OBEDIENCE

Does it matter when I respond to God's commands, as long as i do so?

God's Response:

The Lord gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai: "Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce My judgement against it because I have seen how wicked its people are." But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord.

Jonah 1:1-3



If you rebel against the Lord's commands and refuse to listen to Him, then His hand will be as heavy upon you as it was upon your ancestors.

1 Samuel 12:15



Our Takeaway:

Jonah knew that God had a specific job for him. He just didn't want to do it. So Jonah decided to go as far in the opposite direction form Nineveh as he could. The consequences of that decision were dramatic.



When God gives us direction through His Word, we may run from them out of fear or stubbornness, claiming that God is asking too much. It may have been fear or anger at God's request that made Jonah run. But running got him into worse trouble. And in the end, Jonah still had to do what God had asked in the first place. Obeying God from the start prevents many problems later on.



God's Challenge:

Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit... Turn back and live!

Ezekiel 18:31-32



Big T's Thought To Ponder:

I can honestly say that in the almost 20 years I have been in business for myself, my actions were often guided by other people; in my 48 years of life, I can honestly say that 45 of them were guided by the ways of this secular world and not the Holy Spirit. The only obedience in my life was to selfish desires of a fallen world.

What a travesty of the perfect and Divine plan of God looking back today! The One who created me, who has bought me for a price, who sustains me daily, is the One I pushed to the back of the bus and the One that I put on the back burner in order to please the fickle opinions of transient minds. For me it was the fear of mans non-acceptance by a worldly standard; I thought I could find acceptance, joy, peace and happiness through obedience in serving myself and mortal man. But I was sincere - I was sincerely wrong!

How can we escape from the fear of man and his acceptance? We can only escape this bondage and captivity by seeking a personal relationship with our Creator, focusing on who He is through His Word and devoting our time to Him. Developing a deeper understanding of His Power and the non-existent power of mankind in comparison.

We must remember that He holds heaven and earth, the present and eternity, welfare and calamity, and the keys to every human heart in his Hand - "He's got the whole world in His hands". There is no one else we try to impress who wields such power. Not even a close runner-up!

God's prescription for our obedience is to let Him rule our lives and fill our hearts. I failed at this for 45 years, most of us do. I was more concerned about being rejected by others, having others laughing at me, criticizing me, looking down on me and shutting me out of their circles.

Instead, we should set our minds on things of above, let the awesome prestige of God occupy our time, our money, our minds and our hearts. He alone is where are true acceptance is found. He alone can comfort us, He made us and it is He who created the foundation of this world and the incomprehensible vastness of the heavens, He tells the waves of the oceans where to stop and the sun where to rise each morning, He moves the mountains and breaths the stars... Who else would guide our paths?

It was a delusion of my sinful and lost ways that caused me to place more value on human opinion than on God. I knew of God, but I didn't know God... I didn't have a relationship with God; so I had no clue, I was blind to who my mighty creator really was. I was a hypocrite about it: I stressed my independence and freedom, yet enslaved myself to public opinion and the shifting sands of culture and a fallen human perspective.

God calls His servants to be released from captivity. The spirit that is full of Him will not be deluded. His opinion alone matters, and it is liberating. Stand firm on His truth, never be moved, and let fear of worldly acceptance be far from your heart. The way that seems right often isn't.

1 John 2:15-17

PRAYER

What assurance do I have that God can hear my prayers?

God's Response:
You can be sure of this: The Lord set apart the godly for himself. The Lord will answer when I call to Him
Psalm 4:3

The Lord hears His people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.
Psalm 34:17

Our Takeaway:
David knew that God would hear him when he called and that God would answer him too. We can be confident that God listens to our prayers and answer them. We may sometimes think that God will not hear us because we have fallen short of His high standards for holy living. But if we have trusted Christ for salvation, God has forgiven us, and He will listen to us.

When you feel as if your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling, remember that as a believer you have been set apart by God and that He loves you. And although His answers may not be what you expect, He does hear and answer every time you call to him. The next time you're not sure that God is hearing your prayers, try looking at your problems in the light of God's power instead of looking at God in the shadow of your problems.

God's Promise:
The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and His ears are open to their prayers.
1 Peter 3:12

Big T's Though To Ponder:
There is nothing more assuring to us than God's promises and the truth of His Word. I love the promise Peter shares with us in this verse but beyond the truth he shares with us, there is instruction for us to follow.

God wants us to come to Him cleansed, clean and pure in heart. He created us in His image for a reason, he wants us to be like Him, to follow His instruction and to become obedient to His Calling and Him Will for each of our lives.

He wants us to live holy and righteous lives in oneness with Him; to allow Him to finish His perfect work in each one of us through His refining of our lives, His transforming of our hearts and bringing us into perfect alignment with His will for each one of us.

Our assurance that He hears our prayers is 100%!
(1 John 16:24)

Our assurance that God is with us when we call on His name is 100%!
(Matthew 18:19-20)

On what basis do we call upon God? How often do we all pray for our own agenda without consulting God for His? Are we confident that what we are asking for is within the plan He has for each one of us?

We don't need to know every detail of God's will for us before praying, but we must pray with the understanding that His Divine plan has been perfectly prepared for us of us individually and there is a good chance that it won't align with ours.

We need to seek His plan, His counsel and His guidance and His mind for our everyday. Ask Him to integrate His thoughts into yours. We want to approach Him with honesty, humility, love and a pure heart. His thoughts aren't our thoughts, but he offers them to those who want Hi - and who will be bold enough to ask.

He offers us everything we need and so much more - He offered Himself! So get quite with God and ask Him to be your guide today - He loves you and knows your way.
Matthew 7:7-11

CHARACTER

Does having godly character really affect anyone else but me?

God's Response:
When the time came, we set sail for Italy. Paul and several other prisoners were placed in the custody of a Roman officer named Julius, a captain of the Imperial Regiment... The next day when we docked at Sidon, Julius was very kind to Paul and let him go ashore to visit with friends so they could provide for his needs.
Acts 27:1; 27:3

The soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners to make sure they didn't swim ashore and escape. But the commanding officer wanted to spare Paul, so he didn't let them carry out their plan.
Acts 27:42-43

Our Takeaway:
Julius, a hardened Roman army officer, was assigned to guard Paul. Obviously he had to remain close to his prisoner at all times. Through this contact, Julius developed respect for Paul. He gave Paul a certain amount of freedom (see Acts 27:3) and later spared his life (see Acts 27:43).
How does your character look, up close and personal? Is it the kind of character that inspires trust in others?

God's Promise:
Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep with your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.
Proverbs 3:3-4

Big T's Thought To Ponder:
Absolutely, having the character of God affects everyone around us, it's contagious! It's one of the many ways God has planned to glorify Himself through us.

Consider a few of God's most obvious character traits - Holy, Righteous, Omniscient, Omnipotent, Merciful, Patient, Kind, Faithful, Peaceful, Gentle, Approachable, Creative, Forgiving, Honest, Trusting, Compassionate, Bold, Dependable, Diligent, Generous, Eternal, Supernatural, Wise, Tolerant, Perfect, and Loving-Loving-Loving! (Make you're own list, it's fun!)

We could literally speak about the Divine character of God endlessly... The thing that just blows my mind, is that we were all created in the likeness of Christ Jesus (Genesis 1:27). Once we have a change of mind and make the decision to believe and trust in Jesus Christ, His Glorious work can begin in us and through us.

We are indwelt by God who takes up residency in us (Galatians 2:20); then we are made a new creation where the old self dies and all things become new (2 Corinthians 5:17) and He slowly transforms our hearts (Ephesians 4:23-24). He begins to reveal the new man He originally created us to be by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2), by giving us revelation to His truth through exposing the lies of satin and the fallen world.

His refining and pruning process in our lives can bring challenges, pain, hardship and suffering (Corinthians 11:22-32) but it is always temporary and always yields goodness and growth in our reliance on Him. We always need to allow His rays of light to shine bright in what feels like the darkest moments in life - somebody will be watching you and your reaction to lifes most difficult moments - we need to be His good and faithful ambassadors!

God makes us new and acceptable from the inside out (Romans 6:1-11), allowing us to be a beacon of His light to the darkened world around us. He makes us righteous in Christ likeness; our true character is restored and our neighbors begin to take notice as they begin to see God's transformation in us - the conformed spirit, transformed heart and renewed mind - new men striped of the world and its false belief system and made new for His Kingdom through His Truth and Agape Love.

"Fore we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." - The world is always watching us, let His light be bright in your every day!

TRAGEDY

How should I respond when tragedy strikes?

God's Response:
I asked them about the Jews who had returned there from captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem. They said to me, "Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire." When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven... "The people you rescued by your great power and strong hand are your servants. O Lord, please hear my prayers!... Please grant me success today by making the king favorable to me. Put it into His heart to be kind to me."
Nehemiah 1:2-4; 2:10-11

Our Takeaway:
Nehemiah was deeply grieved about the condition of Jerusalem, but he didn't just brood about it. After his initial grief, he still mourned, prayed, and poured out his heart to God, and he looked for ways to improve the situation. Nehemiah put all his resources of knowledge, experience, and organization into determining what to do.

When you receive tragic news, the first thing to do is pray. Then seek ways to move beyond grief to specific action that helps those who need it.

God's Promise:
Day by day the Lord takes care of the innocent, and they will receive and inheritance that lasts forever. They will not be disgraced in hard times; even in famine they will have more than enough.

Big T's Thought To Ponder:
We are to respond to the tragedies of life by practicing the presence of our Savior Jesus Christ and being completely conscious of the indwelling Holy Spirit who resides within us. We don't have to go through the trials, tribulation and storms of life alone, because our Sovereign Savior sent us a Comforter to guide us and encourage us through the rough waters of life.
Isaiah 43:1-2

It is critical to know the promises and truths of God's Word - this is where we find peace; this is where we discover the treasure in our tragedies. This is where God does His greatest work in us, where He stretches our faith and strengthens our trust and dependence in Him alone.
John 16:33

Being anchored in Christ and confident in His Word allows us to realize that we are blessed and protected beyond our greatest imagination. God is our refuge and fortress in times of uncertainty and treacherous waters.
Psalm 23

It is human nature to avoid trials, it is Godly nature to persevere through them. Worship God and seek Him in the midst of tragedy - let Him use your trials to draw you closer to Him.
Isaiah 26:9

"The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.

LET JESUS IN

I have these nagging thoughts about God. Could He be seeking me out?

God's Response:
The Lord isn't really being slow about His promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.... And remember, our Lord's patience gives people time to be saved.
2 Peter 3:9; 3:15

[Jesus said,] "Look! I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends."
Revelation 3:20

Our Takeaway:
Jesus knocks at the doors of our hearts because He wants to save us and have fellowship with us. He is patient and persistent in getting through to us - not breaking and entering but knocking. He allows us to decide whether or not to answer His knock and open the door to Him.

God's Promise:
The Lord must wait for you to come to Him, so he can show you His love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for His help.
Isaiah 30:18

Big T's Thought To Ponder:
God's timing, is not our timing! This is always a painful thought for all of us to hear. God is all about patients, it's one of His greatest attributes. Most of us struggle with this, I know that I do. Invariably, our timing is almost always faster than God's.

His plan for our lives - each trial and each reward in it, includes an endless timeline of intricate details and deep workings. We typically don't care about such thoroughness. We want to get out of our difficult situation quickly or achieve our success suddenly. For us, time is of the essence and for God time is essential.

I remember last year getting so impatient due to the pressure and uncertainty I was feeling in a fierce storm of life - my lawyer and I devised a bankruptcy and reorganization plan for my sinking business. We had congered up a quick easy fix that would have me debt free and back on track seamlessly and without having to wade through the painful realities of life and the shattered economy we are living in.

There was two gaping holes in our secular plan... First of all, I still thought it was my business I was running - wrong! Secondly, this backup plan my attorney and I had crafted just in case God's plan didn't work out was never going to have God's blessing. It wasn't His way, His timing or His path for me. Could He have designed a workaround, sure He is in the workaround business. He has to be because we are always so impatient and forever getting in His way!

Praise: We squashed the bankruptcy plan; waited on God to guide and deliver us to safe passage. He revealed that His plan is always best and that He was going to keep me on the payroll, managing His business. We have been profitable ever since!

I love 2 Peter 3:8, it really helped me get my head around this Divine spectrum - "But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and one thousand years as one day".

This means that answers to our prayers often seem delayed in our own minds but are decisive in God's. It means that deliverance often seems slow to us but to God it is already accomplished. It means that when we act on our impulses, we're violating His patient plans. It means when our blood pressure is rising and our palms are sweating, God's voice is always saying, "Be still. Settle down. I am on My throne."

Can you hear Him? If you're in a rush, probably not. How many times was Jesus in a rush? How often does the Word describe God as panicked? How many people who have invested their lives in Him have been let down in the end? Relax - Wait -Be strong and take heart.

Are you intentionally keeping His life-changing presence and power on the other side of the door? Open it and invite Him in!

LIVING WATER

Is there really such a thing as spiritual hunger and thirst?

God's Response:
Jesus replied, "If you knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and i would give you living water."
John 4:10

As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before Him?
Psalm 42:1-2

Our Takeaway:
What did Jesus mean by "living water"? In the Old Testament, many verses speak of thirsting after God as one thirsts for water. God is called the fountain of life and the fountain of living water. When Jesus said in John 4 that he would give living water that could forever quench a person's thirst of God, Jesus was claiming to be the Messiah. Only the Messiah could give this gift that satisfies the soul's deepest desire. Do you look to Jesus to quench the desires and longings within you own soul? He is the source of those desires, and He offers you the peace of His presence in this life and the gift of eternal life forever.

God's Promise:
[Jesus said,} "Those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life".
John 4:14

Big T's Thought To Ponder:
When we think about hunger and our Father God, we are reminded of how wonderfully and divinely we are provided for by the Provider of all things - He brought manna to the Israelites for over forty years...

When we think about thirsting and our Glorious Savior, we are brought back to the well of Jacob and that conversation that Jesus had with the woman at the well - "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water."

I thirsted for this living water for about (45) years and I believe we were all created with a hidden desire, a hunger and a thirst for this bread of life and living water, I just didn't realize where it came from or how to get it.

We were all created with this same hunger at birth, it's that void or hole that God added to our DNA, that common thread in mankind, that internal vacuum in every human heart. Tainted by the world we all search for things to fill it with - work, money, pleasure, possessions, obsessions, world travel, drugs, alcohol, gambling, pornography, hidden relationships - all the lusts of the flesh and lusts of the eyes this world has to offer us, for me it was all these things!

Even after feasting and stuffing myself with all the world had to offer, the hunger, the thirst and the vacuum, remained - inside I was empty! You see the appetite and cravings I had could only be satisfied and fulfilled with the Living Water; the Holy Spirit of God; the Living Word of Jesus Christ our Risen Savior - and I have never hungered since I found Him and His unconditional love.

Do you hunger and thirst? Don't make the mistake of trying to satisfy your cravings with worthless temporary things of this world. Only God can fulfill and satisfy your heart and hunger. Commune with Him at the well this morning; ask Jesus to bless you with His presence today and reveal His raging waters of love for you.
1 John 2:15

NEW LIFE

Can I ever truly change and become a new person?

God's Response:
To all who believe Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn - not with a physical birth resulting form human passion or plan, but a birth that comes form God.
John 1:12-13

Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.
John 3:6

[Christ] died for everyone so that those who received His new life will no longer live for them selves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.
2 Corinthians 5:15

Our Takeaway:
All who welcome Jesus Christ as Savior of their lives are reborn spiritually and have received new life from God. Through faith in Christ, you are changed from the inside out. God rearranges your attitudes, your desires, and your motives. Being born physically places you in your parents' family. Being born of God makes you spiritually alive and makes you a member of God's family. Have you asked God to make you a new person? This fresh start is available to all who believe in Christ.

God's Promise:
You have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last because it comes from the eternal, living Word of God.
1 Peter 1:23

Big T's Thought To Ponder:
Our minds, God's Thoughts... I found so much hope when a brother in Christ came beside me and shared Galatians 2:20 with me just weeks after being rescued by my Savior - "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me and the life i now live in the flesh i live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me."

I loved hearing these words, this was the first verse that I memorized because I didn't ever want to forget that God made me a new person by taking up residency within me - yeah, Christ lives in me! WOW... now this was amazing to me and brought me peace, comfort, reassurance and a passion to learn everything I could about Jesus Christ my Hero and the Savior of the world.

It wasn't until I stumbled upon Colossians 3:1-21 that God began to help me have a fuller understanding of the verse in Galatians I had wrapped myself in. When God gave me Revelation of "putting on the new self" this changed my life, my mind and my way of thinking.

When I read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 this woven tread was revealed to me and the invasion of truth began to set me free from deception. Now I have a clear understanding of who God is and how His Son has saved us and changed us and given us a new means of making decisions. We have new wisdom with our Creator, and an ability and desire to think His thoughts and live His life. We are in a holy process of becoming more like Him.

Isn't that amazing? While many of today's religions, cults and false teachings make us gods into ourselves, Jesus makes us humans with God's mind. We were dead and now we are alive with the Spirit of Christ living in us - renewing our minds, transforming our hearts and guiding our paths - Wow, we are truly blessed beyond the mental capacity of our finite thinking.

Don't give in to the depression, negativity, deception, misconceptions and false perspectives of this perishing world - God wants us to think like Him, shed the old and embrace the new. Be conformed to His image daily in you mind and stand in the victory we have in our Risen Savior!
Hebrews 10:19-25

TRANSFORMATION

How does God's Word give power to the Christian life?

God's Response:
The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with My Word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
Isaiah 55:10-11

This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you fist heard and understood the truth about God's wonderful grace.
Colossians 1:6

I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes.
Romans 1:16

Our Takeaway:
God's Word is not just for our information; it's for our transformation! Becoming a Christian means beginning a whole new relationship with God, not just turning over a new leaf or making up our minds to try to do what is right. New believers have changed purposes, directions, attitudes, and behaviors. They are no longer seeking to serve themselves; they are seeking to bear fruit for God.

God's Challenge:
Get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the work God has planted in you hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.
James 1:21

Big T's Thought To Ponder:
I once read a great analogy of God's transformation - Living the Christian life should become as natural to us as changing clothes.

We take off the old and we put on the new. The old may have been comfortable, but they are dirty and horribly out of fashion in our new Kingdom. The new is the permanent style of the Kingdom of Heaven, and it will cause us to resemble God increasingly. Our responsibility is to continually shed what is not longer appropriate and put on the new clothes we have been given.

The struggle I experienced with this transformation was, I claimed to be a Christian in new closes, but I didn't want to shed the old clothes that I was comfortable wearing. My hesitance was the fear of rejection in my new clothes and new identity, and none of us like rejection.

What God eventually revealed to me is that we have all experienced rejection at some point in our life because we live in a fallen, performance based, judgemental world; our acceptance can only be found in Christ. Dressing for both the world and the Kingdom wasn't a viable option and a choice had to me made.
1 John 2:15-17

God's transformation in our life is so powerful when we come to understand our true identity in Christ. God gives us life altering instructions through His Divine Word, specific truths about how we are transformed though Christ into His likeness. These are some of the truths that helped me to grow comfortable in my new clothes:

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no long I who live, but Christ who lives in me"
Galatians 2:20

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away and behold, all thing have become new"
Corinthians: 5:17

"and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:24

"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are no your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's"
1 Corinthians 6:19-20

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
Romans 12:2

AMAZEMENT

How can I recapture the feeling of amazement I first had about God?

God's Response:
You are the God of great wonders! You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations.
Psalm 77:14

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display His craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make Him known
Psalm 19:1-2

Our Takeaway:
Pay attention - to the stories of others and to the world around you. God is doing amazing work everywhere. Don't forget the quiet miracles that take place each day; the birth of a baby, a beautiful sunset, close friends, you in the midst of overwhelming circumstances. Being in awe of God over these small miracles prepares your heart to experience even more amazing things from God. Listen to how God has amazed others, and add those amazing events to your own list. The more you look for God's work, the more amazed you will be.

God's Promise:
He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what He has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord
Psalm 40:3

Big T's Thought To Ponder:
Jesus has been amazing mankind since He was a child. He amazed His parents at the young age of twelve when he was all about the work of His Father. He amazed His disciples with supernatural miracles like turning water to wine; healing the lame; calming raging seas and storms; giving sight to the blind and raising the dead - God is simply awesome!

Get this: God is as amazing today as He has ever been - He is still breathing stars and galaxies and calling them by name; creating and bringing new life into the world and knowing every hair on their heads; bringing sight to the blind and creating miracles in the lives of His modern day disciples every second of everyday...

We can all recapture the amazement of God by just taking the time to remember the price that was paid to give us life and so that we could have it abundantly. His unconditional Love and the Grace that He pours on us each and every day is the amazement we have in the Savior Jesus Christ. One of His many beautiful attributes is that He shares it all with everyone that will accept His love; He wants to adopt each man that walks the earth and share with us His inheritance.

His Apostles were in amazement and awe of Him EVERYDAY! That's because they spent time with Him EVERYDAY. If we want to see the amazement of God - we have to take time to spend time with Him, read His Word and then look around and see His many miracles - look within and be in amazement!

I am amazed today for His unending love for each one of us and His divine power to create us all in His beautiful image.

JOY

What is joy?

God's Response
Let the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God's presence. Let them be filled with joy.
Psalm 63:3

Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.
2 Corinthians 6:10

Our Takeaway
Joy is the celebration of walking in God's presence. It is an inner happiness that lasts despite the circumstances around you because it is based on a relationship with Jesus Christ. If you are a believer, this gives you absolute confidence that God is real, personal, and involved in your life, that evil will one day be defeated forever, and that heaven is a reality. When you have that perspective, you grow in your realization that your happy or sad feelings may go up and down, but the joy God gives runs so deep that nothing can take it away.

God's Promise
Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness.
Isaiah 51:11

Big T's Thought to Ponder
Lasting "Joy" can only truly be found in the abounding love of Jesus Christ. It is found in our relationship and it is available to us now, today! It is that intimate relationship we find when we abide in our Savior and allow Him to reveal to us who we are in Him and the Truth about our identity in Christ.

For over Forty-Five years I searched the world for "joy" in every place humanly imaginable - business success, money, houses, cars, boats, jewelry, alcohol, drugs, world travel and the lusts of the flesh and I thought I found joy many times, but it never lasted; it never stood the test of time and was just so temporary - it wasn't joy, it was counterfeit. Looked good on the outside, rotten on the inside - I was deceived by the deceiver.

I have often heard a phrase used in the real estate industry, that real estate is all about - "location - location - location... Our Eternal joy, the joy promised in the victory we all have through the shed blood of Jesus Christ is all about a - "relationship - relationship - relationship!

Joy, eternal pleasures, safety and rest, a delightful inheritance - everything the human heart craves can be found in the Risen Jesus. Do you know that joy? If not, here's how to get it: Ask.

Talk to Him, tell God you want no more of the counterfeit and temporary joy found in the world, but only His Heart; His Spirit; His (Agape),Love. Ask His to stir His passion into you. Do not let the gift of His joy be wasted.
John 15:1-11

REFRESHMENT

I'm feeling tired in my spiritual walk. How can I be refreshed?

God's Response
Repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord.
Acts 3:19-20

Wash me clean from my fault. Purify me from my sins... Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit with me... Restore to me the joy of Your salvation , and make me willing to obey You.
Psalm 51:2; 51:10; 51:12

Our Takeaway
God promises that when we turn from sins, He not only will cleanse us of our sins but will also give us spiritual refreshment. Turning away from sin may seem painful, because it is hard to break old habits. But God will give you a better way. Hosea declared, "Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know Him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of the dawn or the coming of rains in early spring"
Hosea 6:3

God's Promise
"Come now, let's settle this," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, i will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, i will make them as white as wool".
Isaiah 1:18

Big T's Thought to Ponder
One of the many things I love about God is we have an endless supply of refreshment, it is found easily by spending time with with Him and developing that intimate relationship during our alone time.

I love the story that my pastor shared with me about Elijah predicting the drought to King Ahab. God spoke to Elijah, "Go away from here eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordon. And it shall be that you shall drink of the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to provide for you there." God wanted time with Elijah, He wanted to give of His refreshment and to prepare him for His works.
1 Kings 17:1-24

For me, I like to find a time in the morning when nobody in my family would even consider getting up and just spend time by the brook, alone with our Savior Jesus Christ. I call it "going steady with E.D.D.Y. - You do it Early - You do it Daily - You do it Diligently and you do it Yielding.
Matthew 7:7; Matthew 11:28-30

VOLUNTEER

Does my church really need me or my acts of service?

God's Response
I assembled the exile at the Ahava Canal, and we camped there for three days while I went over the lists of the people and the priests who had arrived. I found that not one Levite had volunteered to come along.
Ezra 8:15

Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's Body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In His Grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.
Romans 12:4-6

Our Takeaway
Ezra's progress back to Jerusalem was halted while he waited to recruit Levites. God had called these men to a special service, yet none had been willing to volunteer when their service were needed. God has gifted each of us with specific abilities so that we can make a contribution to His Kingdom work. Don't wait to be recruited; rather, look for opportunities to volunteer. Don't withhold the gift He's given you.

God's Promise
God has given each of us a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another... Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 4:10-11

Big T's Thought To Ponder
I remember the day our youth pastor first approached me about sharing my testimony in front of an Upward Sports football game, and something or somebody inside me said, "sure, absolutely, love to". Within a minute a fear and nervousness came over me, as i thought to myself - "what in the world were you thinking when you said yes you big dummy!" Satin brought this fear and doubt.

Or the time my pastor asked if I would fill in for one of his Wednesday bible studies, without thinking, again an immediate, "yes"! And again, my next thought was, why do you keep saying "yes" and putting yourself through this self-inflicted trauma. My study was on the Holy Spirit and I was tremendously blessed in preparing it.

Through this study on the Holy Spirit I learned about our spiritual gifts and why we are blessed with them, who the Holy Spirit is and what His attributes are. God also revealed to me that we are never alone during our time of service or anytime for that matter. I learned the that Holy Spirit is our Helper; our Guide and our Comforter and that we never have to be fearful of service and stepping out of our comfort zones.

I realized through the study of scripture; God's revelation and obedience, that we are all called to serve in some way and that we will always have a choice to say, "Yes", or to decline with a "No" and never have the opportunity to use the spiritual gifts we have been blessed with.

God has personally called, gifted, equipped and empowered each one of us to serve one another in building up the Body of Christ and to Glorify Him. We are all called to be Kingdom Builders, He is counting on each one of us. Don't let satin rob you of the joy of service...
Mark 10:43-45

DIRECTION

Sometimes I feel so lost. Where does God want me to go next?

God's Response
Whether the cloud stayed above the Tabernacle for two days, a month, or a year, the people of Israel stayed in camp and did not move on. But as soon as it lifted, they broke camp and moved on. So they camped or traveled at the Lord's command, and they did whatever the Lord told them through Moses.
Numbers 9:22-23

Our Takeaway
The Israelites traveled and camped as God guided them. When you follow God's direction you know you are where God wants you, whether you are moving or staying where you are. You are physically somewhere right now. Instead of praying, "God, what do you want me to do next?" ask, "God, what do you want me to do while I'm right here?" Direction from God is not just for your next big move. He has a purpose in placing you where you are right now. Begin to understand God's purpose for your life by discovering what he wants you to do right now! When He wants you to move, He'll make it clear.

God's Promise
You saw me before i was born. Every day of my life was recorded in you book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
Psalm 139:16

Big T's Thought To Ponder
We are starved for direction and we live in a world that gives us a multitude of options. Some we can rule out easily, but many of them seem good. Scripture tells us, "In all our way acknowledge Him, and He will make our paths straight". When we give thought and unpack this statement, it doesn't say, He will make our path straight - there are obviously conditions.

We must trust Him with our whole heart and put Him in first position - develop a relationship or as my pastor would say, "spend time by the brook". We need to reject our prideful nature and not lean on our own understanding, but linger and acknowledge His sufficiency and our insufficiency in all we do. Stand on His truths (Galatians 2:20).

He lives in us and He desires to walk with us on our journey with Him.
Proverbs 3:6

FORGIVENESS

Do my sins exclude me from serving God?

God's Response
Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, "Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o'clock in the morning is much too early for that. No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel."
Acts 2:14-16

Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation!"
Acts 2:40

Our Takeaway
Peter had been an impulsive leader during Jesus' earthly ministry, and his bravado had become his downfall, even to the point of denying that he knew Jesus. But Christ forgave Peter and restored him. This restored Peter was bold but humble. His confidence came from the Holy Spirit, who made him a powerful and dynamic speaker.

Have you ever felt as if you've made such serious mistakes that God could never use you? No matter what sins you have committed, God can and does forgive you and can make you useful for His Kingdom. Confess your sins and know that you are already forgiven; He will restore you so that you can serve Him effectively.

God's Promise
There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ.
Romans 8:1

Big T's Thought to Ponder
After I received Jesus Christ as my Savior and experienced His gift of Salvation, I thought that each time I sinned that I had to ask for His forgiveness. I would go before the Lord and confess my sins as we should; then ask again to be forgiven for the specific sin(s) I committed.

I would continue asking for forgiveness throughout each day as I felt my walk with Him was compromised and then I would try harder to work for his righteousness and forgiveness. I was missing the entire promise, joy and experience of God's Grace and unconditional love - His everlasting forgiveness for each one of our sins.

I continued to live defeated until I was set free by His Truth, which revealed my true identity in Christ. As believers we are Forgiven, "Saints that sometimes sin".

Forgiveness is His gift to us - just believe.
Colossians 1:13-14; Colossians 2:13-14

GUIDANCE

Why is it important to seek God's guidance when I'm making decisions?

God's Response
[Mary] was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her finance, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. As he considered this, an angle of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit".
Matthew 1:18-20

Our Takeaway
Perhaps Joesph thought he had only two options: either divorce Mary quietly or see her stoned, according to God's law regarding sexual immorality. But God gave him a third option, one that had not occurred to Joseph: go ahead with the marriage.

God often shows us that there are more options available than we might think of on our own. Although Joseph seemed to be doing the right thing by breaking the engagement, only God's guidance helped him to make the best decision.

God's Promise
My child, listen to what i say, and treasure my commands... Then you will understand what is right, just and fair and you will find the right way to go.
Proverbs 2:1, 2:9

Big T's Though To Ponder
During the toughest times I ever saw in business, I was requested by appointment to come into the bank and explain our financial downward spiral. I was fearful of the unknown, but confident in what the Holy Spirit had told me - "Just be transparent and wait on Me".

The bank said, "your financials are of serious concern to us" (you're insolvent more or less), "what is your plan to pay us back"? I said that, "well we are doing a lot of praying each and every day and waiting on the Lord".

You see, by worldly standards our praying was of no comfort to the bankers and it really didn't even make good business sense. My worldly options were, bankruptcy and a reorganization, or shut the doors, neither of which sounded very pleasant.

We also had a third option - obedience! We made the choice as a company to wait on the Lord and listen, allowing God to guide us through the rough waters; holding every thought the Holy Spirit gave us captive. We have been profitable for the last consecutive 12 months - God is good and He is our compass.
James 1:5-6; II Corinthians 10:5

INVITATION

How does Jesus invite me to experience Him?

Gods' Response
Jesus called out to [Peter and Andrew], "come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for men!" And they left their nets at once and followed Him.
Matthew 4:19-20

Our Takeaway
The invitation and promise of Jesus are clear, but they remain only opportunities until you take Jesus up on His invitation through action. If Peter and Andrew had merely listened to Jesus and then said, that's a very interesting invitation; maybe we can talk about it again after fishing season, they would not have become Jesus' disciples. Jesus' invitation requires a decision: to follow Him or to remain where you are. Acceptance of His invitation leads to action - the disciples left their nets and the life they knew and followed Jesus. God is constantly extending invitations to you to experience life with Him. Does your RSVP say, "Accepted with gratitude?"

Gods' Promise
God will do this, for He is faithful to do what he says, and He has invited you into partnership with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:9

Big T's Thought to Ponder
Recently I had an opportunity to serve in a men's Christian retreat call "A Walk To Emmaus" and when I received that phone call , that invitation and opportunity from Jesus Christ - it was the only time that I "anticipated" that weekend, but I immediately said, yes!

Because I stepped out in faith and obedience an gave that immediate response of, "Yes". I was able to experience the calling of our Savior Jesus Christ by putting my Christianity into action; allowing the love of Christ Jesus to flow through me in while a servantship position.

The gift which I received from God on this weekend was an experience during the receiving of Communion and one which can not be explained by my words alone, but brought all the Love, Peace, Joy and Abundance our Risen Savior has promised us in His Word and Truth.

What will your answer be next time your called to service, Yes, or "No, I just don't have the time"? Don't be robbed of the love, peace and joy God has promised you through His simple invitations.
John 15: 1-11

THE GIFT OF LIFE

Sometimes it seems as if I'm alone in the universe. Is there anything special about my life?

God's Response

The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man's nostrils, and the man became a living person.

Genesis 2:7



The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

Job 33:4



Our Takeaway

The body is a lifeless shell until God brings it alive with His "breath of life." When God removes His life-giving breath, our bodies once again return to dust. Therefore, our lives and our worth come from God. Many people boast of their achievements and abilities as if those strengths originated with them. Others feel worthless because their abilities do not stand out. But our worth doesn't come from our achievements; it comes from the God of the universe, who chooses to give us the mysterious and miraculous gift of life.



God's Promise

When you give them Your breath, life is created, and You renew the face of the earth. May the glory of the Lord continued forever! The Lord takes pleasure in all He has made!

Psalm 104:30-31



Big T's Thought To Ponder

We don't get our identity from what we do or what we achieve in life, we gain our identity from who we are, who we are in Jesus Christ our Creator

Ephesians 2:10

GOD'S NEARNESS

I feel so close to God when I'm at church. How can I experience that closeness throughout the week?

God's Response
David found favor with God and ask for the privilege of building a permanent Temple for the God of Jacob. But it was Solomon who actually built it. However, the Most High doesn't live in temples made by human hands.
Act 7:46-48

Our Takeaway
God's presence is not confined to a house of worship. He lives in the hearts of those who are open to receiving Him. The same closeness you feel to God while worshiping Him in church can be felt at all times when you allow Him to live in and through you. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you throughout the week. He will be happy to answer that prayer.

God's Promise
Those who seek God dilligently remain in fellowship with Him, and He with them. And we know He lives in us because the Spirit He gave us lives in us.
1 John 3:24; Galatians 2:20