LONELINESS

Am I alone in my stand for God?

God's Response:
Elijah replied, "I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your alters, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."
1 Kings 19:10

Our Takeaway:
Elijah thought he was the only person left who was still true to God. Lonely and discouraged, he forgot that others had remained faithful during the nation's wickedness. When you are tempted to think that you are the only one remaining faithful to a task, don't feel sorry for yourself. Self-pity will dilute the good you are doing. You may feel alone right now, but be assured that even if you don't know who they are, others are faithfully obeying God and fulfilling His call for their lives.

God's Challenge:
Since we are surround by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
Hebrews 12:1

Big T's Thought To Ponder:
I can't relate to the Elijah and the loneliness and deserted feeling that he is describing in I Kings 19:10. One of the greatest blessings and gifts that Jesus Christ has given me are the neighbors He puts in my path, the daily relationships that He allows to surface and develop on this incredible journey.

When I gave this some thought this morning, I just sat back and praises Him for the relationships in my life and how un-alone I truly am.

Starting with my relationship with my wife, which at one time was broken and empty and now God not only restored it, but He continues to hone it and strengthen us in Him daily. Deeper than strengthening, as he has planted Himself around us and blanketed us with His love and passion, it is as if we are joined together as three. The relationships with my children are blossoming in love, trust and understanding through intentional investment of time, communication and being there to nurture and help them find their way by explaining Gods greatest desires and purpose for our lives.

I am blessed to still have both of my loving parents and three brothers, all of which are beautiful treasures in my life. I was raised with a core value of that "family" is our greatest gift in life and should always come first.

My relationship with my Pastor and church family are joyful beyond measure, constantly developing and growing as time and transparency are invested. There is no other place I would rather be than at my church with my family - our Sundays are our greatest treasure.

The relationships in my men's groups are especially wonderful, C-12, Wednesday Group, Crossroads, my Emmaus Family - Wow... I can't begin to tell you or describe to your how important these relationships are in my life. To have all these brothers in my life is completely overwhelming to me - they give life purpose, they bring me strength and they define what being a man is all about. These men are greater then friends, they are my mentors, they are my confidants, they are encourager's, they are truly one of the greatest blessings in my life... These men are Gods children and together my family and His body.

Again, if real estate is all about localtion...location...location, then God our Heavenly Father is all about relationship...relationship...relationship!

Our greatest gift is each other... The relationships God plants in our life. We have a choice to allow Him to grow and blossom these relationships or to allow them to wither and fade away with time and grow lonely.

Value others... God sees us with the eyes of a Father. He sees our defects, errors, and blemishes. But He also sees our value. What did Jesus know that enabled Him to do what He did? Here's part of the answer, He knew the value of people. He knew that each human being is a treasure. And because He did, people were not a source of stress, but a source of joy.

Galatians 5:13-14: "My brothers and sisters, God called you to be free, but do not use your freedom as and excuse to do what pleases your sinful self. Serve each other with love. The whole law is made complete in this one command: Love your neighbor as you love yourself".

Hebrews 10:24: "Let us think about each other and help each other to show love and do good deeds".

1 Peter 5:5: "In the same way, younger people should be willing to be under older people. And all of you should be very humble with each other. God is against the proud, but He gives grace to the humble."

John 13:1, 4, 5, 15: "Jesus knew His hour had come to leave this world and return to His father. He now showed the disciples the full extent of His love. So He got up from the table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around His waist and poured water into a basin. Then He began to wash the disciples' feet and wipe them with the towel He had around Him. John 15:13 - "I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done.

In my opinion, this one of the greatest illustrations of a relationship in the eyes of God. The entire scriptures are about relationships so what can be greater?

Take time today to ask God to help you repair, grow and develop all the relationships He has blessed you - Relationships are our greatest gift from Him!

Our greatest gift is a direct relationship with Jesus Christ...

APPEARANCES

I always feel as if people judge who I am by my image. How does God evaluate who I am?

God's Response:
The lord said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance of height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
1 Samuel 16:7

As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don't even trust my own judgment on this point. My conscience is clear, but that doesn't prove I'm right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide.
I Corinthians 4:3-4

The Lord's light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive.
Proverbs 20:27

Our Takeaway:
God judges by faith and character, by what He sees on the inside, not by appearances. And because only God can see what's on the inside, only He can accurately judge people. Most people spend hours each week maintaining their outward appearances; they should spend even more time developing their inner character.

Everyone can see your face, but only God knows what your heart really looks like. What steps are you taking to improve what God sees in your heart?

God's Challenge:
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14

Big T's Thought To Ponder:
My thoughts this morning are twofold.

Within a few weeks following my very physical coming to know Jesus experience, an experience in which at that very moment I knew, that I knew, that I knew, that He was the only Way to have life and the have it abundantly, fully and completely! I realized right then He was the purpose for my life, there wasn't even a minuscule of doubt in my mind or heart because after (46) years there was an immediate overwhelming satisfaction, peace and completeness within me - some of you have heard me call it the "off switch". That moment where God made an exchange - empty dead old shell of a man vs. fully alive newly restored man.

As I was saying, just a few weeks after receiving Christ, a brother from church came beside me and began to mentor me and teach me about Jesus Christ, about Biblical instruction and about how we were to act as Christians. He said something I never really understood - "Tony you want to be extremely careful with who you share your testimony with, you don't want to share it with just anybody!"

I never understood this - why? Why would I ever want to be unwilling to share the wonderful blessing and miracles of God and what He had done in my life. This brother said that there are people, people in the world, people in my church and people in my life that would use my testimony against me. That there were people who would judge me for the things that I had done in the past and use them to hurt me in some way.

Three thoughts I have about this: First, I didn't and still don't care what people think about me; I really don't care if they judge me for who I once was because God has given me complete assurance that I am no longer that old man. Secondly, I spent Forty Six years pleasing myself and all those around me, I no longer has a desire to be a manpleaser, but to please only One, the man that saved my life - Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior! Lastly, I really don't consider it "my" testimony, it should be called "His" testimony or "The" testimony. It is the testimony and witness of the blessings and miracles that God has performed in our lives. Why wouldn't we want to share it, shout it and publish it every change we have?
Galatians 2:20; II Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:20-24

The second fold of my thought this morning is again relating to appearance, physical and outwardly appearance. I have struggled with my weight most of my life and I have been judged, ridiculed and made fun of because of my obesity. Actually, at some point they classify it as "morbid obesity" when you get to be my size, I guess this means big fat guy plus.

My dad had a saying I never forgot: "Beauty is only skin deep, but ugliness goes clear to the bone". Outwardly appearance really doesn't matter to God, it is truly the stuff we are made of on the inside that counts! I do have one confession, I am really excited about the new body that the Lord promises us all...

In the "Our Takeaway" segment above it asks us, what steps are we taking to improve our hearts?

Big T's thought regarding us trying to improve ourselves in any-way-shape-or-form, especially our hearts is simple - DON'T! Don't attempt to improve yourself, ask our Glorious Savior take care of this for you! He alone is the only One in the business of Conforming and Transforming of hearts and minds, if we try to do anything on our own we are very likely to make a mess of things. So as the old saying goes, Do Not Attempt This At Home... Apart from Him we can do nothing!
John 15:1-5

"Create in me a clean heart, O god, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence. And do not take Your Hold Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
Psalm 51:10-12

How can we be sure that God has changed our hearts? God's Word makes it clear, when our hearts have changed, we experience the love of God. "He who does not love does not know God, for God is love," (I John 4:8). Our hearts are changed as the Holy Spirit touches our hearts with God's Word. "The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us," (Romans 5:5)

Allow God to give you a new loving heart today, be blessed!

ADVERSITY

What is the value of adversity in our lives?

God's Response:
Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties. After all, everyone dies - so the living should take this to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influences on us. A wise person thinks a lot about death, while a fool thinks only about having a good time.
Ecclesiastes 7:2-4

By means of their suffering, [God] rescues those who suffer. For he gets their attention through adversity.
Job 36:15

Our Takeaway:
Although God wants us to enjoy what he has given us while we have the opportunity, we must also realize that adversity can strike at any time. Adversity reminds us that life is short, teaches us to live wisely, and refines our characters. We often learn more about God from difficult times than from easy times.

Do you try to avoid sorrow and suffering at all costs? The Holy Spirit can help you to see your struggles as great opportunities to learn from God.

God's Promise:
Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes.
Isaiah 30:20

Big T's Thought To Ponder:
When we have unwanted adversity walk into our lives, we typically have a lot of questions: "Jesus, why are you allowing these impossible things into my life?" "Lord, why don't you remove this painful circumstance from my life?" "God, why are my prayers taking so long to be answered?" "Heavenly Father, why are difficult people allowed to reap havoc in my life?" And the biggy: "Heavenly Father, why is the devil still allowed to run-a-mock in my life and other lives around me?"

What I have come to realize is that life is tough, issues in all our lives are complex and complicated for many reasons. (1) We live in a fallen world with corruption and evilness lurking around most every corner; (2) We have been given free will to make decisions in our life and we are foulable and imperfect creatures; (3) There is a deceiver, discourager and liar who rules over the temporary world we live; he has many cronies walking the planet with him; their mission is simply to kill, destroy, counterfeit and bring chaos into our lives in order to steal souls through pleasurable deceptions.

My point is that there is no single answer to these questions of adversity, but there is one possibility that we don't often consider: Maybe God allows adversity in our lives to prepare us for a greater purpose... maybe He is conditioning us for future battles through life challenges, ones that remain unseen... and just maybe, all our trials, tribulations and adversities are allowed in order to draw us closer to Him, for dependency In Christ.

If you think about it, we have aways had adversity in our lives. Even as children we had adversity... Yeah maybe it was kid stuff back then, but when troubles came a calling I don't know about you, but I typically ran to my father - my daddy always kept me safe! A natural response when the bogeyman was hiding in your closet or when you had a major wipe-out on your Schwinn bicycle and a bad case of road-rash.

Maybe our crisis' and unbearable moments are allowed to drive us into God's presence, into the loving arms of the Savior Jesus Christ... To run to our Abba Father for the comforting answers to our most painful questions... To bring us peace in our most shaken circumstances... To be our strong tower and refuge when we find ourselves in the fearful storms of life, standing in sinking sand without a solid place to anchor in a world perishing and deteriorating.

Are our adversities be allowed to bring us to a place of Christ dependency in lieu of Self-sufficiency?

God will bring adversity into our lives and perhaps they are hovering right now. Will you allow them to overcome you, or will you run to your loving Father. Will they be your punishment? Or will they refresh you and show you His loving grace? The answer to our adversities may be less a matter of His intent than your response. It all depends on how you choose to see them.

Let the adversities of life drive you into God's presence; let them stir a passion in your heart to know Him more deeply and to worship Him more authentically. Do not flee from your adversities, let them linger long enough to see His mercy fall from heaven in the end.

FAILURE

How can my failures be opportunities for growth?

God's Response:
A man named Achan had stolen some of these dedicated things, so the Lord was very angry with the Israelites.... Joshua sent some men to make a search. They ran to the tent and found the stolen goods hidden there.... Then Joshua and all the Israelites took Achan, the silver, the robe, the bar of gold, his sons, daughters, cattle, donkeys, sheep, goats, tent, and everything he had, and they brought them to the valley of Achor.... And all the Israelites stoned Achan and his family and burned their bodies.... Then the Lord said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid or discouraged. Take all your fighting men and attack Ai, for I have given you the king of Ai, his people, his town, and his land."
Joshua 7:1; 7:22-26; 8:1

Our Takeaway:
From what happened when Achan sinned, Joshua learned important lessons that you can follow: Confess you sins when God reveals them to you, and when you fail, refocus on God's grace and deal with the problems so you can move on. God wants the cycle of sin, repentance, and forgiveness to strengthen you; the lessons you learn from your failures should make you better able to handle the same situation the next time. You can tell what kind of person you will be by what you do on your second and third attempts.

God's Promise:
No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening - it's painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
Hebrews 12:11

Big T's Thought To Ponder:
By a world standard we tend to associate "Failure" with personal defeat and/or weakness. We have been trained up by society to believe that if we fail, or should I say when we fail, the world brands us with a capital "L" on our foreheads and we are labeled as losers for life.

In today's culture, success is often judged on the basis of visible accomplishments of such things as wealth and social status, security and strength, public appearance and notoriety, power and influence, physical beauty and talent. Accordingly, failure is judged on the basis of the lack of these things. This perspective is not only distorted beyond measure, it adds an enormous amount of unwanted pressure and stress to our lives and it is all just a huge lie and let me tell you why.

For Forty Six years, I lived a performance driven & performance-for-acceptance based lifestyle and I was good at it! I was in constant fear of any type of failure in my life. Failure wasn't an option for me, I had the mindset that nothing would stand in the way of my success in the world. There was no sale too big or challenging, there was no amount of time that I wasn't willing to invest, there was no sacrifice I wasn't willing to make and no amount of anything I wouldn't risk to have worldly success.

It was a constant struggle and battle that took place both mentally and physically. "If I let up just a little bit then there is a chance for defeat and nonacceptance." And if defeat slipped in, there was an overwhelming opportunity for failure and if I failed, I would be seen by all those looking in as, not worthy... incapable of meeting the mark... couldn't cut the mustard... didn't make the cut... can't run with the big dogs...

Pressure, pressure and more pressure! Complete madness it what it was.

The only way I can explain it with any sense of reality of what it felt like, is to have you imagine driving a Ferrari and having the pedal pushed to the metal (0 -to-160 mph), and not having the option of breaks or bouncing off the sides of the road like the video games - this was real and this was my life. If I crashed and burned, I would lose everything! The business, the confidence and acceptance of my wife, my children, my mother and father, my friends... I loose the house, the cars, the boat, the world travel, the hidden relationships, the addictions, the toy and joys of this completely turned upside down, spiraling out-of-control life I was living... Failure? Not an option, after all what would I do without all this worldly success in my life? Blind, I was completely blind!

All the madness came to a screeching halt when I made the decision to invite Jesus Christ into my life and trust Him to take full control of it; to help me make sense of it all; to help me understand His priorities in my life; to help expose the lies of the world and reveal the truths of the His kingdom and to know the difference between the two; to restore peace and completeness into my life and to show me what success that matters, looks like - God did all this and more!

I am here to witness that I experienced all this world has to offers, all satan's eye candy -all of the notoriety, power, influence, wealth, status, self-indulgences that any person would ever need, want or could handle - worldly success without failure is emptiness without substance or hope.

It is failure that allows us to realize where we get our acceptance from, it isn't from our performance in the world I can assure you. What we do, does not determine who we are! We were all bought and paid for by our creator; Jesus Christ paid the price and In Him we can find our true identity and be confident of our complete acceptance without our performance - He loves us just for showing up! You see, it is who we are in Christ that determines what we do...

He created us, He delivered us, He sustains us, He had all the success on the Cross! He is our success and even when we fail, we are made strong and acceptable In Christ - He is the only One incapable of failure - He is our Way, our Truth and our Life and He loves us unconditionally!

SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT

How can I nourish my spiritual life?

God's Response:

"But sir, you don't have a rope or a bucket," [the Samaritan woman] said, "and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? An besides, do you think you're greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?" Jesus relied, "Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life." "Please, sir," the women said, "give me this water! Then I'll never be thirsty again, and I won't have to come here to get water."

John 4:11-15

Our Takeaway:

Many spiritual needs parallel physical needs. Just as our bodies hunger and thirst, so do our souls. Our souls need spiritual food and water. The woman at the well confused the two kinds of water, perhaps because no one had ever talked with her about spiritual hunger and thirst before. We would not think of depriving our bodies of food and water when we are hungry and thirsty. Why, then, would we deprive our souls? The living Word, Jesus Christ, and the written Word, the Bible, can refresh our hungry and thirsty souls.

God's Promise:

Jesus replied, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."

John 6:35

Big T's Thought To Ponder:

As I read this I was reminded of the old saying, that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I think that a similar approach applies to our heart and minds. The fuel that we give them each morning greatly affects the remainder of our day. Think of time spent in God's Word, prayer and meditation as spiritual nourishment for your relationship with our Savior Jesus Christ.

[David] began his day with God. In Psalm 63 he describes seeking the Lord early. He woke up ravenous for His creator, hungering and thirsting for His closeness in a morning relationship. After filling the appetite of his soul with the fullness of God, he broke out in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord. Even as night came he was still thinking about and talking to his Heavenly Father as he laid his head down.

I wrote a week or so ago about "going steady with EDDY", this is key to satisfying our hearts and souls each morning. Just imagine each day filled with the joy and gratitude to Jesus Christ.

I do it earlier that I know anyone in my house is willing to get up for anything, for any reason; I do it daily because if I don't, I know that I won't, even know I have good intentions and want to, time just slips away; I do it diligently because it is just like breakfast, if I don't get it, I can't be satisfied for that day; I do it yielding and rest in the finished work of Jesus Christ.

It is completely possible to have a David type relationship with God when we set apart the beginning of our day to spend with our Savior, listening to Him speak to us through His Word and talking to Him in our prayers. Paul's instruction is clear, that our blessing will be even richer when we stay mindful of God throughout our day and into the night by "praying without ceasing" and by "setting out minds on things of above." - contemplating who He is and how He is working in our lives. Seeking the Lord not only satisfies and fills our empty souls; it also increases our hunger for more of Him.

Colossians 3:2; I Thessalonians 5:17

Do you find it a struggle to set aside time with the Lord each morning? Any habit takes time to develop, so does any worthwhile relationship, it is done in baby steps, not grand overwhelming resolutions. Start today - take 15 minutes just a few days a week to start and watch the Lord begin to satisfy your soul and increase you hunger for Him.

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE

How does knowing about heaven affect how I live today?

God's Response:
When people live to be very old, let them rejoice in every day of life. But let them also remember there will be many dark days.
Ecclesiastes 11:7-8

Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom
Psalm 90:12

Our Takeaway:
Solomon is no dreary pessimist in Ecclesiastes 11:7-8. He encourages us to rejoice in every day but to remember that eternity is far longer than a person's life span. Psalm 90:12 teaches us to remember that life is short and therefore, we ought to make the most of the time we have so that we may use it to become wise. Those who are wise do not think only about the moment and its impact; they consider their actions in light of eternity.

Consider the impact your decisions will have ten years fro now and into eternity. Your earthly life may be short, but you will live with God forever.

God's Promise:
Our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don't look at the troubles we can now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Big T's Thought To Ponder:
This world has nothing for me... Paul gives us strong instruction"Set you minds on things above, not on earthly things."
Colossians 3:2

As Christians we set are minds on different things than we once set them on. In our thinking we now realize that this isn't our final place or permanent residence - Heaven is our home!

We exchange the temporal for the eternal, the worthless for the valuable, the profane for the holy and the self for Christ. We no longer pursue darkness, only light. We no longer pursue our reputation, only His. We have been transformed and now stand in a radically different place.

This place is where Christ is! Did you realize that we are with Him? Paul tells us that "We have been raised with Him. We are seated, and He lives in the deepest place in our hearts, where we once stored worldly treasures and desires. It only stands to reason that we would be uncontrollably absorbed in our new dwelling place and in our new life. Not to be consumed with eternal realities would be ridiculously out of touch in light of our new spiritual nature. We would be daydreamers fantasizing about the worthless things we once held on to so tightly and neglecting the unimaginable riches and treasure that await us. It would be like a toad being transformed into a beautiful prince, but still choosing to live in a dirt filthy swamp - It makes no sense!
1 John 2:15-17

Unfortunately, there are so many of us that still think that our residence is here. We have a hard time internalizing a reality we can't see, though it is extremely real. We're tainted by the ways of the world, immersed in false philosophies. We hold on to and harbor the old thoughts of past. This is why Paul instructs the believers of yesterday, who like us, are captivated by false worldly perspectives. Set your minds where Jesus Christ is and where, in fact and truth, we are too!
John 14:23

I know that we have been taught in the world that disciplining our minds in a certain way is brainwashing, a temporary escape from reality. But for us, setting our minds on the things above is an escape into reality. It puts us practically where we are positionally - it renews our minds and puts us where God wants us - With Him!

Heaven is our home, set your minds there!

CHARACTER

What is the key to becoming a person of strong character?

God's Response:
The righteous keep moving forward, and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger.
Job 17:19

If you are wise and understand God's ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.
James 3:13

Endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope and salvation.
Romans 5:4

Our Takeaway:
God is not pleased with spurts of religiosity. Building strong character takes a lifetime of consistent obedience. Heroic spiritual lives are built one obedient act at a time, act upon act, day upon day. Like the bricks in a building, each instance of obedience may seem small at the time, but as those "bricks" pile up, a great wall of strong spiritual character - and a great defense against temptation... will result.

If you want your life to be evidenced by strong character, strive for consistent obedience each day.

God's Challenge:
I will keep on obeying your instructions forever and ever.
Psalm 119:44

Big T's Thought To Ponder:
One of the most beautiful things I am beginning to discover about "abiding in Christ" is that, as we remain In Christ and as we are guided by and through the Holy Spirit to an obedient and submissive state, we become in touch and in union with His Will for our lives . We don't ever have to concern ourselves with developing our own character, because His perfect character will permeate us and flow through us as His finished work is complete in us.
Colossians 2:9-10

Scripture tells us to abide in Christ, just as a branch connects to a vine. Believers who abide in Christ, no longer exist for themselves, but rather live for Him. It seems when we cease striving after righteousness and instead, come into Him and allow Him to live out His life in and through us in this intimate relationship, we become like two branches of one tree- intertwined and as one with each other. It is in this closeness and bond that the strength, love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and all the Divine characteristics that characterize our Savior Jesus Christ, become ours.
John 15:1-17

As we give ourselves completely over to Him, our entire being, and become complete In Christ, He conforms our thoughts to His will and purpose. Our minds and bodies are transformed for service in His Kingdom, "for the good works that were prepared for beforehand".
Ephesians 2:10; Romans 12:1-2

Too often, we lose track of who is in complete control of our lives; the one who is our single-source-solution-provider of all things, and who it is that makes us complete-yes even our character is made complete in Him.

THE WAY

Isn't it a little narrow-minded to say that Jesus is the only way to God?

God's Response:
John saw Jesus coming toward Him and said, "Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"
John 1:29

[Jesus said,] "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."
John 14:6

Our Takeaway:
Some people may argue that to say Jesus is the only way is narrow and unloving. But we aren't claiming it as our own idea. We're only repeating what we find in the Holy Bible. Jesus said He is the way to God the Father. So is this really narrow? Not really. It is actually wide enough for the whole world to come to the Father, if the world chooses to accept Jesus' statement as the truth. Instead of worrying about whether this belief sounds narrow-minded, we should be thankful that Jesus has provided a sure way to God - a way that is open and available to all.

God's Promise:
All of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.
Ephesians 2:18

Big T's Thought To Ponder:
Narrow-minded in my opinion would be overlooking this amazing truth of life and choosing to believe a lie instead.

I'm just a sinner and even I can't imagine that there was any other way besides by the Cross. How is there a better way than perfection? A good friend of mine explains it something like this: "God said it... I believe it... That's the end of it!"

There was and is no other perfect and Divine Way other than Jesus Christ, the perfect Lamb, sacrificing His life on the Cross so that the world could have Life and have it more abundantly.
John 10:10

Jesus wasn't overly excited about the way, but He knew that it was the Will of the Father and He knew that there was NO alternate possibility. We can't fathom the pain and suffering Jesus endured in the beatings, torture and crucifixion itself, let alone taking on the sin of the world.

Every time I consider the reality that He rescued me from myself and the wickedness of this world, I know He is the Way... Every time He answers an impossible prayer, I am remined that He is the Way... Every time I am blessed with the experience of leading another to Him, I am confident that He is the Way... Each morning I read His Truth, I know without a shadow of doubt that He is the Way... Every time I inventory my life and compare the old man to the new, it is incontestable that Jesus Christ is the only Way, the only Truth and the only Life!

Jesus is Indisputable!

GOD'S WORD

How can I be sure my faith won't collapse one day?

God's Response:
I saw the Lord standing beside a wall that had been built using a plumb line. He was using a plumb line to see if it was still straight. And the Lord said to me, "Amos, what do you see?" I answered, "a plumb line." The Lord replied, "I will test my people with the plumb line. I will no longer ignore all their sins."
Amos 7:7-8

My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. I will teach you wisdom's ways and lead you in straight paths... Take hold of my instructions; don't let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life.
Proverbs 4:10-11, 13

Our Takeaway:
A plumb line is a device that uses gravity to determine vertical straightness. A wall that is not straight will eventually collapse. God wants people to be right with Him. He wants us to deal with the sin that makes us crooked. God's Word is the plumb line that helps us become aware of our sin and gives us wisdom for walking in "straight paths".

How do you measure up to God's Word- His plumb line for you life?

God's Promise:
All Scripture is inspired by God.... It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
2 Timothy 3:16

Big T's Thought to Ponder:
Somewhere I once read a wonderful definition of the difference between Hope and Faith and I think it is key to a deeper understanding of the above question regarding how we can be confident that our faith won't collapse someday.

• Hope is knowing that God has already done it.
• Faith is trusting that God will do it.

Our hope is in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Our hope is in all the truths and miracles that we have read about and seen in the Scriptures. The same hope seen and experienced in our lives and the lives around us, through our answered prayers and through Gods transforming and amazing work in each of us personally. The hope we find in each other's testimonies, the hope we see in His Divine creation as we gaze into the night sky or experience the miracle of child birth every time a new creation is brought into this world.

Our hope is seen all around us - every time we walk outside and take-in a sunrise or sunset, walk alone the beach or just floating down a river. Every time we crack open our Bible and read one of the amazing stories shared from the past. HOPE can be seen everywhere....

Faith comes to us by knowing, trusting, and believing that God is... that God will... and that God can...take care of the unknown and unseen things in our lives. Our faith can only come from Him and should rest in Him alone.

Our faith is found in our relationship with Jesus Christ! The more time we invest, the more we hang around with Jesus - the better we get to know Him and understand Him - the greater our faith becomes.

The deeper and more intimate the relationship, the deeper and more intimate the understanding we begin to have of His attributes and His Love and Grace. He begins to reveal His Greatness to us and through us - His Love, His Joy, His Peace, His Longsuffering; His Goodness and Kindness; His Patience and yes, His Faithfulness...

We begin to have faith in the unseen through our trials and troubles by wrapping ourselves in His promise and by understanding and knowing that He is walking us through our biggest struggles and most overwhelming hurts. The greater our faith in these moments, the more he reveals.

He opens our eyes as we believe and trust. The greater our dependence on Him verses ourselves, the greater our strength in Him. As we abide and remain in Him, He begins to mold us with His beautiful attributes and we start to and inherit these Christlike characteristics.

He is our Strength! His is our Hope! He becomes our Faith because He is our Faith! He opens our eyes as we believe and trust in Him for ALL THINGS....

WORSHIP

Does it really matter where I worship?

God's Response:

The Lord has rejected His own altar; He despises His own sanctuary. He has given Jerusalem's palace's to her enemies. They shout in the Lord's Temple as though it were a day of celebration.

Lamentations 2:7

[God says,] "I hate all your show and pretense--the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies.... Instead, I want to see a mighty floor of justice, and endless river of righteous living."

Amos 5:21, 24

Our Takeaway:

Our place of worship is not as important to God as our pattern of worship. A church building may be beautiful, but if its people don't sincerely follow God, the church will decay from within. The people of Judah, despite their beautiful Temple, had rejected in their daily lives what they proclaimed in their worship rituals. Thus, their worship had turned into a mocking lie.

When you worship, are you merely mouthing words you don't really mean? Do you pray for help you don't really believe it will come? Do you profess a love for God you don't really feel? Earnestly seek God, and catch a fresh vision of His love and care. Then worship Him wholeheartedly--wherever you are.

Big T's Thought To Ponder:

Does it really matter where we worship? Absolutely NOT!

Quite to the contrary. God has no interest in being a part-time Savior to the men and women of the world. His greatest desire in our lives is to have ALL OF US, 100% of the time. Scripture instructs us to "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the Will of God in Christ Jesus for you." This doesn't mean that we have to pray without a break; walking around muttering empty prayers throughout our days and nights.

(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

What I think Paul is telling us in the instruction for our lives, is that we can actually live life here on earth walking (6) inches off the ground by abiding in His Spirit! He can accomplish His "prepared beforehand", full/complete life through an intimate, full-time, obedient and submissive relationship with Him - putting Him in the 1st position of our life.

Jesus wants His property back! He wants our whole heart, mind, body and soul on Sundays while fellowshipping and allowing the Holy Spirit to sharpen us through His Church Body. He knows that a Godly relationship requires commitment, one that is SOLD OUT Monday through Sunday... constantly keeping our eye on the prise, Jesus Christ our Loving Savior.

1 Corinthians 6:19 - "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 not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." (WOW!)

John 4:23 - "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him."

Psalm 99:5 - "Exalt the Lord our God, And worship at His footstool - He is holy.

Psalm 29:2 - "Give unto the Lord the glory due to His names; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." I could get carpel tunnel typing out all the truths and promises we have in Christ...

The Risen Savior wants our worship; fellowship; prayingness and uninterrupted attention throughout each day/night. Yes, at work...at home...at the supermarket...at school...the barber... on the golf course...in the theater...at the neighborhood social gathering... everywhere...

Ask the Lord to for brokeness and complere reliance each morning through confession and supplication. Ask the Lord to allow the Holy Spirit to be overflowing with inside us through our submission and desire for His Will. Take-time-to-spend-time; get transparent with Him and share from you heart. Get to know who our Redeemer is.

I call it, "Going steady with E.D.D.Y.".... We are to do it:

• Early;
• Daily;
• Diligently;
• Yielding...

We are free In Christ to worship Him wherever & whenever we choose to! Let Him have all of you today!

MY REDEEMER LIVES

How can I have faith in a God who allows so much tragedy in my life?

God's Response:

As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and He will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see Him for myself. Yes, I will see Him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!
Job 19:25-27

Our Takeaway:

At the heart of the book of Job stands his ringing affirmation of confidence: "I know that my Redeemer lives." What tremendous faith Job had, especially in light of the fact that he was unaware of satin's role in his sufferings. Job thought that God had brought all the disasters upon him! Faced with tragedy and even death, Job still expected to see God - and he expected to do so in his body. Although Job struggled with the idea that God was presently against him, he firmly believed that in the end, God would be on his side.

When trouble strikes, can you claim with confidence, "My Redeemer Lives"?

God's Promise:

Our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.

1 Timothy 4:10

Big T's Thought To Ponder:

The greatest gift we receive to help stretch our faith and reliance in our Redeemer, is to trust and believe in Him unconditionally; to stand confidently and victoriously in the truth and promises Christ provides us for each trial; each trouble and for each impossible moment in our lives.

I love what James says: "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials. Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience."

James 1:2

The only way to grow in faith and confidence in anything, is to get to know it, to study it, understand its boundaries and thresholds and then to trust and believe in it fully. Just observe from the sidelines without any action isn't going to allow for any growth in faith, you must seek it. Matthew 7:7-8

A simple but crewed illustration of trust and belief: is the difference between my truck and my boat. I jump into that Hummer each morning and I know and trust that it's going to start and get me where I need to go without fail - on time, every time. I am confident in this because I have invested time driving it everyday for the last seven years and I know that if follow the manufactures written instruction and I keep gas in it and the oil changed, that it is very dependable and reliable -trustworthy.

My boat on the other hand, I have very little to no trust in, no faith that it is going to start next time I load up the family for a weekend cruise. I just don't invest enough time running it like to do my truck, I have never been intentional about following the proper maintenance instruction, hence my trust in the boat starting or getting my where I need to go, it doubtful at best.

My point being... We can't put our trust and belief in our Redeemer if we don't understand Him through seeking an intimate relationship. We have to be willing to invest our time in developing a deeper understanding of His instruction and purpose for our lives by abiding and lingering in His presence.

Once we become intentional about knowing Him, He will open our eyes to His many truths and promises. We will begin to walk in His Spirit with a trusting and dependent heart; completely equipped to walk through any trial, trouble or impossible circumstance, both faithfully and confidently - for His greater purpose...

Search for the treasures in your trials today, look back and praise your Redeemer for growing your trust and increasing your faith in Him alone.

RESURRECTION

How will others respond when I tell them that Jesus rose from the dead?

God's Response:
[Mary] ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciples, the one who Jesus loved. She said, "They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb and we don't know where they have put him!". Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, "I have seen the Lord!"
John 20:2; John 20:6-7; John 20:18

Our Takeaway:
People who hear about the Resurrection for the first time may need a while before they can believe this amazing story. At first, they may think the story is a fabrication, impossible to believe. Like Peter, they may check out the facts and still be puzzled about what happened. Only when they encounter Jesus personally are they able to accept the fact of the Resurrection. Then, as they commit themselves to the Risen Lord and devote their lives to Him, they begin to accept the reality of His living presence with them.

Be patient with those who have just heard of the Resurrection. It may take time for them to move from initial belief to a life of commitment.

God's Promise:
My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Galatians 2:20

Big T's Thought To Ponder:
To encounter Jesus personally? Wow!

I have heard many Christians speak about indescribable, unfathomable, earth shaking coming to know Jesus Christ type testimonies; then there are always some in which there are no bells, no whistles not even a tremble. In either case, to encounter Jesus in any way, shape, or form is an awesome gift from God. It is a blessing beyond comprehension of our finite minds and the moment in which we are set free, incomparable by measure.

I am fairly certain God knows the hard cases out there- the men and women that require being brought to their knees before they're willing to give up all the world has to offer, before they're willing to let go of the sins that they're holding onto so tightly, and before they're willing to surrender it all and allow themselves to be broken!

On March 13, 2008, I felt the thunder roar as my whole world was rocked and turned upside down. He shook me every which way but loose!

It was a typical 15 hour day at the office- stressed to the gills about company sales, my commissions and wondering where and how I was going to bag the next elephant. Where was the money going to come from to sustain my sin -filled lifestyle? I sat down on my favorite couch for a before diner cocktail, kids asleep and Bimini up and ecstatic about the fact that I had come home and not opted for pulling an all-nighter out with the guys tearing up the town.

I distinctly remember after just a couple sips of wine and few bites of din-din that I began to feel poorly instantly! Initially I thought, maybe I had food poisoning? But it came on much too quickly -instantaneously! I set up and ask Bimini ,"Call me an ambulance, I think I am having a heart attack!"

I walked to my bedroom, several feet away and remember thinking to myself... "Tony did you use today? No, can't be an overdose." Within seconds, I became completely drenched, soaking wet from head to toe. A warm radiant heat, together with a numbing, almost tingling sensation began at the top of my head and started to move extremely slowly down through my head, down into my face, my neck, my shoulders, my chest, my arms. It was overcoming me and consuming me in a very peaceful, euphoric and dreamy like way.

I was scared to death! My first overwhelming thought was "This is what people feel like right before they die and are leave this place!" I remember almost being paralyzed by something that felt as if it was entering my body! I yelled, "Bimini come in here and bring the girls, I am dying", I said in a panicked, shaken and fearful state.

Bimini, my two little girls and I began to pray. I begged for my life at that very moment -"Please Lord, just let me make it to the hospital, please let me live! Please don't take my life! Please take care of my wife and little girls, I love them soooo much!!!"

I was rushed to the hospital and I was probed and prodded about every way imaginable- stress tests, heart catherization, CAT scans, MRI's - you name it they did it. I had 4 days in a private room with plenty of time to take a self-inventory of my sin infested life - the drinking, smoking, drugs, gambling, cheating, self-centered, self-seeking, arrogant, egotistically shell of a man!

By world standards, I had reached the pinnacle of life- living the high life, the American dream. I am here today to tell you (only by the grace of God), at the top, it is barren, desolate, and lonely. It is nothing more than a wasteland! The top of the world is empty and it dead ends!
1 John 2:15

This is my coming to Jesus Christ, Road to Damascus, personal encounter and personal testimony that God has blessed me with. I have been called to share it with the hopeless and the hopeful. What I experienced that night was the indwelling the the Holy Spirit spoken in Galatians 2:20; an extremely physical encounter with Jesus Christ where the old natural man died and God made all things new in a spiritual man made alive.
2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:17-24

He is real! He is ever-present in our lives and He is waiting for a broken and surrendered you to turn around - fall into His loving, caring arms today and experience all He has for you personally, which I testify is beyond your widest imagination.

JESUS' NAME

Is there really power in Jesus' name?

God's Response:

[Peter said,] "Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed - and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus' name has healed him before your very eyes."
Acts 3:16



Jesus called His twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness.
Matthew 10:1



Our Takeaway:

Jesus, not the apostles, received the glory for the healing of the lame man. In those days a man's name represented his character; it stood for his authority and power. When Peter used Jesus' name in Acts 3:16, he showed those around him who had given him the authority and power to heal. The apostles did not emphasize what they could do but what God could do through them.

Jesus' name is not to be used as if it were magic - it must be used in faith. When we pray in Jesus' name, we must remember that it is Christ Himself, not merely the sound of His name, who gives our prayers their power.



God's Promise:

Lord, there is no one like you! For you are great, and your name is full of power.
Jeremiah 10:6



Big T's Thought To Ponder:

The power of Jesus Christ is real, it is plentiful and it is available today to all those who believe -at this very moment He is healing the sick; bringing sight to the blind; providing for the poor; finding the lost; guiding His flock; listening and answering our prayers and loving the unlovable.

As I internalized the thought of the power in His name, that song rang in my head, "Jesus messiah... name above all names... blessed redeemer... Immanuel...

All Jesus' names are powerful and independently beautiful; God With Us... Redeemer - King of Kings - Prince of Peace - Bread of Life - Lamb of God - Deliverer - Messiah - Alpha & Omega - Chief Cornerstone - Creator - First & Last - Holy One - I AM - Rock - Holy One - Living Water - Immanuel - Lord or Lords - Jehovah - Almighty One - Good Shepherd - Savior...

My pastor is big into genealogy and etymology - every time there is a new baby dedication at our church, part of this special celebration is pastor sharing with the parents and congregation the actual meaning of the child's first and sometime middle name(s).

A persons name is their identity. Protecting and defending a good name, or living up to one's name are still meaningful concepts in today's world. A persons name can represent their reputation, their family, their business and/or their legacy. In some cultures today, a persons name is the most valued thing they own and it can be dishonorable when their name is tarnished.


Jesus Christ has given Christians that right and authority to use His name - basically we have been given "the power of attorney". Legally, power of attorney is the authority to act in another persons behalf, at another persons request. It is authorization given by one person (Jesus), permitting another (Christians), to take action on His (Jesus Christ's), behalf.

"Whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:23-24

"And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it". John 14:13-14

The name of Jesus Christ Carries Power, Authority and Distinction!

The name Jesus Christ is not a magic word, the power is not even in saying words - but by understanding that it represents His finished work on the cross; God's divine plan for redemption, salvation and complete bondage conquering victory over satin, self, sin and death.

It is through this name, Jesus Christ and this name alone, that we can claim our adoption and position In Christ - standing with authority before the deceiver of this world, both free and victorious In Our Risen Savior.

"These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.". 1 John 5:13

JESUS CHRIST

Does it matter what I believe about Jesus?

God's Response:
[Jesus] has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but He has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else. He testifies about what He has seen and heard
John 3:31-33

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
Colossians 1:15

The Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son.
John 1:14



Out Takeaway:

Your whole spiritual life depends on your answer to one question: Who is Jesus Christ? If you accept Jesus as only a prophet of a teacher, you have to reject His teachings for He claimed to be God himself. The heartbeat of John's Gospel is the dynamic truth that existed and will live forever. Jesus came from heaven and spoke of what He had seen there. That's why what He said is trustworthy. His words are the very words of God.

This same Jesus has called you to believe Him and to live with Him eternally. When you know who Jesus really is, it becomes easier to believe what He said.



God's Promise:

To all who believe Him and accept Him, He gave the right to become children of God.



Big T's Thought To Ponder:

What we choose to believe about Jesus not only matters, it is life altering; it is so much more than just believing - it trusting, it's putting all your faith into the None-Created One it's all about developing and experiencing a personal and intimate relationship with Him.

Jesus, The Savior
"God so loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son so that whoever believes in Him may not be lost, but have eternal life".
John 3:16

Jesus, Our Lord
"So God raised Him to the highest place. God made His name greater than every other name so that every knee will bow to the name of Jesus - everyone in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. And everyone will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and bring glory to God the Father".
Philippians 2:9-11

Jesus, Is Risen
"Jesus said to her, "I am the Resurrection and the Life. Those who believe in Me will have life even if they die. And anyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?"
John 11:25-26

Jesus, Cares for us
"The Lord is faithful and will give you strength and will protect you form the evil one."
2 Thessalonians 3:3

Jesus, Our Hope
"These two things cannot change: God cannot lie when He makes a promise, and He cannot lie when He makes an oath. These things encourage us who can to God for safety. They give us strength to hold on to the hope we have been given. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, sure and strong".
Hebrews 6:18-19

Jesus, Our Unchanging God
"Before the mountains were born and before You created the earth and the world You are God".
Psalm 90:1

Jesus, The Good Shepherd
"The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in green pastures. He leads me to calm water. He give me new strength. He leads me on paths that are right for the good of His name".
Psalm 23:1-3

Jesus, Our Burden - Bearer
"Give your worries to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will never let good people down".
Psalm 55:22

Jesus, Our Security
"[He] us strong and can help you not to fall. He can bring you before His glory without any wrong in you and give you great joy".
Jude 1:24

Jesus, The Glory Of Eternity
"Look, Jesus is coming back with the clouds, and everyone will see Him... And all peoples of the earth will cry loudly because of Him, Yes, this will happen!"
Revelations 1:7


Just take faith, trust and believe...

ETERNITY

Why are we never satisfied in this life?

God's Response:
[God] has planted eternity in the human heart.
Ecclesiastes 3:11

I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, "look, God's home is now among His people! He will live with them and they will be His people. God Himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.
Revelation 21:3-4

Our Takeaway:
God has "planted eternity in the human heart" (Ecclesiastes 3:11). This means that we can never be completely satisfied with earthly pleasures and pursuits. Because we are created in God's image, nothing but the eternal God can truly satisfy us. He has built into us a restless yearning for the kind of world that can be found only in the perfect home Jesus has prepared for us. He has given us a glimpse of the perfection of His creation. When you see injustice and pain in this world, does your heart long for the perfection of heaven? Let this longing motivate you to do God's work to further His Kingdom here on earth.

God's Promise:
This world is not our permanent home, we are looking forward to a home yet to come.
Hebrews 13:14

Big T's Thought To Ponder:
I see myself and the world around me as so impatient when it comes to trying to get our minds around the when's, what's and why's of heaven.

Described in Ecclesiastes 3:11, is the impulse deep in our hearts for the things of heaven - God places it there and shapes us for eternal life through our mountain top and valley experiences in life, this can be a slow and sometime painful process, especially for the Big T's of the world who take 45 years to see the light and come to Him.

But the fact remains, we all want heaven, and we want it now! Do you notice all the ways we try to get it? We look for heaven in lot of places -- exotic far away vacations, the malls of America, real estate shopping guides, the movies and novels that engross us, satisfying relationships we pursue, the American dream we're promised and so many other places... You name it and we have placed hope in it... We welcome distorted and poor substitutes.

We are driven to satisfy our impulses for the eternal kingdom, trying to fill our hearts with things that don't measure up. Regardless of the places we go and the stuff we acquire along the way they never seem to measure up to fill internal desire we have for Heaven. Eternal impulses are never satisfied by temporal treasures.

Where have you sought to secure your heaven? Even if you've placed your hope in the Kingdom of God, If your like me and most of the world, you may have been tempted to secure your kingdom by your own means - insulating yourself in the most comfortable neighborhoods, padding you bank accounts and lifestyle the most comfortable margins, gotten away from it all with the most comfortable reprieve, and escaped into the most comfortable fantasies.

Are we entertaining false hopes? Have we been cultivating our own parallel false kingdom next to the eternal Kingdom of God? Resist the urge!
John 14:1-3

Consider the promise of Romans 8:18: Current sufferings do not compare to future glory. Then set you heart on the future glory. Know that in His time, God will make all things - even your life - extremely beautiful.

God has called us into a relationship with Him - let that be our treasure. Handle the things of this world with a loose grip and look for Heaven where it really is.
1 John 2:15

To God be the Glory, our honor and praises!

ANSWERS

Why doesn't God allow me to see the reasons why things happen to me?

God's Response:
There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless - a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil.
Job 1:1

[Job] said, "I came naked from my mother's womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!" In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.
Job 1:21-22

Our Takeaway:
As you read the book of Job, you have information that the characters of the story do not. Job had lost virtually everything through no fault of his own. As he struggled to understand why all this had happened to him, it became clear that he was not meant to know the reasons. He would have to face life without answers and explanations. As a result, Job learned to trust God even when he didn't understand God's ways.

You and I must learn to live as Job did - one day at a time and without answers to all life's questions. It is in that way that you and I, like Job, will learn to trust God no matter what.

God's Challenge:
The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?
Proverbs 20:24

Big T's Thought To Ponder:
I remember the first time I read the book of Job, I remember thinking two things - Lord Father please don't ever use me in the same examples you used Job; I can't even begin to imagine what despair and heart wrenching pain Job must of felt by losing all the ones he loved in life through these tragic events.

Although I have never experienced anything close to resembling the tragic events of Job, we have all experienced some level of tragedy, pain and suffering in our lives. Maybe for some of us there has been Job felt trials and losses - where do we turn when we are hurting most?

I can only relate to Job's story, in that sometimes life brings unbearable circumstances for all of us, maybe not to the extent of Job - But life can, does and will bring life shattering hurt, pain and unfairness that we don't and can't possibly handle or comprehend on our own strength and God warns us these things are coming.

Right after I came to trust Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, I remember all kinds of trials pouring into my life and I remember thinking to myself - "wait a minute, is this what being a Christian is all about? And if it is, how do I opt out?"

That first year or so was tough:

I had just recently made a decision for Christ and was coming home from the hospital - being diagnosed with Type II Diabetes at 387 lbs., with serious drug and alcohol dependency issues and a 3-pak a day smoking habit and a very physical coming to know Jesus experience - this is where it all started.

After getting real truthful with my wife about my secret life and 17 years of extra marital affairs and a 25 year cocaine addiction - this made things quite uncomfortable around the house for a season of time; God healed this and gave us oneness with Him...

God striped my business down to the nub - from 26 full time employees down to 2, forced to layoff my brother & both my parents and then informed by my banker that we were insolvent; God is healing this and is restoring His ministry here...

My 27 year old son Zack was just lockup after he went MIA on a out-of-town floor installation due to a binge on methamphetamine and ended up being sentenced to 20 years in an 8'x 8' prison cell; God is healing and using this for His good...

The IRS came in without notice and levied our bank accounts and attached my 401k, basically our life saving gone in a flash; God has provided abundantly...

Our bank notified us that they were foreclosing on our rental house and my paychecks were sporadic at best; God always supplies all we need to do all he asks...

My wife was shot at in a random drive by shooting while driving down US-41 and before the police report was drafted, we were notified that her mom was being rushed to emergency for multiple blood transfusions due to her alcohol addiction and a sorosis of the liver diagnosis; God is healing this...

We were trying to support my father in-law whom was struggling with a life long, life threatening alcohol addiction and living at the local Salvation Army - he needed to move in with us because his living arrangement has suddenly changed; God uses us when we let Him, He is healing this...

And it seemed that I was being persecuted by about everyone I knew for walking out of their lives and into this new life of serving God - Wow, what next Lord! we are made a new creation, old passed away and all things become new - God is all we need...

What I can testify to through my witness, was that through every storm and trial I noticed one common tread - Jesus Christ our loving Savior. He was in the midst of every moment working all things for good in my life; He never leave us of forsakes us...

Somewhere in all these trials and troubles, He shared several of His Truths with me, "these things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have trouble; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world".
John 33:16

Anyone that has trouble, trails, pain from tragedy in their life today - wrap yourself in this truth and know that He is God and He can and will overcome all these things in our lives - Job knew about that remaining and abiding in Christ and we have the same Truths today as Job had then.
John 15:1-11

A final verse to ponder today: "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is Thy faithfulness"...
Lamentations 3:22-23

We are blessed beyond our imaginations!

LAZINESS

How can I stay motivated when Christ's return seems so far away?

God's Response:
Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. We are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth He has promised, a world filled with God's righteousness. And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in His sight. And remember, our Lord's patience gives people time to be saved.
2 Peter 3:11-15

Our Takeaway:
When we're waiting for something that takes a long time, it's easy to begin to "slack off" and not wait as actively as we did at first. But Christ does not want us to become lazy and complacent just because he has not yet returned. Instead, we should live in eager expectation of His coming.

What would you like to be doing when Christ returns? That is how we should be living each day.

God's Challenge:
Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord's return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.
James 5:7-8

Big T's Thought To Ponder:
I don't know about you, but have have a problem with patience. Patience is something I have never done very well and even now that I have a relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of my life, it's still my biggest struggle and probably more than ever.

One of the most challenging components for me about living patiently in Christ Likeness, is that we still have to live in a fallen and instantaneous world. How do we remain patient with all the resistance in this microwave society we live?

James began his letter above by telling about the results of perseverance - maturity and completeness. I believe that the key to patience can only be learned through experiencing the trails God has planned or allows for each of us. I trust that we have to weather through the storms of life and it will be through these trials that God reveals His greatest treasures.
James 1:2-4

Paul tells us: "We also have joy with our troubles, because we know that these troubles produces patience. And patience produces character, and character produces hope. And this hope will never disappoint us, because God has poured out His love to fill our hearts".
Romans 5:3-5

Let endurance and perseverance in life's most difficult moments have its perfect result in you; look for all God's gifts in the midst of the storm!

SUFFERING

What am I to do in the midst of my trials?

In God's Word:
I said, "Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest - I would flee far away and stay in the desert; i would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm"
Psalm 55:6-8

David was a man after God's own heart and a great, anointed king. But in many ways, he was just like us. Psalm 55 is an example. When the pressure was on, David just wanted to run away.

All of us have had similar urges. When life gets intense and troubles seem to offer no way out, we just want to get out of the situation. Every Christian who has been prepared by God and stretched to his or her limits can relate: There are times when we would do anything if God would just remove us from our trial. We'll pray for ways of escape, but God often leaves us surrounded until His time is right.

God has no scorn for such feelings. He made us and He knows our frailties. He understands our impulse to flee from whatever difficulties we face. But He also insists on our endurance, because it has spiritual results that nothing else can accomplish. And there is no way to learn endurance other than simply to endure. We can't learn it in principle or in theory; only pain can teach it to us. We must be put in a position of having to lean on our God and to learn of His ways. Experience is the only way to know Him.

Our Takeaway:
The good news for those who go through intense trials and suffering is that once the impulse to flee is broken, God delivers. When endurance is complete, God removes the tribulation we endure. Every fear of verses 4-8 is followed by every blessing of verses 16-18. Our God does not leave us in our troubles. He has put us there to discover His provision; He will not withhold it indefinitely. There will be a day of deliverance. It is God who is enthroned forever (v.19), not suffering. We don't have to flee; we simply call on the One who dwells above our trials.

Big T's Thought To Ponder:
I was originally writing a devotional about "money", this morning and the Holy Spirit put it on my heart for this incredibly special day to write about suffering.

My thought today is short and concise and needs very few words: Our suffering and trials are taken away and healed through the One who didn't flee, didn't complain, but which faced trials and suffering in a way unimaginable to all of us - Our Long Sufferer who forgave us, delivered us, loves us and paid for us by giving Himself for us - "Tetelestai"......