Sit Still

"Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day" (Ruth 3:18).

Sit still were Naomi's words to her daughter-in-law Ruth. Ruth had just returned from meeting with Boaz, who would later become her kinsman redeemer, when Naomi said those words. According to the Law of Moses,if a woman, who was married to an Israelite, became widowed without children, her deceased husband's next of kin was to marry her and raise up children in the deceased name and upon his inheritance. When Boaz was made aware that he was a near kinsman, he advised Ruth that there was someone who was nearer of kin then he was. Therefore, he would advise the nearer kinsman of his kinsman responsibility first, but if he refused to accept that responsibility, Boaz promised to take on that roll. Naomi told Ruth to sit still because she knew that Boaz was a man of his word. When Naomi exhorted Ruth to "Sit still" she didn't mean that Ruth was not even suppose to make Boaz aware of her need and his responsibility, but that since she did her part, it was time to wait on Boaz to do what only he could do. She told Naomi to sit still because Boaz was trustworty and a man of his word. Our God is utterly trustworthy. His mercies are new every morning and great is his faithfulfulness. I shared this advise with someone recently who responded, "I've been sitting still for a very long time. If I were anymore still I'd be dead! To which I replied, "You are not the same person you were just a few years ago." How long has the clay really been cooperating with the potter? The clay responded, "Oh yeah, I guess you have a point. Do you think God's going to make me wait much longer? (Joking, kind of)." I replied, "The clay isn't really suppose to move or complain. Sit still on that wheel and let him do his work. Talking clay! We must make God laugh sometimes. Sit still, God is forever faithful and trustworthy. He will come through for you.

Is there a do not disturb sign on the door of your heart?

"And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us... And he went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight" (Luke 24:29-31).

Do you realize that the God of the universe desires for you to experience a personal and intimate relationship with Him? God will woo you but he will not force you into experiencing a love relationship with him. Forced love is a contradiction in terms. In Revelations 3 Jesus said, "I stand at the door and knock. If any man hears my voice and opens the door I will come in and sup with him and he with me." This verse is often applied to a lost person but I believe the context shows that the Lord is addressing Christians. God wants to dine with me--he wants to fellowship with me and satisfy me with his steadfast love. The thought that God stands and knocks on our door rather than us standing and knocking on his door just blows my mind. And even more unfathomable is the fact that some of us are so caught up with sin and the cares of this life that we have not answered the door at times and left God standing there. This is the reason why there are so many luke warm Christians living such shallow lives. This is why many do not have a burning heart for the Lord. There is an absence of real intimacy with God. In the lives of some Christians Jesus is standing outside the door of their lives. They might go to God's house on Sunday morning with all kinds of demands and expectations that they want met. But they haven't really allowed God to come over to their house. Maybe they talk to God behind a closed door and say, "just leave what I want at the door and I'LL get it when you leave." Or maybe they open the door to ask God what he wants but they leave the chain on and the Lord remains standing outside. Oh, but the Christians that recognize that Jesus is the lover and satisfier of their souls our waiting in the window. They can hear him pulling up in the driveway. No knock on the door is needed. No door bell needs to be sounded. When their savior approaches the door is opened wide and he hears, "come in my Lord. I'm so very glad you're here. Make yourself at home." And the Savior comes in and dines. Have you opened the door of your heart to the lover of your soul? Draw near to him and he will draw near to you (James 4:8).

What I do have I give you

"Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples,
Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew (pretense) make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation" (Luke 20:45-47).

Many professing Christians today have been led astray by the prosperity gospel preachers who promise their followers health and wealth if they name it and claim it. But the only ones that seem to be benefiting from the prosperity theology are the ones propagating it and lining their pockets with the so called seed money their getting from their adherents. Why do the faith healers perform their so called healings on a stage? Why don't they go into a children's cancer ward and do some healing there? Because it's a show. When a lame man begged Peter for money just outside the temple Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk" (Acts 3:6). In this verse we learn three things about Peter. When learn that he wasn't rich. Secondly, Peter didnt need a stage. And lastly, Peter didn't take up an offering. Peter didnt get rich by exploiting or profitting from others in their times of need and desperation. "We live in a world filled with people who have incredible needs of all kinds, and we can relate to these needs in several ways. We can be blind to them and live our own lives, but then we wouldn't be living as Christians are supposed to live...Or we can take advantage of those needs to benefit ourselves. Yes, it's possible to be in ministry and use people to get what we want instead of helping people to get what they need. The Pharisees, for example, used the common people to build their own authority instead of using their authority to build the people (Matt. 23:1-2). If we aren't careful, we can minister in such a way that we exploit the needs of others to get ourselves recognition, position, titles, honors, and privileges. True servants of God help others whether they themselves get anything out of it or not. Their concern is only that God be glorified and people trust Christ...There was a time when Peter didn't say, "What I do have I give you" (Acts 3:6). He said, "See, we have left all and followed you. Therefore what shall we have?" (Matt. 19:27). Selfishness says, What will I get?" Service says, "What I have I'll give you" (Wiersbe, "On Being a Servant of God"). May we see the needs of others as opportunites to demonstrate the love of Christ and bring glory to his name.

Is the light on in your house?

"And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house...For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:8-11).

The faith of Zacchaeus in Jesus Christ not only brought him personal salvation but his faith also brought salvation to his house. The greek word "Oikos" translated house in Luke 19:10 refers to those who lived with Zacchaeus, such as his family and servants. Saint Paul said to the jailer, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house" (Acts 16). If you're a believer you have an Oikos (household) of family and friends, which have the opportunity of coming to Christ because they know you. For example, Saint Paul wrote, "And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy...For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?" (1 Cor. 7:14-16). In what way are unbelieving spouses and children sanctified by living in the same household with a believing spouse and parent? The word sanctified means set apart. An unbelieving spouse is in a blessed position--in a speacial place as a member of the same household with a believer, assuming that the believer is striving to be a compelling wintness to the saving power of Jesus Christ. Potiphar (a heathen) was blessed and prospered because Joseph, who knew the true God, lived in his household. But more than material blessings a person that is unsaved, whose in the same household with a believer, needs Jesus. Christian, that is why you are where you are. We are to go after the lost. But the fact is that Christians are already where some of the lost are. God has strategically placed Chrisitians where they are to reach their relational world for Christ. Through someone they know(family, friend, co-worker) is how most people come to know Christ. Most of my brothers and sisters know Christ as their savior. My brother and I witnessed to my father for several months before he came to Christ. My sister led my mother to Christ. While we were still dating, I led my wife to Christ shortly after I got saved. By the grace of God all of my children are saved. I've had the privilede of leading cousins and fellow officers that I work with to Christ. If you're a Christian God is keeping you around so that you can shine the light of Jesus to those in your orbit. Is the light on in your house?

True Riches

"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?" (Luke 16:10-11).

There are many of us that have made comments such as, "if only I could win 10 million dollars my life would be so much better." But money can buy some things but it can't buy everything. Money can buy u medicine but it can't buy u health. Money can buy u a bed but it can't buy u sleep. Money can buy u a house but it can't buy u a home. Money can buy your reputation but it cant buy you character. Money can buy you entertainment but it cant buy you joy. So many today sacrifice their health to make a bunch of money only to sacrifice all their money trying to get their health back. In addition, lots of money can ruin a person that does not value more the true riches that come down from above. I heard it said that if you want to know how rich you are, add up all that you have that money can't buy and death can't take away. Be faithful to God where you are with what you have and he will bless you with heavenly riches.

Breaking News!

“I say unto you that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7).

In a book entitled “Oikos” Tom Mercer writes, Have you notice that everything seems to be “Breaking News?” You turn on a radio station and they play their theme music and pretty soon, “Breaking News.” Like every five minutes there’s “Breaking News.” You know, “Breaking News! The Democrats are under fire from the Republicans.” That’s not even news! Even the commercials are being written as though they were “Breaking News.” But because the media tries to make everything important to us, nothing is important to us. It’s the boy who cried, “Wolf!”

Well the church is suffering from the same problem. We are constantly hearing from Pastors and church leaders about the next best and most important thing that church should be doing today. New programs and methods are regularly introduced as the key to church growth in this modern age. Some churches today have so many “important things” that they’re doing that the “most important thing” is being minimized, namely reaching the lost for Christ! But in Heaven there is no confusion about what truly is Breaking News! Jesus said, “I say unto you that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7). Heaven has a party, and there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels when just one saved sinner repents, more so than over a whole bunch of saved saints doing a whole lot of good things in the church. “My contention is that most churches try to do too much. And, in doing so, the most important thing gets lost in the shuffle. Jim Collins is one of this generation’s most respected business analysts. He was right on when he said, “Good is the enemy of great” (Tom Mercer). There is no confusion about what heaven is most excited about, and neither is there any doubts about the main mission of Jesus Christ. He came to seek and saved the lost! Although there were many demands on Jesus, like feeding the hungry and healing the sick, he never lost sight of why he came to this earth and that was to give his life a ransom for many (Luke 4:42-44). When he called his disciples he said unto them, “follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” Before he ascended into Heaven he said, “But ye shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you. And ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and unto the uttermost parts of the earth” (Acts 1:8). He also said, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel…” Mark 16). Jesus loves and gave his life for the “world” but we also know that heaven rejoices over “one” sinner that repents. The main mission of the church should be to reach the world for Christ one soul at a time. In general, the church is to reach the world for Christ. But one Church alone can’t reach “the world” for Christ. Each church is responsible to reach “its world” for Christ. The church is made of individual believers. One believer can’t reach the whole world for Christ. But every believer is responsible for reaching his/her world (circle of influence) for Christ. Let’s not allow the good things that we do to keep us from the great things, namely the great commission. The church today puts a premium on taking care of the ninety and nine righteous persons that need no repentance. Heaven rejoices over one lost sinner coming to repentance. That’s the breaking news that the church needs to get busy reporting. It time for each one to reach one and be a part of what heaven rejoices over.

The Secret to Samson's Strength

“And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength lieth. 16And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death; 17That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man. 18And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he hath shewed me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought money in their hand. 19And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him. 20And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.” (Judges 16:15-20).

Some believe that the secret of Samson’s strength was in his hair. But actually his hair was one of the outward marks of his consecration to God as a Nazarite. It wasn’t his hair but the Spirit of God that gave him such great strength. He lost his strength not because Deliah shaved his hair but because she had stolen his heart and he was a willing victim. King Solomon had a similar problem. In first Kings we read, "But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love" (1 Kings 11:1-2). We put a lot of stock on the outward appearances but God cares more about our hearts. Samson had all the outward marks of a consecrated Nazarite, but did God ever have his heart? In a recent article entitled Sex and the Single person” John Piper wrote, “resolve to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and he will add to you everything you need sexually. It may be a spouse. It may be the grace and freedom to be single and pure and content. That is up to God. Ours is to seek the kingdom. Or to put it another way, our all-consuming passion must be to glorify God in our bodies by keeping ourselves free from every enslavement but one: the joyful, fulfilling slavery to God.” You were made for him! Give your heart to God and not only will you know his strength but you will experience a deep satisfaction that only God can give (Revelations 4:11).

Fighting the Battle of Lust

“And Samson went down to Timnah, and saw a woman in Timnah, of the daughters of the Philistines. And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnah, of the daughters of the Philistines; now, therefore, get her for me to wife. Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there no woman among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well” (Judges 14:1-3).

Samson was definitely a man that did not live up to his potential. God did use him because he’s God and he can still use us in spite of ourselves but Samson paid a heavy price for his escapades. Physically Samson was known for being a strong man but spiritually he was no superman. Samson had some weaknesses. One of Samson’s greatest struggles was lust, which later in life led to his demise. If you struggle with lust there is much that you can learn from Samson about what not to do. Samson had a knack for falling for the wrong women and in Judges 14 we find one such example. Here are a few lessons we can learn from the life of Samson about fighting lust:

1. Samson frequented the wrong places. In Judges 14 we learn that Samson went “down to Timnah...” (Judges 14:1). Timnath was a Philistine stronghold and enemy territory. Samson was physically strong and wasn’t afraid of the Philistines, but he was morally weak. It’s been said, “An unguarded strength is a double weakness.” His strength and position gave him access to places that others would not be able to go, and that’s not always a good thing. His strength and position as a leader also made him less accountable. Who was going to question him? You had to be a pretty women to question Samson. Avoiding the wrong places is a biblical strategy for fighting lust that Samson did not practice. In Proverbs we read, “Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her. Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death” (Proverbs 7:25-27). It’s important to remember that when it’s not possible to avoid that wrong places, like being in a hotel room alone on a business trip for example, that you stay accountable. Look for an accountability partner that will call you and ask you the hard questions and don’t be offended. In fact, if your accountability partner isn’t asking you the hard questions it’s time for you to look for another one.

2. Samson hung out with the wrong people. If Samson unguarded strength led him into the wrong places it follows that he was hanging with the wrong people and falling for the wrong women. You will become like those who you hang out with (Proverbs 13:20). If you desire to fight the battle with lust you must get with the right crowd and not just on Sunday mornings.

3. Samson gave in to the wrong passions. When you go to the wrong places and hang out with the wrong people you will struggle much more with the wrong passions. Samson’s struggle with the wrong passions was fueled by the lust of the eyes. In Judges we read, “And Samson went down to Timnah, and saw a woman in Timnah, of the daughters of the Philistines…And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well” (Judges 14:1-3). In an article entitled “sex and the single person” John Piper rights, “avoid unnecessary sexual stimulation. It doesn't take any brains to know that there are enough X-rated movie houses and adult bookstores in this city to keep a person livid 24 hours a day. To visit these crummy places is temptation enough. But the real test is what you do with the more legitimate sources of sexual stimulation. PG movies, Timemagazine, the newspaper, television, drugstore magazine racks, rock music lyrics. In our society you cannot escape sexual stimulation, but you can refuse to seek it. And you can avoid it often when you see it coming. This is the great test of whether we are enslaved or free—can we say no to the slave driver in our bodies who wants us to keep on looking and keep on lusting.”

Don’t believe the lie that a little look won’t hurt. Sometimes what we see initially is unavoidable but you can choose with the help of the Holy Spirit not to keep on looking. I often say, that if you give in to sin like the lust of the eyes keep a short account with God. In other words, confess it to God immediately and ask him to help you by the power of his Spirit not to go there again. Fight the good fight. As John Owens put it, “Be killing sin or it will be killing you.”

Sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind

“Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind; and they were afraid” (Luke 8:35).

Before the demon possessed man had an encounter with Jesus that changed his life, the bible describes for us the terrible state that he was in. The gospels records that this man wandered around in the mountains and tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones” (Mark 5:5). Among other things this describes a man with no serenity. In addition, we learn from Luke’s account that he wore no clothes. Under the influence of Satan this man was not only without serenity but he had no shame. From his actions we also know that he did not have any sanity (soundness of mind). No serenity, no shame and no sanity were the terrible consequences of being demon possessed. Now, you don’t have to be demon possessed to be under the influence of Satan and be in a similar state of mind as the demon possessed man. The Apostle Paul wrote that Satan is the God of this World (2 Cor. 4:4). He also instructed Christians not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2). When Christians allow themselves to be conformed to this world, which is the same as coming under the influence of Satan, who is the God of this world, the consequences will be similar to what the demon possessed man experienced. I believed that a Christian cannot be demon possessed. Why? The body of every believer is already occupied by the Holy Spirit. But Satan doesn’t have to possess you in order to cause havoc in your life and influence the way you live. How does he do it? He does so not by getting in your body but in your mind. If he can deceive you into thinking his thoughts and believing his lies he’s got you. The absence of serenity, shame and soundness of mind are all connected not with our circumstance, but with how we think (Philippians 4:6-9; 2 Tim. 1:7; Romans 1:21-32). The bible promises peace that surpasses all understanding to the Christian whose mind in captured by God. Does supernatural peace and serenity characterize your life? Are there things in your life that use to bother you but you no longer feel any shame over them? Compared to the world you might feel that your standard of morality and modesty are pretty good. But the problem with comparing yourself to the world’s standards is that the world is going backward a whole lot faster than most Christians are moving forward. A Christian with a sound mind is someone who is able to take the truths, wisdom and principles of the word of God and apply it to their lives. How familiar are you with the word of God? Do you study, memorize and meditate on the scriptures regularly? The demon possess man was found sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. Is there an absence of serenity, shame and soundness of mind in your life? Come out from under the influence of this devil controlled world, sit regularly at the feet of Jesus, allowing his word to renew your mind and transform your life.

Living to bring joy not grief to the Heart of God

“And the children of Israel said unto the Lord, We have sinned: do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us only, we pray this day. And they put away the strange (foreign) gods from among them, and served the Lord; and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel” (Judges 10:15-16).

The word grieve is a love word. We grieve over those we love. For example, parents grieve over their children when they experience pain of some kind even if it’s the consequence of their poor choices. The Apostle John wrote, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John 4). The opposite of what John wrote is also true. There is no greater grief to a godly parent then to hear that their child is not walking in the ways of the Lord, but rather is living in sin. Do you know that Christians (children of God) can also grieve the loving heart of God? The Apostle Paul wrote, “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God…” (Eph. 4:30). We grieve the heart of God when we are not walking in truth—when we are living with unconfessed and unforsaken sin in our lives. No one on this planet loves us more, cares for us more and has done more for us then our heavenly father. Why would we grieve and break the heart of God? If you have sin in your life right now confess it to God and forsake it. John wrote, “If we confess our sins God is faithful and just to forgive us of our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Live to bring joy and not grief to the Heart of our wonderful Heavenly Father.

Fisher's of men

"Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men" (Luke 5:10).

After Jesus had ceased speaking to the people on shore from a boat he said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught" (Luke 5:4. Although Simon and his crew had labored all night trying to catch some fish with zero success, Simon said to Jesus, "nevertheless, at thy word I will let down the net." After letting down the net, to their astonishment, they caught a multitude of fish. They caught so many fish that they had to call for another boat to help bring them in. After witnessing this miracle catch, Peter fell to his knees before the Lord and said, "Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord." Jesus responded, "Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men." In this statement Jesus was revealing to Simon Peter that we was being prepared and called into a new line of work. His new mission in life was no longer going to be fishing for fish but for men or in other words to bring men to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. There are some great lessons that we can learn from this story about evangelism. First of all the calling to catch men for Jesus is not reserved for the spiritually elite. Peter and the other disciples were not theologians or scholars. These men were ordinary men that God used to do extraordinary things because they were willing to take God at his word. If you're a Christian God is calling you into the business of catching men and women for Jesus Christ. God desires for you to reach people in your fishing hole--in your circle of influence. If we would do some fishing God will work some miracles. The bait is your changed life coupled with the saving power of the gospel. If we desire to see multitudes coming to Christ believers must be willing to take God at his word and launch out into the deep. We need to be willing to come out of our comfort zone and trust God to do in us and through us what only he can do. Its time that Christians launch out of the church where their laboring but catching nothing and go where the fish are. The church will not see souls miraculously and abundantly saved unless they go fishing in the right place. The fish are not coming to us. We need to go where the fish are and start letting down our nets. Our part is to go fishing. God will do the miracles. Let's go do some fishing. The following is an acronym using the word fish to help us to remember the work that God is calling all believers to:

Find someone God wants you to reach
Invest intheir lives.
Share your faith and your church.
Help them grow and reproduce

A Faith That Can't Be Tested Can't Be Trusted

"Now these are the nations that the LORD left, to test Israel by them, that is, all in Israel who had not experienced all the wars in Canaan. It was only in order that the generations of the people of Israel might know war, to teach war to those who had not known it before. These are the nations: the five lords of the Philistines...They were for the testing of Israel, to know whether Israel would obey the commandments of the LORD, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses"(Judges 3:1-4).

The Israelites took possession of the promised land by driving out the enemy in battle through faith in God. But while they possessed the land there were some enemies that God allowed to remain in the land in order to test his people. It's been said, "A faith that can't be tested can't be trusted." The adversity we experience in life is God's training ground to build our faith and prepare us for what's ahead. If you're experiencing some adversity in your life asked the Lord to help you to learn all that he wants you to learn through it. God is preparing you for greatness. Learn to to lean on Jesus.

I must be about my Father's business

"And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? Knew ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" (Luke 2:49) While traveling back from Jerusalem with family and friends, Joseph, and Mary discovered that their 12 year old (Jesus) was not in their company. After searching for him among their family to no avail, they returned to Jerusalem to try and find him there. After three days they found him in the temple listening and speaking to the teachers of the Word of God. When they saw him Mary said to him, "Behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing." Jesus responded, "How is it that ye sought me? Knew ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" Do you ever feel like something is missing in your life? Do you ask, why don't I experience more of the power and presence of Jesus in my life? Maybe you're searching in the wrong places. Get busy doing the Father business and you'll find Him there.

God is a jealous God

"Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve Him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served...and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served...or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Josh 24:14-15) The fact that God is a jealous God is a characteristic that we don't often consider. God does not appreciate the fact that many Christians have not made up their minds regarding who will be god in their lives. Like the Israelites they had other gods that they allowed to compete with their devotion to God. Do you have idols in your life? An idol is anything that takes the place of God. "An idol of the mind is as offensive to God as an idol of the hand." Choose you this day whom ye will serve. As for me, I choose Jesus!