Start Filling Empty Jars Today

In 2 Kings 4:1-7 Elisha instructs a widow that feels like she has NOTHING left, to gather some empty jars from her neighbors, bring them into her house, and start pouring what little oil she has into empty jars. And the jars were miraculously filled!

Why not try the same thing in your life today! Instead of focusing on what you don’t have, zoom out and focus on the emptiness all around you. Your “little” becomes much larger when seen through the lens of emptiness people all around you live in.

Then bring some empty jars into your house. Make a phone call. Send a card, email or text message. Make a visit. Invite someone for coffee, lunch, or dinner. Bring some empty jars into your house!

And start pouring what you have into the empty jars… an encouraging word, a prayer, a gift, a loving act of service, a helping hand! And watch God FILL your emptiness while He fills the emptiness of those you brought into your house!

Momentum: Don’t Quit

You build momentum in your life by sticking with it. Embrace your place, maintain your pace, and don’t grow weary and drop out of the race! This poem says it well:

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow–
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor’s cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out–
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit–
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.

- Author unknown

Creative Partnership

As I begin reading my Bible through again this year, it occurs to me that we were created for a creative partnership!

The Creator created us in His image, and commissioned us to “be fruitful and multiply”. (Gen. 1:27-28)

God created the resources for man, but then asked man to work with the resources to create & multiply vegetation in the Garden – in his world. (Gen. 2:15)

God created all living things – the animals, insects, birds, and He brought them to the man to name them. (Gen 2:19-20)

From the beginning, God involved us – partnered with us in the creative process. God does what only He can do, and calls us to do what we can do.

God saw that man had a need for multiplied partnership – a helper, a mate in the creative process. So, again, he partners with man in the creative process. Adam gave a rib. God used what Adam gave to create a partner. (Gen. 2:21-22) We partner with God in the creative process when we give back to Him from the resources He has already blessed us with. Using what we give, God multiplies. We do what we can, He does what only He can!

If you want 2012 to be a year of creativity and multiplication, partner with the Creator! When you give from your time, your tithe (That 10% of the income God has blessed you with – Mal. 3:10), from your resources back to God, you are partnering with Him in the creative process, so He can bring multiplication into your life!

Reasons to Read God’s Word in 2012

I encourage you to join me in reading through God’s Word in 2012. Psalm 119 lists a myriad of reasons why we should:

It will bring you JOY… (v.1-2) Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the LORD.  Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts.

It will keep you PURE… (v.9) How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. (v.11) I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Read it aloud… (v.13) I have recited aloud all the regulations you have given us.

Treasure it… (v.14) I have rejoiced in your laws as much as in riches. (v.111) Your laws are my treasure; they are my heart’s delight. (v.162) I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure.

Study it & reflect on it… (v.15) I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways.

Remember it… (v.16) I will… not forget your word.

Obey it… (v.17) that I may live and obey your word.

It will give you insight… (v.18) Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions. (v.99) I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your laws. (v.104) Your commandments give me understanding.

It will advise you… (v.24) Your laws please me; they give me wise advice.

When you feel spent and all dried up, it will revive you… (v.25) I lie in the dust; revive me by your word. (v.149) In your faithful love, O LORD, hear my cry; let me be revived by following your regulations.

It will encourage you… (v.28) encourage me by your word.

It will reveal things about you that you didn’t see, and keep you from lying to yourself… (v.28) Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your instructions.

It will shape your life… (v.30-31) I have determined to live by your regulations. I cling to your laws.

Practice it… (v.34) I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart.

It will bring happiness… (v.35) Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.

It should be your priority… (v.36-37) Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money! Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.

It brings you hope… (v.42-43) I trust in your word. Do not snatch your word of truth from me, for your regulations are my only hope. (v.74, 81) I have put my hope in your word. (v.114) your word is my source of hope.

It will keep you free… (v.45) I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments.

Meditate on it; and you will grow to love it… (v.47-48) How I delight in your commands! How I love them! I honor and love your commands. I meditate on your decrees. (v.97) Oh, how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long.

It will become your foundation in shaky times & make you secure… (v.61) I am firmly anchored to your instructions.

It will keep you from wandering off… (v.67) I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word.

It’s your instruction book from your Creator – Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth… (v.73) You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands.

It will guide you… (v.98) Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide. (v.105) Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. (v.133) Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil.

God, the author, will help you understand it… (v. 125) Give discernment to me, your servant; then I will understand your laws. (v.130) The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand. (v.144) Your laws are always right; help me to understand them so I may live.

You can trust it… (v.138) Your laws are perfect and completely trustworthy. (v.140) Your promises have been thoroughly tested; that is why I love them so much.

It’s a stress relief… (v.143) As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands.

It will bring peace… (v.165) Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.

Shortage of Funds – Or Shift in Focus

“Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes!” Haggai 1:6b (NLT)

Does that describe your life lately? You just can’t seem to get ahead? You’re working hard, but there always seems to more bills left at the end of every pay check? Perhaps the problem is not a shortage of funds; but a shift in focus.

Over 2000 years ago people were facing the same dilemma, and God spoke to them through His prophet, Haggai, and said, “Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins? This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you! You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes!” (Haggai 1:4-6 NLT)

The problem was not a shortage of funding, but a shift in focus. When my focus shifts from building God’s house to building MY house, I will soon find myself in a downward spiral of discontent.

So the Lord sends this reminder: “I am with you, says the LORD!” (Haggai 1:13) And when we shift our focus to His presence, His plan, and focus on His will – not mine… building His house – not mine, the results are the same as they were over 2000 years ago: “So the LORD sparked the enthusiasm of… the whole remnant of God’s people.” (v. 14) And the promise is: “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. (The Creator of the world is my source!) The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. And in this place I will bring peace.” (Haggai 2:8-9)

Destination – The Lord Knows How to Get You Where You Need to Be!

Sometimes it’s difficult to get direction in life. We are so limited in our perspective. We can’t always see what’s ahead. We need direction from someone who has a much higher perspective… someone who sees what we cannot see… someone who sees the destination and outcome of the path we’re on.

Ps. 138:6 (TMSG) says, “God, high above, sees far below; no matter the distance, he knows everything about us.”

David understood the importance of gaining God’s perspective in order to make right choices and get clear direction in life. He repeatedly asked for God’s perspective:

“Lead me in the right path, O Lord… Make your way plain for me to follow.” (Ps. 5:8)

“Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.” (Ps. 25:4)

“The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray.” (Ps. 25:8)

“Who are those who fear the Lord? He will show them the path they should choose.” (Ps. 25:12)

“Teach me how to live, O Lord. Lead me along the right path.” (Ps. 27:11)

Today’s decisions create tomorrow’s experiences – good or bad! Why not stop right now and gain some perspective from One who sees from the window of eternity and knows everything about you!

 

Destinations: As My Heart Goes, So I Go

Why does it seem to be so difficult to make the changes in course we know we need to make in our lives? Though time and experience and good judgment tell us the path we’re on will lead us where we don’t want to go, we just keep going!

Solomon has these words of wisdom for us, “My child, listen and be wise: Keep your heart on the right course.” (Proverbs 23:19 NLT)

Listening to wise counsel and advice is not enough. Even having the wisdom to know what to do is not enough. You must “keep your heart on the right course.”

He gives added emphasis to this in verse 26, “O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes take delight in following my ways.“

We can have all knowledge about God and His Word and what’s right, what’s wrong… what we should be doing… what we shouldn’t do, or what we should avoid, and still go down wrong paths – paths & ways that have their tentacles so deep into our hearts that the cost to change course seems too great.

God wants your heart – intimacy with you. When He has your heart, your eyes will take delight in following His ways. No cost is too great.

Just look at a young couple in love. No cost is too great to follow the ways of the one who has their heart. They give up previous plans, friends, hobbies; to follow the ways of the one they love. They give up old habits; spend (sometimes more than they have) in their expressions of love. Their course is changed to following the ways of the one they love.

If you’ve been struggling to make the changes in course you know you really need to make, then maybe it’s time to go on a date with ONE who wants to capture your heart! Spend some alone time with the ONE who loves you more than you could ever imagine. Talk with Him, and listen. He’ll talk to you. Let Him capture your heart. And over time you’ll find that your eyes take delight in following His ways.

“He Kept Giving”

Have you ever felt like you have nothing more to give? Maybe you’re a Pastor and after months and perhaps years of giving, you feel “gave out”, worn out, struggling to find anything more to give. Maybe you’re a parent who’s come to your wits end with one of your children, or a spouse that has given till you have no more to give in a relationship that just seems to always take from you. Perhaps you’re a student who’s tried to live up to all that’s expected of you from parents, friends, school, and you feel you’ve come to the end of your rope.

That’s how I think the disciples felt in Luke 9:10-17, after returning from a rewarding, but exhausting ministry trip. They felt spent. They felt like they deserved and definitely needed some R and R. But just as they’re ready to shut out the world for a few, a needy world comes knocking – over 5000 of them! And Jesus says, “You feed them.”

They respond like most of us would. “It’s late. It’s not the right time. Send them to someone else. This isn’t the right place. We don’t have enough left to give.” In other words, “Not now, not here, not me!”

All Jesus asks of them is to give what they have. He blessed what they gave, multiplied it to be more than enough, and “he kept giving” (v.16) it to them to distribute to the people. Did you get that “kept giving” part? The disciples had to keep coming back for more!

On our own, we run out. Trying to hold on to the little we have left makes us painfully aware of our lack. But when we surrender all we are and all we have to Jesus, we can keep coming back to His endless resource. And, did you notice, after giving, the disciples ended up with much more than they gave!

Guard Your Mind

“Guard your heart (mind) above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Prov. 4:23 (NLT)

The instruction to “guard our minds” infers there is an enemy to guard them from. God’s word is clear; our enemy is Satan, also called “Devil”, which means “accuser”. He is a deceiver with quite the influence. And he is good at his job. After all, he influenced one third of heaven’s angels to join his team. We have to understand, his primary goal is to introduce DOUBT in the heart and mind of each Christ-follower. He knows the key to destroying your life is to get into your head.

In Mark chapter 4, after days of ministry to crowds of thousands, and untold numbers of miracles, Jesus loaded his disciples in a boat and said, “Let’s go to the other side of the lake.” But soon a fierce storm came up and the disciples, filled with fear, woke Jesus up shouting, “Don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”

The enemy had introduced a thought of fear and they hopped in that boat for the ride. Beginning to Doubt the care of Christ in their lives. Forgetting that Jesus said they would go to the other side of the lake. Forgetting the mind-blowing miracles they had witnessed days earlier. Forgetting that the Son of God Himself was in the boat WITH THEM!

The enemy will always use the storms and difficult circumstances of life to introduce DOUBT and FEAR. And at that moment, we have a choice. You can step into the boat of fear and doubt; letting it fill your mind with “what if’s” and worst case scenarios that will sink your ship. Or you can resist the devil, and choose to focus on FAITH.

Jesus told his disciples, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Without faith it is impossible to please God. More than anything, God wants your trust. So the best way Satan can get you off course is to introduce thoughts of DOUBT in your mind. Thoughts that, allowed to germinate in your mind, will determine the course of your life.

Whatever you are facing at this moment in your life, don’t be deceived by the Accuser. Guard your mind above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Don’t Miss the Harvest in Your Life

It’s so easy to miss the harvest of blessings God has brought into our lives. I’m not sure where the following came from, but it is a great reminder of the many things we take for granted:

I Am Thankful For The Wife Who Says It’s Hot Dogs Tonight,
Because She Is Home With Me, Not With Someone Else.

For The Husband Who Is On The Sofa Who Is Being A Couch Potato,
Because He Is Home With Me And Not Out At The Bars.

For The Teenager Who Is Complaining About Doing Dishes,
Because That Means She Is At Home, Not On The Streets.

For The Taxes That I Pay,
Because It Means That I Am Employed.

For The Mess To Clean After A Party,
Because It Means That I Have Been Surrounded By Friends

For The Clothes That Fit A Little Too Snug,
Because It Means I Have Enough To Eat.

For My Shadow That Watches Me Work,
Because It Means I Am Out In The Sunshine.

For A Lawn That Needs Mowing, Windows That Need Cleaning, And Gutters That Need Fixing, Because It Means I Have A Home.

For All The Complaining I Hear About The Government,
Because It Means That We Have Freedom Of Speech.

For The Parking Spot I Find At The Far End Of The Parking Lot,
Because It Means I Am Capable Of Walking And That I Have Been Blessed With Transportation.

For My Huge Heating Bill,
Because It Means I Am Warm.

For The Lady Behind Me In Church That Sings Off Key,
Because It Means That I Can Hear.

For The Pile Of Laundry And Ironing,
Because It Means I Have Clothes To Wear.

For Weariness And Aching Muscles At The End Of The Day,
Because It Means I Have Been Capable Of Working Hard.

For The Alarm That Goes Off In The Early Morning Hours,
Because It Means That I Am Alive.

And Finally…For Too Much E-Mail,
Because It Means I Have Friends Who Are Thinking Of Me.

“Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.“ Ps. 103:2 (NLT)