Category Archives: Maturing in the Lord

Let Me Give Back What You Have So Generously Given To Me

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“And he erected the court around the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the screen of the gate of the court. So Moses finished the work. Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” (Exodus 40:33–34, ESV)

In the last blog, I wrote about the Children of Israel leaving Egypt with a great amount of treasure. I also shared that I needed to ponder this story. Well, I have to say, my contemplation over the last few days has made a big impact on the way I think about the gifts God has given me. I will just share three of the most important lessons that I have learned.

The first thing I learned was that God gives us gifts so we can give back to Him. It is like a kid at Christmas who gets money from his mom to buy her a gift. Even though it didn’t really cost the kid anything, the mom is thrilled and probably will never forget the gift. It didn’t cost the Israelites anything really, but as they gave, it pleased the Lord and made a difference for millions of people.

So if I give back what I did not earn and what isn’t even worth anything to me if I hoard it, I can please God and make an eternal impact. That seems like a no-brainer. God gave me a gift to give back to Him. I need to “just do it.”

Next, I realized that the generous gifts of the Israelites made way for the glory of God to appear in their midst. In obedience they gave their treasure, talents, and time to God. When they finished, the glory of God filled the tabernacle. What a blessed day that must have been.

One of my favorite thoughts is from the Westminster Catechism. It answers the question, “What is the chief end of man?” And this is the beautiful thought, “To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” I must give my treasure, talents, and time to God. As I do this, His glory will shine brightly in the temple He now indwells, ME! (1 Cor 3:16)

Finally, the Israelites were given riches and treasure so they would have them for the building of the tabernacle, a testament to the True and Living God. Their gold and silver would have just been sentimental keepsakes that had no historical significance if they had hoarded them. They would have had no real benefits for the people in the long run. Also, they would not have been participants in bringing the glory of God to the world.

This last thought was the hardest for me to consider. I should concentrate on building a testament to the True and Living God, am I? What gifts am I hoarding? Do I have treasures that are actually worthless because I don’t give them to God? Am I using my talents so the glory of God can shine in this dark world? I had to be honest with myself. I am not always faithful.

God has blessed me beyond measure, and not because I deserve it. He has poured out gifts, talents and time, and I often squander them. Even worse, I sometimes try to save them just for me and then have nowhere to spend them, and they become worthless. Jesus words from Matthew make a lot more sense to me after deliberating the Israelites situation. “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:25, ESV)

Lord, let me give back what you have so generously given to me, and then let your glory and splendor shine for all the world to see! “You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.” (2 Corinthians 9:11, ESV)

The Israelites Plundered the Egyptians

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“And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and when you go, you shall not go empty, but each woman shall ask of her neighbor, and any woman who lives in her house, for silver and gold jewelry, and for clothing. You shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians.” (Exodus 3:21–22, ESV)

“The people of Israel had also done as Moses told them, for they had asked the Egyptians for silver and gold jewelry and for clothing. And the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.” (Exodus 12:35–36, ESV)
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The chronicle of the Exodus is very exciting. It was one of my favorite Sunday school lessons when I was a child. Through this story, I learned that God cares about His people. I also learned that God protects his people, and I liked that the bullies were put in their place. One of the things I loved most as a child was that it was an account of the Israelites going from rags to riches overnight.

When I was a child, it seemed great that they got rich. I felt they were paid back for all the years they were treated like slaves. All the hard work paid off in the long run. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I saw this financial gain in a very different light. I wonder how long it took the Children of Israel to understand the true reason they were rich?

God had predisposed the Egyptians to be kind to the slaves. The Israelites were given so much stuff that they were able to dress their children in silver, gold, and fancy clothing. They left Egypt with the finances they would need to set up homes in a new nation.

A funny thing happened on the way to their new home. They didn’t get there. The children of Israel ended up wandering in the wilderness for forty years. There was nothing to buy. There were no stores. With no place to spend the wealth, the treasure was worthless. If the money was of no use, why did God give riches to his children?

God gave them gifts so they could give them back as a freewill offering to Him. “And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the LORD’s contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments. So they came, both men and women. All who were of a willing heart brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and armlets, all sorts of gold objects, every man dedicating an offering of gold to the LORD.” (Exodus 35:21–22, ESV)

The people were so generous that Moses had to tell them to stop giving. “and [the craftsmen] said to Moses, “The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the LORD has commanded us to do.” So Moses gave command, and word was proclaimed throughout the camp, “Let no man or woman do anything more for the contribution for the sanctuary.” So the people were restrained from bringing, for the material they had was sufficient to do all the work, and more.” (Exodus 36:5–7, ESV)

Wow. God had given the people good gifts so they could give them back as a sacrifice to God. In this way, they glorified and honored Him. They could have easily hoarded the riches. That would have been silly though. They still didn’t have places to spend the money. It was of no benefit unless it was freely given for the glory of God. By giving the gifts away, they became worth far more than their actual monetary value. They were worth eternal glory.

What gifts has God given me that I have been hoarding? Do I have things that I think are very valuable, but they are really of no benefit in my present circumstances? When I give them to God will they bring eternal benefit and glory? How? These are questions I intend to ponder. And probably write about again.

First Thing In The Morning

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“It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.” (Psalm 92:1–4, ESV)

Many employers these days are encouraging their employees to live a healthier lifestyle. It is good for the individual and good for the companies. My employer focuses on health for 6 weeks each year and provides incentives for exercising and eating healthy. I always participate.

This year I have really been focusing on exercising. I am pretty active, but I do routine activity. I need to do varied exercises so I can work different muscles. So I have been trying a lot of different kinds of exercise. The other morning I got up and first thing, I went out and turned on the Wii. I started the fitness disc and weighed myself, listened to a health tip and played a few exercise activities.

Although I knew this wasn’t enough exercise for the day, it was good for me to focus on a healthy day first thing in the morning. I noticed that I ate healthier that day. I thought about burning calories, and I pushed myself a little bit harder that day. It was good for me to think about a healthy life first thing in the morning.

In the evening when I reflected on the day and realized I had focused my mind all day on healthy choices, I was amazed. It all started by making fitness my first choice and fixing my mind on healthy choices early in the morning.

If what you do first thing in the morning sets the mood for the whole day, it is only logical that our first thoughts should be of God. It reminded me of the many times in the Bible where it speaks of praying, praising or seeking God in the morning. It makes sense that starting the day with prayer, praise, and thanksgiving was a habit of the faithful throughout history.

I looked at Psalm 92 and was amazed at the Psalmist’s experience. He also discovered that what he thought about first thing in the morning set the mood for the whole day. The writer of this song would praise God for his love in the morning and at night he was compelled to think on God’s faithfulness.

Thoughts of God brought a song to the Psalmists’s heart. My desire is for my heart to be full of songs and praises for God. That means that I need to start first thing in the morning. So this is my prayer for the morning, “Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” (Psalm 143:8, ESV)

They Think I Hate Them, How Do I Share Jesus Love?

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Last night I had a wonderful time out with friends. We ate, laughed, visited and discussed ministry. One of our topics of discussion was how difficult it is to share about our faith to people who are treated as outcasts by the church. My friends all have ties to SISTER ministries, so this is a concern of ours. Our ministry is mainly to a segment of the population that feels rejected.

One of the first questions that came up is, “How do we witness to people that think we hate them?” It is hard to share because many people think that Christian means bigoted, angry, self-righteous and condemning. They also see us as hypocrites because very often our sin issues are as obvious as theirs.

How do we overcome these things? We do it the same way Jesus did. Remember, most people questioned him and his motives. His family thought he was crazy when he started his ministry (Mark 3:21). The Pharisees accused him of being demon-possessed (Mark 3:22). He was crucified, labeling him a common criminal. And still, he was not deterred from doing good and loving people.

Jesus kept his focus on the will of the Father. He was not deterred from doing good and loving the world no matter what labels were put on him. He also didn’t wait for the religious organizations of the day to get on board with him. He cared for people and loved them even when he was isolated and alone.

When the disciples left Jesus alone at the well, he shared God’s love with a woman from Samaria. When he hung on the cross, isolated and alone, he showed kindness to the criminal hanging beside him. He demonstrated his love for us by dying on the cross (Romans 5:8), completely alone without the support of anyone.

Since the discussion last night, I have thought a lot about Jesus and how he ministered to a world that was confused about his motives. I realized that he didn’t worry about what people were saying or about what they thought. He simply obeyed the will of the Father.

People may think I am a bigot, or hypocritical. They may think my faith is crazy. Some may even accuse me of living for evil purposes. But, like Jesus, I can’t wait until people see me and my faith in a positive light. I can’t wait for the traditional religious organizations to help me. I have to keep my focus. I have to do the will of the Father.

No matter what people think, or who else helps. I have a responsibility to reach hurting people with the love of Jesus. So How will I do that? Jesus’ teaching and example outline my job for today; “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37, ESV) And, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39, ESV) The rest is up to Him!

Hope For a Bright Future

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Hello friends! Thank you for praying for my son Ryan as he fights brain cancer. On May 22, I published a blog about waiting through the surgery. I got quite a response to that blog. Many people shared their concern for Ryan and our family. I wanted to write an update.

He is going through chemo and radiation. He is tired but seems to be feeling pretty good. He has healed up from the surgery, and all is going well. His doctors are positive and believe this treatment will stop the cancer. There is hope for a great future and positive outcome for Ryan. It seems that he will be able to live a full life with his wife and little girl. Praise God.

So with this hope in his heart, he is persevering through the difficulties that weeks of radiation and months of chemotherapy bring. He has a hope that gives him strength through the difficulties of the near term. In spite of the physical discomfort, he continues to keep a positive mental attitude. He will overcome.

As I reflected on this situation, the Lord used it to remind me that I can persevere. I can overcome near-term difficulties because there is a great hope set before me. Paul reminded Timothy that he should persevere because we have a future hope. “train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.” (1 Timothy 4:7–10, ESV)

Our hope is God, the All-Powerful Creator, who will one day free us from all sin and the pain that it brings. So we strive for godliness, knowing that we are not healthy yet, but one day we will be free from the sickness of sin. We have a future hope.

Peter writes to the believers dispersed around the world who are suffering persecution and anti-Christian sentiment. He acknowledges difficulties and trials. He also reminds them of the hope they have in Jesus. The encouragement to continue on is based in that fact that there is a future hope in Jesus. “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:13, ESV)

I can be optimistic in the face of today’s suffering because there is hope for a bright future. I will persevere and do the difficult things today because there is healing in the process. I will refrain from discouragement because God promises a bright outcome.

Thanks for the example Ryan.

Overcoming Obstacles

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“For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall.” (2 Samuel 22:30, ESV)

David sang a song of praise to God when he was delivered from the hand of his enemy Saul. This is one of the lines from that song. The idea of charging the enemy and bounding over obstacles grabs my imagination. It is an exciting thought. Can I do it too?

In this life, we often run into obstacles and enemies. It is not uncommon for us to have a goal and then find huge walls preventing us from getting there. This is especially true when it comes to serving God. The enemy of our soul is seeking to destroy us and prevent us from giving glory to God.

We run into enemy troops and obstacles often. But there is never a need to worry. We can run against a troop and we can leap over walls. How? Like David. By God’s strength, we can conquer difficulties. We can do things with Him that are completely unimaginable in our own strength. He gives us the power to overcome.

We see examples of this all through the Bible. Moses and the Children of Israel had the enemy following close on their heels and the Red Sea in front of them. But God gave them the victory. Their enemies were swept away by the sea and they were safe on the other side. I’m sure the Children of Israel never imagined that they would walk across dry land to safety on the other side of the sea. Especially while the sea was held back supernaturally until they safely arrived on the other side.

Elisha and his servant saw the enemy encamped all around them. The King of Syria sent troops to capture Elisha. The servant was worried, but Elisha was not. Elisha knew that God had provided supernatural troops, horses and chariots of fire, to fight on their side. The Syrians were conquered without a fight. This couldn’t have happened by human means.

Nehemiah had heard that the walls of Jerusalem had been destroyed and the city was falling apart. With the permission of the King of Persia, he organized the Jewish remnant to rebuild. The surrounding nations threatened them and tried to trick them. But the power and wisdom of God gave them strength. They had obstacles to overcome. They had to build and stand guard, always alert to the tactics of the enemy. This did not stop them though. They persevered until the wall was finished. Nehemiah was wise to the connivances of the enemy.

In each of these accounts, God intervened into someone’s daily existence to work in a powerful way. So I have an answer to the question of whether or not God can give me the power to leap over walls or run against the enemy. Yes! He has exhibited His power throughout history in the lives of countless people.

The Apostle Paul said, “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.” (Colossians 1:28–29, ESV)

Paul knew that God’s energy and power kept Him going. That is what I am going to rest in too. It is Christ Jesus that I proclaim. I will warn and teach everyone with God’s wisdom, encouraging maturity in the believers I teach. I will struggle day by day for this to become a reality, and I will do it with the energy and strength that powerfully wells up inside me through the gifting of the Holy Spirit. Today I can leap walls!

Gospel Means “Good News”

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goodnewsI was sitting in the break room enjoying a few quiet moments when Jeff came in. He said that Ramon had suggested that he talk with me because I was religious. I wasn’t sure where this conversation was going, but it intrigued me. Ramon knew I was a Christian, but I didn’t think he held any set of religious beliefs. It seemed odd that he would suggest that Jeff talk with me.

Well, Jeff wanted to know how come the Bible is a book full of a bunch of rules that are impossible to follow. After some discussion, it became clear that he viewed the Bible as a rule book and only a rule book. In an angry diatribe Jeff let me know how upset he was with God, his parents, his church, and with the Bible.

I almost started to cry. Jeff had learned about religion, but he had not learned about the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He hadn’t heard the gospel, the good news. Somebody had taught Jeff that he had to live by God’s rules and standards to be accepted by God, but he found the task impossible.

He asked me how I could believe in a God that had all those rules. He wanted to know how I could believe in a God who had such high expectations that we could never make him happy. He wanted to know why I was a Christian.
I felt so sad for him, and I was not sure how to answer him. He had obviously been hurt by the spiritual oppression he had lived under. I wanted Jeff to know the God that I know. I wanted him know that the Bible was so much more than a book of rules.

So that day, in that break room, I told Jeff that I didn’t think the Bible was a rule book. I told him that the Bible was the greatest love story ever told. I shared John 3:17 “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” I told Him that Jesus loved us so much that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5:8).

Jeff seemed unfazed by my enthusiasm for the good news of Jesus love for us. He asked if I followed rules. I shared that I did follow Biblical guidelines and commands because I knew that a Loving Father instituted them for my health, safety, and protection. I didn’t obey out of fear of further condemnation.

I told Jeff that God wants us to know His great love for us, a love that is so deep it is beyond our knowledge or comprehension (Eph 3:17-19). He didn’t say too much, but he didn’t argue either. I sat there praying that some of this would sink in and Jeff would come to know Jesus as his own personal Savior. He spoke to me often during the time we worked together. I kept encouraging him to read the Bible and see how often God’s love takes center stage. I don’t know if he ever did.

As far as I know, Jeff still doesn’t know Jesus. But I had a chance that day to share the Good News, the gospel. The good news is that Jesus loves us so much that he died for us. He died even though we were in disobedience and didn’t follow any rules. He didn’t expect us to follow the rules to earn love or forgiveness. He gave love and forgiveness because He is God and “God is Love.” “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” (1 John 4:16, ESV)

Dear friends may I challenge you this week to share the Good News with someone around you? Many people are confused like Jeff. They can’t understand why we want to be Christians, because they believe it is a religion of rules. Share with them that being a Christian isn’t about rules, it is about God’s love for us. God proposes to enter a covenant relationship with us for eternity. An intimate, loving relationship is waiting for all who respond to the loving offer and accept the free gift of salvation from our gracious and loving God.

It Isn’t About The Rules, Its About Love

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Christianity has often been depicted as a religion of thou shalts and thou shalt nots. Many people do not want to hear about Jesus because they think being a follower of Christ means living a strict life full of rules.

Unbelievers do not understand that the Christian life is a relationship. We become the children of God by new birth. We are part of God’s family. Each one is unique and special and God interacts with us on an individual basis. Christianity isn’t a set of rules that we adopt, it is rather that we are adopted into a new family. It is a love relationship. “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” (1 John 3:1, ESV)

When a child is adopted into a family, it takes a while for him to learn the families’ values and their standard of morality. There is teaching, training and years of loving invested before the child grows into a mature adult that lives an appropriate lifestyle.

The rules are a part of being in the family, but they aren’t the focal point. Some people get confused because we try to apply our family rules to those outside of the family. We can’t expect those who obey and serve a different father to care about our Father’s rules. When we make a big deal about the rules non-family members get the wrong impression about what’s important.

There is a better way to tell people about our family. We need to brag on our dad. We need to tell everyone, “God is Love.” “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” (1 John 4:16, ESV) We have been adopted by the most loving Father and anyone can join the family. Yes, our family has rules, but the rules exist because the Father loves us and wants us to experience the best life possible. The rules are an expression of love.

Unbelievers do not understand this. So we need to stop expecting unbelievers to live by the rules of our family and expect that they will act like their father. We need to quit preaching our family’s morals and ethics to those outside the family. We need to preach, teach and demonstrate the love of Jesus. “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7, ESV)

When we love one another, we display the character and nature of our family. People will see the appeal of belonging to the family of God. We can encourage them to join. They will find a place where they are loved and accepted.

Once they are adopted into the family, then the Father will lovingly conform them to the image of His Son. They will learn to obey. Rules are part of a loving relationship, but they aren’t the foundation for it.

If we want others to stop sinning and living like the devil, we need to help them join the family of God. We don’t do that when we condemn them for not acting like us. We do that by showing God’s love and encouraging them to join the family.

Do You Believe Might Makes Right?

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Seriously, if might makes right, then some of the most notorious characters in history must be deemed moral, ethical and correct. Ok, so most of us know better than to believe the person in power is always right. We have been under dictatorial leadership and have suffered for their wrongs. But how prevalent is this view in practice.

Let’s start at the top of the earthly chain of command. The president seems to be above the law. He is powerful so what he does is right. We as a people do not hold him accountable for moral, ethical or correct decisions. Like the recent prisoner exchange. Most Americans believe the president was wrong and have questioned the morality of the decision. But in this case, the presidents might and power was the final say. His words were, “I make no apologies for it. It was a unanimous decision among my principals in my government…”

How about the IRS? The leadership can “lose” month’s worth of emails that would shed light on the scandal they are facing. No conscious, no concern, no remorse, but you better believe you will be expected to save all of your papers, documents and files or face severe penalties and fines at their whim.

Then we can look at church leaders. Many throughout history have harmed people because they had the power to do so. They believed might makes right. Jim Jones, the Spanish Inquisition, extorting parishioners by selling forgiveness, the horrors of pedophilia by church leaders, and the list goes on. Too often people in authority use their might to justify their behavior. I have the power so I can do what I want.

I started this blog, because I have a supervisor that believes this. She declares it loudly be her commands, behavior, and attitudes daily. I do not think she would admit to it if you asked her. But neither do I believe that most people on this list would have agreed that they are right because they have the power. They would have other defenses and arguments. But whether it is stated or not, without God and his moral standards, power leads to might makes right.

I realized that most people, once they get a little might, they lord it over the ones lacking power. This is even true close to home, in fact in the home. Many parents dictate rules and behaviors based on the principle that might makes right. The children need to obey at the whim of the parents because the parents are the parents, not because the parents are right. When the children grow up, and they have the power, they conquer and force others into subservience. It is their turn to dominate.

This kind of leadership and dominance really aggravates me. In fact, it aggravates everyone being dominated. That’s because it is sin. Dictatorial leadership is against the nature of God, and our conscious reveals the immorality of it. We all rebel against this kind of authority, and yet when we get power it is easy to succumb to the temptation to lord it over.

Jesus teaches a different way. He teaches a better way. He teaches a moral and ethical way. Jesus taught and exemplified servant leadership. “And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”” (Mark 10:42–45, ESV)

Today, I want to lead differently. I want to serve and exemplify moral and ethical behavior, morals and ethics that are founded in the truth of God and not on my whims. I also want to view those in leadership differently. If they are living a habitual might makes right lifestyle, they probably don’t know Jesus. Oh, the pity and compassion I must have and show, for they are without hope, without true joy, they lack peace and contentment: they are eternally lost. Lord I pray that today they might be saved!

Sailing Through Life

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sailboat I love sailing, but I haven’t gone for a while. I started daydreaming about it earlier today; The spray in my face and the wind in my hair, My hands on the wood tiller directing the rudder, The feel of the deck on my bare feet, The sound of the wind whipping the sail, The heat of the sun beating down on my head, The gentle lapping of the water against the hull, Harnessing the power of the wind.

I enjoyed harnessing the force of the wind. It gave me a sense of power when I was able to use the wind for my objectives. I would turn the boat into the wind and move toward my goal. I was in control of where the boat went. It was a great feeling.

This reminded me of some verses in Ephesians. “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Ephesians 4:11-16).

This seems like a sailing passage. The boat we are in is the body of Christ. Learning to live in the boat properly requires training. I need to be taught, trained and built up by the others in the body of Christ. This is the beginning of my sailing adventure, learning to work in the boat.

Next I take the faith and knowledge I have gained and steer them headlong into the wind. It is interesting that the Greek uses the same word for breath, wind and spirit. This leads me to conclude that I need to guide myself and others into the Spirit of God, by faith and knowledge. Sailing into the wind will be the fastest way to get to the destination to which I am heading.

As I sail in this way, I am on a controlled, planned course and will not easily drift away. When I do not choose to set my course in the Spirit, I can be blown all over and tossed mercilessly by the storms of life. I will be confused by those shouting directions on how to correct my course. I will be at risk of a dangerous shipwreck.

Instead, I need to head forward in the Spirit and in the truth. This helps the whole body to stay strong and head the right way. If I truly love others in the body, I must keep myself on the course. I should harness the power God has freely given to keep the boat sailing strong and safe for the Lord. I can meet the objectives he has set forth by allowing the power of the Spirit to fill my sails and move me toward my goal, Jesus.

It will be a sweet ride. It will be comforting as the Lord allows me to participate in the process, holding the tiller. It will be exhilarating as the spray of this life barely mists me, and the breath of the Spirit blows in my hair. The Son shining on me and warming me through and through will be an experience I long for and daydream about. The fact that God in the person of the Holy Spirit participates in our lives as the wind in our sails, keeping our boats moving forward for the glory of God, is amazing. This is truly something I should daydream (or meditate) about.

Thank you Lord! Let your Spirit blow strong on my life. Give me the strength to head into the wind consistently. Allow me to reach the goals and objectives you have set for me as I steer a course in faith and knowledge. Do not let me be tossed by the ideas and attitudes of the world. Let me sail for you, feeling the power of your Spirit in my life. As I travel, let it be for the building up of your body and for the glory of your name.