Words

One of the most powerful things in the world is not an animal, weapon, or supercomputer. It is not a strong man, a leader or a country. One of the most powerful things in the world is words. Words have absolute power. Scientists have found that just hearing sentences about elderly people led research subjects to walk more slowly. In other research, individuals read words of loving kindness showed increase in self-compassion, improved mood, and reduced anxiety. Words are "alive". They can multiply, spread, influence and produce change.

Words can encourage and do harm. They can restore and destroy. Words can uplift and tear down.

God spoke the world into existence with words. The sun, moon, stars all were created with words. Jesus calmed the sea with words, healed the sick with words, and casted out demons with words. God's written Word has unimaginable power. You were created in God's image, so does it not stand to reason that the words you think, speak, and write have enormous power? After all, the way you communicate with God is through words of prayer, praise and song.

In today's "information age" words flow through text, Facebook, cell phone, Twitter at the speak of light. Your words have power and they matter. Not just what you think and say, but also what you write, and yes, abbreviations count! Choose your words carefully. 

Remember, words have power, and someday you will be accountable to God for every single word you uttered regardless of the method used. Pay attention and review the words you have used lately. If you find that the words are hurtful, angry, negative, vulgar, or destructive, check out your heart! Every word is rooted there. Perhaps you are in need of a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus Christ to turn your words, and your heart around. Jesus is the ultimate Heart Doctor. Just say the word and He will do the rest. 

"The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." 

Luke 6:45

No Reservations

Over the Easter holiday, my daughter and her husband attended a large  church for services. The pastor is very popular and the church is crowded on any given Sunday, but on Easter it reaches beyond capacity. For crowd control the church required reservations for those attending. Now that is one really popular church! Although I understand the thinking behind this approach, I found it contradicted the very nature of Jesus. Yes, the crippled man did have to arrive before Christ through a hole in the roof because the crowd around Christ was too dense to penetrate, but still, reservations to attend an Easter service sounds a bit unusual.

Jesus Christ is available 24/7/365 without the need for reservations. There are no lines to stand in, no crowds to brave, and no special tickets needed. He is approachable, relevant, and able. Nothing can separate you from Christ. Not an earthly church building, an earthly pastor, or a set of rules and regulations. He loves you and desires to spend time with you be it morning, afternoon or evening. There are no hoops to jump through and no strings attached. When you give your heart, mind, and life to Jesus you and He are inseparable forever.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

More Than a Chance

Did you catch it? Just about everyone was talking about it and waiting for it. Lotto Fever hit the US this past week. It was all over the news and excitement was in the air from coast to coast. Long lines, some up to 6 hours were reported. It was a record 1.5 billion in sales for the Mega Million with three big winners lucky enough to share the big loot. No, I did not have a ticket, but knew many who participated and dreamed about the spend of their would be fortune. 

It's a curious phenomenon that plays out when money is involved. People take notice and will often do unreasonable things for the purpose of a remote and unrealistic chance. Still, many of these would-be dreamers in search of a chance for a better life, turn their back on the opportunity to gain the greatest reward of all; eternity with Jesus Christ. If Jesus appeared on the scene today, it would be curious to see how many would stand in line for a chance to be with him. Even now when he is readily available and waiting, many pass up the opportunity to know, love and fellowship with him. 

Unlike the lotto, Jesus Christ is more than a chance. He is constant, eternal and always in control. He does not place a limit on or ration his love, power and grace. He asks only that people turn from their sin and pick up their cross and follow him. Are you wasting time and talent on man made or media created opportunities and passing up a relationship with Christ? It is not too late to give up the world and gain a life that is full and everlasting.


And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:27

Introducing Jesus

Every evening following dinner, it's time for a short walk with the dog. Last evening's walk included an especially beautiful sky, in fact, it was stunning. The moon was barely a fingernail sliver and very close by shining brightly were Venus and Jupiter. The sight was quite breathtaking even with the suburban lights aglow. It was the perfect reminder that God's handiwork is all around us. 

There are some that say God doesn't exist. They can't seem to see the work of His hands around them. They are unable to hear His still, small voice in the quiet of the morning.  When they look at their loved ones, hear the cry of a newborn baby, or witness a rainbow they lack the capacity to know that God is responsible for such beauty. Still, God loves them and longs to have an intimate relationship with them because his love is endless and his patience long standing. 

On your daily journey with the Lord, you will surely encounter some that do not know God. In fact, God may place someone right in your path because their only chance to be introduced to Jesus is through you. It may be the Holy Spirit's gentle presence or the kindness you display that will open up a conversation and inquiry about your love for the Lord. In that divinely set moment, trust that God's lovingkindness will be all that is needed to share the truth and provide a perfect introduction to the Lord Jesus.

Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, LORD, preserve both people and animals. Psalm 36:5-6

The Winds of Change

The calendar may say it is approaching Spring, but in Southern California it looks more like the middle of winter. Just a few weeks ago it seemed like Spring had arrived. Then the winds of change blew in and brought the cold, rain and even a dusting of snow. Yes, the weather, and life are unpredictable. It may be calm and settled one day and totally chaotic the next. You have to learn to be flexible and adjust to what the weather, and life, throws at you. 

Imagine what it was like for Jesus in his day. He was a young man living a quiet and respectful life working as a carpenter. He had parents, siblings and family surrounding him. All was well. Then, in what must have seemed like from out of nowhere, things changed. No longer was he safe and secure in his home or understood by his family. People started speaking negatively about him and doubting him. They thought he was behaving disrespectfully and being a rebel. He was ridiculed, shunned, targeted and hated. Little did they know that the most incredible miracle of all time was about to occur because of him.

Today, just like in the days of Jesus, things are not always as they appear. Change, unrest, and life's interruptions are often miracles in disguise or steps being taken for a miracle to unfold. Don't become discouraged and afraid when the winds of change blew into your life. Be strong and steadfast in the Lord. Know that He will see you through and provide exactly what you need to handle the storm and dance joyfully in the rain.

"The clouds poured down water, the heavens resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth. Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen." Psalm 77:17-19