiness on the prowl looking for fulfillment and looking in all the wrong places. The temptation is to mask the emptiness with temporary stuff, cover the hole with fun and momentary pleasure.  In spite of all our efforts, nothing in this world can fill the place made for God.  Religion cannot fill the emptiness within us. Jesus came to fill that empty place in our lives.  He alone offers a living presence. We were made for relationship.  Jesus did not come to start a new religion but a personal relationship.  He came to the manger so He could come to you. “For unto you is born a Savior who is Christ the Lord” There is a manger deep within all of us and it beckons the Savior.  It can never be satisfied with straw. jfs

Sad, Sad,

That is the feeling in my heart for all the families who lost loved ones in the senseless killings in Conn.  The temptation is to give lectures about right and wrong but that is not the need, the need is for compassion and love.  I can only imagine the pain these families are feeling, and I pray for them.  Evil is a terrible monster and those who deny that evil exist only serve it.  Blame is a natural outcome but let’s make sure we blame the cause not the symptom.  Our world seems to prefer dealing with symptoms over causes and with that approach nothing is resolved.  Jesus is all about causes and He took dead aim at the real issue, the human heart.  There is right and wrong and the human heart is fertile ground for wrong.  What we all need today is a change of heart and that is just what Jesus offers all of us.  Jesus is our hope, our only hope. Jfs`

2Ch 12:14 And he did evil, because he did not prepare his heart to seek the LORD.

Worth Thinking About

“YOU WERE MADE BY GOD AND FOR GOD

AND UNTIL YOU UNDERSTAND THAT,

LIFE WILL NEVER MAKE SENSE.”

A friend from India sent me the above statement.

How many times have we all broken something because we were not using it the way it was intended to be used.  I once damaged my automobile because I forced it to pull more weight than it was made to pull.  Sin is a heavy load and we were not made for it.   We were made for purity and holiness.  A Holy God could not create an unholy person.  Sin corrupts us, binds us and blinds us. Sad how many have lost their way under the heavy load of sin.  Pulling the heavy weight of sin, life becomes meaningless and empty.  Jesus offers both forgiveness and cleansing.  Come home to your maker and life will make sense even when the road is bumpy.  jfs

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."  Matthew 11:28-30

Prophetic Word

It is a good time to remember the power of the Prophetic Word.  I do not propose that I understand all the Bible says about the future but I do insist that what the Holy Spirit has prophesied will come to pass. But we must not take refuge in the “whatever will be will be” philosophy. We must be responsible and vote and as Christians we should always vote Kingdom values. Separating your Christian values from your political values is not acceptable.

Mr 13:2 And Jesus answered and said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down."  Did it happen? You bet. They even dug up the foundation.  You say, “What is the point”?  It is this--whatever God has spoken about the future will come to pass. Where is America in it all?  I am not sure, but I am sure that we cannot prop up walls that God says are coming down.  If America is not punished for her sins it will be a big surprise to me. It is not that God delights in clobbering us but when we have asked Him to stay out of our lives He respects our power of choice.  When He removes His blessing and protection the enemy will bring the misery.  We are all responsible for our choices and at times we suffer from the choices of others.

Joh 17:12 "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.” “That the Scripture might be fulfilled” is a statement we would do well to remember in these difficult days.  My prayer is, “Your kingdom come your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” amen Lord! jfs

 

WORDS

1 Thessalonians 4:18  says, "Therefore comfort one another with these words."

What kind of words does it take to comfort you?  Oh the power of words, choose them carefully, once spoken they can never be erased. Their power can last a lifetime, they can become an emotional prison, a fence keeping us from freedom, barbed wire of the soul entangleing us in lies spoken without thought.  Words can lift, give hope, encourage and give us a reason to hold on.  Your tongue has great power, use it for good. jfs

 "He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit."  1 Peter 3:10

His Perspective

We are all confronted with situations over which we have no control.  They can be frustrating and painful.  I am living with such at the present.  My heart is troubled because I care.  I have a life investment, but at this time I can do nothing about the situation but watch and pray.  My prayer is, Lord help me see this the way you see it.  Lord, I can accept your view.  I join with you embracing your plan in this situation.  At this time I am not sure what His plan is but whatever it is that is where I take my stand.  Jesus used a powerful word as He prayed in the garden, “nevertheless” and it separates  our plan from His plan.  It is alright to have our plans as long as we keep “nevertheless” on the table.  Our hearts living the “nevertheless” may take us down an unexpected path but in the end it will lead home.  The “nevertheless” prayer prayed from our hearts is always heard by our Father. Jfs

Mr 14:36 And He said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will."

Ro 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Defining Love

The love of God expresses itself through sacrifice and opens the door to redemption.  The love Hollywood portrays expresses itself in selfishness and ends in pain and separation.  God’s love is always compatible with His Holiness. Jfs

(1 John 4:7-8) Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.  (NKJV)