Sometimes we get in trouble because we don’t fully read instructions when assembling a toy or attempting do-it-yourself repairs around the house. I know my wife has told me many times that “If you had only read the instructions….yah-di-dah-di-dah.” Well, unfortunately, I have to admit that she was right (most of the time…ok, all the time). Anyway, there are so many things in life that we could do so much better if only we read the instructions.

Wait, you say….

There’s not an instruction booklet on every little thing. Well, there is! It’s called the Bible. Here’s the thing: we fail to read ALL the instructions.

Point in case: Jesus said 

“If you ask anything…I will do it” – John 14:14

Well, here we go with a case of failing to completely read the instructions. The entire verse reads:

 ”If you ask anything in my name, I will do it.” – John 14:14.

Ok, so simply, we need only to ask in prayer: “Jesus, I want…” and wam-o-bam-o, it’s done!

Well, again, NO. We have failed to “understand” the instructions . . . and again, we have failed to fully read all the instructions. First of all, we need to ask for God’s Will – that is what’s meant by “in my name.” If we read all the Scriptures, Jesus tells us in the Lord’s Prayer “Thy Will be done” – not ours. That prayer is an example for us to follow.

The remaining instructions remind us that our life is no longer ours, but God’s. Therefore whatever we ask should be something that God can benefit from, not us.

Therefore next time you need some help, pull out the instruction manual (the Bible) and read about how life is supposed to be done.  It was written for a reason.  Use it!

Now for the women that read this anyway – I hope that you at least got something out of it – cause I’ve now proven that it’s not just men that don’t read instructions – but women also. 

“the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” -
2 Thessalonians 3:3

As I read this Scripture, I was reminded of those monkeys with their hands over their ears, eyes, and mouths. But really, this Scripture is not regarding evil as an “action,” rather it’s speaking of the devil.

Some people don’t really consider that the devil is a real being, a fallen angel. But he is real! And unfortunately for Christians, he continues to come after us. But this Scripture reminds us that the Lord will protect us and deliver us and that He will strengthen us!

Some days it seems really hard to cope – but these are just days that the devil is working overtime to get to us. It’s our choice whether we decide to give in or not. Think about it for a second, how many days are you sad or down when there is truly no “good” reason to feel that way. Maybe something didn’t turn out like you wanted, or maybe you got a less than perfect grade on something. Ok, so it didn’t work the way you wanted, but is that any reason to be sad? Maybe you feel a little disappointed, but PRAISE GOD that something worse didn’t happen.

It reminds me of the day that a nice farmer offered a room to a guest passing through town one night. That night, he entertained the guest, offered him room and board. The same night, the farmer had a cow pass away. Should he be depressed? He could have lost much more . . . Think about the story of Job in the Bible, he lost so much, to include many family members and possessions galore. Yet, Job recovered and fought off the devil and evil thoughts.

So, if you’re a little down today, cheer up! As my wife once told me before we started dating “Cheer Up or Else!” The Lord will protect you! Don’t allow the devil to think that he’s got some pull on you.

God is moving in our church. Last night’s youth service was filled with the Holy Spirit. Those who missed it, missed out on a very meaningful, heart-touching time with God; and I just wanted to share with you what the experience meant to me! Most of you know that last night wasn’t the first time God moved within the youth service; it was just the first time that I have been present when it happened. The only times I have felt The Holy Spirit in the past two plus years was when we went to “The Blaze” or to Pigeon Forge. In fact, several days ago, I was complaining to James that it seemed as though God was leaving me out, that I was being “left behind.” Every time I couldn’t be at church, (whatever the reason), would be the time James would come home and say, “You missed an awesome service! Everyone was talking about how The Spirit spoke to them tonight!” Those were bittersweet moments for me because I was happy for everyone else having that wonderful experience, but at the same time was jealous because they “got it” and I didn’t!
HOWEVER, no matter what my reason was for not going to church on those other nights, whether it was because Wesley was sick, because I wasn’t feeling well, or because I needed time alone at home to get something done – I WAS THE ONE WHO MADE THE CHOICE NOT TO GO TO CHURCH. God was NOT leaving me behind. I was leaving HIM.
My reasons for not attending on those nights were just excuses, some justifiable and others not so much. My point isn’t that we should never miss church NO MATTER WHAT, (although we should do our best to ALWAYS attend church.) My point is, DON’T BLAME GOD WHEN YOU ARE LEFT BEHIND! You see, I realized this morning that I was blaming God for “moving” and not allowing me to come along. I was envious of everyone who was “allowed” to go with Him. But this was Satan’s way of thinking – Satan was putting these thoughts into my head and telling me that God didn’t love me as much as he use to. Satan was using the time I missed church to his advantage. He knew I was tired and weak spiritually, hadn’t taken the time each day to re-fill my spiritual tank, and didn’t allow it to be filled at church because I didn’t go! Satan was watching me and waiting to strike just like a snake in the grass! He struck me. He bit. He made me fall.
But, by the Grace of God, I fell to my knees! See, Satan forgets that each time he knocks me down a little, I come back fighting hard! My heart, mind, spirit, and soul has and forever will belong to God. Satan may break my flesh at times, but God is always there to pick me up and heal me.
The Holy Spirit is moving people in our world today! God has never stopped using people to do His work. People have stopped ALLOWING God to use them!
We take God for granted! Even as Christians, maybe more so because we are Christians, we take God for granted. Just like we tend to take for granted our parents, grandparents, or siblings, we take for granted that no matter what we do, God will still love us. Yes, He will still love us, but the more sin we allow to separate us from God, the less He can BE WITH us and the less He can use us to help others. God and sin cannot co-exist within us. We chose one or the other every moment of every day. Every decision we make in our lives – yes, I emphasized EVERY – whether they are conscious or unconscious decisions, we chose God or we choose sin. There is no in between.
Did I choose sin just because I couldn’t go to church one night? Not deliberately; however, because I chose to “take a night off” and didn’t spend time with God during those times away from church, I opened up the opportunity for Satan to attack. Satan didn’t “make me do it.” I CHOSE not to go to church, not to spend time reading my bible, not to spend time in prayer, and to push God aside for the things I WANTED to do at that moment. I ALLOWED Satan in.
I’m writing this down for myself, just as much as I am for you all, as a reminder to make God Choices. This has been a learning experience for me and I hope if you are also having these feelings you have learned that God loves you – He didn’t leave you behind – He didn’t leave you out.
CHOOSE GOD! He’s waiting for you!

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

Now, how is it that 2000 years ago Jesus could claim such a statement?

He knew what would happen; He predicted our attitudes toward these events; and He knew we would begin to have doubt.

But let’s look back at the verse again, this time with emphasis:

“I have told you these things, so that IN ME you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

There’s two things I want to highlight in this passage. First, Jesus says “in me.” He is declaring that it is only through Him that you get peace. But secondly, and probably just as important as the first is that you “may” have peace. It doesn’t say that you will. Why is this important? It is by your choice. Many people claim to be Christians, but don’t look to God for peace. I am guilty of this on occasion as I try to do things on my own, and I fail. I sometimes try to do the correct thing without praying first and I fall on my face, failing every time.

Instead, we all need to remember that if we look to Jesus and depend on Him, then we may have peace. It’s OUR CHOICE! Do you want peace? Are you ready to trust Jesus to give it to you? He’s willing to give it to you, just ask Him today!

Remember, Jesus “overcame the world” and proved He is God’s Son. And this time of the year is when we are reminded of this more than ever. As Easter approaches, I ask that you share the truth of Jesus with someone you love and share His peace with the whole world!

Three different times [Paul] begged the Lord to take away [his weaknesses]. Each time [God] said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:8-10)

And in Nehemiah 8:10

“This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”

We should be glad concerning our weaknesses, for it is when we are weak that we MUST look to God for strength. It is when we are at rock bottom that we have nothing . . . but GOD. So we should be thankful when we are in trials/troubles and in our weaknesses, because they are reminders to look up (toward God).

Think about the times that you are feeling great and at the top of the world: how often do you remember that it was God that put you there? Probably not very often.

Therefore, THANK GOD for your weak days and let the Lord give you strength.

It seems so hard to try to interpret the Will of God when we can’t find direct instructions in Scripture for making certain choices in life. But imagine, what if . . . what if God specifically TOLD you what to do, AND . . .  God TOLD you that you would be unsuccessful at it? How would you react?

Let’s use this scenario: God tells you to go and tell a certain person about the Good News of Jesus, but God also tells you that the person won’t listen . . . .    Would you still have patient obedience to follow God’s command and tell the person even though you know they won’t listen?

² You are to say everything I command you, and your brother Aaron is to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go out of his country. ³ But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt, ⁴ he will not listen to you. – Exodus 7:2-4

God told Moses and Aaron that they were to speak to the king of Egypt, but God also told them that the king wouldn’t listen. What happened . . . ?

⁶ Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD commanded them. – Exodus 7:6

Next time you are struggling to follow God because you think everything is going wrong, pray. Pray to determine God’s true will. Maybe you are following His commands, but maybe you are supposed to endure some trials while you do in order to strengthen your faith.

I wouldn’t expect that you trials will last forever: if they do, maybe you’re not really following God’s Will. Pray . . . , but remember that prayer involves a TWO-way communication. Don’t just go to God and tell Him your problems, be willing to LISTEN to Him.

“Be still and know that I am God” – Psalm 46:10.

the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints….For to them God would make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the nations, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory,   Colossians 1:26-27

The secret very plainly is identified as that of Jesus Christ – “The hope of glory”

It’s interesting to me that Scripture reminds us that although God is love and God is our Father, He is also our hope! 

Many people throughout the world, and even in America struggle with little things that we consider large.

• Teens worry about boyfriends/girlfriends and school
• Adults worry about finances and work demands

Yet, we always seem to forget that as Christians, we have an eternal life in Jesus Christ. A contemporary Christian song lyric reminds me “This world has nothing for me, This world has nothing for me.” Is that true for your life?

Interestingly enough, the lyrics that follow the line above is purely “I will follow you” meaning follow God. Are you following God? Do you trust in Him? Is your faith and hope in Him, or do you still worry about today and worldly events?

I challenge you today to put your TOTAL FAITH in GOD through JESUS CHRIST! It’s not a secret that true Hope can only be found in Jesus Christ!

click here for music to RESCUE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXAN3l8jQDg&feature=related

“RESCUE” by New Song

You are the source of life
I can’t be left behind
No one else will do
I will take hold of You

I need You Jesus, I need You Jesus

My heart is Yours for life
I need Your hand in mine
No one else will do
Lord I put my trust in You

I need You Jesus to come to my rescue
Where else can I go?
There’s no other Name by which I am saved
Capture me with grace
I will follow You

My heart is Yours for life
I need Your hand in mine
No one else will do
Lord I put my trust in You

chorus/bridge

This world has nothing for me  – I will follow You!

Psalm 17 – A prayer of David.

 ¹ O Lord, hear my plea for justice.
      Listen to my cry for help.
   Pay attention to my prayer,
      for it comes from honest lips.
 ² Declare me innocent,
      for you see those who do right. 
³ You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night.
      You have scrutinized me and found nothing wrong.
      I am determined not to sin in what I say.
 ⁴ I have followed your commands,
      which keep me from following cruel and evil people.
 ⁵ My steps have stayed on your path;
      I have not wavered from following you.

 ⁶ I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God.
      Bend down and listen as I pray.
 ⁷ Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways.
      By your mighty power you rescue
      those who seek refuge from their enemies.
 ⁸ Guard me as you would guard your own eyes.
      Hide me in the shadow of your wings.
 ⁹ Protect me from wicked people who attack me,
      from murderous enemies who surround me.
 ¹⁰ They are without pity.
      Listen to their boasting!
 ¹¹ They track me down and surround me,
      watching for the chance to throw me to the ground.
 ¹² They are like hungry lions, eager to tear me apart—
      like young lions hiding in ambush.

 ¹³ Arise, O Lord!
      Stand against them, and bring them to their knees!
      Rescue me from the wicked with your sword!
 ¹⁴ By the power of your hand, O Lord,
      destroy those who look to this world for their reward.
   But satisfy the hunger of your treasured ones.
      May their children have plenty,
      leaving an inheritance for their descendants.
 ¹⁵ Because I am righteous, I will see you.
      When I awake, I will see you face to face and be satisfied.

Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you;
And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you.
For the Lord is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him.
- Isaiah 30:18

I ran across this verse this morning during my devotion and thought it was neat how the Lord is waiting, waiting for us. See, we always think that we are waiting on Him. We lift up our prayers and wait… and wait…   and wait….     But wait a minute…how long has the Lord been waiting on us? How long has He asked you for something and YOU haven’t answered?

Maybe the Lord has asked you to use your talents for the church. Maybe He’s called you to a ministry in missions or in evangelism. Maybe He’s called you like He called me and it took me over a year to respond to Him.

…don’t be like me, I once was blind, but now I see.
…Give into the Lord TODAY! Wait no longer, because
…He’s waiting for you and wants to bless you!

Is that you? Is the Lord calling on you, while you impatiently wait for Him to answer your prayers? He will patiently wait for you; Scripture reminds us that He will be gracious to us. However, why make Him wait any longer? Maybe if you answer Him today, then you will see the answer you’ve been waiting for!

I love what the preacher mentioned last night in church: when the Lord takes something from you, it’s only so He can give you something better! Give in to Him today, make Him wait no longer!

Answer Him and allow His blessings to surround you! Remember Scripture says “Blessed are those who wait for Him.”  Don’t be impatient with Him. He isn’t impatient with us. He has waited on some of us for a long time! Don’t make Him wait another minute! Stop what you are doing and pray NOW, answer His call, and allow Him to use you and watch the many blessings follow.

So, I came across a picture of Dad and me from years ago.  Ok now, don’t laugh:  

 (at either of us, please….  

But as I remembered back to times when I was a child, I remember thinking about how my Dad could help me do “anything.” He was like my HERO! We played together, we worked together, we even built a tree house together. Anything that my brothers and I wanted to do, he would and COULD do with us. Sure, we weren’t rich and didn’t ask for the world, but we didn’t need it, we had “Super Dad.”

Then, I stopped to think. How much greater is our Heavenly Father than our earthly father?

Ever think of Jesus Christ as “Super Dad” or a HERO? In the case of Jesus though…he CAN do anything. And more than that, Scripture reminds us that WE can do anything through Him!

“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13

So…no matter what you are struggling with, no matter how bad it gets, REMEMBER…with Jesus, you can and will survive! The outcome may not be what you want, the result may not be your desire, but the end will near and Jesus will carry you safely through…if you allow Him too.

“With God all things are possible.” – Matthew 19:26