Category Archives: Spiritual Food

Practical Application of God’s Word; taking what you read and making it visible in your everyday life.

Don’t Fear Destiny…Check Your Receipt

God Loves You, Spiritual Food

Numbers 14:4 So they said to one another, “Let us select a leader and return to Egypt.”

Who said these words? Was the leadership so bad that an immediate change at the top was needed? What was so bad that a return trip to Egypt was imminent?

This was a quote from the children of Israel, after a select group of 12 leaders were sent into the Promised Land. They were sent to prepare an assessment of an unfamiliar place they were destined to occupy; a promised gift from their leader. Oh did I mention that the leader they so anxiously wanted to replace was Jehovah God, the very God who’d created them. Yes, Moses was the human put in charge, but the people knew he was merely a figurehead as all of his direction came straight from the mouth of God.

Don’t be so quick to judge; how many times have we latched on to someone else’s leadership (especially our own) and gone in the opposite direction of God’s leading? Yeah, we’ve been there….each and every one of us. Even though God’s not speaking to us like He did with Moses, in a cloud during the day and fire at night, we’ve chosen our ways as better than God’s.

Well why they were so opposed to God’s plan, that they would even consider going back to the enslaved life of bondage and despair they’d recently been delivered from?????   They were PETRIFIED of their destiny and could not believe that God loved them enough to keep His promise. Fear will challenge faith and distort reality. The devil knows that fear hinders faith; which is why God’s perfect love casts out all fear. The Israelites felt they we’re a mess, a failure, weak and insignificant. There is no way they could go up against the Giants of this new land and win. There is no way this unbelievable land, new homes and gorgeous resort style country could be for them. God could not possibly love them enough to keep that promise he made back when they left Egypt. After all, they’d broken His commandments and complained. He would never follow-through on His promise because they did not deserve it.

That was their mindset, it was what they believed about God. Oh, it’s hitting home now isn’t it?? You’ve felt like this before, maybe even right now. I’ve been there. With all of the wrong that I’ve done in my life, how could God possibly want to see me “living the dream?” The dream that is salvation, freedom, blessings, health and prosperity….you know the blessed life. I do not deserve it…..but God loves me so much (John 3:16).

You know what we have that the Children of Israel didn’t? A receipt for God’s promise. Jesus Christ is our blood stained receipt for God’s love and destiny for our lives. God has paid for our future, one of eternal life with Him, by giving His Son as a sacrifice for all of our sin, past and future. So God knew our future before we started our past and just like us He knew the promise for the Children of Israel. They did not see God as Joshua and Caleb did (we’ll dig into that a different time).   It’s time for us to check our receipt and know that because of Jesus’ work on the Cross, the destiny God has given us is paid for. Although there are giants occupying that place now, they will fall because Our God is Greater, Stronger and More Loving than anything that will ever stand in our way.

Change your mind and like Joshua and Caleb say, “The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, ‘a land which flows with milk and honey.’   Only do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them.”

The First Happy Meal

Giving Thanks, Spiritual Food,

John 4:34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.

Today we began what we hope to be our final home church search, as we have settled in the Houston area for good. As far as we know what God’s plans are. We don’t always look forward to this because it has very often been a very long and arduous process for us, because Jesus Christ and His finished work is not the focus of many churches out here today. Anyway that is not the topic of today’s blog.

In the message we heard today, the preacher gave an illustration using some of McDonald’s old jingles and other fast food chains. I could not help but think of the Happy meals I used to each as a kid and now my kids enjoy. Well at least my daughter, my boys feel “too old” for those kid meals.

Today’s verse really serves as a reminder to me about just how grateful we should all be that Jesus gave us the first “Happy Meal.” Let me show you:

Prior to this verse, the disciples were with Jesus and departed to go find food. They were in the middle of a 70 mile trip from Judea to Galilee. So after leaving Jesus to rest at this well, they came back with a meal for Him, so He could be replenished.  Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. What they did not realize is that Jesus had already had a Happy Meal of His own. I use the term Happy here because the Hebrew word for blessed (Esher) means Happy or Happiness and it blessed Jesus to do God’s will and to finish His work. But really it blesses us for Jesus to do God’s will and Finish His work. Because that work was finished on Calvary’s cross and redeemed us all. Jesus’ great act of love is what feed Him. This was truly the first Happy Meal….Praise be to God!!!!

It’s Not My Past I’m Worried About…..What About My Present?

God Loves You, Spiritual Food

Rom 8:1-2 “Free from Indwelling Sin” 8:1 there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

I was all set tonight, I got a lot of work done earlier in the day and evening so I could sit and watch the game unabated. Then I received a devotional with this text and was reminded about not being weighed down by my past. I thought that was pretty cool, but as I read more, I thought I’m good with my past, as a matter of fact I embrace that I was a mess and have been redeemed by Jesus’ blood. My concern and struggle at times is my present….I still mess up and fall. I know that I’m by myself because everyone else that is saved keep it all together. J But I will share why this text is so valuable to me.

Even the heading; “Free from Indwelling Sin” speaks volumes. Indwelling means to be permanently present in (someone’s soul or mind); possess spiritually. We are free from the indwelling of Sin, sin is no longer present in us when we are saved. Jesus died on the cross for all of our Sin, past…present… and future. This is the blessing, God provided a way for all of the guilt and regret of sin to be destroyed forever. On The Cross

We no longer have to deal with the guilt and regret of Sin because Jesus took it from us and placed it on His shoulders. God then destroyed them both and put them in their place….Hell with Satan. Which is why Satan always attempts to give it back to us. When we sin, Satan tells us we’re dirty, filthy and deserve to die for what you did. BUT GOD tells us to “look at the cross and remember what Jesus did,” He goes on to say “you’re Holy, Anointed and greatly loved.” When we know this to be true, “there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus”

Be Blessed!!

When You’ve Finished Your Race

Giving Thanks, God Loves You, Spiritual Food,

2 Tim 4:6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

On Friday, May 15th, 2015 I retired after 20 years of Active Duty service with the United States Coast Guard (the country’s premiere military/humanitarian service). What an unbelievable 24 total years it has been, when you include my time at the CG Academy. As I was preparing my final speech as an Active Duty Officer, I could not help but be drawn to Paul’s letter to his colleague and mentee Timothy, in preparation for his departure. I was able to use this text to highlight many very important things I’d experienced over my career both professionally and personally.

I like this text because:

–Paul discerns that God is bringing him to the end of his mission. We often want clear direction of what our next step in life should be. Trust that the Lord knows and wants to direct you. “Trust Him with all of your heart… and he will direct you path,” which includes the closing of one chapter and opening of the next.

–Paul really appreciated his battle. God gave Paul a passion and led him through many obstacles. He also allowed Paul to win many to his side of the battle along the way. This ensured that many would be able to continue the battle after he left. We have the opportunity to touch many along our journey and there should be many left to keep the fight alive.

–Paul took some time to acknowledge his many accomplishments. His work was significant, much of which is still being realized even today. It is really easy to keep pressing and never acknowledge all that God has accomplished through us. God delights in using His Son/Daughters to carry out His work and we must acknowledge it and appreciate God’s hand is bringing it to pass.

–He held his faith in high regard. The text says that he “kept the faith,” the Greek word for kept means to attend to carefully, to take care of, observe and hold in very high regard. He took very good care of his faith, feeding it, exercising it, acknowledging its source and guarding it from outside influences. Paul understood that his faith was the most significant part of his journey. It’s what sparked his passion, strengthened his endurance and help to visualize the promise. Remember that what you believe will impact your actions in life.

–Lastly, Paul saw the big picture. He saw what his ultimate goal was. When we see the big picture the journey is just a little bit more tolerable. The Crown of Righteousness he knew was waiting on him, made the tough times seem a little bit better and the fun time that much more enjoyable. See what is at your finish line, it will help you press beyond your breaking point and look forward to your future.

Paul’s Valedictory letter to Timothy and the church is a perfect model for reflection on our life’s journey. A model that helped me articulate God’s greatness during my 24 years in the Coast Guard. I’m so grateful for His active role in my career and life……and I’ll tell it everywhere I go; including the next chapter….

He Is Risen…..&…..He Is Coming Back

Spiritual Food

John 20:6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there,   7 and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself.

Today is a glorious day….We as a Christian church are diverse and mixed, but on Resurrection Sunday every church preaches in unison the Gospel message of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!!! The bible tells us that when Jesus is lifted up He will draw all men unto Himself. Which is why so many come to know Christ on Easter, even today many where drawn to Jesus. Wouldn’t it be something if we did that every Sunday!!!!

Anyway, John reminds us in this text that even though we are celebrating the greatest story ever told, His story is not over. You see Peter found an empty tomb and that was wonderful it meant that our Savior conquered death and the grave; in doing so secured eternal life for each of us that believe in Him.   Now check this out; Peter found an empty tomb, the linen cloths Jesus’ body was wrapped in and lastly the handkerchief which wrapped His head. To understand the significance of the folded handkerchief, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition. The folded handkerchief or napkin (the best translation) is best summed up in these two stories of Hebrew tradition.

1) First is the story of traditional Jewish hospitality. For the Jewish guest, if he/she was well received and thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality of their host, at dinner’s end he/she would simply fold the napkin and place it at the end of the table to demonstrate their satisfaction with the evening and a desire to return again. If the guest was pleased and planned to return the host would find a folded napkin on the table, just like Peter found when he arrived at the empty tomb.

2) Secondly, a story of the Master and his servant.  “When the servant set the dinner table for the master, and then the servant would wait just out of sight, until the master had finished eating. Now if the master was done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table. The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, ‘I’m done’. But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because the folded napkin meant, ‘I’m coming back!’”[1]

He is Risen and as we celebrate today remember….He is coming back!!!

[1] THE FOLDED NAPKIN; http://www.propheticrevelation.net/misc/the_folded_napkin.htm

Null and Void

Spiritual Food

Rom 4:14 For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect,15 because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression.

“This contract is null and void.” Have you ever heard that before? Well what does it really mean? Null and void is an idiom that means “without legal force or effect; not valid, having no force-binding power or validity.” Anything that is null or void is in the simplest terms useless!!! So what does this have to do with today’s verse; we see in verse 14 that faith is made void and the promise made of no effect…but WHY?

Romans 4 talks about Abraham being justified (rendered, declared or pronounced righteous) by faith and not by any works or efforts of his own. The same justification was given to all of Abraham’s heirs (one who receives his allotted possession by right of sonship); which includes you and me (or does it). Justification is a gift that we all desire and this chapter helps us understand how we can receive it. BY FAITH!!! Which simply means it is not what we do to receive it, but what Jesus already did…on the Cross! So what happens if faith is effected??

The text says For if those who are of the law are heirs, Those who are OF the law; the Greek word OF is (ek) which means out of, from, by, away from. So if those who are out of the Law; from the Law; by the Law (living their lives according to the Law) are heirs then faith is made void and the promise made of no effect, or useless.

I guess it would be smart to discuss the Law; WHAT exactly is it? Well, recall the bible study rule of “Frist Mention.” This rule of study is simple, if you want to know the original meaning of a word or concept then see where it was first mentioned in the bible. In this case the first time we find the Law is in book of Exodus (Ex 24:12 Then the LORD said to Moses,” Come up to Me on the mountain and be there; and I will give you tablets of stone, and the law and commandments which I have written, that you may teach them.”) The Ten Commandments, the only “Law” that was written on tablets of stone; and these were created by God Himself. This is important because in certain other verses of scripture and in Jewish history the Law refers to the many Levitical laws created by the priest…not God.

OK we know that faith is made void and the promise made of no effect by those who are living according to the Law. But WHY…the text says because the law brings about wrath. Wrath in this text denotes anger exhibited in punishment, specifically punishments inflicted by magistrates (judges or those who dispense judgment). The Law given by God brings about wrath!!! How is that so? The Law was given to bring us to Christ, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. The Law showed us that we are sinners and that we need Jesus Christ for redemption. The Law was never created to justify us so it never will (Isa 64:6 But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags). Filthy Rags is the best we can do when we live according to the LAW. But when we live according to FAITH we receive the all the promises given to Abraham. We become the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Cor 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him).

He’ll Make Your Enemy Your Ally!!!

God Loves You, Spiritual Food

Prov 16:7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

There was a time when I looked at this scripture as Solomon telling us that when we work to please the Lord, the Lord would then in turn make our enemies be at peace with us. However, now when I see the Hebrew definition of ways (Definition: road, distance, journey, way or path, a journey, course of life) I noticed something completely different. It is certainly not man’s efforts that the Lord is looking at. Because according to Isaiah 64:6, all He would see are filthy rags or used sanitary napkins (the actual reference of back then). At our very best, that is all we could possibly produce, so there is no way that “our ways” will ever please God.

But check this out: our way, our road, our journey, our course of life, where we’re headed can please God. You see we use to be on the direct train (fast tracking) to Hell/Death. Our sinful lives had us moving toward eternal damnation. BUT GOD, it was when we made a specific decision in our lives, our destiny changed forever. Our way was no longer downward, our road was now leading in the right direction, our journey would have an everlasting destination, our course of life leads us back to a loving and compassionate Father. You see our efforts are worth nothing, Christ did everything we would ever need, when He went to the Cross on our behalf. When we made the decision to believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died on the Cross for our sins, our ways now forever please God. Not because of what we’ve done but because of what Jesus did. Praise God!!!

Now that our ways please God, He will make our Enemy become our Ally. This Proverb came to mind today as I had a meeting with a prominent leader in our organization. Now I would not personally consider him and enemy, but in this case, he was being sent in to oppose a decision I’d recently made and change my mind and declare it wrong. So he was technically an enemy to the major decision I made and I was not really looking forward to the meeting. However, by the time the meeting was over (without going into all of the details) he not only gave me his full support in the decision, he is now willing to do whatever he can to assist me in making the decision come to past. He has agreed to be my Ally!! The beauty of it all, I did not have to do anything, it was all finished long ago.

So the next time you have opposition, don’t sweat it, Jesus dealt with that on Calvary. If you come across those people that want to see you fail, Psalm 110 reminds us to just sit back and Jesus will “make your enemies your footstool.” Then will be able to use them to see over all the blessings He has provided us.

Believe in Jesus and watch your enemies become your allies!!!

DADDY’S PROUD OF YOU

God Loves You, Spiritual Food

Matt 3:17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, IN WHOM I am well pleased.” (NKJV)

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (NKJV)

Matthew demonstrates the greatest example of a Father’s unconditional love for a son. It is awesome to see, especially for some Father’s like myself, who would like to raise their kids in a Godly manner. Being a son that grew up trying to please my dad, I want to ensure that my kids know how pleased I am to be their Father. With that being said, let’s dig into what God said to Jesus and what He is saying to us now.

We’re In Jesus:

Following Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River, all of the onlookers heard a loud audible voice from heaven. It was a proud papa, letting all know just how much he loved and was proud of his son. Imagine, how good that must feel to hear your father tell the world or his joy to be your dad. That is what Jesus would have felt if He was like you and me. So what does this have to do with us???? God said that Jesus was His beloved son and that He was well pleased with Him and everything about Jesus, including all that is IN HIM. Guess who is IN HIM??? Us, You and I if we’ve believed on Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of Sin. Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (NKJV). Once we put our FAITH in Jesus Christ, we put ourselves in position to please God; without FAITH it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is. Our faith in Jesus allows us to be IN HIM, where we are beloved Sons & Daughters who God is well pleased with. Are you IN HIM? If not you need to be.

 

God Is Pleased With Us:

We are IN Christ and well pleasing to God, because we “have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” You see we are pleasing to God, not because of what we have done or what we do, but what Christ did. We can try as hard as we can to do everything right and perfect; it will never happen because even on our very best and perfect day “Isa 64:6 But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags (NKJV).” For you bible scholars, filthy rags actually refers to used sanitary napkins (yes that is what I said). Our best offering, without Jesus it is just filthy rags, nothing you would ever think about giving to God. So since our best is a mess, our worst is just that multiplied. We have to remember that Jesus went to the cross and all of our sin was placed on Him. God has to deal with Sin and for our sake God’s wrath was satisfied on the Cross.  So let me ask you this; “Why would God punish Jesus for our sin at the cross, if He was going to then turn around and punish us or hold the Sin (Christ died for) against us?? It is a question worth asking, I believe the bible gives us a clear answer, but If you don’t see that, I recommend asking the Lord for yourself and see what He says.

Say it with me “I am Righteous and Well Pleasing to God, because of what Jesus has done for us on the cross.” 2 Cor 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God IN HIM.

Remember we are well pleasing to God by the blood Jesus shed at the cross and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it.

Believe or Get Off the Pot!!!

God Loves You, Spiritual Food

Matt 9:27-31 (Two Blind Men Healed)

When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have mercy on us!”  28 And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”  They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”  29 Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.”30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, “See that no one knows it.”31 But when they had departed, they spread the news about Him in all that country.

I’m sure that some of you may be “Old School” like me.  I recall while growing up, hearing the extreme encouragement “Piss or Get off the Pot!!!”  This statement was used to help someone get passed a crossroad in their life.  You know what I’m talking about, in Sports a coach might say it when he needed you to push pass the pain of trying something you’ve never done before.  Maybe, it was when you had to push pass a fear, like when I had to jump of the high dive for the first time as a kid.  After climbing to the edge of the 20 foot high platform, I had to either jump or give up and make the humiliating trip back down the ladder.  If you’re not going to piss, the get off of the pot (toilet) because someone else will.

These two Blind Men understood this sentiment, because they were at a crossroad in their lives.  You see these men could not see, but they could hear.  They heard about this great teacher, healer, prophet and miracle worker.  They heard about his teachings and the miracles he’d done.  They heard the commotion in the streets as the multitudes followed this mystery man.  So when Jesus was near they had a choice to make.  They cried out to Jesus, “Son of David, have mercy on us!”   They were saying Lord Jesus pour on us this Grace that you’ve been telling everyone about.  That is when Jesus asked the question of all questions.  “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”  You see the problem for most people is not the inability to know what Jesus can do, most people know that Jesus is able to change our situation, our struggle is believing it!!  Jesus asked the simple but powerful question, do you believe in my ability, do you believe I am who I said I was?

There was only one thing left now for the two blind men.  They had to Believe or Get Off the Pot!!!  They could believe everything they heard or they could give up and choose to remain in their darkness.  The text tells us that the men believed Jesus then they received their sight.  (What are you talking about it does not say they believed)  Look again, Jesus said “According to your faith let it be to you.”  They were healed according to their faith, the Greek word for faith here means “conviction of the truth of anything; belief.”  Jesus told them that they were healed based on their ability to believe.  Don’t be fooled though, their faith was not in them being healed but their belief was in who Jesus was.

God is able to do, just what He said He would do; He will fulfil every promise to you.  We just need to believe He is who He said He was.  Who is He?  The lamb that took away the sins of the world; the “Truth and the Life;” the creator of Heaven and Earth; our Savior; our Friend; our Big Brother; our rock; our confidant; our help, our shield; our everything; the ultimate sacrifice for every one of our sins.

When we believe in the Lord Jesus, we received His salvation.  My encouragement to you today is to Believe or Get Off the Pot!!

Get Some Daddy Time

Family Ministry, God Loves You, Spiritual Food

Ps 16:11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

So this morning, as it is many Saturday mornings, my industrious wife was off to the grocery store early to beat the rush and get back in time to still enjoy the weekend.  So it is up to Daddy to take care of breakfast and spend some quality time with the children.  This time is usually spent with me in the kitchen cooking, and the kids downstairs watching their favorite cartoon or TV show.  Then we eat breakfast together, typically at max speed because the boys want to get back to playing games and or hopeful that I will let them watch another show.  But today was a little different, no hot breakfast, just cold cereal and toaster’s strudel.  This was quickly gobbled up by the kids and I had not even sat down to eat my mix of breakfast and leftovers from last night’s dinner.  My 4 year old daughter was still sitting there and she said these words to me “Daddy can I keep you company while you eat your breakfast?”

Ohhhhhhhh, my heart melted so fast, I could not get the words “Of Course!!!” out of my mouth quick enough.  There was such a smile of my face that I could not wait to sit and spend Daddy Time with my little Princess.  We had such a pleasant time, we talked about questions she needed answers to, things that were fun for her, some things that I did when I was small and our favorite things about playing in the snow yesterday and even sharing some of her fears.  It was then that Jesus spoke to me and said this is exactly what I feel when my children want to spend time with me.

The bible says “In Your presence is fullness of joy” and I have always enjoyed this verse because it reminded me that when I spend time in the Lord’s presence, I will be full of joy.  His joy not mine, this Joy the world could never take away from me, because it did not give it to me.  This joy is not based on my situation or circumstances but based on the Joy of Jesus, whose Joy is unspeakable.  Knowing this makes you look forward to spending time with God so that we can be replenished or be filled.  Today, Jesus revealed to me that it’s not just my joy that will be full, but that Jesus joys in His children desiring to spend time with Him.  He loves to hear from us, He smiles when we tell him what makes us happy, the things we like about being with Him and especially the cares we want to lay at His feet.  Nothing beats Daddy Time for you or Daddy.

Know that Jesus Joys in your presence with Him.  He loves to hear from you and loves to fill you with His unspeakable joy.   In Your presence is fullness of joy