Archive for category: Uncategorized

It’s easy for me to get excited about spending eternity with Christ in
heaven. But I’m also excited about something that comes before that:
The Millennium. It’s the 1,000 years that we’ll get to live on earth with
Christ in charge.

Scripture tells us it will be a peaceful time.
Christ will set His foot (and establish His headquarters) on the Mount
of Olives in Jerusalem.

When we return with Christ to the earth at this time, we’ll have our
heavenly bodies. Remember after His resurrection when He
appeared to hundreds of people before He ascended? He had a
heavenly body. He wasn’t limited by physical obstacles such as
doors, walls or distances.

He simply appeared to the disciples.
He was suddenly in the room with them.
Then suddenly He wasn’t.
Then He appeared to groups of people.
Then the disciples again.

When we have our heavenly bodies and live with Christ on earth for
1,000 years, we won’t be bound by physical obstacles, either. And we
won’t get sick or tired.

Isaiah 11:6 tells us the animals will be peaceful toward each other.

“The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the
goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child
will lead them” (NIV).

Scripture goes on to say that cows and bears will graze the same
pasture and the lion will eat straw like an ox.

Animals won’t be fighting each other, because they’ll be vegetarians
during that time. They’ll simply eat off the land. Planet Earth will have
gone through cataclysmic and catastrophic changes during the
Tribulation. God will be creating a NEW earth.

Can you imagine such a new and peaceful earth?

“Neither animal nor human will hurt or kill on my holy mountain”
(Isaiah 6:8 The Message).

Isaiah 65:20 tells us that people will still be considered young at 100
years of age. Can you imagine this scenario? Johnny is still living at
home. His parents say, “Don’t you think it’s time you get your own
place”

His response: “Gimme a break. I’m only 100.”

We’re also told in Scripture that infants will play in the snake’s hole
and not be harmed.

What a day!

“The whole earth will be brimming with knowing God-Alive,
a living knowledge of God ocean-deep, ocean-wide”
(Isaiah 6:9 The Message)

And check this out:
“The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be
one LORD, and his name the only name” (Zechariah 14:9 NIV).

It will be glorious.

But even as amazing as that will be, heaven will be even better!
Beyond our imagination.

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what
God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT).

I can’t wait!

While many Christians disagree on the details of the end times, here
are two things we can ALL agree on:

1. Christ IS coming back.
2. We need to be sure our hearts are ready.

Go ahead and ask Him if there’s anything in your life that’s standing
in the way of your eternity with Him.

Thoughts?

Please pray for me as I speak in El Reno, Okla., this weekend.

The Israelites—God’s chosen people—were in bondage a long time.

“Now the length of time the Israelite people lived in Egypt was 430
years” (Exodus 12:40 NIV).

The Israelites were slaves of Pharaoh, and he treated them harshly.
He had them beaten and forced them to make bricks in the hot sun.
They were tired, thirsty, oppressed and living without hope.

Four hundred thirty years is a loooong time to be in bondage.
None of us have been in bondage 430 years.
But to be in bondage for even one day is too long.

Anything that keeps us from becoming all God wants us to be is
considered bondage.

Some of the things that keep us in bondage are . . .
Gossip.
Negativity.
Criticism.
Alcohol.
Low self-esteem.

Fear.
Drugs.
Procrastination.
Stubbornness.
Anger.

The list can go on and on.

Why not ask God to reveal anything in your life that could have you in
bondage?

He set the Israelites free . . . and He is willing to set you free as well!

Thoughts?

Please pray for me this weekend as I speak in Anderson, MO.

We speak anywhere from 120 to 150 words per minute.
I tend to speak fast.
I’m afraid if I slow down, I’ll get bored and check out. Ha!

I’m more engaged when listening to a speaker who pushes the pace.
It motivates me to pay closer attention.

The “Love Chapter” (1 Corinthians 13) from the English Standard
Version of the Bible is a little more than 280 words. I timed myself
and can read it out loud in 57 seconds. So what does this mean?
Absolutely nothing. Ha! I just find it interesting.

We’re consumed with words—verbally and written. Oftentimes, we
can almost “read words” from people’s eyes and mannerisms even
though they haven’t spoken audibly.

Because words can be so powerful, let’s determine to examine how
we choose to use them. Think about it: You can actually help
someone have a better day simply by the words you offer them.

On the other hand, you can ruin someone’s day by using demeaning
words. So it’s our choice, isn’t it? Will we choose to build up or tear
down?

“Gentle words cause life and health”
(Proberbs 15:4 The Living Bible).

From reading the Bible, we can tell that Jesus was extremely careful
with His words. He didn’t use them flippantly.

Before using your words, consider these three things:
1. Is what you’re about to say true?
2. Will what you say cast a shadow on someone or create
doubt in the listener’s mind?
3. Is what you’re saying necessary?

I really admire a friend of mine who just doesn’t say negative things
about people. It’s always a joy to be around her.

In a culture where we’re often around people who talk A LOT,
it’s refreshing to be with this friend who uses her words carefully and
uses them to affirm and encourage.

Let’s memorize this Scripture together:

“Evil words destroy; godly skill rebuilds”
(Proverbs 11:9 The Living Bible).

Thoughts?

I’m speaking in Aurora, CO this weekend.
Will you pray that God will use my words to glorify Him?

We love to defend ourselves—verbally, physically, emotionally—and
sometimes that’s OK. But many of us have become so accustomed to
defending ourselves, we have begun to defend our sins. This
damages our heart.

Christ yearns for His children to have tender hearts.
Teachable and trainable hearts.
Moldable hearts.
He even wants to transform our hearts.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within
me” (Psalm 51:10 ESV)

If we’re constantly defending ourselves, it’s impossible to be open to
God’s transformation.

But you don’t know my situation! God may be leading me to stand up
for myself. I’ve been wronged.

True. I don’t know your situation. But God does.

And He will direct you when to be silent and when to defend yourself.

There were times Christ remained silent before His death.

And there other times He spoke out boldly. When we’re in tune with
the Holy Spirit, He will let us know when to speak out (and will even

give us the words to say!) and when to be silent . . . or when to say,
“I was wrong. This is my fault. Will your forgive me?”

As long as we remain teachable—and in tune with God’s Holy
Spirit—we’ll know when to defend ourselves and when to be silent.

Sin, however, is never to be defended. If you’ve become comfortable
with continuing to sin—and defending your actions to God and to
others, you’re damaging your heart.

So . . . bottom line? Make this your daily prayer:

“Examine me, O God, and know my mind;
test me, and discover my thoughts.
Find out if there is any evil in me
and guide me in the everlasting way”
Psalm 139 (23-24 Good News Translation).

Thoughts?

I’ll be speaking in Oregon this weekend.
Please pray for God’s fresh anointing.

I was watching a Hallmark movie last week.
A lady was driving alone.
She screamed, “I can’t see!”
She was driving at night.
In a snowstorm.
Wearing sunglasses.

Uh . . .

It would be an understatement to point out the obvious, wouldn’t it?
Yet how often do we tend to think . . .
God seems so far.
Why aren’t I growing spiritually?
I need more victory in my life.

May I state the obvious?
If we’re not spending consistent time reading God’s Word . . .
if we’re not talking with Him—
and making time to listen . . .
if we’re not seeking Him with determination . . .
we’re just like the woman behind the wheel of a car
in a snowstorm
at night
wearing sunglasses
and complaining that we can’t see.

If you desire to grow closer to Christ this year,
make the important decision to read His Word.
If you’ll read three chapters of the Bible every day—
and read five chapters every Sunday—
you’ll finish the Bible in one year.

I like to do this each year.
Will you join me?
Yes, it will be tough at times
(when reading through the temple measurements
and a few other statistics) . . .
but determine to keep reading.

And let me know the DIFFERENCE
it has made in your life at the end of this year.
Guaranteed: It will make a difference.
A big one.

And for those of you who have committed
to memorizing Scripture with me this year,
let’s begin with 2 Corinthians 4:7-9.
I’m going to memorize it from The Living Bible.
Let me know if you’re joining me,
and tell me which translation or paraphrase you’re using.

Thoughts?

I’m speaking at Westside Nazarene Church in Olathe, KS
this weekend. This is my first speaking event in 2018.
Please pray for God’s fresh anointing.