Guidance

Sometimes the King James Version says it best. I love the poetic feel of this verse in Psalms 143:8

Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning;
for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk;
for I lift up my soul unto thee.

Isn’t it wonderful that we can pray and ask for God's daily guidance in our lives each and every day?

Worshipping God

My wife Carol is a true worshipper. She loves to just sing and sing and sing. I doubt that a day goes by that she doesn’t sing. She sings while getting ready for work, in the shower, in the car, working around the house. Maybe that is why she is always so bubbly and happy. So it got me thinking. How often do you sing your thanks and love to God? Occasionally? Regularly? Daily?

If you take time to think about what God has done in your life, you too will sing. You just won't be able to help yourself. Your praise to the Lord will burst forth from your lips and your worship will flow freely to God Almighty.

Serving Christ

Having been a business owner I am always watching for examples of great customer service. When I find a store or restaurant that places little emphasis on customer service, I rarely frequent that establishment again. Service is key element, in business success.

As I watched a group of wait staff the other night at a local restaurant it was evident they were more interested in serving themselves. Clearly their focus was not in offering excellent customer service. Their focus was inward, rather than outward.

Here is a thought that may interest you. "The more we serve Christ, the less we serve ourselves." Make sure your focus is in the right place today.

Prayer

Taking time to pray.

Why don’t we pray more? You may be saying, "I'd like to have more prayer time with God. I'd like to talk to God. I just don't have the time." If that is the case, you are too busy. See, you'll never have the time; you must make the time to pray.

If your Christian life has become joyless, dull, or even routine, then take that to God and talk to Him."

Making Decisions

I recently preached a sermon series called “Home and Family” it was not an easy series to preach because it dealt with marriage, separation, divorce, and money. In each of those areas, the quality of our life directly corresponds with the quality of our decisions. Before you make a decision follow these three steps.

1. Consider all the facts
2. Seek wise counsel
3. Pray

If you are married, make sure that you and your spouse agree on the decision you are about to make. If you both agree, go forward. If you disagree, go back and do the three steps one more time. A harmonious decision brings unity and strengthens a relationship.

New Season

We have officially entranced into a new season. Fall is back. With fall comes the changing of the leaves, cooler weather, and a new attitude. Especially in Texas, people are getting out and enjoying outdoor activities more this time of year. I am thankful for this new season.

I love these verses.

Eph 5:20 (NKJ) . . . giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Psalm 34:1-3 (NKJ)
1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; the humble shall hear of it and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together.

Remember that it’s always the season to be thankful for what Christ has done in our lives!

My Surprise

I love abstract art. I just love the shapes, textures and most of all the colors. Last night I watched the most unique sunset of my life. The sky was dark except for a series of clouds that looked like colored brush strokes. Color variations were magnificent ranging from pink to orange to yellow to almost white and just around the edges was the most beautiful blue. This on a backdrop of black sky, just made me stop and take it all in.

So I began to think and the thought occurred to me that this artistic display was one God created just for me. I thought probably no one else in the whole world saw this spectacular masterpiece of abstract art in the sky. Whether they did or didn’t, I am convinced that at that particular time God allowed me to not only see the sunset but recognize His awesome love for me. He knows what I like, what I need, what I want and what is best for me.

Just as I love to surprise my children or grandchildren with a special little something, God (my Heavenly Father) did that for me last night. And, that my friend was pretty cool!

Effectiveness

Once I went to Minneapolis on business and during that trip was attacked by mosquitoes. I guess the many lakes up there make perfect breeding grounds for these insects from the Culicidae family. These mosquitoes were huge. My friend said some were big enough to pick up small children and animals.

I was so surprised when I moved to Southeast Texas, (where everything is supposed to be bigger), that the mosquitoes were so small and the tiniest ones pack such a great wallop.

So many times we see ourselves as being insignificant in this world. We question what real difference we can make. When you’re thinking that way, I want you to remember this quote from Betty Reese. "If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in the dark with a mosquito."

Go out and make a difference in someone’s life today.

Worship

My wife Carol is a true worshipper. She loves to just sing and sing and sing. I doubt that a day goes by that she doesn’t sing. She sings while getting ready for work, in the shower, in the car, working around the house. Maybe that is why she is always so bubbly and happy. So it got me thinking. How often do you sing your thanks and love to God? Occasionally? Regularly? Daily?

If you take time to think about what God has done in your life, you too will sing. You just won't be able to help yourself. Your praise to the Lord will burst forth from your lips and your worship will flow freely to God Almighty.

Marvelous Light

1 Peter 2:9-10 NIV

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. (the KJV says, "marvelous light")

Texas Highway 6 is a main thoroughfare that runs from Houston to Galveston. The town of Santa Fe sits right between the two. On any given weekend you will see exercise enthusiast/bicyclist taking the flat land ride to the coast and back. They have their bikes adorned with reflectors, reflector tape and are usually wearing bright bicycle gear and attire; and they are easily seen especially in the light of day.

Last night I left the office about 10:30 PM and traveling to my home I take Highway 6. I was driving and listening to the radio and out of the darkness I spotted a guy on a bicycle wearing all dark clothing, with no lights or reflectors at all. He was dangerously close to the lane I was driving in and it scared me. It scared me for him, because I knew he could lose his life as he journeyed in the darkness.

Since Adam and Eve’s sin in the garden, man has been separated from God and walking in darkness. The darkness of sin always leads to death. I love the verse above where Peter the Apostle reminds us of who we are in Christ. Isn’t it wonderful to know that when we accept Christ as our Savior he brings us out of darkness into light, giving us the gift of life anew.

God's Maximum

Have you ever seen the speed signs on the highway that say Maximum 70 – Minimum 40?

As a driver with a heavy right foot I never understood why anyone would want to go the minimum. It is the same way in life, when dealing with God’s blessings and goodness. Why would you want God’s minimum for your life when he offers you His maximum? You can enjoy Gods fullness by knowing Him, loving Him, recognizing His voice, and understanding just how much He loves you.

Standing on the Promises

Matt 24:35 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. (NKJ)

I love the old hymn, “Standing on the Promises.” Why? Because I know God keeps His Word. God in His Sovereignty stands behind each and every promise He has made.

A Blameless Life

What if we were able to live a life that God views as blameless, which allows Him to withhold no good thing from us. While I know this is a stretch for most of us, we should pray that God would make you and me that kind of person.

Your Thoughts

Today’s English Version of Proverbs 4:23 says, "Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts."

I talk to so many people that are unhappy with their life. They struggle with relationships, they hate their job, they are always broke, and so on. Maybe they are unhappy because their thinking is all wrong.

Once I attended a seminar by Zig Ziggler. He used the term “Stinking Thinking” and that is what many people are dealing with. To change your life, you must change the way you think. Behind everything you do is a thought. Realize that every behavior is motivated by a belief. Understand that every action is prompted by an attitude.
Let me encourage you today to think positive, productive thoughts and watch your life get better.

Use Your Gifts

As a high school student I took a Spanish class. I really just goofed off during the class and really never used what little I learned. Now days, especially in southeast Texas, l really wished I had paid attention and used that language.

Recently while teaching a Sunday school class I stated that God has given each one certain talents, abilities, and spiritual gifts. If we don’t practice and use them, just like my Spanish they will be gone.

I want to exhort you today to be faithful with your gifts, talents and abilities. Use them to honor and glorify Him.

Your Mission

One of my favorite movies is the classic “Blues Brothers.” In the movie they used the phrase, “We are on a mission from God.” Well, aren’t we all? Aren’t we all on assignment?

I love the quote from Margarita Trevino, “The discovery of our assignment and our submission of that assignment to God's perfect will are the most important steps in the journey we call life."

Ask God for clear direction of your assignment. Then proceed with gusto. . .after all, you’re on a mission from God.

Waiting on the Lord

I just came back from a couple of weeks vacation. My how time goes so quickly. For months I looked forward to going back to Missouri to see my family. My only regret was that my wife, Carol was unable to go due to her work responsibilities. During my time off I had time to think, rest and pray. I had time to wait on Him and wait for Him to speak to me. I am reminded of the verse Isaiah 30:18

"Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!"

We may find it difficult to understand, why God keeps us waiting. We all know that the Lord is just and gracious in dealing with His children. But why do we sometimes have to wait on Him to answer our prayers, to meet our needs, to bring that special someone into our lives? While I don’t have the answer, I do know that when He does decide to move on our behalf, we will most often understand why the delay was needed and will appreciate God’s perfect timing in answering us.

If today you are waiting the fulfillment of a prayer, dream or vision in your life, ask the Lord for His grace to sustain you. I promise it will be worth the wait.