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).

Jesus Makes All Things New

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Rev 21:5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”

In just a few hours we will say goodbye to 2014 and welcome 2015. The Lord wants to remind us today that He makes all things new…… Regardless of what happened in 2014, the highs and/or lows, they are no more.  Jesus said “Behold” or Pay Attention; Look and See what I have to say; I will make 2015 completely new. All that you’ve been believing God for, healing, blessing, opportunity, direction all will be new in 2015. Now prepare to receive and walk in it.

If you cannot wait for 2014 to end; “Behold” 2015 is NEW!!!!

I’m looking forward to great things in 2015 because Jesus has made it new!

Merry Christmas!!! Especially Those Dealing With Loss

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Ps 68:5 A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation.

Merry Christmas everyone, what a joyous day this is as we spend time with family and enjoying the few times a year when everybody slows down and take a little time off. Today I want to send a little extra love to those who’ve lost a loved one and no longer get to spend this special time with them. Today, with as much fun as I’m having with my wonderful family, I cannot help but miss the HUGE Smile of my Daddy. This is the 5th year without him and while many say time heals all wounds….it’s not accurate; only Jesus does.

My Dad loved this time of year, because he was a great gift giver. He enjoyed seeing faces light up because of how much they appreciated the perfect gift. He gave to as many people as he could think of, family, friend or stranger. Not to mention, when family got together he was always the life of the party. So Pops, I miss you and wish you were here….but I’m glad you’re able to hang out with your Father.

I’m drawn to this verse in Psalm, because it reminds us that God will never allow us to be without a safe place. I attended a funeral this week of a beautiful wife and mother gone at such an early age, then found out another wife and mother went home to be with the Lord. Both leaving husbands close to my age and children to fend life without them. To them I pray this verse and believe that Jesus will meet their needs and fill their voids while allowing them to properly grieve and appreciate their wife/mother.

The Hebrew meaning for Holy Habitation is a set apart, sacred dwelling place. Habitation also means refuge, which is a place to go to hide, recover and refresh. And sometimes when you lose someone, you just want to go and hide… you want to get away. You sometime need a little extra loving. God says I am your refuge Fatherless, Motherless, Husbandless, Wifeless, Brotherless and Duaghterless. Be encouraged today that Jesus came to die for us that we would be in right standing with God. And part of that right standing includes His refuge for those times like today…when your loss hurts and you need a little extra of His attention. When you need it, go into His refuge, it has been created just for you. Merry Christmas and Happy Habitation….God Loves You and sent you a gift that will help you deal with your loss.

When God Talks…We Should Listen!! (Part 2)

God Loves You,

For details or context necessary from Part 1; see the below post….

The second time God spoke audibly was at Mount Hermon, or the “mount of transfiguration,” when He said…   Matt 17:5…“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” Again God expressed His unfailing and precious love for His Son as well as the pleasure enamored because of Him. Jesus was being transfigured or changed into another form. Some say Jesus’ appearance was changed to that of Christ and was resplendent with divine brightness. His immortal body was revealed in all of it’s splender. We will one day have bodies like this and I can’t wait. However, on this night, three disciples were fortunate enough to see it, but what exactly did they see?

Matt 17:3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 4 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” So check it out, they saw two men appear, talking with Jesus. Men that they’d only heard stories told about. Seeing Moses and Elijah for them would be like us seeing George Washington or the Apostle Paul (why did I choose these two; I have no idea) today having a conversation. We would immediately be smitten and we’d want to hear what they were saying as well as show them how appreciative we were for their contributions to our lives today. This is what I believe Peter was feeling in all of his excitement. He wanted to commemorate, what they were witnessing as he knew nobody would ever believe him when he’d tell. Peter failed to just sit and soak in the presence of Jesus and the miraculous event he was witnessing.

Check this out, Peter was in the midst of trying to do something good rather than receiving (remember Martha)… actions without direction…. God then cut Peter off and said this: Matt 17:5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” The same thing He said before, even though the three disciples were there the first time. So why? Peter was distracted by all that was happening on mountain and had lost focus… Remember: Jesus is my Son and I am pleased with everything about Him. That was His message, but He went on to add something else… Hear Him!” God thought it was important to hear what His beloved Son had to say.

So what did Jesus have to say after God spoke… “Arise, and do not be afraid.” the Greek word Arise means to awaken from sleep, WAKE UP!!! (for my School Daze fans) Then He encouraged them to no longer be scared. Words we need to adhere to. The Church today needs to be reminded; Wake up from your deep sleep; stop being scared (we’ve got all the power and we know who wins). We often listen to smart, successful, humble and impressive people who are great leaders and have significant accomplishments. However, while it is great to get advice from these people, there is only one who God wants us to Hear from (listen too; comprehend) and that is Jesus Christ our Lord. Jesus continued to speak and continues to talk to us all of the time.

I believe the key is in verse 8. The text says that When they had lifted up their eyes, our focus is on our situation, circumstance which are often our problems…these are all typically in low places, so we have to look up. What we know from scripture is that Ps 121:1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills From whence comes my help? 2 My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. Heb 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. When we look up, we can Hear Him! As a matter of fact, when all of the dust had settled they saw no one but Jesus only…And He is all we need.

When God Talks…Hear Him!!

….Up Next When God Talks…We Should Listen!! (Part3)

When God Talks…We Should Listen!! (Part 1)

God Loves You

Matt 3:17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

I preface this illustration as a kid born in the early 70’s. I recall a commercial for a brokerage company called EF Hutton, the company has since been bought and sold a few times and I believe is now a part of Citi Group. In the commercial, two business professionals would be engaged in conversation about advice given to them by their broker. The commercials always had the same ending with the professional who had EF Hutton as a broker was asked what his broker thought. Here take a look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6ua5xCOlhM (not responsible for any other media on youtube). So much weight was given to EF Hutton, that everyone would drop everything just to hear what valuable information was about to be revealed. The commercial was successful because it was very memorable and the company obviously lasted a long time.

So what does that have to do with the bible or with this verse??? Well, while everyone back in the 70’s really cared about what EF Hutton had to say, today very few seem to care about what God has to say. God speaks in many different ways to His children, but He spoke audibly on only 3 occasions in the New Testament. You would think that God would carry a lot more weight than a brokerage company and I want to share why we should be listening.

The first time God spoke audibly was at Jesus’ baptism; He wanted to world to know two things: Jesus was His beloved Son and everything about Jesus pleased Him. If you recall, John the Baptist was telling the world about the coming Lamb of God who would take away all the worlds sins. When Jesus showed up and was baptized by John, it was there that God spoke aloud about His Son. “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

God loves Jesus; every bit of Him, every part of Him; every inward part and everything associated with Him. Why is that important? Because when you understand how much God loves Jesus, it will help you understand just how much He loves you and I. You see as much as God loves Jesus, He was not willing to spare Him from suffering in order to demonstrate the love He has for us… John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. He SO loves us and He will never let us forget it!!!

He was also pleased with Jesus; the Hebrew word; (eujdokevw) actually means to take pleasure in, to be favorably inclined towards one. Layman’s terms…God takes great pleasure in His Son and He shows Him great favor. That sounds awesome don’t you wish God would feel the same way about you? Check this out, the Hebrew word “in” here in this text means in, by and with. So God is pleased with Jesus and everything in Jesus, everything done by Jesus and every one of us who are with Jesus. You should get with Jesus… back to God’s pleasure… Jesus and everything “in Him”

Nearly 90 times in the New Testament the words “in Him” (not in him) are used to express the things in Jesus Christ. Therefore, that which is in Christ also brings pleasure to God. 2 Cor 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. John 3:15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. John 6:40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” If these verses are representative of your life then you are in great shape. However if not….let’s change that. NOW!!! Believe in Jesus and begin your new life “in Him.”

….Up Next When God Talks…We Should Listen!! (Part 2)

Never Doubt Your Father’s Love

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John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

This parenting thing is not all that easy, sometimes it’s really tough. It becomes even more difficult when you have multiple little ones. We’ve got three kids that are growing up so very fast. One thing I often think about is how it is impossible to treat them the same, after all they are little individuals who will grow to be their own anointed man/woman after God’s own heart. I write this because the other day we were prepping for dinner, it was chili, a family favorite. My wife dished out the meal and I was helping for a change and putting dinner out on the table. It was then that God showed me once again how much He loves us.

My boys are growing fast and eating even faster. Whether it’s breakfast or dinner they can always be found when during meal time, they get it from me I’m pretty sure. J This day was one of those times when I watched their eyes and attempted to jump into their minds to see what they are thinking. While putting the food before my youngest son (the middle child), I saw him looking closely at the bowls. You see my wife put just a little more chili in one of the boy’s bowls. The boys are about 17 months apart in age and pretty close in everything else, including serving sizes. I know that there are times when they need a little extra love, so that day I gave him the bowl with a little extra, however he didn’t notice. What he did notice was when I dished out the chips, I watched him as I shorted him on the chips and gave his older brother a few extra ones, compensating for the chili. I watched his eyes dim and look sharply at his brother then at his chips, finally his head dropped. I was now in his mind and I knew exactly what he was feeling.

You know this scripture, you’ve heard it a million times…..But it remains so powerful and true. God so loves you and me. But let’s face it sometimes our faith tends not to agree. It is often hard to believe it’s possible for God to love us all the same. Sometime others have more chili in their bowls. There are times when we feel that God loves others more than he loves us. I want you to know it’s not just you, it’s Satan. What??

Satan wants us to feel like he felt before God expelled him from Heaven (Isaiah 14:12; Rev 12). He was kicked out because he wanted to take over, but remember, he was the worship leader for God’s congregation. A devout follower of God and then one day he wasn’t. Now there is a “brother” that he feels God loves more. God seated us in very High Places (Ps 8:5 For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.) and now Satan is under our feet…. and it pisses him off. So he spends a majority of his time trying to make sure that “brother (us)” believe that we could never be fully loved by God, never fully forgiven. But that is a lie strait from his pit!!!

Back to the chili… Later that evening when my son and I were alone, I asked him about the situation and how it made him feel. Eventually he admitted that it made him feel like I loved his brother more than him. For the next few minutes I explained to him that I only gave his brother extra chips because he got extra chili. I told him, how special he was and how much I loved him, that I loved all of my children the same, but each very differently and why. I hugged him so tightly (he’s a hugger) and assured him that I loved him sooooooooooooooooooooo much.

Doesn’t God do that for us all of the time, constantly reassuring us of His love? Which is why I will never get tired of hearing “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Don’t you let Satan make you think God is like us! He can love us more than we could ever imagine, and He loves us all the same, but very differently. Jesus came and sacrificed so we would never have to question the awesome love of our Father. Enjoy it, it’s all yours.

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!!!