If This Was Your Last Day?

It's the end of another year. You may already be thinking about those New Year resolutions. But what if you received an official notice today that this will be your last day to live? What would you do? Would you try to make more money, or stay late at the office working hard? Would you spend time with your family, or express thanks to those who've helped you along the way? Would you seek to get right with God?

"...godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." - 1 Timothy 4:8

 We tend to focus on the material and the temporal and neglect the eternal and relational. But none of us knows the number of days God has planned for us. 

Don't put off until tomorrow the really important things you can do today--like getting right with God. God became a man in the person of Jesus to show us how. Start there. Then show your family how much you love them. Surprise them by occasionally coming home early. Tell them you love them. Plan fun things to do with them. Help someone you care about - someone who needs you at the office, in the neighborhood, or maybe someone who needs a friend.

It may not be the last day you live here on earth, but it may become a great day for you and those you care about.

Still Hungry? Matthew 6:33, Mark 10:29, Proverbs 22:4

Finding Christmas

"...he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him." - Hebrews 11:6

It's easy to miss the real meaning of Christmas, but the story of Christmas tells us who found it:

1. The Shepherds. They were social nobodies, yet God sent them a supernatural birth announcement through the angels. They believed God's Word, searched in faith to find Jesus, and they did. They found Christmas.
2. The Wise Men. These guys were pagans from another culture. They studied the stars for insight. God spoke to them right where they were in life. They stepped out in faith to follow a star that appeared in the sky, understanding it meant the birth of a special King. They found Christmas when they found Jesus.

The shepherds found Christmas because they believed the Word of God. The wise men found Christmas because, as seekers, they found Jesus. Find Jesus as Savior and Lord, and you'll find Christmas--guaranteed!

Still Hungry? Hebrews 3:6, Hebrews 10:22

As God Leads!!

The priests will carry the Ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth. As soon as their feet touch the water, the flow of water will be cut off upstream, and the river will stand up like a wall." - Joshua 3:13 NLT

Did you know that faith requires action? After 40 years, the children of Israel had been led out of the wilderness and then found themselves on the banks of a swollen Jordan River. The Promised Land was just on the other side. Oh, so close, yet so far away! A huge obstacle separated them from the blessing God had promised. Standing on the bank of the raging river, wringing their hands and praying would not solve their problem. They had to act. But it wasn't really the river that was stopping them from crossing - it was their lack of FAITH! It was not until, in faith, they stepped into the turbulent waters that the river stood on end and the people walked into the Promised Land on dry land.

So it is with our lives. Obstacles separate us from God's richest blessings. To simply have faith that God will provide a way doesn't always make a way. To stand by until God makes a way obvious may cause us to delay His blessing. It takes both faith and action to experience God's best.

Don't fall victim to "paralysis of analysis." In other words, go for it as God leads!

Still Hungry? Exodus 15:8

He Turned Back To Gd

"That's the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone's duty." - Ecclesiastes 12:13 

Solomon, the ancient king of Israel, was a man who had everything he wanted. He had extraordinary success and wealth, incredible intellect, more women, and sex than any Hollywood star or professional athlete could ever have, yet it all became meaningless to him. He felt so empty inside. Why? Because he had turned his back on God to pursue all that he wanted for himself. He was a classic example of a good man who started strong, but turned the wrong way and wound up empty.

The good news of the story of Solomon is that late in his life, he came to his senses and turned back to God. After trying everything else, he found the key to life is "to fear God and keep His commandments." Fear means reverence. In other words, to revere God, worship Him and show you mean it by obeying His word.

Do you feel empty and weary? Trust God and obey Him. It's a sure way to feel fulfilled and not empty inside

Still hungry?  Exodus 20:20, 1 Samuel 12:24, Job 37:24

What We CAN Do

"...but he has told me, 'My grace is all you need, because my power is perfected in weakness. Therefore, I will most happily boast about my weaknesses, so that the Messiah's power may rest on me.'" - 2 Corinthians 12:9

Mother Teresa was a soul filled with the light of Christ, on fire with love for Him, and burning with one desire: “to quench His thirst for love and for souls.” She felt this way in spite of a difficult life, filled with health problems, poverty, and a profound sense of responsibility for the poor. When reminded that God does not give us any burdens we cannot handle, Mother Teresa replied, "I know, but sometimes I just wish He didn't think so highly of me." While it's true that tough times can challenge us and shape character, most of us would prefer that God would find another teaching method!

While hitting rock bottom is not fun, crises do offer opportunities for growth and service. For instance, sometimes God allows us to go through hard times so that we can learn to truly trust Him. You see, when we do choose to trust God...even when there is no concrete evidence of His presence - we demonstrate real faith. And that faith is not only demonstrated to God, it is a powerful witness to everyone who sees what you have gone through. Look at the example shown by Joseph. After thirteen years of miserable setbacks, the first thing he did was to stand before Pharaoh and share his testimony of his faith in God. What a magnificent witness to the glory of God! 

So, when facing tough times, recognize the opportunity you have to build trust in God, deepen your faith, and become a powerful witness for your Heavenly Father.

Still Hungry?  Romans 3:24, 1 Kings 19:12, 1 Corinthians 2:3