Blessings

Blessings

I have taught for years that there is a formula for receiving God's blessings.  It is seen in the adage, "Blessings are positional and the position is obedience".  Over and over again, we find in scripture that the adage is true.  As we are obedient to God's direction we are blessed.  We stand in obedience and the blessings flow straight down.  If I step out of obedience, I step out of the position where I can receive His blessings.  God is not punishing me, I have just moved into a position where His blessings do not flow.  I don't need to run around trying to get under His blessings, I just need to stand in obedience and I am flooded with them!

As I look over my life I can see God's hand at work.  But there were times that He blessed me and I was not standing in obedience and I ask, "Why did God bless me when I was not being obedient?"  I think the answer is found in the words grace and mercy.  God's purposes for us are fantastic and He will often bless us with protection and unsolicited guidance because of His plan for our lives.  His love compels Him to act accordingly.  Thank God for His blessings BUT also for His grace and mercy.

This Thanksgiving, why not take a few minutes and reflect on His blessings and be THANKFUL.

Heart Broken

I am not tired or discouraged.  I am way beyond that...I am heart broken!  I see our nation losing its identity.  I don't see compromise for the good of the nation anymore.  It seems that intolerance in the name of tolerance, restricted speech in the name of free speech, lawlessness in the name of the rule of law, have taken a stronghold in our country.  This is NOT a Democrat or Republican issue!  We cannot express ourselves with reason anymore.  It is all emotion driven.  We demonize those we disagree with, we distort other's words and actions to get our way.  We have lost a country where spiritual values were more important than politics.  We criticize those we disagree with because they have not created a perfect nation.  NEWS FLASH:  No party in the history of our country has because we are a nation of imperfect people. 

The solution:  Obviously, it is Jesus!  We need to get back to His values of loving others and allow Him to do a work in each of us.  Hold to our values, defend our values and show the reasoning behind our values BUT don't make the opposition the enemy or demonize them.  We are all part of one country and need to reason with each other.  This goes for all Americans and especially His Church.  The Church needs to come together and pray for all our leaders and opposition.  We need to reflect Jesus with strength, power, reason AND LOVE!

I am heart broken BUT broken hearts can be repaired my the Master Surgeon.  Church, let's seek His help and healing.

May God bless America with a REAL outpouring of HIS SPIRIT!