Where Are The Other Nine? 4/23/2015

Good Morning,

My Door County Jamaican Me Crazy Coffee is nice and hot and is soothing the sting of this cold April morning. Before you know it the temperature will go from thirty degrees to ninety degrees in a flash and we will wonder where spring went. Thankful for these two ladies who have blessed me with being part of my life.

Luke 17:11-19New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Heals Ten Men With Leprosy

¹¹ Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. ¹² As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy^[a] met him. They stood at a distance ¹³ and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
¹⁴ When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
¹⁵ One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. ¹⁶ He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
¹⁷ Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? ¹⁸ Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” ¹⁹ Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

There are many times right after reading the passage above that I wonder why the other nine lepers did not come back and thank Jesus. I bet that like me, many of you have thought the same thing and thought that they were a bunch of ungrateful sluggards. Then I always stop and think about how I have been in life. There are plenty of times when I have forgotten to say the two simple words of thank you to someone. Or when I knew better and just was too self centered to say how grateful I am to someone that just did something for me. I then find that I am no better than the 9 lepers who did not come back to say thank you. When was the last time you just told someone that you are grateful that God put them into your life? Maybe your spouse, kids, grand kids, parents, co-workers or friends.

Before we condemn the 9 maybe we need to realize that all too often we do the same thing. Guilty as charged!

Make a change today!

God bless,
Marty

Hold On 4/22/2015

Good Morning,

From my desk this morning I can hear the Door County Mocha Mint Coffee brewing. The aroma is slowly making it up the stairs to tease my sense of smell.

1 Timothy 1:19

Holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.

 

By failing to maintain good consciences, some of us have shipwrecked our faith. "Shipwreck" indicates destruction by a storm or collision. It depicts a ship that left but never arrived at its destination. Likewise, we not only need to start in faith but also maintain that faith until it brings us to the desired result. There is not much worse than someone who's faith has been shipwrecked because of circumstances or false beliefs. To keep our faith on course and avoid a shipwreck, Paul said we must have a good conscience.  That is done through the combination of not defiling our consciences as much as possible, and then using the blood of Jesus to cleanse away any condemnation from past sins and failures.

The Apostle Paul was writing to Timothy his young brother in Christ. Timothy would be taking over for Paul. He knew that his time on Earth was coming to an end very soon. The Holy Spirit penned this passage through Paul to implore Timothy to hold on to his faith and encourage others.

There are many things that throughout my years on Earth that I have gained and then lost, purchased and then sold or gave away. None of these items is as precious to me as my faith in God is. But for some their faith is a commodity to be used as needed. Some walk away when the results they wanted were not what God desired for them.

If you are at this point and are ready to walk away. Hold on! Hold On! Hold On! If you gain everything the world has to offer and lose it, you have lost nothing. If you have Jesus In your heart and walk away from Him you have lost everything.  Hold on!

God bless,
Marty

The Sock Drawer 4/21/2015

Good Morning,

Cold day here in Wisconsin. I am enjoying a big cup of Door County Jamaican Me Crazy Coffee.
I really don't think that I need another dose of crazy!

 

Last night it was cold and rainy outside and it wasn't a nice night to even work on a restoration project in our garage. So to be productive I decided to clean up my sock drawer. As I was sorting them by color and type, ( dress, work, warmth, etc.) I finally reached the bottom of the drawer and found two brand new pairs of black socks. They were a Christmas gift from two years ago. Last week I was just telling Rene that I needed to purchase some new black socks. I had forgotten that those two pair were placed in the bottom of the drawer. I was waiting to use them when some others needed replacing. Had I not decided that it was time for a sorting night, those two pair of socks would probably not have seen any use and new ones would have been purchased.

Isaiah 49:15-16                                

"Can a woman forget her nursing child And have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. "Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.
Unlike me God never forgets where you are. You certainly are not stuffed away in His sock drawer where His favorite pair get attention while you just sit there waiting on Him.

Isaiah 49:15-16 confirms that God is almighty and does not forget those He created. This verse has reassured me many times during some rough days that I am not abandoned. It tells me that I am heard when I cry out to God just like a baby cries to be fed. God treats all of His children the same and knows them inside and out and has us in the palm of His hand.

There is nothing sweeter than holding a new born baby as a parent. Isaiah 49:15-16 lets us know that God sees us as His babies at any age and enjoys taking care of us as He sees fit. Sometimes parents have to let a baby cry a little while until they fall asleep. Even when we cry we can know that we cry for awhile and God has a purpose in allowing us to wait on Him. He is a good parent and loves us.

So today, take some time to know that in His palm is where you rest best.

God bless,
Marty

In The Cleft Of The Rock 4/20/1015

Good Morning,

Monday has arrived and I will embrace this day with prayer and a song in my heart. The day will also start with a cup of Door County Peanut Butter Crunch Coffee. So, off to work I go.

 

I am posting  Scripture from the Book of Exodus 33:12-23. This particular passage has always intrigued me.

Moses and the Glory of the Lord

¹² Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ ¹³ If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”
¹⁴ The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
¹⁵ Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. ¹⁶ How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”
¹⁷ And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”
¹⁸ Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”
¹⁹ And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. ²⁰ But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”
²¹ Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. ²² When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. ²³ Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.

There are songs written about this passage and probably thousands of sermons preached over many years. I am astonished how God converses with Moses and just how comfortable Moses was in talking with God. But then I see that Moses forgot just who he was speaking to. It was during this dialogue that Moses was reminded that he was a man, and God is God. 

 Moses  demonstrated that he was listening.  But then he seems to have gone too far,by asking the most astonishing thing of God he could ever ask: "Reveal to me now your glory!" Ex 33:18. More than God's ways, God's actions, Moses wants to look right into the heart of God. But he has now gone too far.
"I will cause all my goodness  to pass before your face, and I will announce before your face the name "The Lord" I will show favor to whomever I show favor and mercy on whomever I show mercy. But you are not able to see my face, for no human being shall see me and live!" Ex 33:19-20 You may know my name, says God, as mysterious as that is, and you may know that I am free to act with favor and mercy with anyone I choose, including you, but my face, my glory, my essence, my person is forever hidden from any human being, even from you, Moses, my great friend.

All too often we go before God and ask Him questions and advice and then don't follow the advice. People ask advice of each other all of the time. And many times those asking for the advice do not follow it. But when we go before God and He tells us what to do and we do not follow His advice we are attempting to lower God to our standards and treat Him like a buddy or girlfriend. We forget who we are calling on.  Let's all keep God on His proper throne and not lower Him to try and meet our standards. Remember who you called upon!

God bless,
Marty

When The Neighbors Move After Not Choosing! 4/19/2015

Good Morning,

What a bright and sunny day we have been blessed with here. I took some time to watch the sun come up with a cup of Door County Orange Crème Coffee to warm me. It's pretty cold outside but it's that time of year when I can enjoy sitting on the patio and taking some time to hear our yard wake up.

Joshua 24:14-15English Standard Version (ESV)

Choose Whom You Will Serve

¹⁴ “Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. ¹⁵ And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

I have since then moved to our second floor den, which gives me a different view. From my desk I can see a big truck that is the type used for moving a family to another home. One of our neighbors is moving. I also saw it this morning from the yard below and spoke with the neighbor who was packing it very early. It is not a view that I am enjoying.

It is a young couple with four daughters. This move is anything but sweet. There has been a bitter divorce and family split. Three of the daughters are moving somewhere with dad, while the youngest will be living with Mom. This is a shame. I can't say I know them very well but I have helped them in times of flooding with some plumbing assistance. During those times they assured me that they were Christians who attended a church that I do know of. I had remarked a couple of times that their church was a long ride away. Their goal for several years was to find a church closer to home so they could get "more involved". They never had time to join us for Bible study nor did they really attend church very much. It seems as if they both have found new partners also.

Now their time will be consumed even more. Keeping two households, sharing time with the kids, dating, and just plain recovering from a mess will eat into their available time. I know the husband better than I know his ex wife. I asked if he would stay local and he is. I asked If he would like to come with me to our Men's Bible study. His face looked tired and worn. The reply was "I'd really like to. I just have to find the time". I prayed with Him and wished him well, gave him my phone number and told him to call if he needed anything. I didn't preach to him but told him that all evidence shows that if he ever needed some time with God,  it is now. His reply leveled me. "I know, I know, we should have sought help, been active in church, but most of all personally active with God. We blew it for us and our kids. I regret not listening to all those who reminded us of our commitments to Jesus. I guess we weren't committed at all."  I will follow up with him from time to time and see if these lives can be turned around. My fear is that too much damage has been done and there is no desire to reconcile. But my prayer will be for their return to God. It all starts there.

Today, what started out with peace, quiet, and tranquility has turned to a day with my heart heavy for a family that made a wrong choice.

Friends, if you know someone heading down this road, intervene as much as possible. Intercede in prayer for them. Invite them over more often. I wish I had.

God bless,
Marty

Seventy Times Seven! Are You Kidding? 4/18/2015

Good Morning,

My day has begun with a big cup of Door County Cherry Crème Coffee, some Cheerios, and prayer. I am a little behind this morning and I need to push it a little.

Matthew 18:21-2
²¹ Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” ²² Jesus *said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

By saying we are to forgive those who sin against us seventy times seven, Jesus was not limiting forgiveness to 490 times, a number that is, for all practical purposes, beyond counting. Christians with forgiving hearts not only do not limit the number of times they forgive; they continue to forgive with as much grace the thousandth time as they do the first time. Christians are only capable of this type of forgiving spirit because the Spirit of God lives within us, and it is He who provides the ability to offer forgiveness over and over, just as God forgives us over and over
I have listened to many sermons on this subject and have preached a couple on it myself. This is easy to preach but not always easy to follow. I have looked a person in the eye and told them "but we are to continue to forgive", after their spouse cheated on them for the millionth time. The same goes for a parent who has been hurt over and over by a wayward mean out of control child. Or a battered spouse who is afraid of the person who claims to love them and begs forgiveness, yet continues to beat them.
Some ask "how can I do this"?

We have to remember that we have a seventy times seven, twenty four /seven God. When we choose to obey and forgive He carries us and gets us through the long haul. He will never let us down.

Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Have a blessed day.

Marty

The Same Mold, Different Spiritual Gifts 4/17/2015

Good Morning,

Friday at last and I am on the road again for a bit of a trip. I filled my cup with Door County Coconut Crush Coffee and packed a lunch that will be easy to eat on the road. I know just where I will stop to take in the view of Lake Michigan.

I took a picture of the mold I use for baking corn bread. Now corn bread is a favorite of mine, especially if it has some finely diced jalapeno peppers in it. Notice each of the sections within the mold are identical. A small corn shaped bread is removed once the baking is complete. Each one looks like the other. Nothing is different. But if some, contain jalapeno peppers, some cranberries, and some onion, they might look alike but are extremely different.

1 Corinthians 12:4-11English Standard Version (ESV)
⁴ Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; ⁵ and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; ⁶ and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. ⁷ To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. ⁸ For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, ⁹ to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, ¹⁰ to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

As to Spiritual gifts. Those saved through the atoning grace of Jesus Christ all possess the Holy Spirit. They all have the same Savior and have that in common. Scripture tells us that all are given at least one Spiritual gift or more. Each person has access to the Holy Spirit. But not everyone has the same gifts. But each has a gift or more. What is important is that we use the gifts bestowed upon us.


Romans 12:6-8English Standard Version (ESV)
⁶ Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; ⁷ if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; ⁸ the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads,^[a] with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Like the bread mold. We all come from the same place, but what's inside is different, delicious, and is needed by someone else.  Find your gifts and use them.

Have a great day.

Marty