Day 7 Brotherly Love?

Posted on September 25, 2016 by Robert Springer

Genesis 4:6-7 (NIV)
6 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

Philadelphia is called the city of brotherly love because it comes from the Greek words philo and adelphos which mean love and brother. William Penn named the city he founded as capital of Pennsylvania in 1682. You would think Brotherly Love would involve love, kindness and so on. That is not what we see today. Cain and Abel did not show us a great example. Perhaps God wanted to show us what NOT to do.

There are many bad examples in the Bible. This is just another of them. Why did Cain kill Abel? What was his motive? What does God mean “sin is crouching at your door….?” What does sin have to do with murder? And that is what it was; it was murder!

In the story in Chapter 4 of Genesis, we are told about the work of each and the attitude of each. Cain worked the soil and Abel kept flocks. Each brought some of their “first-fruits” as an offering to God. Cain brought some of his fruits. But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. What was their attitude toward God? “But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door;” In this story, what do you think was right? Are you doing what is right? Are you giving God your best? It seems as Cain was jealous of Abel but why? Could not Cain have brought God His best too? It would have been fruit to livestock; not apples to apples. But each could have brought their best; their A game. Cain did not! And because he looked bad by his own choice, he released his anger and disappointment on Abel.

James 1:15 (NIV) says 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. The Lord looks to each of us to offer to Him our best. He is not going to compare the value of each item as much as the quality and, more importantly, the attitude through which it was given. Some siblings hate each other because their parents always compare them. Are you giving God your best? Are you a joyful giver? Do you give in faith? God sees your heart. Are you doing things just so you can check them off your list? He knows! Will you do what is right? You can find out what is right from God’s Word. Let’s walk through His Word together and help each other do what is right. Let us be joyful givers.

Lord God, help us to do what is right. By Your Spirit, guide us in Your ways so that we walk them. Give us strength to rule over sin. As it says in Psalm 119:11, help us to hide Your word in our hearts so that we might not sin against You. Remove jealousy from us so that we may love as You love. Let us live together in peace. In Your name we pray!

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Day 4 Who’s your Daddy?

Posted on September 25, 2016 by Robert Springer

Genesis 1:26-27 (NIV)
26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” 27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Do you look like your parents? I do! I once dressed as a librarian for Halloween and it is amazing how much I look like my Mother. I see my Father in my mirror as well. You probably act like your parents in some ways as well. Do you think this is a coincidence? Wouldn’t it make sense that you would acquire traits from parents and their influence?

Zig Ziglar quotes Mamie McCullough who was also a motivational speaker as saying “Look at your thumb and remember that You are really thumb thing!” We all need reminders of the good God has put in us because this world is always trying to tear you down. I look at my pinky; it looks exactly like my Dad’s. It makes me think of him and smile. Much of what I face daily discourages me. All the bad news, the bombings, the lies, the cruelty of mankind to one another are depressing. It is hard to stay positive. Zig says “When the outlook is not good, try the uplook! It is always better.”

God has created us “in His image; in His likeness.” Therefore, He has put the qualities of His character into us in whatever small amount. You have the seeds of Almighty God and His greatness within you. He created you that way. He also said you were to have dominion of all else He created. You were destined to lead creation. Now think of that as being a steward over God’s creation. You are responsible for its welfare. You were not made to be a tyrant but to take care of creation in the way its Creator would do.

Father, thank You that You have made us the way we are for a reason. Reveal the reason to us and guide us in Your ways. Help us reach our destiny. Let us show Your characteristics along the way. In Your name we pray!

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Day 6 I’ve fallen and I can’t get up! (The Blame Game!)

Posted on September 24, 2016 by Robert Springer

Genesis 3 Selected
1Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”…. 9 But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”…. 11 And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”…. 12 The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”…. 21 The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them….

Do you remember the commercial for the medical alert device for seniors? I’ve fallen and I can’t get up was the tag line in the commercial. Well Adam and Eve have fallen and they cannot get up on their own. They have disobeyed one of God’s only two commandments. They were to work the garden and not eat of the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. They have fallen and they are about to find out what that really means; they will know evil. Up until now, there was no evil in the world. Somebody had to pay for this disobedience. And the payer is all of creation including you and me! We are all on the hook.

In Luke 14:28 (NIV) Jesus says 28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? This was a costly mistake. Adam and Eve had no idea the ultimate cost of this disobedience. What’s it gonna cost? It eventually cost Jesus everything but that is a story for another day. What it cost at the time was the lives of the animals whose skin was used to make garments for Adam and Eve because they were naked. Hebrews 9:22 (NIV) says “22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Something had to give its blood and die for forgiveness to be granted. But God had a plan to redeem all of creation and that plan was and is Jesus. By His blood, we are redeemed and forgiven. So yes, we have fallen but Jesus the Christ is the way back up.

Thank You Lord Jesus that You were willing to sacrifice Yourself to redeem us. It was Your plan from before the beginning of the world. Your plan is to prosper us and give us hope and a future. Everything we need, we have in You! Continue to show us Your mercy and grace in Jesus name. Amen!

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Day 5 Take a Break!

Posted on September 24, 2016 by Robert Springer

Genesis 2: 1-3 (NIV)
Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. 2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

Sometimes, I get to a point where I can do nothing. I am so overwhelmed that I cannot do anything. Have you ever felt that way? How do you get yourself out of that funk? If you stay in the situation, nothing will change. Is there a model for how to handle a situation where it seems more than you can handle? The Lord God gave you a model. You are to do what He did. The Sabbath was designed for your benefit. You need rest.

The Sabbath is the time God designed for your rest. On the seventh day, He rested. There is discussion about the length of each day in God’s timing. That doesn’t really matter if it was a 24 hour day. And since God did not make the sun and moon until the fourth day, there was no way to tell one day from another. With that in mind, do we have to wait seven days? I propose that we rest when we need to rest. If you are like me, (and you too were made in God’s image and likeness so you probably are) you need to back away for a little while and regroup. That is called rest. You can enter God’s rest at any time. It is another way of saying entering God’s presence. Jesus made a way for us to enter the Presence of God any time by His sacrifice. So when you are overwhelmed, take a break and visit with your Lord. Ask Him for guidance. Ask Him for peace. Invite Him into your day. You can have Sabbath rest at any time. God did! Shouldn’t you follow His lead?

Father God, You said we are to remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy. Thank You that You are our support. It is our privilege to be with You in Your rest. You blessed that day so please let it be a blessing to us as well. And Lord, help us to remember You at all times and not just once a week. Let us enter Your rest daily and enjoy a Sabbath hour or even a few minutes with You. We will be renewed and refreshed. In Jesus name we pray!

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Day 3 What did you say?

Posted on September 20, 2016 by Robert Springer

Genesis 1:3-4 (NKJV)
3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness.

Words are powerful! Once released, they take on a power all their own. Sometimes this is good and sometimes it is bad. In this case, God said it was “good”. God spoke the entire universe as we know it into existence with just His words. But when it came to the man (Adam), the Lord God formed him from the dust of the ground. And all those things range from good to very good.

Granted, God’s words are more powerful than ours but your words will influence your life. You are going to have what you say. Genesis 1:27 (NKJV) says “27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” You were made in God’s image and likeness. Likeness means that you are like God. He put many of His characteristics into you when he created you. How do you think He feels when you denigrate yourself? If you were to view a painting within earshot of the artist and say bad things about it, would it offend the artist? “What did you say?” was the artist’s question. What do you think God feels when you do not speak kindly of yourself. The Lord God is the ultimate Artist and you are His masterpiece. Have a little self-compassion. Speak the words that build yourself and others up. Words are powerful! Use them for good. God did and you are in His likeness!

Father, thank You that You spoke it all into being making it possible for us to live. Help us to see how special each one of us is to You. Just like Adam, You breathe Your breath of life into us. Let us use our words to speak life into ourselves and others. In Your name we pray!

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Day 2 Where did this all start?

Posted on September 19, 2016 by Robert Springer

Genesis 1:1-2 (NKJV) The History of Creation
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

Did you ever wonder how the world was created? Are you one of those people who thinks we evolved from lower life forms and we just transformed. Darwin’s theory of evolution tries to tell us that we evolved from lower life forms. My friend Fred says “If we are descended from monkeys, why are there still monkeys?” Good point Fred! Why are there still monkeys? I guess there is a big hole in Darwin’s theory. The biggest hole of all is God. You see, “all Scripture is God breathed” so we know that God created the heavens and the earth because His Word says so.

Do you believe that God created the heavens and the earth? This is a very important question for you to answer for yourself. What do you believe? I am going with God! I believe Him. Science has proven more about the Bible over the years than disputed it. People ask how someone with intelligence and a scientific mind can believe these stories. It is called faith. Hebrews 11 says “1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. Faith is belief in God and what He says. It all starts with God and the knowledge that He is good. Everything He has done is for your good.

How do we know the Bible is true? It is full of stories of imperfect people in all their folly. If you want to write a cute story, you would make all the pieces fit the theme and leave out the bad parts. After all, every story needs a hero. Archeologists discover things over the years which confirm what the Bible says. The Dead Sea scrolls were lost for about 2,350 years. When discovered in 1946, they revealed the exact same story as our current version of the Old Testament. This shows the story was preserved accurately for more than two thousand years. God has preserved His Word to us.

So, how shall we live? We should follow God’s Word. Its precepts bring about good things. The fruits of the Spirit will lead us to happiness and joy. The Ten Commandments will sustain us in good relationships. All of the Bible will bless us! Do you want to be blessed? If so, read and follow God’s Word. Walk with us through The Story.

As Joel Osteen teaches at Lakewood Church, “This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I have what it says I have. I can do what it says I can do. Today, I will be taught the Word of God. I boldly confess my mind is alert, my heart is receptive and I will never be the same, in Jesus name.”

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Day 1 Who Loves ya?

Posted on September 18, 2016 by Robert Springer

John 3:16New King James Version (NKJV)
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

I grew up in a negative home. Don’t get me wrong. We had more than enough of what we needed but not always what I wanted. I wanted to know that I could do anything I set my mind and spirit to doing. I wanted to know I could do the things that God said about me in the Bible. I wanted to know that I could do all things through Him who gives me strength. Instead, I inherited a negative outlook. My Mom had been through a lot and was always made to feel second best. Unfortunately, she passed that on to me. I have decided to lay that down at the foot of the Cross. Any curse or negative evil word ever spoken over me is now broken.

How much do you love? How much do you think others love you? Would you lay down your life for someone else in their defense? Would someone sacrifice their life for you? Someone already did and His name is Jesus! The Creator of the universe thought that much of you that He was willing to give Himself up for you. Read that again and see if you can let that sink in completely. It is almost beyond comprehension. I cannot grasp that kind of love. The other concept that is hard to fathom is that Jesus knew He would do that at the time the world was being formed.

The Story is God’s Story of His love for His people from Creation to Redemption and beyond. He created a universe in which we would live and then created us in His own image and likeness. His love for us has been evident to all who observe the world. The Story is full of examples. We need to read The Story to begin our journey of grasping the magnitude of His love for us. When someone loves you that much, they would do anything for you. With that in mind, ponder all that Jesus has already done. It is awesome. Knowing that you are so loved should encourage you to do great things; to do the impossible. Walk with me on the journey of discovery! You will learn how much you are loved by a good God and all that the Lord has in store for you. Will you accept the blessings He has planned for you? Please open your hearts and minds to all God has in store for you. Receive it in to your spirit and mind and say Amen.

Father, thank you that You love us so much that You are willing to sacrifice everything for us. It is not lightly that a father gives up His child but You did all for me; for us! Help us to grasp the height, width and depth of Your love. And then, let us love others as You have loved us. In Jesus name we pray.

You are loved: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thSOeSduSDQ

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What’s the story?

Posted on September 13, 2016 by Robert Springer

My Church has decided to go through The Story and asked me to write Devotionals to go with it as we enter this study of the Bible. So here is an introduction as to what you will be seeing for the rest of The Story!

What Is The Story? (Taken from http://www.thestory.com/what-is-the-story/)

The Story is an abridged, chronological Bible that reads like a novel. There are no verse references, and Scripture segments are seamlessly woven together with transition text into a single grand narrative. For those intimidated or overwhelmed by the unabridged Bible, The Story helps people understand God’s Word more fully and engage with it more easily.
Simple, accessible, and easy to use, churches are finding The Story a powerful way to engage their people in Bible reading like never before. As The Story brings the Bible to life, the broad scope of God’s message will penetrate hearts. People of all ages will be swept up in the story of God’s love and God’s plan for their lives.

I have heard it said that The Story is God’s Story of His love for His people from Creation to Redemption and beyond. I am excited to walk through His story together with you. I write because I want the world to know the height, width and depth of the love God has for His children as revealed in the Bible and through The Story. Too many of us feel unworthy and unloved. That was NOT God’s plan. You are the apple of His eye. You are His masterpiece. You are fearfully and wonderfully made and He loves you. Walk with us as we learn that we are worthy because He says so! His plan for you is as good as He is good! Let’s take a walk, shall we?

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Politically or Biblically Correct; You Decide!

Posted on September 10, 2016 by Robert Springer

1 Corinthians 1:20-25 (NKJV)
20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

In today’s world, many want to be politically correct. They want to tell people what they think they want to hear. And be sure not to offend anyone. And truth; is there no right and wrong? People want to say there is no absolute truth. It is all relative to your situation. I don’t know about you but I need absolute truth and that comes from God and His Word! It is a choice between God’s wisdom and the wisdom of this world. I choose God’s wisdom. The Gospel is offensive! It tells us the wisdom of this world is foolishness. It tells us to walk in God’s ways.

What is wisdom? Who is wise? Is the person who wants to follow the ways of this world wise? Not according to Paul. It seems that God says the wisdom of this world is foolishness. The Good News is that faith alone is what is needed to enter into a relationship with God. But to the world, that was foolishness.

How about you? What is your source of wisdom? What is the source of your truth? Do you want to follow relative truth (opinion) which sways from moment to moment? Or would it be better to know for sure what the standards are? Is good enough really good enough? Children who are given standards and boundaries do better than those who have to keep searching for what is right. Now I am not saying that we should intentionally offend others but we should speak the truth in love. And it should be God’s truth that we speak. When a person strays from God’s Law, we need to gently draw them back to the truth. There is trouble on the road ahead for those who do not follow the ways of the Lord. Time and time again, He has proven that His ways are best for us and yet, we still stray. Shouldn’t we share the truth now before people face the consequences? It will be less painful if we do. Don’t let them walk the slippery slope.

Not offending anyone at all costs is not what is in their best interests nor yours. Telling people what they want to hear will not accomplish the plan God has for us. God has laid out for us the ways that are best for us to thrive. We were not meant to just get by. We were made to thrive and He has blessings for us. We need to walk in His ways for that to happen. Our Creator designed us for a specific purpose. He gave each person what they need to reach the destiny He ordained. You are already blessed but need to walk in the way set out for you. Will you walk in His ways today? Will you speak the truth in love? God’s Word is truth!

Lord, thank You that You have given us Your truth in the form of Your Word. You still speak to us today through the Word if we will but listen and read. Let Your Spirit open our eyes to Your truth and Your ways. Help us to be Biblically correct and follow Your teachings. Lead us in the beautiful plan You have for each of us today. In Your name we pray!

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How will I get through this?

Posted on September 9, 2016 by Robert Springer

Psalm 18:18-19, 25 (NKJV)
18 They confronted me in the day of my calamity, But the Lord was my support. 19 He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me…..25 With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful; With a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless;

One thing is for sure! You cannot get through it alone. I don’t know how people without faith get through a calamity. My strength comes from the Lord. I know He will work out all things for my good even when I cannot see a way. I have faced a lot of loss this year and it was not easy. January was skin cancer. February was my best friend Carmen going home to the Lord. March was the sale of my parent’s home and disposal of its contents; seeing my Dad’s chair go to the Lord’s Closet. My friend from Church went to be with the Lord in his fifties. And on it went. Yet here I am. I will admit that losses can become cumulative. I am sad at times. The grief sneaks up on me from a movie, a song or who knows what else. I am honoring my grief! But the Lord is my support! It is my love for Him and His great love for me that sustains me.

David wrote this Psalm about his deliverance from King Saul who was trying to kill him. It looked like everything was against David and his death imminent. But because God was with David, God delivered him from the hand of Saul. David praises God for His mercy and support.

I praise God for the same. Without His support, how would I face these things? There are many kinds of loss. People moving away is a loss. Moving to another Church is a loss. Foster children returning to their parents is a biggie! All these things take their toll. Romans 8:28 says “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” When you are in the middle of the storm, that is not so evident. There were a lot storms last year. The only way to see the good is to look back. My cancer was completely removed. Carmen found the Lord before his passing. The burden of taking care of the house is gone. God has worked things for my good. He has shown Himself merciful to me. I wish I could say I am blameless but it is just not true. Even so, God shows Himself blameless and faithful to me. He is my strength and shield, an ever-present help in times of need. Thank You Lord for walking me through the valley of 2015.

Father, I thank You that You walk with us throughout trials. Thank You that You never give us more than we can handle. I thank You that You have blessings in our future that will overshadow the trials we face. Your mercy is far greater than anything we face. In You, we have hope. In You, we are blessed. You are our support, our delight and our deliverer! All glory, laud and honor be to You our Lord and King. Amen!

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No Need to go Through It Alone!

Posted on September 8, 2016 by Robert Springer

Deuteronomy 31:8 (NKJV)
8 And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”

Many times, we go through challenges thinking there is no one to help and that we are completely on our own. When things get tough, others seem to disappear leaving us to fend for ourselves. But is that really the case? Are you really alone? Have you asked for help? I am weak in asking for help. Many times, I decide to do something without considering the schedules of those who could help. I don’t like working alone yet I set things up so that is how it turns out. And then, I complain! But am I really alone? There is One who walks with me who is closer than a brother who will never leave nor forsake me.

God tells us in Deuteronomy that He goes before us. That means He paves the way for our journey. He will be with us. That means that He is inside us through His Holy Spirit. He promises to never leave nor forsake us. That means we can count on Him to give us what we need when we need it. It also means His hedge of protection surrounds us. God’s promises are sure and He can be trusted. Therefore, we should not worry or fear because He will be our strength and shield! We can stand on His promises.

How are you doing at standing on His promises? Are you fearless? Do you walk as if you know God goes before you paving the way? Or are you like me, worrying all the time about how you will accomplish all that is on your plate? We tend to forget the Lord in our day to day activities. He can make things smooth for us in some cases and give us what strength we need in tougher situations. Yet we do not ask Him for either. What would life look like if we asked the Lord for guidance on which way we should go and what we should do? I am trying to pray about more things. Rather than going on my own instinct, I am asking Him if I should undertake a new challenge. When people ask me to participate in some ministry, I defer to prayer about what the Lord wants me to do. I think about the possibilities and then leave the decision for later after I have had a chance to give it to the Lord. He will let me know. If I have a sense of peace and excitement, He is telling me to go ahead. If I have doubts and questions, He is saying either wait or no. How do you handle the day to day things you face? Do you make decisions on your own or do you ask the Lord? Do you have discussions with your spouse asking for input? Do you have a Spiritual Accountability Partner? If you are alone, why are you alone? God said in Genesis 2:18 “It is not good for the man to be alone.” If the Creator of the universe says it is not good for us to be alone, shouldn’t we try to avoid it?

So why are you alone? Is it just your feeling or have you isolated yourself? Have you accepted the offers of others to help you? I have a friend whose husband, my best friend, we to be with the Lord in February. She reminds me that she appreciates all the help I give her but wants the opportunity to repay me by helping me. This is a foreign concept to me at this point but I am learning. I cannot do it alone. I need the Lord and I need those He has put in my life! What about you? Are you still trying to make it on your own? How is that working for you? Ecclesiastes 4:9 says “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:…..” I have a saying which is “Two people working together can accomplish as much as five people working alone!” There is synergy which makes it all go better and smoother. Do you think that is what God meant when He said it is not good for the man to be alone? Why not do it God’s way?

Thank You Father that You walk before us, beside us and with us through all the twists and turns of life. Help us to feel Your Presence at all times. Remind us of Your concern for us and that You will be our Helper even when it seems no one is around. Teach us to count on You and ask You for direction. Most importantly, give us the patience we need to wait for Your answer to our questions. In Jesus name we pray! Amen!

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Under New Management!

Posted on September 7, 2016 by Robert Springer

Ephesians 4:20-32
20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Are you happy with the way your life is going? Is everything perfect in your relationships? Is there tranquility in your home? Most would say no! Who is leading in your life? Are you the one making all the decisions? If so, are you making the right ones? Many times, things go on in all aspects of our lives that are not what we desire for ourselves or our loved ones. Do you wonder why? Who is in charge in your life? How is that working out for you?

Paul is writing to the Church at Ephesus about how they are conducting their lives. It seems they are lying, stealing and doing all sorts of bad things. But there is a key phrase. Paul says “nor give place to the devil….” Who is in charge in your place? Have you made Jesus the Lord in every area of your life? If not, why not? Don’t you think He can do a better job with your life than you are doing?

John 10:10-29 (NKJV) says 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. Do you want to live an abundant life? Sure you do! Why not live a life of blessing? To do that, you are going to have to make some changes. You need a new management team. It is time to elect a new leader. It is time to turn the reins over to the Lord Jesus. Put up that famous sign that others display when someone new is in charge indicating that things are going to get better. Under New Management! The old has gone; the new has come! I am a new person and will live a new life in Christ.

So Satan, pack your bags and get out! You are no longer welcome here! We don’t’ want any more of your lies and deceit. It is time for depression, anxiety, doubt and despair to hit the road with you. You have done enough damage to our lives and families. It is time for new management. It is time for us to follow the Son of God most High and to live according to his ways. It is time for the Holy Spirit to guide us in which way to go. Since Jesus already won the ultimate victory and offers that to us, today is the day we can change our focus and leadership to Him. Make that move! Put up the sign! Under New Management! Start living the abundant life today. In Jesus name! Amen!

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Prayer Matters!

Posted on September 7, 2016 by Robert Springer

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)
14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

When was the last time you called on the name of the Lord? Do you call Him when good things happen? Do you seek His face? Are you walking in His ways?

Ezra is the traditional author and it dates back to 430 BC. Ezra was a Priest of God Most High and is writing to Israel and Judah about unity of the nation. They have gone astray as a people and as a nation. When you stray from Truth, you lose your way and bad things happen. Sounds like our world of today. We have lost our way because we have wandered from God’s truth.

One thing I have heard is that, if you don’t know history, you will most likely repeat the same errors. The Bible is full of stories about people who have made bad choices and suffered the consequences. When they returned to God’s ways, He forgave them and returned to blessing them. When will we ever learn?

Yesterday, we saw a movie called War Room in which an older lady befriends a younger woman and shares her faith with this wife and mother. The focus of the story is how prayer can restore things that you thought were lost. It is hard to pray for someone and stay angry with them. If you pour out your heart to God on behalf of a person, your feelings for them begin to improve. The older lady begins to mentor the young wife in the art of Spiritual Warfare and how prayer changes things. It does! It removes anger and bitterness. Your heart goes out to the object of your prayer. Try it and see for yourself. You cannot stay angry with someone for whom your earnestly pray.

What would it look like if God were to heal your land? Is the inside of your house a war zone? Are you at odds with neighbors or friends or family or spouse? Have you tried Prayer? It works! Ezra tells us that God will hear our prayers from Heaven and He will forgive our sin and heal our land. Does your land need healing? Would you like peace in your home? What things about your spouse upset you the most? What if you were to pray for peace and blessing to cover them daily? Would your attitude toward them improve? If your attitude was that of peace, love and blessing, would they notice a change? So maybe, you could start by praying for yourself and your attitude. Ask God to change you. Ask Him to give you more patience and compassion. Whatever the need, just talk to Him. Prayer is not some special art you learn in Seminary. It is simply a conversation with God. He knows your thoughts. He just wants to hear your requests. So speak to the Lord. Ask Him to help you pray. Ask Him to change you and remove the things that displease Him and you. He is listening and will heal your land, your home, your family and you! Just ask Him!

Father, thank You that You are always listening for our prayers. Help us to come to you with our requests. Sometimes, we don’t even know for what we should pray but Your Spirit will intercede for us and give us what we need. Remind us that You are willing to forgive our sins and heal us from the consequences. You are our perfect Heavenly Father who dearly loves His children and wants what is best for us. Teach us Your ways that we might walk in them and know You better. Heal our land! In Your name we pray! Amen!

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I’m always on time!

Posted on September 5, 2016 by Robert Springer

Habakkuk 2:3 (NKJV)
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.

God’s timing is perfect! It probably doesn’t seem that way to most of us because it is not when we want things to happen. We cannot see the whole plan nor how things are shaping up. But God knows where all the pieces fit and in what order they need to be assembled. Therefore, we need to be patient and let things go according to God’s plan and timing.

Habakkuk tells us of a vision of things to come. Its time has not as of yet arrived. All things work according to God’s plan. God has everything arranged in the whole universe so that all the pieces will fit at the appointed time. Don’t try to run ahead of Him because it will not work out right.

One of my faults is being a control freak. I want to work out all the details according to my plan. I used to think I was in charge. Now, that seems humorous. I have a friend named Ed who has learned earlier than me that God is the One with the plan. Ed and I planned to go to a Promise Keepers conference in Baltimore some years back. Ed has challenges walking and we needed to get handicapped seating. Because he has learned to go with God’s plan, he does not concern himself with timing. I went to pick Ed up but he wasn’t ready so we were late getting on the road. I was already beside myself because we would be late! It went from bad to worse. Our hotel room was no longer available when we arrived. I thought we would end up sleeping in the car. We did find a flea bag motel but the room was awful. Sleeping in the car would have been better. We got a late start in the morning too so we were late to the conference. The handicapped parking spaces were already taken. I dropped Ed off at the door and parked the car. When we got inside, we were told the handicapped seating was on the arena floor. By now, I am a wild man because my plan has not been followed. I am keenly aware that if we head down to the floor and the seats are all taken, there is no way Ed will be able to make it back up. My worst nightmares are staring me in the face. Meanwhile, Ed is saying things will all work out. I am ready to murder him.

So we go down to the arena floor and there are no seats left! Now I am panicked. Ed is leaning against the railing at the edge of the floor to rest so he will be able to move somewhere else where we might find a seat. But God had another plan. Actually, God had His plan all along. As were are leaning against the rail trying to figure out what we can do, a man in the front row overhears our conversation. He probably also observed my agitation. He leans forward and asks us if we need seats. He saved a few too many because some of his friends are sitting somewhere else and he has two seats available on the front row. All that worry on my part and we just step into front row seats. Not only did we get great seats but the guy and his friends were wonderful to us. They welcomed us, included us in their group and made our day terrific. They were real Brothers in Christ to us.

All that worrying wasted! Worry is a waste of the imagination. It also showed a lack of faith on my part. Instead of trusting God, I wanted to manage things in my own power. God’s plan is always better. I have learned to go with God. While I try to be on time if I have made an appointment, I now know that God may change my plans to fit to His. It always works for my good. I have found myself in the right place at the right time when I relax and let Him lead. How about you? Are you trying to control things? I can tell you, it doesn’t work. Relax, breathe deeply and go with God’s timing and plan. It will be better than you can ask or imagine. It will be divine. I am now always on time. Maybe not my time; but on His time.

Father, thank You that You give me patience to wait on You. Thank You that You have taught me how to go with Your plan for my life. Teach us all to trust in You and follow Your lead. Help us to see that following You is always our best option. In Jesus name we pray! Amen!

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Failure Is Not Final!

Posted on September 4, 2016 by Robert Springer

Haggai 2:19 (NKJV)
19 Is the seed still in the barn? As yet the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not yielded fruit. But from this day I will bless you.’”

Failure to plant the seed has caused plants not to yield their fruit. In fact, the plants are not even growing. It is that way in life too. If you do not do what you are supposed to, there will be consequences. That is the bad news. But the good news is that you can have another chance. Failure is not final. It is a stepping stone to success. Each failure can teach us a lesson that we could not learn any other way. Or, at least, not as well.

As parents, sometimes we need to let our kids fail at something. I am not saying to let them go completely on their own. Pick certain things which are not fatal and let them try it on their own. If they fail, you can help them try again. You can encourage them. You can ask questions which will lead them to understand why it went the way it did. It can be a teachable moment. They can learn from their mistakes and do better next time. That was how my Dad did it. One of his lines was “you’ll do better next time.” That always taught me that there was hope. I could try again. But mostly, it taught me that failure was not fatal. My Dad still loved me. I was not perfect although, when I was a teenager, I thought I was! How little we know.

Encouragement can make a world of difference. Believing you can do something is the deciding factor in whether it gets done. Having someone else believe in you will propel you to greater heights than you knew possible. I knew my Dad believed in me. He quietly assured me that success was within my reach. It has been suggested that we should be both encourager and encouragee. Who encouraged you? Who are you encouraging?

Haggai goes on to tell us that God is with us. He says of God “….But from this day I will bless you.” God is for you! My earthly father believed in me. Now I know my Heavenly Father believes in me too! He will bless me! And He will bless you! How will you, as someone who knows he or she is blessed, live this day? Will you be bold? Will you be excited and exciting? Will you share the Gift given you with others even in the workplace? The world is hungry for approval. They are hungry for love. They are hungry for hope. You have been blessed with all those and more! And if you have not had those blessings, you can be the one to begin the blessing. Will you share them with those you meet today in Jesus name? Please say yes and Amen!

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Unmerited Favor!

Posted on September 3, 2016 by Robert Springer

James 4:6 (NKJV)
6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

Grace is unmerited favor. You don’t deserve it, you can never earn it and you can never pay the giver back. It is a gift given you because the Giver loves you and wants you to have the gift. The Gift of Grace goes so far beyond anything we can ask or imagine that it is hard to describe. Grace includes righteousness as well.

God gives us His grace in many situations. When we face something that is beyond us, God provides what is needed. You do all you can and God will do what you can’t. When you live in His will, believing and trusting in Him, He will work all things out for your good. He gives more grace as needed. Remember, it is not for anything you have done. It is because of His mercy and compassion toward you. It is not of yourself. Humility is knowing that you don’t deserve the gift.

Sometimes, when I hear a song or read something about the extent to which Christ went to redeem me, it moves me to tears. How could He do that for me? “Amazing Grace how can it be, that You my God would die for me” are the lyrics of a song. I don’t deserve it, I can never earn it, I can never pay Him back or can I?

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, the Good Samaritan had mercy on his neighbor. Jesus tells us to love our neighbor as our self. He says “go and do likewise”. The Good Samaritan showed mercy. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus also said “40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” You see, Jesus wants us to treat others with the grace and mercy He has given to us. That is the way to pay Him back. We are to share the gift He has given us, the gift of grace. Out of the overflow of the gifts He has given you, you can give to others. Jesus will be glorified through that act. So be gracious, compassionate and merciful to those you meet. Each person is God’s creation; His masterpiece. Treat them as such. Value them. Give the grace you have received.

Lord, we can never thank You enough for Your gift of Grace! It is beyond our ability to place a value. Since it is priceless, help us to share what we are given with those in need. Thank You that You love us so much. Many are suffering with insecurity. Many don’t feel they deserve anything good. Although we don’t deserve grace in our deeds, You still offer it to all people. You are willing to bless anyone who comes to you with a contrite heart. Draw us to You and cover us with Your Grace and righteousness In Jesus name! Amen!

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What do you see?

Posted on September 2, 2016 by Robert Springer

Isaiah 58:10 (NKJV)
10 If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul,
Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday.

Do you see widows and orphans? James 1:27 (NKJV)says 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. Do you see other people that need your healing touch, your kind words and maybe some help? I was challenged the other day by a Pastor I know who said that he (and many others including me) did not always see those in need around him. There is a song by Brandon Heath that asks Jesus to give us his eyes to see. We all need that ability.

I went to San Francisco a number of years back for a conference. During one of the evenings, I went downtown to a gathering. As I parked my car on the street, I saw a man, apparently homeless, sleeping in a doorway. Actually, I heard him before I saw him. He spoke and offered to watch my car for me. I thought that was caring of him. I decided to be nice to him. I saw a tavern nearby and headed over there to order a hamburger deluxe to go. I returned to the man with what I thought was a nice gesture. To my chagrin, the man rebuked me for not asking him what he wanted. He was right about that. I did not ask him what he wanted. I thought anyone would like a hamburger. In fact, I was offended that he rebuked me. I said that I would take the hamburger and eat it myself if he didn’t want it. He decided to keep it. I walked away confused and angry. I did not understand. I was not aware of the needs of that man. There was a lot I did not understand! Was this my thanks for caring? Now I am really confused. I guess that’s why you leave these things to social services agencies. What did I know?

Since that time, I have read a book called When Helping Hurts. Now, I see people I did not see before and see them in a different light. I now know they are also children of God just like me. From it, I learned things about what people need. They need to be included in their help. They need to be consulted about their situation. They need to be valued! Maybe we could ask if and how we can help? Yes, we are supposed to help each other. But asking how we can help is the way to go. Jesus said to love one another. Perhaps He can show us how we can do that more effectively! Maybe we can see them through His eyes. Maybe then, our light will shine and bring glory to Him! It will also bring peace and comfort to us!

Thank You Jesus that you can open our eyes to what You see! Please open our eyes today to those in need of time, treasure or talent. There are wealthy people out there who need a kind word. There are poor people out there who need work. Everyone out there needs love. Help us to know what they need and provide what we can through You and in Your name. Let our light, which comes from You, shine to dispel the darkness. In Your name we pray! Amen!

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Keep the Dream Alive!

Posted on September 1, 2016 by Robert Springer

Psalm 37:4 (NKJV)
4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

Does this verse mean that God will give you whatever you desire? At first glance, it looks like God will give you what you desire. However, it means something much different. If you follow the Lord, He will determine what is good for you and place those dreams in your heart. He will give you the dreams that will bless you and take you closer to Him.

With that in mind, it becomes clear that your dreams come from God. God has given you your imagination and creativity. He has a destiny planned for you and He wants you to reach it. So what are your dreams? What are the secret petitions of your heart? Are you keeping them alive? They are not just your dreams but His too. They are given to you by God. They are part of His plan. His plan is to prosper you; a plan to give you hope and a future. What steps are you taking daily to keep the dream alive?

If dreams are from God, then He wants us to succeed in those dreams. What stands between you and success? Have you prayed? God is for you in this since He planted that dream. With Him on your side, what will you accomplish? This is no longer you working alone. The Creator of the universe will help if you would just ask! Go ahead. Ask Him. He is longing to help. He waits for you to say something and He will bring His blessings to you to make the dream a reality. What have you been believing for? What are the secret petitions of your heart? You may not see a way but God has a way. Keep the dream alive. Bring it out of the closet, dust it off and get to work. Pray about it and see if God will not open doors you thought would never open. He will bring people across your path that can help. He will make a way. Stay in faith and believe. The dream is about to come true. This is your time.

Father, we thank You that You give us dreams. You created us to be creative and to be good stewards of Your creation. Strengthen us in the resolve needed to take the steps to bring our dreams to fruition. Each of these dreams is from You. Bless us in them and make a way for us to glorify You with their accomplishment. In your name we pray!

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He is with you!

Posted on August 31, 2016 by Robert Springer

Jeremiah 15:20 ESV
And I will make you to this people [Judah] a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you, declares the Lord.

God is speaking to Jeremiah about himself. Jeremiah has just asked God why his own life is so difficult. Sound familiar? In prayer, Jeremiah has complained to God that he feels forsaken. And God answers him by telling Jeremiah that God will strengthen him, save and deliver him. Even though the situation looks bleak, God is still working for the good of those who love Him. He did not rebuke Jeremiah for his doubt but reassured him of success in his ministry.

Many people wonder where God is in the difficult times of their lives. How could He let this happen? Why did God take away my loved one? Why did this person commit this horrible act? There are many other questions. My question to you is how do you know it was God who did this? There is evil in the world. There is greed. There is jealousy. God gave mankind free will to choose which path they would walk. Many choose evil. Jeremiah 17:9 says “the heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.” It leads us to choose bad things. But when we allow Jesus into our hearts, His light and glory push out the deceit. Through Him, we can become the person we were designed to be. You were designed for accomplishment, engineered for success and endowed with the seeds of greatness! God tells us, in this verse from Jeremiah that He will be with us to save and deliver us. He will keep us from the evil that lurks all around. His light can dispel the darkness.

How are you doing in the battle of good vs. evil? Do you prevail in good? Are you trying to win in your own power? Many try that and fail. They key is to accept the Promises of God. This one is that He will always be with you and you will prevail. He promises to deliver you out of the hand of evil. You mean that much to Him that He will fight for you! You really can’t do it on your own. But you and God become a majority. When you remain in Him, He will deliver you! Walk with Him today. Ask for His protection. Moreover, ask for His direction and guidance into His ways. Ask Him into your heart to drive out the darkness and replace it with His glorious light. And then, let that light shine out to others to brighten their lives. One tiny candle in a dark room pushes back the darkness. Be that light today. In Jesus name I pray for you! Amen!

Mandisa – He is with you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3CVlv2dz3w

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Happy Hour!

Posted on August 30, 2016 by Robert Springer

Psalm 139:17-19 (MSG)
17-19 Your thoughts—how rare, how beautiful! God, I’ll never comprehend them!
I couldn’t even begin to count them any more than I could count the sand of the sea.
Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always with you! And please, God, do away with wickedness for good!

What does Happy Hour mean to you? Happy Hour has a special connotation in our culture. It is late afternoon/early evening time in a bar or restaurant where they have reduced price drinks and food. It is a way that the hospitality industry markets to draw people in to their establishments. But for me, it has a completely different meaning.

Sometimes, at night when I am going to bed, I check the settings on my opportunity clock. It has two wakeup settings. The second one is always set to 7 am. I don’t always set the first one which is usually 6 am or earlier. Many times, I will ask the Lord to wake me if He wants to talk. Often, I wake out of a sound sleep at 5 on the dot. It is the Lord calling. I know He wants time with me because He woke me just as I asked Him to do. Psalm 63:6 (NKJV) says 6 When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. I pray before I close my eyes and wake up often with a song of praise or a Psalm on my lips. He is with me. My family members  are not morning people. Our house is quiet early in the morning. I have my place on the couch where I sit and open my Bible. I read Our Daily Bread, a Psalm and then begin my prayers. This is a time of peace for me. It is God’s Rest! He calls me to Him. I am not good at being quiet so this is a special time for me with the Lord. This is the Happy Hour I look forward to attending.

How about you? What does Happy Hour mean to you? What is the happiest hour of your day? Are you spending time with your Lord? He is willing and waiting. All you need do is ask Him to wake you. You eyes will just open and you will be wide awake. Find your way to your prayer spot or try several places out to see what works best for you. Spending time alone with the Lord will be your happiest hour too! Just try it! It will renew, refresh and redeem you. God can give you a sense of peace you will not find anywhere else. Just spend some time with Him. He will remind you that you are His and you are fearfully and wonderfully made because He is your Creator. You are His and He loves you. This quiet time will allow you to learn all the wonderful things He has in store for you. It will give you a chance to learn which path He wants you to follow.

Good morning Lord! Thank you for this day and every day. Please call me to time spent with You. We need You in our lives to love, lead and guide us to the destiny You have prepared for us. Quiet our hearts and connect them to You. When we abide in You, we are at our best! Hold us close and speak to us through Your still small voice. Give us ears to hear and open our heart to Your leading that we may walk with you. In Jesus name we pray.

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Blessed to Be a Blessing!

Posted on August 30, 2016 by Robert Springer

John 15:5-8 (NKJV)
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

It is all about relationships. Our relationship with Christ is the most important. Without that relationship, we can do nothing. God is so concerned about relationships that He gave us the Ten Commandments which tell us how to relate to Him and each other. We must stay connected.

Jesus uses an analogy to explain how we need to remain connected to Him. When we do, we receive the nourishment needed to bear fruit just as a branch needs to be connected to the vine that supports it. Jesus is our support. He is the source of all good things. When we are separated from Him, we wither and die off. When we remain in Him, we will bear much fruit. That fruit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control from Galatians 5:22-23. Isn’t that the kind of fruit you want to bear? How do we do that? By remaining in Jesus.

To remain in Jesus is to keep Him in the foreground of your mind. It means that you ask and answer the question “what would Jesus do?” If you take the time to think about His ways, you will improve your life because you will be walking in those ways. Now I know we don’t always do what Jesus would do. I know I am not the Son of God and do not have His strength to always do the right thing. But God is not looking for perfection. He is looking for someone who is trying to follow Him. He is looking for those who hold Him in their hearts. He is looking for you! Even a little faith in Jesus will turn you, however slowly, in His direction.

I have several friends that remind me of this process today. They walk with the Lord and follow His ways. Are they perfect in that walk? No! But, as I said, the Lord is not looking for perfection. My one friend is a Pastor. He lives a life that shows what it means to follow a Risen Lord. He welcomes people and loves them. He was listening when Jesus said love your neighbor as yourself. The others are a husband and wife team. They heard the part about caring for widows and orphans (God wants us to care for everyone). They are always aware of the needs of people around them. A kind word here, and invitation there and comfort and support for those around them. They abide in the Lord and he has caused much fruit to come forth from them. The seeds they have planted have blessed many and brought much glory to God. Many different positive Ministries have been started by these two to the blessing of many. God is glorified when we do things for others. He is certainly glorified in them. And they have been such a blessing to me.

So, how should you live your life? You should remain in Jesus and His ways. There are many more examples of people who remain in Him and are a blessing to those around them. Shouldn’t you live that way? What stands between you and a blessed life and a life of blessing? If you are anything like me, all that gets in the way is yourself. Step outside yourself today! God has untold blessings stored up for you. They are already on the shelf with your name on them. He has peace for you. He has joy for you. Do you want them? Then abide in Him and watch Him bring these out of His storehouse and bestow them upon you. May the Lord bless you richly today!

May 24 “The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you;
26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”’ Numbers 6:24-26 (NKJV) Amen!

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Are you close?

Posted on August 30, 2016 by Robert Springer

Psalm 138:6 (NKJV)
6 Though the Lord is on high, Yet He regards the lowly; But the proud He knows from afar.

How does God view you? Does He know you from afar or are you in a relationship? God and I are on a first name basis. I call Him God and He calls me Bob. However, I do most of the talking. I’m sure that doesn’t surprise you.

Who are we that God is mindful of us? We are His children, His beloved. He says you are His friend, you are justified and redeemed, an heir to the Kingdom, you have wisdom, that His Holy Spirit dwells within you, and that you have been chosen and set apart. You have a lot going for you. These are all the things He sees in you if you follow Him. But what if you are proud and arrogant? He remains distant. He will not draw close to you and pour out His blessings.

I have come to a place in my life where I realize that relationships are the most important thing of all. Without relationship, nothing else matters. God gave us the Ten Commandments to teach us about relationships with Him and others. How are you managing those relationships? Sure, you probably do well with those you know and love. But how about building relationships with people who are different than you? Yesterday, I was at a Prayer Revival meeting. One of the Pastors there spoke of his difficulty in building relationships with different cultures and people not like him. He mentioned that, sometimes, he does not even see those that are different from Him. We are all in that boat. I passed several homeless people on the way to the meeting. I am not sure what to do with them. Do I ignore them? Do I stop and speak with them? Do I encourage them? How should this be handled? Didn’t Jesus say that whatever I do for the least of these, I do for Him? Is this the way to draw close to God? Maybe.

If God regards the lowly, shouldn’t I? Every person wants and needs to know that they matter. Can you show that they matter to you in some way? Learn people’s names. Really see them when you pass. Meet their eyes. Smile! Let them know you see them and they matter. On the way back from the meeting, I stopped to speak with a homeless mother and her kids. I cannot solve their homelessness but I can show the love of God. We are commanded to love one another as Jesus loved us. That is a tall order. Start somewhere. Notice people. Speak with them. Use encouraging words. Let them know that God cares and so do you. I pray this for you in Jesus name!

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I Hate This Job!

Posted on August 30, 2016 by Robert Springer

Colossians 3:23 (NKJV)
23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,

Many people don’t like their jobs. Zig Ziglar told a story about a woman with whom he met that hated her job and wanted help finding another position. He asked her to make a list of all the things she liked about the job and she said there was nothing she liked. He wanted to get her to look for the good. He asked if they paid her for working there. She said yes. “Don’t you like being paid for working?” he asked. So there was something about the job that she did like. On further discovery, she listed 23 things she liked. The job wasn’t so bad after all. After reviewing the list daily for a time, when they next met, she told Zig “you can’t believe how much those people have changed!” What about your job?

Colossians tells us to work as if unto the Lord. That we should put our best into everything we do. Attitude makes the difference. How you approach something determines the outcome. Do you look for the good in every situation? Do you see things through the eyes of faith? Are you believing for blessing?

Don’t like Your Job? Change it. Work as if unto the Lord. If you don’t like your boss, stop working for them. Go to work for the Lord instead. You don’t have to change careers or employers. Just change for whom you work. Whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not to men. Psalm 90:17 (NKJV) says 17 And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands. Wouldn’t the One who establishes the work of our hands for us give us wonderful things to do? Aren’t they a part of His plan? God’s plan is to prosper you and not to harm you. A plan to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). You are where you are for a purpose that is good for you and the Kingdom. Why not discover that purpose and work for your good? In the process, you will achieve what God destined for you. You will be running the race He set out before you. Why not be the winner of that race? Run your own race and have a marvelous time on the journey. But keep your eye on the prize of the Gospel. Remember, you run with purpose. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men…….

Lord, thank You that You have given us gifts and talents to use in our vocation for a purpose. Lead us where You would have us go and to the people to whom You wish to speak through us. If it is words we need to say, give us those words. If not, let our lives be the example you want us to set. Let us be a blessing to someone today. And bless us in that process. In Jesus name I pray for you all (y’all)! Amen!

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Head to Heart to Head!

Posted on August 26, 2016 by Robert Springer

Deuteronomy 8:2
“You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.

Remembering all the way in which the Lord led you is knowledge of the facts. Facts alone do not constitute faith. Hebrews 11 tells us “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.” Faith is believing with your heart. It is knowing in your gut even without facts to back up the feeling.

I took a course a number of years ago called Evangelism Explosion. Their teaching was that head knowledge of Christ alone was not enough. You needed to have Christ in your heart. I understood that concept. You see, I knew about Jesus. I knew He was a good man. I knew the stories about things He did. But I did not believe He was the Son of God nor that He did those things for me. When you have Christ in your heart, you just know things. And you know that you know that you know. It is a feeling. There is certainty. I did the studies. I learned the Bible verses. I invited Jesus into my heart to abide with me. He has been my faithful Friend for seventeen plus years. It brings me to tears when I ponder Him laying down His life for me, His friend. I now have Him in my heart.

Here is my dilemma. I was able to move Christ from my head the eighteen inches to my heart. I love Him. I believe in Him. He has my faith and trust in almost every area of my life. There is one challenge. I don’t always believe He will do things for me. I guess I doubt His love for me. Who am I the He is mindful of me (Psalm 8:4). I doubt that I am worthy of being a Child of God. Although Christ resides in my heart now, I do not have a full understanding of who He is to me and who I am to Him. I lack head knowledge. I cannot comprehend all that I can do in Christ for His glory. I let the enemy distract me from the power I have received. How about you? Are you falling short of the destiny put in you by Christ?

God needs to be in every part of us. He moves from head to heart as your faith grows. Your faith can also help share Him with your head. He needs to be in both places for you to fully achieve all He has set out for you to do in His name. I am not sure how to make that happen yet and so I will pray for me and for you. I think this will take some knee walking like my friend Andy says. Here goes!

Lord, here is Your servant needing Your guidance. I have You in my heart. The evidence of that is Your fruit overflows from me to those around me. I know You are in there. And yet I struggle with letting go and letting You control every part of my life. The accuser tells me that I am not good enough. Help me to listen to the voice of the Shepherd. I know Your voice. Help me to listen to the voice of truth alone. Father, I pray for those who will read this message. I pray that You will guide them and love them as You have loved me. Let them hear Your voice as well. Clarify their thinking to focus on You and ignore the lies that they are not worthy. They are Your children and heirs to the Kingdom. Please remind them of Your love for them. Help us all to come to full head knowledge of all we mean to You. In Jesus glorious name I pray! Amen!

Prayer for God’s Guidance Anonymous  www.beliefnet.com

God be in my head, and in my understanding;
God be in mine eyes, and in my looking;
God be in my mouth, and in my speaking;
God be in my heart, and in my thinking;
God be at mine end, and at my departing.

https://ladieslovinggod.wordpress.com/2014/03/18/do-you-have-a-head-knowledge-or-a-heart-knowledge-of-christ/

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Wrapped in Righteousness!

Posted on August 25, 2016 by Robert Springer

Isaiah 61:10 (NKJV)
10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Isaiah was fully aware that he did not have righteousness on his own. Neither do we. But God clothed him in the garment of salvation. God offers that Garment to you; to me!

John 19:23 (NKJV) says23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece. I believe that the garment, the tunic, they removed from Jesus at the cross was the robe of righteousness. Now that garment is available to you and me. Jesus provided us with the covering that allows us to come before the Father in righteousness. The price He paid for us to stand before the Father was high. Jesus gave His all for us. He gave the ultimate sacrifice that we might be called children of God. And that is what we are.

Are you a follower of Jesus? If so, He offers you His Garment of righteousness. If not, why not? With this garment, all of the bad things you have ever done are covered. Knowing that, how should you live? You are justified. That is “just as if you never sinned”. Should you stand tall? Should you be bold? Because of this garment, you are holy, righteous and redeemed! For God so loved you that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). He did that for you and you are covered in the blood which this garment symbolizes. This love for you is beyond comprehension. But it is real and it is true. Live as one who is redeemed. Love others and tell them of God’s love for them. His love is what clothes you. Know that you are wrapped in righteousness!

Lord, we cannot fully comprehend all You have done for us. Amazing grace, how can it be, that You my God would die for me. Help us to accept that grace and begin to understand all we mean to You. Let us focus on You and become more like You. Help us to live as redeemed in You. In Your name we pray!

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Why won’t You answer my prayers?

Posted on August 24, 2016 by Robert Springer

John 14:13-14 (NKJV)
13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

God says that whatever you ask in His name, He will do, doesn’t He? Why didn’t he answer my prayer? Are you sure you heard him? There are three possibilities: Yes, No or Wait. He may have said no. He may want you to wait until His timing is right. There may be others involved in your dream. Jesus tells us that the Father is glorified in the Son when He answers your prayers. Sounds to me like God really wants to bless you!

There are a few things to consider here. One key phrase is “ask in My name….” What does that mean? If you ask something in Jesus name, does that mean according to His plan and purpose? Most likely yes. Also, there is something called intercessory prayer where you pray for the needs of others. Usually, when you pray for others, it is good to ask that God’s will be done. That would be in His name.

We don’t always know what is best for us. Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it. We ask for a promotion when God wants us to leave that company and go somewhere else. We ask for no traffic when God wants to delay us so will avoid an accident. We ask for more income when God knows it we lead us away from Him. We ask for our Pastor to stay when God wants us to go to another Church. We don’t always know what is best for us. In many cases, God loves you too much to say yes to that prayer. God has a plan to bless and prosper you. It is like a tapestry interwoven with the lives of others. The Creator sees the front side with all the beauty. The created only sees the hanging threads and all the chaos. You have no way of knowing the pattern God is weaving. But He does. Trust Him. He can take your seemingly broken life and make it beautiful. Give Him the chance. Be patient and stay in faith! He wants what is best for you!

Lord God, thank You that You know what is best for us and You bring that about in Your plan. Teach us to ask for things in Your name. Let Your Spirit guide us daily toward our destiny. Help us to ask for things in Your name. In Your name we pray!

Make Broken Things Beautiful Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpOXrY4BHMA

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Are you going to or being the Church?

Posted on August 23, 2016 by Robert Springer

James 2:14-27 (NKJV)
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

What does it mean to be the Church? What actually is the Church anyway? How do you know which you are? Are you checking off a box of something you heard it is good to do? The Church is actually defined as the Body of Christ. In Jesus time, it was the people who professed their faith in Him and followed His teachings. They did not have a set meeting place or building. Some met in homes. They were a group of like minded individuals. Acts 2:42 says “They devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” So, from the beginning, it was about relationships with God and each other. They shared what they had as anyone had need. This was not about spending precisely one hour on a Sunday morning on your way to somewhere else. This was not about being upset if the sermon ran twenty-one minutes. It was about loving God and loving each other.

Jesus said He came that we might have life abundantly. He asked us to love each other as He had loved us. He set the example. Are we doing that? The Good Samaritan did.

All through the New Testament, we are told that faith is the only way to God through Jesus. Now James tells us that faith alone is not enough or so it would appear. Is this a contradiction as many say are in the Bible? Not really! Works are evidence of true faith. If you truly believe in Christ, you will do what He asks. You will love one another as He loved you. You will not leave people destitute. You will take care of widows and orphans. You will do these things out of the overflow of blessings your faith has brought you. And what blessings will faith in Christ bring?

Acts 2:44-47 (NKJV) says “44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” Sounds like a pretty good life to me! The rewards were gladness and simplicity of heart, and having favor with all the people. Faith brings you the fruit of the Spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). These are quite some blessings and they are yours for the asking. Put your faith and trust in Jesus and He will give you these gifts.

So are you being the Church? Are you building relationships and loving one another as He loves us? Will you go out today to intentionally build a relationship or two? Look for someone you don’t know or get to know someone better. Ask about them and really listen. You will discover we have more similarities than differences. Go out and live as Jesus lived; love as Jesus loved and be the Church today! In Jesus name I pray for you!

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Return to Me and I will return to you!

Posted on August 22, 2016 by Robert Springer

Zechariah 1:3 (NKJV)
3 Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the Lord of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts.

Zechariah had returned from Babylon to Judah and preached to the Children of Israel about the returning to a relationship with the Lord. They were supposed to rebuild the temple but progress had halted for about ten years. Things were not going so well for them. They were in captivity for 70 years in Babylon but King Darius allowed them to go back home. God had said He would gather His people from all the nations of the world and He did. His promises always come true. (Jeremiah 29:11)

The people had wandered away from God and His ways. They worshiped idols and took on the customs of the other people around them. Therefore, God allowed the Babylonians to conquer Israel and take the people of Israel captive and deport them to Babylon. God tells us to follow His ways and all will go well with us. When we choose our own path, bad things happen. If we stray, God will allow us to suffer the consequences. When we repent from that sin, He will redeem us. He is always close by should we decide we want to walk with Him. He will extend His hand and lead us in His ways.

My friend Mark has an interesting way of explaining this phenomenon. Mark says when you stand up and decide how you are going to handle a situation; God sits down and lets you take it; consequences and all. When you figure out that it is beyond you and sit down (sometimes in defeat), God stands up and says “I’ve got this!” Who do you think can handle things better? Why not ask for guidance from the beginning and listen to what the Holy Spirit tells you? If you walk in God’s ways, He will say “I’ve got this!” When you stray and realize you aren’t going the right way, call out to Him. He hears you. He is there waiting. He loves you and will take care of you. He always does. Return to Him and He will return to you! Better yet, why not walk with Him always. That way, you won’t need to return. And your path will be a lot smoother.

Father God, we admit that we tend to stray. You have blessed us with so many talents that we begin to think we can do things on our own. We tend to forget about Your ways. By Your Spirit, remind us of our need to work with You to accomplish the great things You have ordained for us. Lead us in Your ways which will take us to our destiny. In your name we pray! Amen!

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There’s Still a Chance!

Posted on August 21, 2016 by Robert Springer

Hebrews 4:1-3 (NKJV)
Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. 3 For we who have believed do enter that rest

According to Hebrews, the promise of entering God’s rest still remains. What is God’s rest? It is several things. To rest in someone means to believe in them. To rest may mean relaxation. Entering God’s rest implies entering the Promised Land as well. God’s rest is also entering into Christ. All of these things are significant. It takes faith which is belief and trust to enter that rest as well.

In these times as in Bible times, people say God is no longer active in His creation. That He has withdrawn from us and no longer cares about the world. Hebrews reminds us that the Promise remains to all who believe and desire to follow Him. Following Jesus is the way to enter God’s rest. The Promise still stands as it did then! And that promise is given to you! What will you do with it? Will you accept the gift of God’s rest in Him? Or will you be like those to whom the author writes in his time who heard the message but were skeptical and cynical and did not believe the offer? Throughout the Bible, God reminds us of His promises. He made the Promise to Abraham, repeated it to Isaac and then told Jacob. He does not go back on His word. And His promise does not depend on our ability. It is God who extends the offer completely on His own (Genesis 15). All we need do is believe and accept. It may sound too good but it is true!

Many heard the offer but did not believe. It sounds too good to be true. The Apostles gave their lives to accept the promise. Would anyone risk their lives for a lie? Would you? So today, when you hear God’s Promise, open your heart and mind to the offer He still makes to you. “For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:39 NKJV). God has made you “an offer you shouldn’t refuse” (but you can) as an heir to the Kingdom. Straighten out your crown, adjust your robe and start living within the promise of His rest. You didn’t earn it; it is His gift to you! Live within His blessings.

Lord God, thank You for Your rest in so many ways. You provide us a place to live, peace in You in which to live, a Sabbath to worship You and life eternal to be spent with You. Help us to hear and accept the message. Lead us to others who need to hear Your word and give us the words to speak. Our faith feels so small and weak. Increase our faith Lord. Open all our hearts and minds to Your Son. In Your name we pray!

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Who are you in Christ?

Posted on August 20, 2016 by Robert Springer

You are awesome! You are made in the image and likeness of God. You can do all things through Him who gives you strength. Joel Osteen’s Church has an opening statement for their worship services. It says “This is my Bible. I am what it says I am! I have what it says I have! I can do what it says I can do!…….” Have you read your Bible recently? Did you take note of all the things that it says about you? Here is a short list of things the Bible says about you provided by Joyce Meyers Ministries. There are more! Just thought you would like to know.

I am complete in Him Who is the Head of all principality and power (Colossians 2:10).
I am alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5).
I am free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).
I am greatly loved by God (Romans 1:7; Ephesians 2:4; Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:4).
I am far from oppression, and fear does not come near me (Isaiah 54:14).
I am born of God, and the evil one does not touch me (1 John 5:18).
It is not I who live, but Christ lives in me (Galatians 2:20).
I am holy and without blame before Him in love (Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:16).
I have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16; Philippians 2:5).
I have the peace of God that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
I have the Greater One living in me; greater is He Who is in me than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).
I have no lack for my God supplies all my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
I can do all things through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:13).
I am God’s child for I am born again of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God, which lives and abides forever (1 Peter 1:23).
I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ unto good works (Ephesians 2:10).
I am a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).
I am a doer of the Word and blessed in my actions (James 1:22,25).
I am a joint-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17).
I am more than a conqueror through Him Who loves me (Romans 8:37).
I am an overcomer by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony (Revelation 12:11).
I am part of a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people (1 Peter 2:9).
I am the temple of the Holy Spirit; I am not my own (1 Corinthians 6:19).
I am the head and not the tail; I am above only and not beneath (Deuteronomy 28:13).
I am the light of the world (Matthew 5:14).
I am His elect, full of mercy, kindness, humility, and longsuffering (Romans 8:33; Colossians 3:12).
I am redeemed from the curse of sin, sickness, and poverty (Deuteronomy 28:15-68; Galatians 3:13).
I am firmly rooted, built up, established in my faith and overflowing with gratitude (Colossians 2:7).
I am healed by the stripes of Jesus (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24).
I am raised up with Christ and seated in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 2:12).
I am submitted to God, and the devil flees from me because I resist him in the Name of Jesus (James 4:7).

There are more statements in the Bible about you. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. God designed you for great things. He put His spirit in you and ordained the race you are to run. Too often, we forget who we were created to be. Perhaps you can print this list and put it up somewhere where you will see it each morning. After having read it, can you go out and live according to what the Lord says about you in His book? He loves you and has already blessed you beyond measure!

Father, thank You that You bless us daily and have designed us for greatness in you. Lead us in the race You have chosen for us and take us to the destiny You have established. We are Your workmanship created in Christ unto good works. Remind us that You walk with us and bless us each step of the way. In Your name we pray! Amen!

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Wag Your Tail and Not Your Tongue!

Posted on August 19, 2016 by Robert Springer

Galatians 5:14-15 (NKJV)
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!

Many people have a critical spirit. I know I do. They are always complaining or criticizing someone or something. Being around a person like that is depressing. According to them, there is nothing good around. It can really bring you down! Anyone who criticizes another is damaging their spirit.

In Galatians, Paul reminds us that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. We are to care for others and nurture each other. He warns us not to devour one another. Have you ever listened to a negative person talk about an opportunity? They dissect it, tearing it all apart with all the reasons why it will not work out. It is no wonder they don’t realize their dreams. How about you? Do you look for the reasons why or the reasons why not? What you seek is what you will find.

There is a saying which goes “Dog got to be man’s best friend by wagging its tail and not its tongue.” When you come home, your dog is always happy to see you. Our dog, Milo, smiles when we come in the door and the tail is going crazy wagging. He is excited to see us and we are excited to be home with him. What if people were to show that kind of excitement toward each other? Would this be a better world? Would we not use angry words toward one another? Could we refrain from biting each other’s head off? Try it! The next encounter you have where a person is cranky, try smiling at them. Refuse to get in a bad mood just because they are. They may have had an awful day. Tell them you are happy to see them. Ask them to tell you about their day and listen intently. There may be nothing you can do to help. Listening may be enough. Once they have been heard, you can work toward a better future since you cannot change the past.

We all get in bad moods. Is that where you want to stay? I am trying a little experiment. I have resolved that I want to say yes more often. My background leads me to “no” too often. When asked a question, I pause and think. How can I say yes? What will it take? The other day, our 8 year old wanted to know about winding the clocks and how clocks work. I stopped to consider how I could say yes. I got the step stool out, lifted him up on it and taught him how to wind a clock. I will be showing him how a clock works soon. What if I said no? He would not have learned anything and neither of us would be very happy. Why not promote happiness? Wag your tail (symbolically) instead of your tongue and say yes!

Father, we thank you for all the blessings you put in our lives. Help us to recognize each person and situation for the blessing they really are. Lead us to speak peace and love into the lives of others. Teach us to love our neighbors as our selves. Oh yes, remind us that we are also to treat ourselves well. Let us not use our mouth to bite but to smile! In your name we pray. Amen!

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