When life feels out of control, that's because it is.

Last week wasn't easy.  It started with a vertigo episode and I'm still getting over it.  I remember Thursday it seemed like there was a lot of pressure on me with just a lot of things all happening at the same time.  It was such a time of heaviness of my soul.  There was so much heaviness from the weight of everything I was carrying.  My wife was having some blood pressure issues and I was worried about her that morning.  After I dropped Riley Beth off at her school I went to church and was in my personal worship time.  I remember when I got that text that said my blood pressure was perfect.  It's like all of a sudden all of that heaviness was lifted.  God tells us to cast all our burdens on him.  Thursday was my reminder to do that.  When life feels out of control, that's because it is.  Give it to Jesus.  That's where it's supposed to be.

The world is looking for a real church

This world is looking for a REAL church.  They aren't impressed with churches with empty people.  I pray that in everything we do we strive to be THAT church.  THAT church is a church that doesn't settle for what they have because it's comfortable.  We need to be a church that touches a community for him.  What is God leading you to do today.

Real People Real Needs

Earlier this week I got a phone call from someone in need.  Now honestly I can't say that I've always helped those that I saw in need around me.  I've offered excuses like I don't know those homeless people.  What will they do with the money if I give it to them.  They maybe scamming me.  You may have a better list of excuses than that.  This week as I listened to her tell me of her struggle I knew I had to do something.  1. Because I knew God was telling me to.  2.  Because she had already been turned down for every other church she called.  

#2 broke my heart.  You see we are supposed to be the people that help the down and out.  We are supposed to be the people that care about the less fortunate.  I hate it when other christians ruin for the rest of us.  I hate it when the name of Jesus is dragged down the gutter by people who claim to be his representatives.  I hate fake christians.  

Someone is reading this and thinking of the verse that Jesus said "The poor will always be with us."  I understand that and I still don't believe that you reach a world with words, but with actions.  I can't help everyone, but I can help the one standing right in front of me.  God give me the courage to help those that you put in my path.  Real People.  Real Needs

Prayer Breakthrough

⁵ Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; ⁶ a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ ⁷ And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ ⁸ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.

⁹ “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ¹⁰ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.  Luke 11:5-10

Look at that verse in Luke 11:8 It says because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.  God wants us to be persistent in our prayers.  He wants us to press in and be fervent in our prayers for ourselves and others.  Are you looking for God to answer a prayer.  

1. How many times have you prayed?

2. How long have you prayed? 

3. Have you asked for friends to pray with you on a matter.

We don't like to wait.  We don't like to be patient, but often our prayers are thrown up to heaven and not prayed consistently.  Often times our answer is on the way like it was with Daniel, but it has not come YET.  God hasn't given up on you.  Have you given up on God.

Wow almost done with One Month to Live

One Month to Live has really got me thinking about what's important to us and how I spend my time.  I've been challenged even during this study with distractions that could draw me away from what's important.  I won't be drawn away again.  I'm not going to promise I'll always do what's right, but I'm going to go into every situation eyes wide open.  It's always a challenge to do something for God.  Anything good is a challenge.   Let's do what it takes to make a difference and leave a legacy that will last far beyond our time here on earth.

KEEP GOING

I just wanted to encourage you today to keep going.  I know that in our lives it's easy just to give up and stop doing the things that will drive you closer to God.  I know that in your One Month to Live readings you can get discouraged with all that you are asked to do.  I wanted to encourage you to Keep Going.  Nothing good ever happens when You do NOTHING.  Through your readings and your prayers and through you taking the time to witness you are drawing near to God.  He said in James 4:8 "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you".  So don't get down on yourself if you are behind.  Pick up where you left off and finish when you finish.  Life isn't a sprint it's a marathon.  You need to take this one day at a time and soak it all in.  Keep up the good work

Forgiveness

What an awesome chapter on forgiveness.  It's true that when we hold things in we only hurt ourselves.  We think we stepping on the heads of those people that hurt us.  We think they'll eventually feel the hurt that they have caused us.  The truth of the matter is that they probably can't even remember what they've done.  They have moved on and we are the ones that are still living in the pain.  Don't give up.  

True forgiveness can only come from God. Matthew 6:14-15 says For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

Wow that means if I don't forgive that friend who wasn't really a friend, or that ex-husband or ex-wife that cheated on you, that family member that wounded you deeply, then we can't expect to receive forgiveness.  That's intense.   Relationships do matter to God and until we learn to deal with them properly then we're not right with God.