How thirsty is your soul for God’s presence? Do you desire for more of God’s living water? Longing to feel the presence of God in a more powerful way should be all of our desires. God wants us to want to be in his presence. He longs for us to quietly commune with him.
Psalm 42:1-2 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. 2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
True worship is about a heart connection to God. You can sing, pray, praise, lift your hands, kneel, lay flat on your face, it is all about the heart posture. God wants to be first in our lives, there is no room before him or above him. But in our human capacity, we have to fight constantly to make him our number one thought, care and priority.
Matthew 16:24 –Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Total surrender is what he longs for from us. Jesus emphasized surrender by denying ourselves the things we would do or want to do, to follow Jesus. He desires our complete surrender to his will.
1 Peter 5:7 –Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Surrender means trusting him with our cares and burdens. We must come to him as a little child. Think about how trusting they are with their parents. They will believe whatever they tell them. We should also trust God with that childlike trust. He wants only good things for us, he will look out for us.
As the weekend approaches and hopefully we all find a little bit of time, think about the question I asked when we started today, How thirsty is your soul for God’s presence?
We often hear our faith walk compared to a race we are running. If we are running then we must be careful to watch where we are going. Think about an evening stroll the pace is much slower. There is time to take in the scenery. You can look right and look left. The pace is slower because you are not on a mission to get anywhere.
But if you are running in a distance race you are trying to get to a destination; the finish line. There is not time for the distractions. The leisurely pace has to be replaced by urgency. Running the race, we must not carry any more than necessary.
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Run with patience the race set before us. We never know what a day will bring along this journey. But as we go along this race, all the fruit of the spirit should be showing in our lives, including patience.
During long races, the runner must pace themselves, they need to save their energy for the final push or sprint to the finish line. If we run with patience we will move quickly, but also pace ourselves. Being vigilant to watch where we are going. Unlike, running on a track our race is not always on smooth ground. There are stumbling blocks and temptations in our path that can slow us down or cause us to fall. Our enemy doesn’t want us to finish our race. He is sneaky and will dig pits for us to fall into or place snares along the way.
On long races you will find water stations. We need to pause from running our race and allow God to refill us with his living water. It’s difficult to pour out what you don’t have inside. Think about a pitcher of water. It first has to be filled up, before it can pour out into glasses. Eventually the pitcher will run dry. It needs to go to the water source to get refilled so that it can pour out again. We are that way, we have to be refilled with God’s living water, so that we can pour out to the lost and dying world.
John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
We must keep our God connection as we run this race. The cares of this life can get heavy, but each day is a new opportunity to start fresh and be refreshed by God’s spirit. Then we will be ready to run our race for that day. I encourage you to set aside the weights of life, be vigilant to look out for the enemy and his traps. Spend time with God then run your race with patience.
During training, a coach will often push someone out of their comfort zone. They know their players can do more. They push them to try a little harder. It is often a long process of training, but they do improve. God is calling for us to come up higher.
God knows in order for us to be most effective as witnesses, we need to display the gifts of the Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. It doesn’t matter how high we get, we can still learn and grow. So run this race allowing the world to see how you have grown in the Lord. It will be encouragement to them and help you win souls.
Sorry there is not a written version today. This was totally spontaneous and off script.
Partial lyrics to the song: He let me try my wings because I asked him to, knowing all the time I couldn’t fly. He gave my feet their liberty and let me walk away. All the time I never asked him WHY? But now I’m beginning to understand. He bought my life and he already had it planned. Oh foolish me I could not see. Sin had my vision dim. He let me go just to make me know that I couldn’t make it without him……..
The book of Joshua starts with God telling Joshua that Moses is dead. He then tells Joshua he will take the people of Israel into the promised land. Then he said that where ever the sole of your foot shall tread upon, I have given it to you.
(Hoe shee ah)
Joshua’s given name was Hoshea which meant salvation. Moses renamed him Joshua which means YAHWEH is salvation. That is just what happen, Yahweh saved them time and time again as they went about the promised land, claiming their territory.
Joshua 1:5-6 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
The generation that is about to enter into the promised land is those who were born along the journey. They never knew the hardship of Egypt. They had always known Yahweh as their provider of everything they needed.
Notice as God promised Joshua as he was with Moses, he would be with him. He promised to never fail him or forsake him. I often think of some of us who are second, third or fourth generation believers in God. We can take this verse and apply it to our lives. So as I was with your great-grandfather, your grandfather, your father I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.
My great grandparents were completely sold out to the cause of Christ. My grandparent and parents have stood strong on their faith for many years. I have seen many amazing things growing up to believe in the God of the bible; our Lord Jesus Christ. So I claim this verse today.
As God was with my ancestors, so he will be with me. He will never leave me nor forsake me. I can be strong, because God is with me. I believe we are on the edge of God showing up in a mighty way on this earth. People are not going to believe it. I am grateful for my Christian heritage. But make no mistake, God doesn’t have grandchildren, we all my forge our relationship with him.
Each of us have to choose to surrender our lives to him. We all must learn to hear his voice and allow him to lead us.
Joshua 1: 7-9 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest. 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
We are not under the law of Moses but have our own plan. But we are not to get distracted by the enemy and turn right or left. We must stay steady to our course. We must follow the word of God that has been given to us. We are to meditate on the word of God. It will help us to stay on the right path.
It is easy in our world to get distracted by many things. A lot of these things on their own is not a sin. But when we allow distractions to keep us from God, the they become our idols. God does not tolerate his children having any other gods.
Be encouraged my friend, if you are third or fourth generation Christian or if you are the first of your bloodline to find Jesus. We can be sure that he will go with us and will fight our battles. This is our legacy as children of God.
There is a quote that says, “loose lips sink ships.” Which means that you are not to tell everything you know. The bible is full of verses that tell us to not gossip. The day in which we are living, judgmental attitudes and gossip are driving forces behind social media. It is easy to see a post and jump on the band wagon of judging someone based on the post. This is not God’s way.
I often share with you about the words you speak. Our words have power to change our lives for the good or for the bad. The entire third chapter of James is about controlling our tongue. It says it is the hardest thing to control. What we say, is as important as what we don’t say.
There is an old quote that says, “If you don’t have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything.” In theory that seems right. But often we must speak the truth in love. It is often not what someone wants to hear. But we must be led by the Spirit as to what we need to say. Allowing God to give us the right words will help us to control our tongue. It will be what the other person needs to hear. It will not be gossip or judgement.
Having an untamed tongue include things like gossip, insulting, belittling, manipulating others with lies and false narratives. Other things we often don’t think of is flattery in order to gain something from someone. We are supposed to be true to who we are and real before God. Manipulation is the same as witchcraft.
Prov 6:16-19 These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
God hates a proud look and a lying tongue. We are called to higher ground than to act like we live on reality tv. The world is all about drama and calling people out. It is all about judging one another and spewing hate. Anything to cause problems and issues. The more drama the more likes and shares someone gets, which comes down to money.
James 3:3-4 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
This is explaining how the tongue can change the entire course of our lives. A horse can be turned by a small bit in its mouth. A large ship can be turned by a small rudder or helm. So the entire course of our lives can be turned a different direction by our words.
James 3:5-6Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
Our enemy uses people words to harm one another, to bring about discord and hurt. The enemy will lie to us. If we repeat those lies it creates things in our lives that we do not need. Like the enemy may tell you that you are worthless and no one loves you. If you start to believe it and then speak it, it will become your reality. Destruction can come quickly from angry words.
Colossians 4:6 Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
In the list of the fruit of the spirit, self-control or temperance means being able to control ourselves. That includes controlling our words. Because our words lead us down the right path or down the wrong road.
Others have to feel we are trustworthy. If someone shares something with us, we have to walk in our integrity and not gossip to others. We need to take the issues to God. He is the only one that can judge. So keeping it to ourselves and only telling Jesus will save us from a lot of drama and pain.
THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: CLEAN HANDS AND PURE HEART
A pure heart is one that has been cleansed by the blood of the lamb. A pure heart has God’s spirit dwelling within. But it is also a heart turned toward following the Lord with every ounce of their strength. We must have a heart for God’s ways and have his laws written on our hearts.
Our focus has to be a God focus. A willing heart to be obedient to God’s voice. It is not easy to fully surrender our hearts. The flesh fights us every step of the way. We cannot listen to our flesh, if it had its way we would end up in hell. Because our flesh is easily distracted.
Psalm 24:4-6 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.
We have clean hands when we follow God’s ways and do not allow our flesh to draw us into sin. Avoiding the traps of the enemy take some prayer. The more of the word we have in our spirit the less likely we are to fall into a position that we end up with dirty hands. We want our deeds to be pure before the Lord.
Psalm 119:9-11 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. 10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Seeking God with our whole heart is key to living a life pleasing to God. Hiding the word in our hearts will keep us from falling for the enemy’s traps of sin. In the fast-paced world we live in, there are many distractions. A large portion of them are caused by the enemy.
Matt 23:26-28 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
The Pharisees appear to many to be holy. But Jesus had a different opinion. He told them to clean the inside of the cup and platter so the outside would be clean also. They had pride, greed and deception in their hearts. They loved to be honored by men, but their heart was far from God. They did not have pure hearts or clean hands. He told them they were like white washed sepulchers or graves but inside they were full of dead men’s bones. They would remain dead as long as they were full of sin. This is why Jesus came, to give us all a chance at life.
Mark 7:5-9 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? 6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
Again, God cares about the purity of our heart. The Pharisees didn’t have pure hearts. Jesus quoted scripture to them about honoring God with their lips. But their worship was in vain because their hearts was far from honoring God. In other words they didn’t have clean hands. They rejected God’s commandments but made up their own.
Many denominations are full of people today that have a bunch of traditions of men, but their hearts are not pure. If their hearts were pure, there would not be so much church hurt in this world. All the Bertha better than you’s with their “we’ve always done it this way attitudes, but they don’t care about showing someone God’s compassion. I pray people wake up and realize how much they need to change. This world is full of people that are dying lost every day and many are worried about traditions of man.
Dear Lord, Give us clean hands and pure hearts. Help us to not be caught up in man’s traditions, but be caught up in knowing you more.
In our society the word rest is almost seen as a dirty word. People are working full time jobs, with at least one side hustle. They have their kids scheduled in everything until no one in the family gets any rest. In every way, that we find ourselves weary, Jesus can give us what we need to find, rest.
Genesis 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
If God rested part of a day, we need to learn how to unobligated ourselves and find time to rest. Physical and emotional rest keeps us healthy. It allows our bodies to renew and heal. Learning how to say no is something that is vital to our peace of mind.
When God gave the ten commandment it was to help people live good lives; moral lives. The Pharisees had taken those ten commandments and added to them. By Jesus’ day there were 613 commandments. They also had many verbal laws that were to keep them from breaking the 613 written laws. How could anyone rest in God with that many laws.
Religion is a heavy burden, too heavy for us to carry. Man takes something that God made simple and complicated it. Our lives are not about doing rituals and following a bunch of man-made rules under the bylaws of an organization. It is all about a one on one relationship with our creator, father, savior and friend. If we rest in him and build our relationship, we will not need the rules, that keep us from breaking rule to help us live holy. That relationship creates holiness and righteousness within us.
God had told them to not plant crops on pieces of land every seven years to allow the ground to rest. If he cares about the ground resting, how much more does he care about us resting.
Being constantly on the go, with our minds distracted, we cannot hear from God. We were designed to need rest. When we get the rest we need, not only does our bodies strengthen and heal, but we gain emotional strength as well.
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Resting in the Lord, waiting on him will give us spiritual strength. That time with God helps us gain new perspective. Waiting on him means to be patient and allow him to minister to our hearts.
Jer 6:16 Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
Walking out our lives according to God’s way will give us rest from the weight of sin. This passage in Jeremiah was a word of the Lord to the people of Israel. They were worshipping other gods. The Lord told them to look for the old paths. If they were to find the old path they would find rest for their souls. But they refused to turn from their idol worship.
Our God is the only one that can give us rest for our souls. When we walk with him, we walk in peace even when life seem chaotic. We have rest for our souls. Because we were never meant to carry the burdens of life alone.
Psalm 23:1-3 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
The very imagery of these verses speaks peace and rest. God wants us to have times our minds just get quiet. It is in those quiet times we can hear his voice. I can see me as a little lamb, with my shepherd watching over me. I can just lie down and rest in the green grass, beside of a quiet stream.
Matt 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Jesus said if those who labor and are heavily burdened will come to him, he will give them rest. If doesn’t matter what we are weary from, he knows all that we carry. He understands when we are restless and why. We were never meant to carry it all alone. We need to lay it at the feet of Jesus.
Try today to find some time to give all your worries and cares to Jesus. Try to find some time to sit quietly and allow him to renew your strength.
THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: IMPOSSIBLE UNTIL IT IS NOT
When Peter was on the edge of the boat, he said, Jesus if it is you, bid me to come. Jesus said, “Come” At that moment, I can see Peter take a deep breath and then step out in faith. Can you imagine his excitement as he started to walk across the water? This was something he never thought possible, until it was possible. Many things in our lives felt impossible, until it was possible. The difference between the impossible and the possible is Jesus Christ. He is the one that made the water solid so Peter could walk on it.
We too, can do great things with God’s help and with faith. Our God is the God of the impossible. Some lessons to take away from Peter’s story. Jesus never left him alone. When he was walking or when he failed to walk, Jesus was with him. The other eleven in the boat grew in faith by just seeing the whole experience. As we walk out and grow our faith, others will see our walk. They will be strengthened by knowing that Jesus never left our side.
Deut 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
God said this to the Israelites right before they entered the promised land. But it is true for us today. He wants us to be strong and courageous. He doesn’t want us to walk in fear, because fear is not faith. He has promised to go with us. It is impossible for him to fail and he will not forsake us. The word forsake means he will not abandon us or desert us. He will not leave us without his help and hope. But we have to be strong and not fear.
Heb 13:5-8 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. 7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. 8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
If we are content with what we have, we will be thankful and have gratitude toward God. We will appreciate his presence and look to him for our help and strength. We must all get to the point that we are bold enough to say, I don’t care what man does to me, I know God is with me. He will see me through whatever I have to face in this life.
I understand that many hard things can happen in life. We often face things that grieve our hearts. Walking out the loss of a loved one for example. It is a difficult thing to face. That is when we have to realize that Jesus is with us. He will see us through it, even when our emotions do not feel like we will make it to the other side of the tragedy. Once we are on the other side of the worst of it, we can look back and see that God was not only with us, but he was carrying us. When the world says, you can’t do that. When the doctor’s say the prognosis is not good. When the things you’ve prayed for so long seem impossible, remember it is only impossible until it is not.
Don’t be afraid to lean on Jesus. Don’t be afraid to let him give you strength and peace. Most of all don’t be afraid to step out of the boat. Because the God of the impossible is there to make it possible.
THE TITLE FOR TODAY’S EPISODE: THE GOD THAT CANNOT FAIL
It is impossible for our God to fail. He has everything in the palm of his hand. He will lead, guide and direct his people. There is not a mountain we face that he is not there. Every fiery trial of life, He is there. Every broken road and path that we could not go down is God’s divine intervention.
Psalm139 1:3 O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
No one understands us like Jesus can. He sees the big picture of our lives. He knows all about us yet loves us anyway.
Psalm 139:4-6 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. 5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
God’s hand is upon us. He knows what we are going to say before we say it. Still, we must guard our mouths. Our words have power to transform our lives for the good or bad. God placed that power within us. We need to speak life and positive things.
Psalm 139:7-10 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
There is no where we can go that God does not see. He cannot fail and failure is not an option for us either. We must be strong and courageous, leaning on our heavenly father to keep us on the right path.
Isaiah 55:10-11 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
God’s word goes forth to accomplish the will of God. If we trust in him, we will be prosperous. This is not necessarily a monetary thing or materialistic thing. There are many ways to prosper. Having our hearts right is one way to prosper. God’s will for our lives will be accomplished, if we surrender our will to God’s will.
Many generations of people who have gone before us have put their trust in the God that cannot fail. These people walked through fiery furnaces, killed a giant with a stone, walked on water, were thrown in the lion’s den, they wrestled with an angel, fought wars and won. They were healed by the power of God. They were saved and filled with the power and anointing of the Holy Ghost. Why would we not want to put our trust in the God that cannot fail?
Free will defined is a concept that human beings have the capacity and ability to control their own actions and determine their destiny. God has given us this ability and will not interfere with force. He will not turn us into robots or puppets.
Some religious circles believe that God created some to go to heaven and some to go to hell. Predestination is a concept that God creates people that were made for hell or heaven. This is not true, it is not his will that any would God to hell. There is no way he would create people that didn’t have any hope. God knows everything and he knows who will end up in heaven or hell, but he doesn’t create people for a specific place. But if they make a choice to follow the wicked one, then God has no choice but to send them to eternal punishment, beside of their little “g” god, satan.
Freewill is an amazing thing. We have a choice in how we choose to live our lives. God will never override mankind’s freewill. People wonder why God allows bad things to happen. If they choose to be wicked and evil, God will allow them to do evil. At least, for a season. But he will only allow evil so long before he cuts of the evil doers.
Psalm 37:1-2 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
Those who commit sin and refuse to repent are arrogant. They pridefully say, “I am going to do things my way. I have free will and will not respect God or his laws.” That kind of arrogance and pride will only be tolerated for a season. Then God will cut off those that are full of evil.
Prov 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Our lives are about daily surrender. Giving God our free will every day. The more we give our will to God the easier it gets. But as long as we are in our flesh, we will have to override our freewill and turn our lives over to God. Doing everything we can to destroy our pride.
James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
If we are not arrogant then we are humble. God wants us to walk in humility. He will lift us up. He will sustain us in everything we do.
Eccl 12:14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
God’s judgment is based on people following God’s righteous plan for their lives. He wants us to walk in righteousness and truth. He is the only righteous judge. That is why he doesn’t want us judging one another. We are not in a place that we are worthy to judge. Only God with his pure and clean hands, is worthy to judge.
Everyone of us has stepped over into our free will and been disobedient. It also makes us in desperate need of a savior. I am so glad that Jesus is there and will save me from myself. All I have to do is surrender my freewill.
GOD FOCUS--Psalm 34:3 O magnify the Lord with me.... 