It's Daily

And he said to [them] all, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. - Luke 9:23

There seems to be an issue facing believers. There is a movement afoot that suggests that there is no need to do much in the Christian life - God will do it for you - as long as you are faithful in delivering your tithes and offerings. But, the truth of the matter is, God will do for you exactly what He has already planned. Nothing more. Nothing less. He does not need to do more than He has planned because His plan for your life is perfect. He is not going to do less than His plan for your life because He will not violate His own nature. What He has for you is quite frankly, yours. To access what He has for you, you must first believe that He is.

Once you start down your own individual Christian journey, you will learn what it means to deny yourself and take up your cross and follow Him. It's not that the Christian life is a cakewalk. Instead, you will go through things - some of those things may not be so pleasant - but therein lies an opportunity. God will test you to prove you and produce in you a testimony. So, please, do not fall into the misconception that the Christian life is a cakewalk. Instead, it takes determination. You must pick up your cross - every single day - and walk in the steps of your Savior. Follow Him.

Peace is Available!

Whew! I’m back! What a trip. I have been in DC this week for a conference. I got there – felt sick…and it was cold. Snow Flurries cold. Today, when I left it was snowing. But, I felt decent – not great. But, in the midst of it all – sickness, cold weather, crowded security lines, rude passengers, delayed flights, long lines to de-ice the plane, – oh yeah, I was making a point – in the midst of it all, God rewarded me.

As the plane ascended above the fray of inclement weather, we cruised into some peaceful sky – which was very different from my arrival. On my arrival, the weather was – well, let’s say rough. Wind gusts of 40mph have a way of impeding your forward direction. Nevertheless, it was all good – hard landing and all. Talk about smacking a plane down on the runway! Today, once we reached our cruising altitude, it was lovely. It was peaceful. The thick fluffy clouds were like carpet and the peaceful blue sky with the sunset in the distance was like nothing I’ve ever seen. I took a picture with my cellphone camera. I hope that seeing this will remind you, as it did me, that peace is always available. We just have to look up!

The Faithful

I was talking with my Grandfather not too long ago. I generally will talk to him a couple of times per week. Our “conversations” go like this…I doing all the talking and he does the listening. No surprise there right? Anyway, on this particular day, I was discussing how I felt about a particular subject. I felt that it was unfair for God to xyz or allow xyz. The tone of our conversation immediately changed. My Grandfather, who is always kind and loving, got very stern with me. He schooled me right then on the fact that we do not tell God how to be God. He is sovereignly in control of all things and His will is perfect – even if I do not understand it.

It was in that moment that two things occurred to me. First, I recognized what the Bible meant when it refers to the “fear of the Lord.” Secondly, I recognized that my own fear and reverence for God needed a shot in the arm! Now, let me straighten things out for you a little bit. I fear the Lord – He is, afterall, my creator. But, in talking with my Grandfather, he spoke as a man that has walked with the Lord for such a long time and has complete confidence in the Lord – all trust – no doubt. At the end of my journey – when I am somebody’s grandparent – will my testimony and devotion be as strong as my Grandfather’s? I pray so – if not even stronger!

The only way to get there is to start now by really giving God His due. It’s more than showing up on Sundays and for Bible Study and Church Conference etc etc. It’s more than the things we do before others. I’m discovering that it’s in the secret places that our faith and adoration grows. It’s in those quiet moments with the Creator God.

As you spend time with your Father in devotion and quiet time, will you take a moment to really explore Who He is – What He is like and why it’s so wonderful to be called His own? That’s what I plan to do. And, I believe that will make this wonderful path all the better – our faith will increase as our knowledge of Him increases.