Becoming Restored

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:

¹⁰And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. ¹¹To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 1,2,3,4,5 – Passage Lookup – New International Version – BibleGateway.com

Observation: Everything that this world and this life takes away, God will restore and so much more than we could imagine here will be given to those who are called to His eternal glory.

Application: The last few days I’ve been spending a lot of time in my grandfathers hospital room. I am by his side now as I write this entry.  I’ve had a lot of time with “Pa” and I am grateful for it.  He is not only my grandfather, but he is also a teacher and friend who has inspired me in so many ways that I am sure I would not be what I am or who I am today without his influence.

I can remember the first time I ever thought seriously about being a preacher, Pa told me one day, “If I had been able to get more education, I think I would have been a preacher.”  I saw it from that moment on as a noble thing that if Pa wanted to do that, I should want to do it myself. 

Since I arrived on Saturday, I’ve spent more time alone with Pa than I have in many years.  It’s sad that it takes times of tragedy like this to bring us together and make us really appreciate each other, but I am so glad that I’ve been able to be here, and I plan on staying as much as I can. 

This scripture speaks to me today because it reminds me of something my grandfather’s pastor said as he prayed with us this evening.  “My brother is going through the birthing process.”  And that is exactly what is happening.  What the world sees as death, we are able to look at gloriously as the beginning of new a new life.  Behold, all things are becoming new!  Praise God!

This is a very difficult time for me and my family, and I ask you to remember us in your prayers.  No matter when you read this whether today, tomorrow, next year or whenever, I believe that your prayer will reach across time and touch us now because God works outside of time and across ageless spans.

This time of suffering is as fleeting as a vapor, none of us have more than a breath to go before we are restored by Christ our Lord.  Yes Lord Jesus – come.

Prayer:  God of restoration,

Please grant strength to your servants who are suffering.  Relieve their pain, strengthen their hearts, and comfort their souls.  Please help me to be a kind hand to all who you place in my path so that I may be a reflection of you to the world.

Love Michael

Perseverance

Scripture: James 1:

¹²Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

¹³When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; ¹⁴but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. ¹⁵Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

James 1,2,3,4,5 – Passage Lookup – New International Version – BibleGateway.com

Observation: Life is about being tested, not by God, but by the world, we pass the tests of this life and this world by knowing the answer.  God is the Answer.

Application: When life deals us one of those blows that it so often does we tend to want to look for someone to blame.  God is testing me, or the Devil is tempting me are two common answers.  Really, when we are going through the hard parts of life, that’s just life, God doesn’t intentionally bring calamities upon us.  And please, lets not make the Devil more powerful than he really is, remember he is a defeated enemy!  Christ won that battle for us on Calvary!

Jesus told us that while we were in this life we would face hardships and trouble, but if we have Christ within us, there is nothing that can destroy us.  We may be troubled, but we can not be destroyed, He that is within us is capable of carrying us through because in our weakness His strength is made perfect.

Don’t ask God “Why Me?”  Ask him to strengthen you.  Don’t worry about what the Devil is doing, just live for God and resist him and he has no power over you.  He may roar every now and then, because that’s all he’s able to do, but he is bound by a mighty hand! 

We persevere because we have something that the world doesn’t have.  We have the power of The Creator within us.  Through Him there is nothing we can’t overcome. ¹²Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Prayer: God Almighty,

Thank you for placing your spirit within me and giving me the ability to overcome anything that I may face in this life. Through you, I am whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious and happy.

Love Michael

Strange Messengers

Scripture: Hebrews 13:

¹Keep on loving each other as brothers. ²Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

Hebrews 12,13; Jude – Passage Lookup – New International Version –BibleGateway.com

Observation: Be on the lookout for messages from God.

Application: Attention!  Attention!  Attention!!  God may be sending a messenger to you today.  Be on the lookout for angels.  They may come in the form of a kindly person you meet during your daily routine, or perhaps someone that you have reached out to personally, to help in some way, but they always have a word from God for you!  Listen carefully, because sometimes this word comes not in an audible way, but may be transmitted through emotion, thought, or what some have described in the past as a still small voice.  However the message comes, receive it and act on it immediately!  Do not hesitate and do not doubt the validity of it, just know that God loves you and know that you are blessed. 

An old homeless man was sitting on a box begging for change, holding out his cup to everyone who passed by.  As one stranger went by he held out his cup and asked if he could spare some change.  The stranger looked through his pockets and said, “I’m sorry I have nothing to give you,” then he asked “but what is in that box you’re sitting on?”  “Nothing,” The homeless man answered “it’s just an old box, I’ve been sitting on it all day.”  The stranger said “why don’t you have a look inside?”  The homeless man didn’t want to look inside, he was comfortable sitting on the box, but something about the inquisitive friendly look on the strangers face inspired him to curiosity and he stood up and looked inside the box.  It was filled with treasure – enough to sustain him for the rest of his life and more.

Have you grown comfortable sitting on your box?  Look inside!  You may have something very powerful and valuable closer to you than you realize.  ²Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

Prayer: Father God, creator of all men and of angels.

Help me to recognize your messengers today.  Help me to have ears to hear and eyes to see.

Love Michael

Faith

Scripture: Hebrews 11:

¹Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. ²This is what the ancients were commended for.

³By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

Hebrews 9,10,11 – Passage Lookup – New International Version – BibleGateway.com

Observation: Faith drives the soul and creates the world.

Application:  We have talked before about how the whole scope of Christianity, and any religion for that matter boils down to faith.  Faith is defined as belief in something that is not based on proof.  While I disagree with that definition to some degree, it fits the world.  Proof for the world varies depending upon who your talking to.  Proof for me that God exists is found throughout creation.  Look at the intricacies of life and tell me that they all came together by accident and I’ll tell you that you are deluding yourself. 

The above verses are more familiar to me from the King James version where the translators chose to say it this way – Heb 11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  Faith is shown here in the NIV to be something WE are sure of.  I think that when you look at them both together we get a clearer picture of what real faith is.  YOU have to be sure of what you are hoping for even though you do not see it.

Although faith may be focusing on something that is not physically manifesting itself at this moment in your circumstances, you must go beyond an affirmation, you must go beyond a statement, you must be SURE.  And being sure means you act and move as though it already is.  I’m not telling you that having faith that your finances are going to improve so you go on out and buy that car that you can’t afford right now.  But you can start by believing it is already yours, setting it in your mind that God has made it happen and that God has approved your abundance, or your health, or the salvation of your friends or loved ones.  Because He HAS! 

Remember a few days ago we talked about God calling things that are not as though they are.  This is the ultimate example of faith.  This is how the world is created.  This is how your experience and your personal universe is molded, it is by faith.  When God told Joshua and Caleb to cross over into the promised land He sad –

Jos 1:3  Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.

The land was already theirs, notice he said “that have I given unto you,”  past tense already done.  But they still had to walk out the promise and claim the land as their own, there were still battles to fight and obstacles to overcome.

So don’t let the lie of your circumstances fool you into leaving behind the reality of God’s promise.  Faith makes things real! 

My family and I are financially secure because God wants us to have an abundant life.

My grandpa is going home.

The ministry that God has set me to is fruitful.

You are blessed!

Prayer: God,

I believe – forgive me for my unbelief.

Love Michael

They Will All Know Me

Scripture: Hebrews 8:

¹¹No longer will a man teach his neighbor,
      or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’
   because they will all know me,
      from the least of them to the greatest.
¹²For I will forgive their wickedness
      and will remember their sins no more."^[c]

¹³By calling this covenant "new," he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.

Hebrews 5,6,7,8 – Passage Lookup – New International Version – BibleGateway.com

Observation: In the last Days God will pour his spirit out upon all flesh.

Application: Here is prophecy.  The time is coming when all people will feel the presence of God in a new way.  They may not understand it, and they may not acknowledge it as you our I would have them to, but they will feel it inside nonetheless. In those times our scripture this morning says that “they will all know me from the least of them to the greatest.”

The end of this age is quickly approaching, but it does not mean that there will be nothing after this age.  The dawn of a new age is also approaching.  But the first age must come to an end before the new one can begin.  The new teaching that God is pouring out upon us will make the first one obsolete.

God is trying to tell us something!   Listen.

Prayer: God Almighty,

Help me to listen to your voice and hear what you are teaching me in my heart.

Love Michael

Somebody Watching Me

Scripture: Hebrews 3:

⁴For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.

Philemon; Hebrews 1,2,3,4 – Passage Lookup – New International Version – BibleGateway.com

Observation: God’s eye is always watching us.

Application: The other day I was listening to a quantum physicist speak on the radio about the double slit experiment.  Electrons shot at a wall with two slits behave like a wave, until they are observed and they behave like particles.  The theory he was working with is that we live in a multi-dimensional world which is full of many various potentials which all exist simultaneously together. 

If this is the case, the physicist says, then in various dimensions there are different versions of us.  In some dimensions I have made decisions and actions that led me to be rich and famous, in others, I might find myself homeless living on the streets, and in others there would be countless other potential versions of me living out countless other potential scenarios. 

The difference in how the electrons of the double slit experiment behaved was the observer.  Until observed the electrons exist in multiple locations as different potentials, but when observed the electrons collapse to one single observable measurable potential. Zapping the tiny world of electrons up in scale to include our various potential me theory the inevitable question arises of who decides which of the potential versions of myself is the Real one, the one that I am experiencing? 

This is why I like quantum physicists.  They are constantly dealing with things that they know exist, but still can not put their fingers on.  Who is watching me, and collapsing all of the other potentials into the life that I’m living?  God is watching me.  God is the constant observer.  He is the author and finisher of our faith, our lives, our hope of eternity and all that ever is or ever was.  God is the observer.

Prayer: God who watches me,

Thank you for your love and grace, and thank you for the fact that you care enough to look upon me your creation.  Thank you for loving me so much that you sent Jesus to be my savior and my Lord.

Love Michael

Blessed Departure

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:

⁶For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. ⁷I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸Now 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 1,2,3,4 – Passage Lookup – New International Version – BibleGateway.com

Observation: What a powerful witness it is to see a saint preparing for their departure from this life of pain to receive their reward.

Application: As I read this scripture this morning I can think of no one other than my grandfather, Vance Rockwell.  At this moment he is laying in an ICU unit a hundred and fifty miles away from me and I feel so bad because I’m not there.  He has been my Paul and I have been Timothy. 

My wife’s work prevents her from leaving unless it’s for a funeral, or immediate family emergency because she has used her sick days up this year, and I can’t leave her here very long because we have only one vehicle.  We are waiting for him to come around enough so that he knows we are there to visit him because our time will be limited.  I wonder if Timothy had things he had to set in order before he could make his journey to Paul after receiving this call to visit one last time.

I know my journals have been very short, and maybe not the most insightful or inspiring writings that I have done.  Now you know why.  My mind is not focused here.  I apologize to any who feel that I haven’t given them my best lately.

Please say a prayer for my family and especially for my grandfather Vance.

Prayer: Oh God.

Let me make it home before winter.

Love Michael

Follow Faith

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:

¹¹But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. ¹²Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

1 Timothy 5,6; Titus 1,2,3 – Passage Lookup – New International Version – BibleGateway.com

Observation: Sometimes we have to pursue the good things in life rather than expecting them to be handed to us.

Application:  Paul is giving good instructions here to Timothy.  He tells him to flee from this (stuff which he was talking about in the previous verses) which was being more interested in money than in Godliness. But then he says to pursue, or follow righteousness, godliness, faith, love endurance and gentleness.  So this tells me that these are things we will have to go after sometimes.  They won’t always be right there available to us.  We have to look for, search for, seek and reach out to obtain these things.

I don’t know what you may be lacking in your spiritual life, but whatever it is, you may need to pursue it today.  Actively reach out for more faith, more love, more endurance, more gentleness or righteousness.  All of these things make you more Godly.  You don’t become Godly by sitting around and wishing for it, you don’t become Godly by praying that God will make you that way (although praying is good) you must reach out and pursue Godliness, and pursue your faith. 

Don’t let your faith get away from you.  Pursue it!  Go After it!  Finish the race that God has set you on today.

Prayer: Father,

Help me to continually and fervently pursue godliness and faith.  Forgive me when I fall behind in my race and give me the strength to catch back up and endure.

Love Michael

The Ultimate Patience of Christ

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:

¹⁵Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. ¹⁶But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. ¹⁷Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Timothy 1,2,3,4 – Passage Lookup – New International Version – BibleGateway.com

Observation: I Praise God for his patience and mercy for me.

Application:  I have often felt unworthy to serve God in the capacity which I do.  Who am I to stand before God’s people and teach and preach and speak the words of life?  I am unworthy.  And I am amazed continually that He always allows me patience and guidance, and occasionally a confirmation that I am where He wants me to be. 

Paul may have thought himself to be the worst of sinners, but that is only because he never met me.  I am the fullest repository of the grace of God.  I am not boasting in my imperfection, rather I rue my own weakness.  But as I do this I am filled with thanksgiving because I know that I serve a God of pure love who is patient and kind and longsuffering, who bears all things and never backs down from the challenge of saving a wretched worm such as I.

Prayer: God of unending mercy and grace,

I thank you that your patience is fresh for me each morning.  Please forgive me of my transgressions and lead me into your everlasting peace.  Help me to be obedient in my journey as I walk through the life you have blessed me with in faith and trust of You and Your Son Christ Jesus.

Love Michael

Do It All For Jesus

Scripture: Colossians 3:

¹⁵Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. ¹⁷And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 1,2,3,4 – Passage Lookup – New International Version – BibleGateway.com

Observation:  What a great world we would live in if all of our actions were done with Jesus in mind and in His name.

Application: The Church should be all about making a positive impact on the world around us.  And although many Christians live their lives with this in mind I think there are still far too few of us who spend more time battling against the powers that be than trying to serve our fellow man and walk in love for one another.

We should be creatures of peace, grace and forgiveness because we have experienced these things through Jesus.  If we focus our lives on the true work of Christ, which is bringing people to a closer understanding of God’s love for them, we will find that the battles we have thought were so important are not as big of an obstacle as we at first perceived.  Peace and Love drives out fear and anger, Grace and Forgiveness triumphs over intimidation and might.

For God made the weak things of the world to triumph over the mighty, and the foolish to reign over the wise.  Why?  Why is it that God uses those things that would seem such an uncommon tool against adversity to triumph?  Because through these uncommon victories we are shown that it is not by our own doing that victory is won, but only through the will of the Almighty and his mercy, strength and love that we win the race and reach the goal.

Prayer: Father of Mercy and Peace,

Grant me the strength to do all things with you in mind and in the name of Jesus.  Let me think of my fellow man before I think of my own gain.  Let me think of how I can serve you before I think of how I can help my self.  Grant me your forgiveness and grace, your strength and wisdom and guide me in my life so that I may demonstrate your love to all whom you put me in contact with.

Love Michael