Love on Top!

"Thou hast left thy first love". Revelations 2:4

Oh the things one can find while moving!  Just the other day I ran across several items that had been missing for quite some time.  Of particular interest was a key, which I figured had gotten lost somewhere or had accidentally been thrown away.  To my suprise, the missing key had actually gotten misplaced and was beneath many other items.  Have you ever misplaced something of value? Maybe like me you have misplaced a key which has hindered you from opening some door, or getting to some desired destination.  My friend, the key I'm talking about today is called love.  It's possible for our love for God to get misplaced amidst a host of other things.  That's why it's vital that we keep our love on top!

In the above text, the risen Lord addresses this issue with the Church at Ephesus.  This was a church that was on the move and very busy (vs. 2-3).  After commending them for their positive qualities, Jesus points out one major problem that was ruining everything.  The problem in this church is the same problem that many believers experience today, leaving first love.  Do you remember when you were in first love with your Boo?  I'm talking about that time in your relationship when it didn't matter that you didn't have the best job or car, or that she couldn't cook. Why?  Because you were in love!  However as time passes, and kids are born, and we settle into regular routines, our first love somehow moves to twenty-first love!  When this happens our routines become more important than our relationship.   In the same way, we can become so busy going through our religious rituals and routines that we fail to make our relationship with God top priority. The word today is to find the misplaced key and get back to first love!

My prayer for you today is that you will make it a priority to keep your love on top!

Peace!

You've got Back-up!

"Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them."  2 Kings 6:16

Have you ever been overwhelmed, outnumbered, or felt like the odds were against you?  I'm reminded of the story about a young boy named Billy who was often bullied on his way to school by a much bigger boy.  After having his lunch taken each day, Billy would come home feeling down and depressed, declaring never to return to school.  After finding out what was going on, Billy's big brother told him not to worry because he had a plan.  The next day as Billy made his way to school, he again encountered the bully.  However this time instead of giving in, to everyone's suprise he stood up to the bully.  As the bully moved in to show him who was in control, his laugh soon turned to a frown.  For from behind the bushes came Billy's bigger brother. Because of Billy's back-up the bully never bothered him again.

On this journey called life we often find ourselves battling things that are bigger than us.  These things cause us to feel overwhelmed, and outnumbered because the odds are seemingly against us.  Worse than this, we can become paralyzed with fear resolving not to move forward toward some desired destination.  In these times we are in desperate need for someone to help bring relief.  Today's text shows us that even when the odds are against us, we can overcome.  Though Elisha found himself seemingly outnumbered by an enemy army,  he did not fret or fear.  Why not?  Because he knew that he had back-up, an angelic army.  My friend, the good news today is that as believers we have back-up who is much bigger than what we are battling!  And if God be for us who can be against us?

My prayer for you today is that you will stand confidently knowing "Greater is He that is in you than he who is in the world!"

Peace!

What do you see?

"Lord open his eyes so he can see" 2 Kings 6:17

The other day while riding down a familiar highway, I was surprised to see that a very nice community had developed there.  Why was I taken by surprise?  Well, mainly because the last time I encountered this area it was full of trees and woods.  However, now in this same place were grocery stores, restaurants and very large homes.  What had happened?  Someone looked beyond what they could see to envision brand new possibilities.  In essence they had a vision.

What do you see as it relates to your own life?  Do you feel it is currently covered with the canopies of circumstances, chaos, and conflicts?  Or, do you see what can happen by the power of God?  In the above text, the prophet Elisha and his servant found themselves surrounded by enemy forces.  As far as the eye could see, there were chariots and horses ready to fight against them.  However, as a visionary leader, Elisha saw what others could not see.  Beyond the enemy forces was an angelic host ready to fight for them!  I challenge you today to become a person of vision and see beyond what you can currently see!

My prayer for you today is that instead of focusing on the obstacles, that God would open your eyes so that you can see the opportunities that are available!

Peace!

Stay on the Wall!

"I am doing a great work so that I cannot come down..."  Nehemiah 6:3

Do you have any  unfinished projects around the house?  If you are like me, you probably  have more than a couple!    You may ask, "Why are they unfinished?"  Well despite my noble plans, I somehow got distracted.    Have you ever gotten distracted while trying to do something good?  Please know that in your efforts to build something BIG,   the enemy will show up in a big way to discourage, distract, and detour you from your destiny!  He knows that if you finish what you are building that is Blessed, Impactful, and  Glorifies God, that the consequence will be something big!    How do you continue to construct while dealing with distractions?     In the above scripture,  the courageous contractor, Nehemiah, provides an excellent example of how to stay on the wall especially when you are tempted to come down.
  
In chapter six of the book that bears his name, Nehemiah was almost finished with his wall building campaign.  It was at this time that his enemies intensified their attacks against him.  This is when he employed an approach that allowed him to stay on the wall.  Utilize this approach to help you continue to build BIG plans, dreams, goals, plans. First, Nehemiah was able to discern his distractions. Please understand that distractions come in many forms, shapes, and sizes.  Some even seem to be good things, but they are not necessarily the best things.  The text suggests that even people can serve as distractions.  How true this is in a marriage or a ministry, a career or a church.  However, Nehemiah was able to discern his distractions and stay on the wall.  That's my word to you today.  Refuse to submit to whatever it is that's trying to discourage you and continue building BIG!

Peace!