Devotionals from Dad

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The end of the world fascinates millions. Some fear the end of the world, while others are cheering it on. Block buster movies have been made about the end of the world as we know it. Movies, like “Avengers Endgame,” feature the world on the brink of destruction, while others, like “Captain Marvel,” portray it in the midst of conflict between forces of good and evil. Other popular films, such as the 2017 thriller “Geo-storm,” depict widespread natural disasters with the potential to destroy our entire planet. Do any of these movies portray a real future? Hollywood movies at times are so far from the truth it is ridiculous. Bible scholars believe the day of the Lord will be an instantaneous event when Christ will return to earth to redeem His faithful believers and judge unbelievers to eternal damnation.
 2 Peter 3: 7 NIV By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
How close are we to “The Day of the Lord?” The Scriptures indicate that “The Day of the Lord” will come quickly, like a thief in the night, and therefore Christians must be watchful and ready for the coming of Christ at any moment. What are some of signs that “The Day of the Lord” is near! Here are just a few signs the day is near. First; wars and rumor of wars. If you have watched any news cast lately somewhere in the breaking news stories will be a story focusing on war. Sadly, the bible confirms that humanity is not finished with war. Scripture foretells of Armageddon, when a huge army will move west across the Euphrates River. Sign number two; Earthquakes and other natural disasters. Earthquake and tsunamis, floods and fires, continue to ravage our planet and seem to be increasing. Sign number three; cosmic events. Blood moons, lunar and solar eclipses and meteor showers have become common events in recent days. Scripture, tells us that one day the moon will be turned to the color of blood and the sun will become dark and thousands of meteors will light up the sky. Jesus Christ may return at any moment and He is not slow in keeping his promises!
2 Peter 3: 8-9 NIV But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
So if we use the timeline that with God a day is like a thousand years to help us comprehend how close we are to “The Day of the Lord'” you may be surprised at just how near we are to Jesus return. Some believe the second coming of Christ will occur 6,000 years after the creation of mankind, followed by 1,000 years of peace, because in Genesis, creation took 6 days and then on the 7th day God rested. Day 1, represents the first 1,000 years, the creation event, The Garden of Eden, the fall of man, Cain and Abel, and Adam dies. Day 2, 1 to 2,000 years, wickedness increases, the global flood, the Tower of Babel and the confusion of languages. Day 3, 2 to 3,000 years Abraham's calling, the Egyptian persecution, the Exodus, Joshua enters the Promised Land. Day 4, 3 to 4,000 years King David, King Solomon, Solomon's temple established and destroyed, Daniel in Babylon, major prophets and twelve minor prophets written. Day 5, 4 to 5,000 years marks the beginning of our current calendar, marked by BC and AD, the birth, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the Christian church is established. Finally Day 6, 5 to 6,000 years are the Crusades, the Dark Ages, the Protestant Reformation, the Age of Enlightenment, Scientific Revolution, World War I & II and the Israeli Declaration of Independence. The first two days cover the fall in the garden and the flood. The third and fourth day, cover the old testament and the prophets. Finally the 5th and 6th days represent

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I often hear people ask this question, “If God is so loving, why does he allow children to get cancer?” Or maybe they say, why would God allow a child to be physically or sexually abused. And the truth is, I don’t know! I had two sons die. One was still born and the other lived for only 3 months. That was over 30 years ago and though I can see God's hand working in and through my life as a direct result of my boys deaths, I can't say with total certainty that I know why they had to die. I can't see in my feeble mind what good could have possibly come from this situation and others like it. I know that as I suffered through those days, weeks, months and even years after my boys deaths there were many times I thought to myself, where are you God? The thought of a loving heavenly father allowing my boys to die was just something I could not comprehend. With the support and love of my Christian family and friends I managed to get through it all and come out the other side a better person!

Pain can make a person either a “better person” or a “bitter person.” There is a very fine line between becoming a “better person” and a “bitter person.” Two people can go through very similar difficult and painful situations in life and one of the comes out a “better person” while the other turns into a “bitter person.” What makes one person a “better person” and the other a “bitter person?” What is the difference between “better” and “bitter?” The only difference between “better and bitter” is the I. If you start looking at on yourself during difficulties in life you will become “bitter!” I can't understand why God would do this to me? I can't understand why God let my sons die! I just don't know, I - I – I!!! As you start relating everything to you,.... you become bitter. But if you will look to God, if you look to Emmanuel the “I” becomes an “E” and you become better. Even when you can not see it God is in control and he is working out his purpose!

Romans 8:28 NIV And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 

Pain always has a purpose. Pain in the body exists to alert us to some abnormality in our body. It exists so that we will recognize there is a problem, allowing us to address and correct the problem. Emotional, mental, and spiritual pain exist for the same purpose. God’s purpose is always to help us realize a life fulfilled. God wants us to be the very best we can be so that our lives will glorify Him! We just think we know what is best for us. God knows exactly what is best for us is. God knows we need to live a life in perfect union with Him, walking in faith, submission, and obedience. Everything God does, or allows, is for the purpose of drawing us, and others, back into union with Him. To glorify God with our lives. I may not see how life’s painful circumstances accomplish that, I may not understand how the death of my sons will bring glory to God, but I don’t have to!

Proverbs 3: 5-6 NIV Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Some of you may be walking through unbearable valleys of suffering that I can't even begin to comprehend. My prayer for you is for encouragement and grace to sustain you during this season of sorrow. I pray that God would bring people alongside you to comfort and sustain you. I ask that God would strengthen your faith. That you would trust the plans God has for you. Plans to prosper you, plans to give you hope and a blessed future.

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

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Have you ever felt like you were drowning in a sea full of distraction and anxiety, from all the day to day tasks you must get done. When you experience an overwhelming moment, it can feel all consuming. It can cause intense emotions, that at the time may feel like they are to challenging for you to over come. I don't often feel this way often but when I do I just want to ran away to a place of solitude and silence. As a country boy one thing that provides me with a sense of peace and relaxation is to be in nature. To be surrounded by God's creation. I especially enjoy walking to the top of the hill on the back of my property and enjoying the view from on high. From the top of the hill behind my home I can see for miles. In the spring when everything is green and in the fall when the trees are full of color it is especially beautiful. According to psychologists the view from a high location provides us with a sense of security and refuge. 

 Psalm 33:13 NIV From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind.

God knows all things and sees all things. God does not see as man sees! He sees much more than you and I see. There is a folk tale from India about 6 blind men and an elephant illustrates well how our limited perspective really impacts how we comprehend the world around us. Long ago six old men lived in a village in India. Each was born blind. The men were curious about many of the stories they had heard, about elephants. So the men were led by friends to an elephant. The first blind man reached out and touched the side of the huge animal. An elephant is smooth and solid like a wall, he declared! The second blind man put his hand on the elephant's trunk. An elephant is like a giant snake, he announced. The third blind man felt the elephant's pointed tusk. This creature is as sharp and deadly as a spear. The fourth blind man touched one of the elephant's four legs. He said, It is like a large tree. The fifth blind man felt the elephant's giant ear. I believe an elephant is like a huge fan. The sixth blind man gave a tug on the elephant's tail. Why, this is nothing more than a piece of old rope, he scoffed. 

As a teenager I thought I knew everything, just ask my parents! But as you can see each of us have a limited view of the world around us, but God knows all and sees all. God is omnipotent meaning he is all powerful. God is omniscient or all knowing and God is omnipresent meaning he is everywhere all the time! God knows the end from the beginning. He always sees the big picture. His perspective is complete and perfect. 

 Isaiah 43:2-3 NIV When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

So even though you may not be able to see the forest for all the trees surrounding you, when you experience that emotionally overwhelming moment just remember nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes. Just remember when you are standing on a hilltop and you think you are in control of everything you still have a very limited view point, but nothing is out of sight for God or beyond the control of our awesome God!!!

 Job 28:24 NIV for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. 

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What does a real man look like? What physical attributes do manly men have? I am not at all a fan of professional football player, Tom Brady, but you have to admit he is a pretty physically flawless man. He is tall and muscular, without an ounce of fat. He has perfect teeth, perfect skin and neatly trimmed dark hair, but what does a real man look like? A real man is brave and strong, respectful, thoughtful considerate, courteous, well mannered and protective. A real man can replace a ball valve in your household plumbing, change the oil in your car and fix a gourmet meal, right? The world offers conflicting views of what a real man is all about. Some say that being a man requires grit, determination, and rock-solid abs. Others say that manliness is about getting in touch with one’s feelings, caring for the less fortunate, and being sensitive. Still others would include leadership skills, a good work ethic, physical stature and riches. Turns out, if you ask women, none of that ranks very high. Recent online surveys of more than 1,000 women between the ages of 21 and 54 conducted by BestLifeOnline.com found that women value personality far more than physical attractiveness. What women want in a man is faithfulness and dependability, a sense of humor, the ability to listen, and a sense of style. Only 13 percent of women cited muscular build as a factor in physical attractiveness. On the other hand, 66 percent of women said moral integrity will “make them quiver."

I believe Joseph the adopted father of Jesus was a great example of real man. He was a humble carpenter who lived a quiet life; in fact, the Bible doesn’t record a single word he said. Yet Joseph was hand-picked by God to be the adoptive father of the Messiah. Joseph was the one who protected the infant baby Jesus. In the word of God Joseph stood silent. He is spoken to, he is spoken about, but not a single word from Joseph is recorded. Joseph appeared on the scene for just a few moments when he is engaged to Mary. Matthew tells us that Joseph was “faithful to the law.”

Matthew 1:19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

After an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and encouraged him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife, Joseph immediately obeyed. Later in the book of Matthew, an angel again appears to Joseph and commands him to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt because King Herod wanted to kill Jesus. Again, Joseph immediately obeys the angel’s command and takes his family to Egypt, saving Jesus’ life. After Herod died, an angel once again appears to Joseph and commands him to return to Israel, which he does. The only other time Joseph is mentioned in the bible is when 12 year old Jesus was accidentally left behind in the temple in during the Passover. After that Joseph is not mentioned again in the entire new testament. But Joseph displayed a pattern of obedience. So if we follow this example real men are obedient to the word of God!

A real man chooses to obey the Lord. If a men obeys God he will bless him. Real men are obedient and obedience leads to blessings. If you do not understand why God is asking you to do something but you obey God anyone, he will reward you. Therefore, set a goal to obey God and watch him work in your life.

Joshua 1:8 NIV Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 

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Every life has a beginning and an end, the day we’re born and the day we die. We enter this world weak and helpless, but each of us is born with tremendous potential. Our parents likely watched us and wondered: “What will our baby do with his or her life? What kind of person will he or she become?” And, by the time life ends, most of us have thought long and hard over the age-old question: What is the meaning of my life? What is the purpose of my life? The world focuses on finding a fulfilling personal career, accomplishing something emotionally or physically satisfying, or maybe just being a good person. No matter how successful you are at leaving your mark on this world, very few people will remember you or anything you have accomplished after your dead and gone.

A survey conducted by ancestry.com revealed that 34 percent of those surveyed can’t trace their family tree past their grandparents. Twenty-one percent don’t know where their grandparents lived, and 14 percent don’t know what their grandparents did for work. And almost no one knew the first name of any of their great great grandparents. So in just a couple generations you likely will be forgotten. Two thousand years ago there was a man born that knew exactly what His purpose in life was and He is still remembered and celebrated around the world today. He wasn't born into wealth or power. He was born into exactly the opposite. He was born in a barn and laid in a manger, a feed trough for the animals, there was likely livestock nearby the day he was born. From His humble beginning to his death on the cross Jesus Christ lived his life with purpose, to bring truth to the world!

John 18:37 TLB Pilate replied, “But you are a king then?” “Yes,” Jesus said. “I was born for that purpose. And I came to bring truth to the world. All who love the truth are my followers.”

You were born for a purpose! God created each of us for a reason and we are happiest when we are living in harmony with the purpose God has given us. Many people lead empty, unfulfilled lives, lacking purpose and meaning beyond the short-lived gratification of money, sex, power, respect or popularity, none of which means anything, especially when the darkness of death approaches! You need to know what God's purpose for your life is. The first chapter of the Bible tells us that God created us in his own image. To be born in the image of God is not about skin color, clothing styles, your personal skills or any other physical attribute. Being born in the image and of God is about spirit, attitude and actions. God is love! And He sent His Son Jesus Christ to be show us what love is, and how we are to love all people, even those who are hard to love. When was the last time you bought a Christmas gift for someone you didn't know or better yet someone you don't like!!!

Maybe you aren’t very “Jesus-like” right now. That’s OK. God already knows about it, and that is why he is working with you. If you let him, he will change you and transform you to be more like Jesus Christ. It takes patience, but the process fills your life with meaning and purpose. 

2 Corinthians 3:18 TLB But we Christians have no veil over our faces; we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him. 

The truth is, that no matter how much good we have done, we are never “good enough” to earn a place in heaven. God’s purpose for you is not only to be like Jesus was 2,000 years ago, but also to be like Jesus is now, resurrected, eternal and filled with glory and power! 

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Let’s face it, gifts are usually the reason we get excited about Christmas. The Liberty Mutual insurance company has a commercial around Christmas that just cracks me up. It begins by showing a young boy opening a gift, his mother asks him what he got. He responds, “It is customized home insurance from Liberty Mutual.” His father replies, “What does it do buddy?” to which the young boy explains with great enthusiasm, “It customizes our home insurance so we only pay for what we need!” Then the mother turns to the other boy and asks him and what did you get and the boy replies with his head hung low, “I got a bike.” Then he kicks the bike and goes to the other room to sulk. What is the greatest gift we have ever been given? God sending Jesus, His Son, to the manger in Bethlehem. You may think this is a crazy question to ask but what would you say is the difference between Jesus Christ and Santa Claus? Disregard for the moment the obvious fact that Santa Claus is a fictional character and Jesus is not. 

Jesus came from heaven to a manger outside of Bethlehem, then to a cross in Jerusalem, followed by ascension back to heaven, and is coming back to earth to establish his everlasting kingdom. Santa Claus comes from the North Pole in a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer. One of them makes an appearance once a year on Christmas Day, while the other one has promised to be with us every day of our lives for as long as we live. Both of them have had songs written about them, but it may be in the lyrics of those songs that the clearest difference between Jesus Christ and Santa Claus can be found.

Here is what we sing about Santa Claus: You better watch out, you better not cry, You better not pout, I’m telling you why, Santa Claus is coming to town. He’s making a list; he’s checking it twice, He’s going to find out who’s naughty and nice, Santa Claus is coming to town. He sees you when you’re sleeping, He knows when you’re awake, He knows when you’ve been bad or good, So be good for goodness sake.

Now listen to what we sing about Jesus Christ: Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the new-born king, Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled. Joyful all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies, with angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem, Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the new-born king. 

John 3:16-17 NIV For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Not only has Santa Claus led us to believe that Christmas is primarily about gifts, most of us also give like Santa Claus gives; only to the people that we like and everyone else gets a lump of coal. When was the last time you did something nice at Christmas for a person you did not like or that you knew didn't like you? It is human nature; we give gifts to the people that we like. The others who have hurt us, or offended us, or who we simply do not like for one reason or another get left out. Under the guidelines of the Gospel according to Santa Claus, they have been naughty and we can just scratch them off of our list. Now contrast Santa’s approach to Christmas with the Gospel. The Gospel says Christmas is about how the love of God was demonstrated when God gave to us His only begotten Son, to forgive our sins, For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but should have everlasting life. I hope you understand that the most precious gift any one could possibly receive this Christmas is the gift of salvation, the gift of the forgiveness of sin and the gift of eternal life with God!

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Do you feel like you are constantly being tempted? If so don't worry that is not necessarily a bad thing. If you are not being tempted on a regular basis that means the Devil isn't worried about the influence you are having on the world around you. The Devil doesn't tempt those who are not having an impact on the lost around them, however the opposite is true. He will throw every temptation he can think of, at those he wants to stumble, to ruin their witness to the lost people around them. Don't worry temptation is not the sin. Yielding to temptation is the sin. Remember, the Devil does his best to make sure that temptation comes in an a bright, shinny, attractive package. If that were not so, if temptation was evil, ugly and unattractive it wouldn't be a temptation now would it! 

Just remember it's not the bait - it's the bite! If you have ever gone fishing the old fashioned way you know exactly what I am talking about. First you put the bobber on your fishing line making sure that the hook is set at just the right depth so that it will be impossible for the fish to miss it. Then you carefully cover the hook with a fishing worm so that none of the point or barb is exposed. I know that worms may not seem like an attractive temptation to me and you but to a fish this is a like a juicy steak, a free meal! In this story the fisherman is the devil. He throws his bait into the water and patiently wait for the fish, me, to take the bait. Once the fish sees the bait he starts to nibble on it just to get a taste and see if it is as good as it looks. Once the devil is certain that the fish has got a good taste of the bait, he sets the hook, because he knows the fish has given into the temptation! So exactly where does temptation come from?

 James 1: 13-15 NIV When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 

Temptation is all around us and it seems to come at the most difficult of times. I know there are times when I am in church and trying my hardest to worship God, when all of the sudden from out of no where I have this terrible thought. Maybe I get angry about something someone said to me or I am repulsed by the way someone dressed to come to church, don't they know they are in God's house? You would think they could have at least found a pair of jeans that didn't have any holes in them! This is the kind of stuff that happens to me all of the time! Don't worry, even Jesus was tempted in the desert, yet thankfully we can protect ourselves against stumbling, against taking the bite out of the bait and giving into temptation. Memorizing scriptures is a good place to start. I struggle so hard with remembering the book and chapter but if you can remember the scripture itself that is good place to start and here is a great scripture to quote when you are being tempted!

1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 

Just remember it's not the bait that constitutes the sin it is the bite! So it's dangled in front of you, that's the bait, but you don't have to take the bite, but if you take the bite, now your responsible for your actions. You certainly need to confess and repent from the sin and you may even suffers some consequence for your actions. How do we deal with temptation? Avoid it, resist it, and pray for help from God, through the grace of Christ, to overcome it. 

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There are very few things in life I enjoy more than going camping with my wife, my children and my grandchildren. I make reservations months in advance. I spend many hours packing my camper and planning my weekends. When at the campsite I spend hours over the campfire cooking meals for my loved ones and even more hours in the evening relaxing around the campfire with my family and friends. So my hard question to you is this. If I spend 2 or 3 hours in a weeks time in Gods word and countless hours preparing for a weekend of camping, has my camper became my idol? Remember this, every good thing we enjoy in life can be a gift from God, including our hobbies. 

James 1:17 NIV Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 

Whether your hobby is sports, music, fishing, reading, or in my case camping, we can enjoy God through the things He has made. However, due to the sin in our lives, we also have to be on guard against turning our hobbies into idols. It’s all too easy to begin enjoying and worshiping the gift more than the Giver. But how do you know when a hobby has become an idol? First examine your mind! What occupies your mind when you have nothing else to think about? Does your mind go to your favorite hobby when you don’t have anything else to think about? The true god of your heart is your thoughts! Next take a look at your conversations. Remember, what’s on your mind and heart comes out of your mouth. What are you most passionate about? Some people talk about sports all the time. It’s just everyday conversation. It is so easy take a good thing and turn it into a god. Now look at your emotions. Do your hobbies incite or ignite your emotions in an unhealthy way? For example, does the football game cause your emotion to swing in such a way that you’re sad, grumpy, or even angry when your team doesn't win? Also look at your wallet. Are you spending so much money on your hobby that it is putting a financial strain on the rest of your household budget or even worse yet are you spending what you should be tithing to God on your hobby? Finally, examine the amount of time you are spending on your hobby. It is okay for you to spend more time on your hobby this week then you did worshiping God as long as you give God the glory for the gift he has given you. Just remember this, people tend to spend the majority of their time on the thing they love the most.

So how do we avoid losing perspective? How do we make sure to honor God with our minds, our hearts and our money when it comes to hobbies? Maximize your hobby for its intended purpose, a way to worship God. Some families use their hobbies as a way to spend quality time together. I do that with my family. When we are camping together I even set aside some time on Sunday morning to share a devotional with my children and grandchildren. Intentionally and continually offer thanks to God for your hobby. Hobbies are often times some of the most common and enjoyable means for bringing people together. So use your hobby as a why to share the gospel. When you are doing something together with someone that you both love it lowers their guard and gives you a more attentive ear, an opportunity to share the gospel with them that you likely would not have had if you had shown up on their doorstep with your bible in hand! Just remember this, the bible tells us that what ever we are doing whether it is your hobby, your work or your worship do it all for the glory of God!

1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 

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I am not certain about the rest of you, but I frequently have these bright ideas that I am confident God will be proud of. It is “My way or the highway” so you can either go with me or get out of my way. I charge head first into my projects,... then when things don't seem to be going quite as smoothly as I thought they should I ask God to join me! Our lives must be lived as Christ lived. Our focus must be for God's glory and not for our own. In the days in which we live, many people strive for notoriety, personal fame and fortune, for their own personal gain and not for God's glory. Rather than chase after fame and fortune Jesus calls us to walk in humility. One of the greatest examples of humility is when Jesus washed the disciples feet, just before he was betrayed by Judas, just before the last supper, just before he was to be crucified. In John chapter 13 verses 14 and 15 Jesus asked the disciples this question, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” Are the things you are striving for, the things that you are passionate about,... things that will be for your glory or for God's glory? We must do the “Lord's work in the Lord's way!” All of us have abilities, all of of us strengths, but the fact is if we operate focused on our own abilities and strengths, we are doomed to fail! 

John 15:5 NIV I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 

If your doing it your way, nothing you do will have an eternal impact. In Philippians chapter 2 verses 3 and 4 the bible says Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but to the interests of the others. If you know Jesus Christ as your personal savior you must be doing God's work. His work is not just confined to those who teach a Sunday school class or preach a sermon, it can be done in your workplace in your daily lives. Philippians says in humility value others above yourself. God's work can be displayed in an unselfish lifestyle. A lifestyle that does not say, look at me and what I have done, a life that puts others interest before their own interests. So what does God's work in action look like. You can find the answer in Romans chapter 12 verses 10 through 18.

 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

So you don't have to be employed by the church to do God's work. All you have to do is love others just as God loves you. Back in the 70s, the folks at Burger King developed a successful ad campaign with the slogan, “Have It Your Way,” based on the fast-food chain's willingness to tailor orders to each individual's tastes and preferences. If you want to have an eternal impact you must do the Lord's work the Lord's way. You can't have it your way. You must put the needs of other before your own.

Mark 10:45 NIV For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 

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Have you ever been in a large building that has those maps on the walls that have a listing of offices in the building and their locations with a big brightly colored star with an arrow pointing to it and the words, “You are Here?” I don't know about you, but for this country boy without those directions I would never find my destination. I have another confession to make. Sometimes I think I know more than person providing me directions or in my particular case the technology providing me the directions. In our vehicle I have a pet name for the navigation system. I call her “Gee-Pess.” I don't know who programs these things, but they drives me crazy. It tries to send me down roads that I am convinced surely wont get me to my destination. I begin arguing with the voice. Gee-Pess begins by telling me to “Take the next right turn,” to which I will reply, I am sorrow honey but I am not going to do that. Then Gee-Pees get more emphatic and will say something like, “When possible make U-turn” I will reply still not gonna do that sweetheart. In a final desperate plea good ole “Gee-Pees” will say “Immediately complete a U-turn!” By this point I usually just ignore the pleas of my GPS device until it finally gives up on me and says, “recalculating.” 

Where will you be when you be when you get where you are going? What map in life are you following? Are you following your GPS created by the world or are you following God's Positioning System, God's GPS is the bible, the inerrant word of God. Is your destination an eternal destination? If you think that your destination is not an eternal destination you are sadly mistaken. We are all on a journey to an eternal destination. We are all going to one of two final destinations. Every decision you make is guiding you towards either eternity in hell or eternity in heaven.

Matthew 7: 13-14 NIV Enter through the narrow gate. Wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. 

When you go on a journey in your car you can use a GPS. When you take a wrong turn, it recalculates. But it never gives up until you reach your destination. You can ignore it, switch it off, even yell at it, but if you follow it, usually it makes getting to your destination go smoother. Eventually, it will say “You have reached your destination.” God designed you with a purpose in mind. He has a specific, unique and glorious destiny for you. He promises to guide you. God’s purpose for you is bigger than your mistakes. I have made many mistakes in my life, but God has never stopped recalculating for me. God wants to communicate with you and has promised to guide you. Here are some ways God can guide you through your journey in life. First, the bible, God's word provides us with guidance. The best and simplest example I can think of are the 10 commandments. Second, the Holy Spirit, through the Holy Spirit we receive guidance. Many times I have heard that subtle voice in my head telling me I should go speak to someone or apologize to them for awful things I just said to them. Finally, my church family guides me. Rarely is there not a day, when I am with my church family, when someone shares a testimony of how God has guided them through a difficult time in their life and that same advice just happens to be what I needed to hear to help me find my way. But how do you receive this guidance? The secret is a close relationship with God. It involves spending time in his presence, meditating on his word, spending time with your church family. When you just not sure where you are. When you are feeling lost just remember this.

John 14:6 NIV Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 

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