It's not you...

Well, yes it is you, and it's me too.

Especially when it comes to a relationship with God.  It's always you (me)!  God doesn't move, doesn't change, and doesn't withdraw.

When we feel distant from God, or unloved by God, or anything different than a loving relationship, it's always us that has moved.

The serenity of this is that all we have to do is go back.

God is right where we left Him.

Especially When I Can't

For the past several months I've been having a rather negative discussion with God.  I've been venting my frustrations and doubts and found myself at a dead end for an answer for my questions.

Just when I thought this was the way my relationship was going to be, part of the message at church was about our shortcomings and how we feel inadequate.

Jon Weece put this graphic up:

I am not ___________________ enough.  You can fill in the blank with your own adjectives.  I used several...good, smart, righteous....

He also spoke of the first interaction between God and Moses.  When God told Moses to go speak to Pharaoh and Moses asked God how to say who was sending him.  God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'"

Whatever inadequacy or weakness I am feeling, God covers the gap for me.

What I(we) think                         What God says
I'm not smart enough                         I AM
I'm not good enough                          I AM
I'm not forgivable                             I AM

It just doesn't matter what we think, God's grace fills, covers, protects, adds, and does everything we can't.  Especially when we can't.

www.southland.church 

The Power of Heaven's Promise

As I consider my mortality, I wondered about my rewards in heaven.  I've heard that the greater the works we do as Christians, the greater the rewards.  I don't take issue with that. 

My wondering, inquisitive natures makes me wonder if our rewards are based on our purpose on earth.  The reason I say that is that while on earth, we may never know the impact on a life, that impacts another, that impacts another....  Whether you know your purpose here or not, it's imperative to keep following Jesus and do what you are called to do.  I know my calling.  I only say this because it let's me know that what I do for my calling is God's purpose for me and whatever He has planned is well beyond my earthly comprehension.

Much like the thief on the cross next to Jesus, should we not just consider ourselves blessed to go to heaven based on the grace of God?  

Whatever my rewards are in heaven, I'm elated that I will be there and celebrate that!

How do you remember?

I had the pleasure of attending a men's conference at my church over the weekend (southlandchristian.org)  and one of the speakers was talking about a man he met on death row.  The man had been on death row for many years.  During this time he became an in-house prison minister and led hundreds of men to Christ.  When the time was drawing near for the execution, the inmate stated that he hoped that he would be remembered for anything but his worst day.

How do you remember people?  Particularly those closest to you.  Do you remember their failures over their victories?

Choose today to remember people for their victories and see how it changes you.

Eureka!

I finally had a breakthrough in my walk with God.  I've been praying for certain things to be made better and what I had hit me this morning is that I need to let God make me better and focus more of my life on Him.  The other "stuff" of life that drags me around will take care of itself.