Generation Next

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you,

persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven,

for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Matthew 5:1-12 NIV

I am privileged to know many fine young adults who are deeply in love with Jesus Christ. Many are living a life of trust, obedience and self sacrifice as they serve Jesus Christ. I am blessed when I meet young people who love the Lord and make every effort to live godly lives. It gives me great joy when I see members of the next generation serving God and passing their torch of faith on to others, especially their children.

However, I am troubled when I meet people, especially young adults who seem to be totally uninterested in God. Some attempt to be neutral regarding spiritual matters. It seems that they are adopting the world’s views on spiritual matters and are becoming more and more tolerant of sin. This next generation is bombarded by so many distractions. There appears to be a selfish falling away from God because of a false set of beliefs. These beliefs come straight from the lies of Satan. This type of thinking is found in every generation; however it seems that with each new generation faith is becoming less and less important.

Some people don’t believe in God. Others believe in God but their need for God has been pushed back into a corner as they wait for a more suitable time. Some people profess to know God but are not interested in walking daily in a personal relationship with God.

Oh that everyone would understand the teachings of Jesus! Everyone needs to know that we are blessed when we know we have a need of God and when we choose to walk with him, because if we do, we will have a home in heaven.

When believers mourn the sin in this world God promises to comfort us and when we show compassion toward others, we are told that we will inherit the earth.

Jesus teaches that those who hunger and thirst after God and his ways will be filled.

We are blessed individuals when we show mercy to others because God will then show mercy to us.

The Bible says that blessed are those who continue to examine their hearts before God and allow him to create within them a clean heart and right spirit, for they will see God.

Happy are those people who are peacemakers, because they will be called the sons and daughters of God.

If you find that you are persecuted because you obey God and live in a way that honors God, know that the kingdom of heaven is yours.

If people insult you, say false things about you because you are a precious child of God, you have reason to be happy. This type of opposition is a sure sign that you must be doing something right. God promises that the kingdom of God will be your reward in heaven because you stand for him and his truth.

However, many people do not understand the teachings of Jesus. They do not understand that the formula for eternal happiness and joy is based on accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and then aligning their life with the teachings of Jesus found in Matthew 5:1-12.

I for one am saddened by lukewarm Christians. It seems that the faith of every generation gets weaker and weaker. I pray that “generation next” will wake up and realize they are being lulled to sleep by Satan. Good Christian families have taught their children the way they should go, but still these parents seem to be loosing the battle regarding their children embracing Jesus and faithfully following him. The lure of the world is far more appealing to “generation next” than pursuing an active and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Grandparents are realizing that their grandchildren are next to clueless about the things of God. Grandchildren are learning from their parents that the world and all it seemingly has to offer is becoming far more attractive to “generation next-next” than Jesus Christ.

Many individuals have plans to get their spiritual life together when everything else is in place. They are convinced that they do not have time for religion or a relationship with God. There is so much to do. If something has to go it is God. Because God is not in their face like their boss, their spouse, and their children, they stuff him to the bottom of their life. You see, God calls individuals to follow him, however, he does not demand obedience. At least not yet!

Many people in the next generation believe in God but do not live their life in obedience to God. Many have made a confession of faith but lack a relationship with Jesus Christ. Most feel an urgency to get ahead on earth instead of planning for eternity. Others boycott church attendance because they believe churches are filled with hypocrites instead of believing that that church is the perfect place for a hypocrite so they can receive help for their eternal soul.

Others worry about money instead of learning to trust God for their provision. Many have a selfish love for money. Their greed keeps them from giving to God or others. People also hunger for self gratification, success and power, instead of cultivating a desire to glorify God. Many have a huge quest for knowledge but no interest in God’s Word which is full of wisdom and knowledge.

Some people are all about fun and parties but have no need to fellowship with believers who, believe it or not, have been known to have fun and enjoy life. There also seems to be a loathing for government, but there is no acknowledgement regarding the fact that the corruption of government is a direct result of ignoring God’s laws and his commands.

Many disregard marriage and sanctity of life instead of embracing what God teaches as a pattern for godly living and that every life is to be valued as precious. Many believe that things will get better here on earth, when in fact the inhabitants of this planet are on a downward spiral and that decline is because most people do not have respect or love for their Creator and his creation.

Some believe that good people go to heaven rather than believing that it is only saved people that go to heaven. A great many people believe that there is a heaven but no hell, when actually hell is a very real place. Others believe that Jesus is coming again but do not believe that it may be in their lifetime, when in fact it may very well be in their lifetime.

Many believe that they have plenty of time to get their spiritual life together when they get older, finish having fun, finish their education, get married, get their nest egg established, get their children in elementary school, high school, and out of college! Yet, these same people are completely ignorant of the fact that we are living in the last dispensation of time before Jesus returns. Every day that passes places us one day closer to Jesus’ return. Time IS of the essence!

Some believers do not believe that they may be required to experience any type of tribulation. However, many believers may be asked to do some very unethical things in order to survive the demands of the government and those who do not comply with those demands will be persecuted. Most of “generation next” see no need to read and study God’s Word. Therefore, they will be found unequipped to face this type of temptation, pressure, and perhaps even persecution.

People continue to ignore the fact that now is the time to do their homework in the school of faith. Knowing what God’s Word says is so important. It is the Word of God that will equip all of us so that we may not be found lacking our time of need. We are told to hide God’s Word in our heart so we might not sin against him.

Some members of “generation next” have a false belief that the faith of their parents will sustain them in their times of need. The truth is that everyone needs his or her own grip on faith. After the death of their believing parents they will be left empty handed with nothing to pass on to their children because the flame of faith has been extinguished in their own hearts. Many children and grandchildren take for granted the prayers of their godly parents and grandparents, when in fact it is because of those prayers that God is merciful to them and continues to call them to come to him and be in a loving relationship with him. They lack understanding that a relationship with Jesus Christ is far better than anything that the world has to offer.

The next generation, as well as all people must believe that nothing is more important in this life than their relationship with Jesus Christ. All believers and non-believers must sit up and take note, this life matters! What we do here on this earth will affect the quality of life we have now as well as in eternity. Believers will not only have a home in heaven but in addition, they will be judged on how well they lived their life on earth and this will affect their eternal reward. Hearing Jesus Christ say, “Well done” will not have anything to do with your salvation but it has everything to do with how well you lived your life on this earth.

If you know the Lord, keep praying for those who don’t know him. Pray also for those who do know him, but are choosing to love their sin more than they love God. Pray expectantly for God to show up in the lives of those who need to choose him over this world. God’s Holy Spirit is able to convict. He is able to draw people to him in many ways. God is able to orchestrate the life of the one you are praying for. Ask him to put people in their path that will influence them for Jesus. Pray that God will create within them a curiosity for his Word. Pray that God would remove the scales from their eyes and that he will give them understanding of the Scriptures. Keep praying! Do not grow weary in doing the good work of prayer. Our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, our brothers, sisters, cousins, nieces and nephews, and our friend’s children are blessed because many people are praying for them. The people we pray for continue to be spared, protected and called because we pray! God is always faithful to us. It is important that we remain faithful to him all our days! Blessed are those whose God is the Lord. Blessed are those who pray! Praying is of eternal significance. God’s power is released when Christians pray. We may never see the answer to our prayers but that does not mean that those prayers were ineffective. Because we continue to pray God will continue to work long after we leave this world. Our prayers will out live us!

I am so thankful for those of “Generation Next” who are walking in a deep personal relationship with Jesus Christ. If you are one of those believers I want to encourage you to continually raise the bar in your own spiritual life as you learn from God’s Word. Remember, Jesus taught us that those who are poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, those who are merciful and pure in heart, those who are peacemakers, and those who are persecuted for his sake are promised much! Continue to take the risk to love God with all your heart. It is the path of happiness in this life and in the life to come. Also, pray for and share with others of your generation what God has done in your life and how you love walking with Jesus Christ. Share with them the peace and joy that you are experiencing now and your hope for eternity. God bless you for your faithfulness to the One who loves you lavishly!

Questions:

How would you describe your current relationship with God?
Where do you think you need to be?
What keeps you from pursuing a deep relationship with God?
Do you think that ignoring God will be worth it in the end?
If you are a believer, are you praying for “generation next”?
How can you to prepare yourself, your family, and your friends for what might prove to be difficult days ahead?

Prayer:

Dear God,

My heart continues to be heavy for “generation next” and for all people who do not know you. I pray for those who are lukewarm in their faith. For those who are trying to live with one foot on earth and the other foot in heaven. Father, I pray for those who are seemingly not convicted of the sin in their life. I pray they will become convicted of the fact that they no longer hear the voice of your conviction. I especially pray for those who were raised in Christian homes yet have walked away from their faith. Call them back. Draw them near. Create a need for you in their life. Put believers in their path to influence them, speak to them as only you can Lord. I pray for all believers to raise the bar in their own life as a means of preparedness for difficult days that may lie ahead. I pray that we all would hide your Word in our hearts so we will not sin against you. God you are loving, merciful, and compassionate. Because of your loving character you continue to delay your return because it is not your will that any should perish. Father, I also know someday soon you will return and your mercy and compassion for those who are not walking with you will end and those who are not walking with you will be left without excuse. Father, prepare all of us for the days ahead. Thank you for your promies for those who walk with you in daily faithfulness.

In your Son’s name I pray. Amen.

Change Me From The Inside Out

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may
receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Hebrews 4:16 NIV

I spent the first thirty something years of my life trying to please God and I was going about it from the outside in. In my early-thirties and forties I begin to learn that God wanted to change me from the inside out.

I put a lot of effort into trying to be good, do church work, and have good “Christian” habits. I saw religion and life as having many rules to keep as a means of gaining God’s favor. I became a rule keeper. As a result, I became very judgmental of others who I believed were not keeping the rules!

Over the years I became increasingly fearful of breaking a rule myself and then dying and waking up in hell. There was no joy in my spirit. Did I love God? I believe I did. However, I didn’t spend much time learning about him or his ways because I was very busy doing church work and trying to keep the rules. Judging others also took up a good bit of my time. I was not a joyful Christian.

I so wanted to be perfect for God, but down deep in my spirit I know that I was pathetically imperfect! I was so in need of understanding the grace of my Savior. I took pride in the fact that I was a pretty good person but still I worried that I was not good enough to make it to heaven. My desire was to please God perfectly, rather than walk daily in an imperfect personal relationship with him.

I didn’t go to the garden of my heart much during those years. I felt the pull but lacked the desire. Then God gently spoke the words, “I have more for you than this”. I begin to wonder what it was that God had for me. I was still fearfully and franticly trying to serve God. One day I was listening to a sermon and this amazing scripture came into my heart. “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 NIV

Next God gave me a second scripture, “…let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:22-23 NIV

Wow! What I heard now was that I did not have to fear meeting God. He welcomed me into his presence. He said come to my throne it is a throne of grace. I learned that grace meant that I deserved to die because of my sin and imperfection, but God sent his Son to take my place on the cross. Jesus Christ bore the sin of the entire world. He was the only One who could appease the Father through the shedding of his blood so that I could be redeemed. God’s Word teaches that Jesus was able to do this because he was perfect. I knew without a doubt that I was not. I was lucky if I got home from church without blowing it! This amazing grace was sounding sweeter all the time. So through this scripture I came to realize that God says, “Come dear daughter, do not be afraid.” Come with confidence because you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. You have been cleansed. What I have for you now is nothing but mercy and grace. Come and receive it in your time of need.

God says, “Paula, I am happy when you serve me but serving me is not what allows you to stand before me unafraid.” So now draw near. I see your sincere heart, so come in full assurance believing that your heart has already been sprinkled with the blood of Jesus and you are cleansed from sin. I want you to stop second guessing your position before me. Enough of the trembling knees, the sweaty palms, and the thumping heart. Be at peace my child. Your entire body has been washed clean with pure water. Your clothing of filthy rags has been covered by my precious Son’s blood. You are free to sing and dance. You are free to express your joy. No more doubt. I want you to hold unswervingly to the hope that you profess. Do you know my child why you can do this? It is because I the Lord your God have given you this promise and I am faithful.

From that moment on I released all of my doubt, knowing full well that God keeps his promises! I am eternally his and he is mine. You see, that day God changed me from the inside out. My heart was washed clean, my thinking was set straight, my heart was overflowing with joy, and my mind was experiencing His perfect peace. Did I walk perfectly? No. Did I walk confidently? Yes!

Questions:

Have you ever struggled with your standing before God?
Do you ever doubt your salvation?
What part of the above verses fit you?
Are there any parts that do not fit?
If you have been washed clean by the blood of Jesus should you fear standing before him?

God’s forgiveness is free but he does ask that we show our love and gratitude to him by being obedient. Our salvation is never taken from us. It is a free gift. We are sealed for eternity. But God’s peace and joy are only present in our life when we obey his commands. As believers we ARE accountable to God for our behavior. Every day we must ask God to search our hearts and reveal sinful behavior and attitudes that are in need of being forgiven and changed. God has forgiven and saved us from the sin that we were born with. Still, as a believer, we must continue to confess to God our sinfulness.

We are dust. We are NOT perfect people. However, God continues to forgive and sanctify us every day when we ask him for his hand of forgiveness. On any given day I find myself experiencing sinful attitudes, words, deeds, and responses. When I confess my lack of trust and my lack of obedience, God graciously forgives me over and over again. Be honest, none of us do all of those things perfectly!

Sinful responses are the warts of imperfection that have attached themselves to the surface of my heart. They are not mistakes, they are sinful behavior. I must confess that behavior to God. God has forgiven me and I am saved for all of eternity. Nonetheless, I MUST choose to walk in a loving relationship with my Savior. I do this by holding myself accountable for my daily behavior. In my life there is room for confession every day. Un-confessed sin distances me from my Savior. It gives Satan a foothold in my life. As a believer my goal is to improve in my walk with the Lord every day. With the help of the Holy Spirit I want to learn to overcome the things in my life that tend to drag me down. I want to choose to respond as Jesus would. It is my responsibility to fall deeper in love with Jesus every day so that I will love him more than I love my sin. I want my obedience to Jesus to be out of a heart of love rather than obligation or fear. My original sin has been forgiven and I am sealed for eternity, but what about the life that is sandwiched in between? This life counts and someday I will stand before Jesus and give an account of how well I lived it! Without a doubt, my daily sanctification is indeed God changing me from the inside out. I am a work in progress and there is always room to climb higher as I press toward heaven.

Prayer:

Dear God,

Thank you that you make your ways known to all of us who are seeking you. There are times when we do not have it right but you are faithful to teach us and to keep your promise to restore us when we sin. I am so thankful that you view my life as a work in progress. I know that I have been created in your image and that in eternity I will be complete in you. When I am tempted to work to gain your favor, help me to remember that I already have your favor because I am a child of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Yes Lord, please continue to change me from the inside out. I know that I am a work in progress and I thank you that there will always be opportunity for me to climb highter as I press toward heaven.

It is in the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

They Sang Worthy Is The Lamb!

“And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:9-10 NIV

“In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Revelation 5:12 NIV

“Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” Revelation 5:13 NIV

Today I am walking in the pre-dawn garden. All is quiet. The birds are still sleeping so there is no singing. I sit on the bench and I wait. I wait for the sunrise. I wait for the song of the birds. It is Easter morning and the Lamb that was slain has risen. Hallelujah! He is risen indeed!

The pain and suffering is over. The price for sin has been paid. The Father has been appeased for the sin of man. The Son has glorified the Father. Jesus Christ has conquered death and has risen. Hallelujah! He is risen indeed!

This calls for praise and worship! This calls for thanksgiving! This calls for joy! We the hopeless now have hope! I hope that you are singing this morning because I know I am. I am sure that there is singing and rejoicing in heaven as well.

In the last book of the Bible we read about all of heaven’s response to Jesus Christ!
This response is not a pathetic ticker tape parade of human invention. No, John’s vision is an amazing glimpse into heaven. John reports that in his vision he sees all of heaven bowing down in praise and worship to Jesus Christ, the slain Lamb of God. They have sung before but NOW they sing a new song! A song that has never been sung before!

In the book of Revelation Chapter 5, John records what he sees in his heavenly vision. He sees four living creatures and the twenty-four elders and they sing a new song. (vs. 9) Then he hears the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand…and in a loud voice they sing. (vs. 12) John then heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing. (vs. 13) Then the four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.” (vs. 14) They sing because Jesus was obedient to the Father, even unto death. They sing because he conquered the grave. They sing because no one was found worthy to open the scroll with the exception of the Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, who triumphed!

I hope you are singing with all of heaven this wonderful Easter morning! We who love him rejoice. We too can join with all of heaven and sing praise and worship to our Savior Jesus Christ. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain. He is risen. Hallelujah! He is risen indeed!

Questions:

Are you rejoicing because Jesus is your risen Savior?
Are you going to be in heaven because of accepting the blood of Jesus as a covering for you personal sin?
If not, would you like to be forgiven from your sin? If so, pray the simple prayer of faith that is printed below.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

I want to be included with those who sing a new song of praise and worship. Please forgive me of my sin. Thank you for being my sacrificial Lamb. I now know that you were wounded for me. You paid the price for my redemption by taking my place on the cross. I realize that I am not worthy, you alone are worthy. I ask you now to cover me with your precious blood. I reach out in a simple act of faith and accept your free gift of salvation on this glorious Easter day! I thank you because I am now your child. I no longer fear standing before you because I know that now you will recognize me as your child because I am covered with your precious blood. It is a miracle of love and grace that God no longer sees my sin, but instead he sees only your blood that has been miraculously applied to my heart. Thank you Jesus.

It is in your name I pray. Amen

Washing Feet

“Having loved his own who were in the world,
he now showed them the full extent of his love.”

John 13:1b NIV

“…so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciple’s feet,

drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”

John 13:4-5 NIV

Have you ever had a pedicure? How good does that feel? I’ll tell you how good it feels, it feels wonderful! Do you have anyone who will rub your feet? I hope you do because that feels wonderful as well!

I have always been captivated by the Biblical account of Jesus washing his disciple’s feet. In the book of John we read that during the meal, Jesus got up to wash the feet of Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James, the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon, and Judas, his soon to be betrayer. Then he returned to the Passover meal.

Those whose feet Jesus washed were not faceless, nameless people. They were his friends. These men were also the men on his team. Yet there was one of the twelve who was not really his friend. He appeared to be a teammate, but he was not. He was a betrayer. His name was Judas. Judas left during the meal and went out into the darkness of night to betray the one who loved him. I wonder how Judas felt as Jesus washed his feet. Had Satan convinced him that Jesus, the all knowing God, did not know what he was about to do?

Dusty, dirty feet were usually washed by a servant upon entering a house. However, it appears that Jesus was the one who washed the feet of his friends during the meal. Was this a second washing? If so, did this second washing signify that he came to earth to be a servant. Perhaps it signified our need to be born a second time by the washing of the blood?

Peter resisted the washing. “No, said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” “Then Lord," Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” John 13:8-9 NIV

It is easy to understand Peter’s reluctance. After all, Jesus was their leader, not to mention he was the Son of God. Maybe Peter was remembering Jesus teaching them that he and the Father were one. Peter did not feel worthy of this demonstration of love poured out on him by his creator.

Often during Holy Week we focus on the pain and suffering that Jesus experienced on the cross. I think it is also good to focus on the love that brought Jesus to the obedience of the cross. First was his love for his Father. Second was his love for mankind. Jesus washed feet to demonstrate his love for mankind. “Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.” John 13:1b NIV

The last time I was at the beach I was walking along the shore. I had my shoes off and was enjoying the waves washing over my feet. I was moved to tears to think that Jesus was still washing feet and on this very special day he was washing mine! With every cool, refreshing, tender splash I felt his love.

Oh friend, God is not a far away God. No, God is so close to us we can even feel him washing our feet. Look around and see that he touches your life in a million ways. Don’t miss his touch. Look for it. Reach out and embrace the long arm of God. Enjoy his tender care, be refreshed by his love, and celebrate his blessings that are found on the canvas of all of nature. It is our heartfelt gratitude for the touch of Jesus on our life that produces heavenly joy within us!

Questions:

Has there been a time that God has touched you through his creation?
Do you see that his gifts of love never stop?
Are you thankful for the ultimate gift of his salvation?
How do you feel knowing that Jesus is able to wash your heart and your feet?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

This week I want to thank you for your incredible sacrifice. Your love for me is more than I can comprehend. It is higher than the heavens and deeper than the ocean. It was demonstrated on the cross and now you continue to demonstrate it every day over and over again. This knowledge is too wonderful for me! You have promised in your Word that you are preparing a place for me and that you will come again and take me home to live with you forever. Jesus, I thank you for your many gifts that surround me every day. Today I am especially thankful for that very special day at the beach when you took time to lovingly wash my feet. I now have another reason to return to the beach. I am looking forward to my next foot washing!

In your name I pray. Amen.

Life's Lovely Lullaby

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV

For some people life is extremely hard. Abuse at the hand of another, addiction, poor self-esteem, debilitating anxiety, poverty, injustice, constant physical pain and suffering seem to be a way of life for them from which there is no escape. Life is not lovely and they hear no music except for satanic death chants. Many of these people are even more desperate because they don’t know God, nor do they know how to find him. Others simply have lost their way and can’t find the gate back into the garden. Their life has left them bitter, depressed, and despairing.

But for some believers the garden that surrounds their life is so good and so beautiful that they have no need to go deeper into the garden of their heart to fellowship with Jesus. They especially don’t have time to go to the garden. But make no mistake; the garden of our heart is the exact place where every believer needs to be. It is in the garden of our heart where our spirit has opportunity to join in agreement with God’s spirit. Even if life is good, daily fellowship with Jesus can make it better.

For others they can hear nothing but the music of “Life’s Lovely Lullaby”. These people hear the call of eating, drinking, parties and fun. They know that the brass ring is out there if only they can grab on. They hunger and thirst for entertainment, education, prestige, power, and success. These people are being lulled to sleep by “Life’s Lovely Lullaby” of pleasure and what they believe to be security and knowledge, and the singer of this lullaby is none other than Satan. Some of these people even call themselves Christians, yet it is very clear that they love their sin more than they love God. The call to the garden of their heart has been ignored so long that they no longer hear the call to come into the garden. However, the garden gate to God's heart always remains open.

Others think they already have it all together and they hear a sweet melodic lullaby as they snuggle under the covers of wealth, power, and fame. In their garden is found sculptures of self, setting high on pedestals made by their own hands. They are towering so high above others that they can’t even see what real happiness looks like. They absolutely have no need of God and for sure they don’t have time to find him. The music of the beaches, resorts, stages, and decision rooms of the world are far more inviting than the garden.

If you are a believer, a few words of caution. You and I are not exempt from hearing the music of “Life’s Lovely Lullaby”. This lullaby is heard in our minds. The music starts softly in our emotions, the music rises from our greed, lusts, and selfishness, and crescendos at our point of discontentment with life and others. We think we deserve to listen to this selfish music so we turn up the volume. At first the song is sweet and alluring. Then Satan turns the music into a subtle, seductive, comforting lullaby that is hard to resist. We don’t look upward, we look inward and in a moment of weakness we are seduced into sweet sleep as we give in to sinful behavior in word, thought and deed.

I am becoming more and more aware that Satan is working hard on everyone. Satan wants to keep non-believers away from a close intimate relationship with God. Satan knows that unforvgiven sin separats a person from God and that it will lead to eternal damnation for that individual. On the other hand lukewarm individuals who want to keep one foot in the world and one foot in heaven, are also people of interest to Satan. He wants to distract these individuals all the more. Jesus said, “So because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” Revelation 3:16 NIV Satan is delighted to distract people with the lure of the world so that they will remain lukewarm.

But it is in the active believer’s life that Satan seems to cause the most trouble. This is because we who love God are on the right path. Even though believers belong to God and Satan cannot snatch them away he knows that believers speak God’s truth and do his work. It is the believers who lead non-believers to Jesus Christ and influence lukewarm people to choose to end their indifference. Believers teach God’s Word and encourage God worship! So at best, Satan’s plan for believers is to distract and subtly attack their mind, and orchestrate temptation. Satan wants to cram our schedules so full of the “stuff of life” that we become stressed and weak. At that point Satan fills our minds with discontentment and fosters selfishness within our hearts, thus making believers preoccupied and ineffective for the cause of Jesus Christ.

Satan is more aware that the Last Days are upon us than we are. He knows his time is short so he is wild with energy. He is pulling out all the stops and roaring full speed ahead, looking for whomever he can devour! He is no respecter of persons. His goal is the destruction and damnation of humanity.

The Bible gives us a very clear picture of what godlessness in the Last Days will look like. “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal; not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5 NIV

Jesus is coming again! Each day we live we are one day closer to that truth. If you are a believer, the Holy Spirit within you will equip you to know the mind of Christ, stand firm, and to resist temptation. “You dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you (Jesus Christ) is greater than the one who is in the world (Satan).” 1 John 4:4 NIV

No matter where you are in life, desperate for God, a non-believer, a believer, a lukewarm believer, the message is the same: hear “Life’s Lovely Lullaby” and resist the message of the lullaby. Sit up…stand up…run! Exchange “Life’s Lovely Lullaby” for God’s “Heavenly Song of the Redeemed”. Be alert, Satan knows his time is short! My friends, we must not be lulled to sleep! When non-believers stand before God they will be judged for refusing to accept Jesus Christ. When believers stand before God we will give an account of how well we lived this life. Did we leave a mark of influence for Jesus? Will we be remembered for our faith and our faithfulness? Will we hear Jesus say, “Well done”? Or will we come up short and suffer loss of our full reward because we were lukewarm and indifferent? Remember, this life counts!

Questions:

What is your spiritual status at this time?

Are you: - Desperate for God – A Non-believer – A Lukewarm Believer – A Believer who is walking in a loving relationship with God and seeking to know him more everyday?

Have you ever heard Satan’s lovely lullaby? What do the lyrics of that song say to you?

Are you currently listening to Life’s Lovely Lullaby?

If you are a believer, when did you last hear Satan’s lullaby? What did you do?

Do you believe that the Holy Spirit is able to give you the power to resist sin’s lovely lullaby?Have you experienced singing the "Heavenly Song of the Redeemed"?

If you are not a believer and would you like to become a Christian, look to the right column of this blog and read the section: “How do I know if I am a Christian”

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

I believe that you are coming again. I also believe that Satan prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. I pray for those who are so lost they think they cannot find their way. Send your messenger to them. Please speak to their tortured minds and let them know there is always a way for everyone to find God. I especially pray for those who are lukewarm and living for the moment. I pray you will answer the prayers of their believing parents, grandparents, family members and friends who are crying out for you to draw them to yourself. I pray they would choose to repent and walk with you. Jesus, I pray for those who have no need of you. I pray you will create need in their life. In addition I pray for all believers to stay alert and learn to say no to Satan’s distractions. I pray that believers will spend time with you in your Word and in prayer so they will be equipped to stand against the schemes of Satan. Jesus, help us to always choose your song over the lure of the lullaby.

In your name I pray. Amen.

Digging Your Ditches

“…This is what the LORD says: Make this valley full of ditches.

For this is what the LORD says: You will see neither wind nor rain,

yet this valley will be filled with water,

and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink.

This is an easy thing in the eyes of the LORD;

he will also hand Moab over to you.”

2 Kings 3:16-18 NIV

“The next morning, about the time for offering the sacrifice,

there it was – water flowing from the direction of Edom!

And the land was filled with water.”

2 Kings 3: 20 NIV

Often in the summer rain is scarce. Many times the water supply of a nearby lake or reservoir drops to dangerously low levels and we are asked by our community to ration water usage because we fear our supply will dry up.

On very dry days when I look about the garden I see leaves that are dry and curling, others that have turned brown and died. Drooping heads, wilted flowers, and dry, cracked soil beg for water. On this anxious day this also seems to be the condition of my parched heart. Suddenly, I look up and the Master Gardener is standing before me. Jesus simply similes and asks, “Today, do we need a lesson on faith?”

In my mind I think, “How does he do this? He always knows the condition of my spirit. Then I remember, “Oh yes, that’s what my God does! He never leaves me or forsakes me. He is the other half in this loving relationship. He is NOT out to lunch!”

I scoot over on the bench, Jesus sets beside me and I begin to speak what is on my mind. Jesus, I am tired and weary, I pray and pray and pray and nothing changes. I ask and I don’t receive. I can’t see in front of my nose and I am afraid of what lies around the corner. Satan is clouding my thoughts with his devious lies! I seem to be completely void of faith. My heart doubts that I will ever see answers to many of my prayers. I fear I have asked you for the impossible.

Jesus reminds me of a story in 2 Kings Chapter 3, when the Lord gave his prophet Elisha some very sovereign advice! You see, they were in the desert, marching into battle and there was no water. The Lord gave Elisha an assignment, “Make this valley full of ditches.” Then the Lord further instructed Elisha, “You will see NO wind or rain, YET this valley WILL BE FILLED with water and you will drink.”

The Master Gardener’s message to me today was that even in the dry valley of my life where my need is great, I am to simply step out in faith and do the work of digging ditches of faith all around me. He says, “Dig ditches of faith and then trust that I, the Almighty God will show up. Paula, you see, what seems impossible and unlikely to you is ‘…an easy thing in the eyes of the LORD…’ You will drink! Not only will you drink, your cattle and your animals will drink as well.”

My past experience tells me that God does provide the answer, the drink, at the exact moment that I need it the most and not a single moment before! God’s provision may come immediately, or the next morning, or it may be years away, but the truth is that IF GOD has instructed me to dig the ditches by praying the prayer of faith, and if I am obedient to his instruction, I will drink! “The next morning, about the time for offering the sacrifice, there it was – water flowing from the direction of Edom! And the land was filled with water.” 2 Kings 3: 20 NIV The fact is, what was impossible for the people was an easy thing in the eyes of the Lord.

As I digested this day’s faith lesson from the Master Gardener, I remember looking up into his reassuring eyes and feeling his peace. The flowers and foliage in my parched heart’s garden began to drink in “all that was an easy thing in the eyes of the Lord.” There was no wind or rain in sight but the dried out land became wet with water that comes from the faithful One. Ditches around the edge of my heart’s garden began to fill and overflow with God’s heavenly water and my faith became the evidence of the things hoped for! “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 NIV

The Israelites were going into battle and the Lord also promised that in addition to the promised water he would also give them victory over Moab. 2 Kings 3:18b NIV Victory over the enemy! Of course, to date, Satan is my greatest enemy, yet God has promised to give me victory over the enemy when I go into “faith” battle! Today I choose to go into battle and I will begin by calling on Jesus. In the name of Jesus Christ, I cast out of my mind the damaging lies of Satan. As a result of this action, I will refuse to believe Satan’s lie that says I am stupid for believing that God will actually send water to my ditches. I will refuse to believe that God doesn’t care about what I need. I will NOT listen to the lie of Satan that whispers that if God really loved me I would not be in this situation in the first place. I will NOT believe that God cannot be trusted. I will NOT believe that my prayers go unanswered because I am not good enough or because I do not have enough faith.

I will believe that my Sovereign God is able to do all things and that all things are easy in his eyes. I will believe that my all knowing God is a God full of mercy and grace, love and forgiveness. I will believe that because I have dug ditches, God will send water! I will believe that God values even the shallowest of ditches, and my God will fill all my ditches of faith with his water on the very morning I need it most. As long as I live I will choose to dig faith ditches so that God can fill them with the impossible!

Questions:

Are you afraid to ask God for something because you fear it is impossible?

Do you have an unanswered prayer that you fear will never be answered?

Can you remember a time in your life when God filled your faith ditches with his more than ample water supply?

Do you believe that God provision is nothing short of amazing?

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

I pray that I will be obedient to your command to dig ditches of faith. Lord I pray that I will not be found guilty of refusing to dig ditches because I think that the desire of my heart is an impossible situation. Lord, it is my desire to dig my ditches of faith deep, yet sometimes I am only able to dig shallow ditches of faith. I am so thankful that you did not tell Elisha how deep to dig the ditches, but rather to simply dig the ditches. Help me Lord, that as I mature in my faith, I will be able to dig deeper ditches. Lord, I pray that I will remember that what I think may be impossible, for you it is an easy thing! I will drink of your compassion and mercy. I will drink of your love and faithfulness. I will drink of your provision and I will rejoice in answers to my prayer. Father, forgive me when I grow impatient waiting for answers to my prayers. Forgive me Lord when I expect “rain” to fill my ditches instead of “flowing water”. I must simply dig the ditches of faith and wait for your “water” to fill my ditches no matter how you send the water. Lord, help me to remember that my ways are not always your ways. Heavenly Father, fill my ditches with what I need even if it isn’t what I want. So today Lord, I ask if you are willing, I already know you are able, and then I wait.

In your name I pray. Amen.