When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son. 2 [The more] they called them, [the more] they departed from Me. They kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning offerings to idols. 3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them in My arms, but they never knew that I healed them. 4 I led them with human cords, with ropes of kindness. To them I was like one who eases the yoke from their jaws; I bent down to give them food.

Hosea 11:1-4 (HCSB)

I love my family. My wife and children are all precious to me. My children each have a special, unique and important place in my heart and life. It is an unexplainable feeling when I look at my children. My 15 year old, Hannah I see in a very special way different from Elizabeth who is our 10 month old baby. Philip who is 13 and Lainey who is 11 also have a special and unique place in my heart. Each is unique and I treasure for different reasons but their is a passion and a compassion that I have for each one. Sometimes my heart bleeds for them when I see them struggle or in pain. At other times I rejoicein their uniqueness. And make no mistake about it I would die for them or kill to protect them.

Now if you too are a parent those thoughts and feelings probably do not surprise you. But perhaps this passage of Scripture does. God has that kind of passion and compassion for His people. In this passage He is expressing His love and burden for His children Isreal. He feels the same way about us. His heart bleeds to see us in pain and difficulty. It causes Him great pain when He seees us falling away from Him and going in directions that He knows will cause us pain and grief.

Oh how our Father loves us. And make no mistake about it He had died for you and He will protect you with all His power. No one can takes us from Him. Never!

Trust Him

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding;

Prov 3:5 (HCSB)

Don't you wish that life always made sense? I do. There is a lesson I have learned over the years that God's plan and what He calls the Christ Follower to do does not always make "common sense". If we try to make all that God has us do fit our mold we will be very dissatisfied with God. From our point of view God doesn't always make sense.

So the writer of Proverbs has a very important message that I can sum up simply as, "Trust God not your understanding of things." We must trust God and know that His ways are always best. The Bible is full of examples of God doing things differently than our Human common sense says they should be done. In fact I think God rather enjoys confounding our understanding.

So don't rely on "common sense" but rather seek out "God sense" and trust Him with your life!

No Comparison

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.

Romans 8:18 (HCSB)

As the Apostle Paul writes to the Romans He does not tell them that they will not suffer. Suffering is part of living the Christ Followers life. Pain and suffering is to be expected. Paul's words encourage us however, not to give up because the suffering today can not compare with the glory we will see later.

I think of it like this: I had often heard about the wonders of Niagara falls. But when I visited the falls I realized that words could not do justice to the majesty, power and wonder of standing at the falls themselves. The glory that we will behold when we stand in the presence of Jesus Himself can hardly be described in Human words. The suffering of this present life will not compare.

Be encouraged there are better things ahead!

How Much has He given?

God loves us! That seems like a simple statement but what God has done for us is anything but simple. Please watch this video and think about how much He has given.

A Life Changing Encounter

Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks from this water will get thirsty again. 14 But whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again—ever! In fact, the water I will give him will become a well of water springing up within him for eternal life.”15 “Sir,” the woman said to Him, “give me this water so I won’t get thirsty and come here to draw water.”

John 4:13-15 (HCSB)

When Jesus meets us the potentail is for a life changing encounter. Has your encounter changed you like the woman at the well? Give some thought to this video:

A Goal worth the Struggle

I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.

Phil 3:14 (HCSB)

The apostle Paul says that he will pursue or press on (NASB) towards that goal. What does that say to you? It says to me and has proven itself out in my life that its not an easy goal. It is a challenge. It can be difficult. There will be obstacles. But it is well worth the struggle. You know the Apostle was a great leader, a faithful Christ follower and he still struggled towards that goal. That is encouraging to me because if Paul struggled toward the goal I should not be discouraged because I am.

Now what is the goal? The context of the verses surrounding this verse tells us. It is to mature and grow spiritually to be like Jesus. Is it worth it? Is it important? Is it our calling? Paul thinks so and we should too. In fact the following verses Paul tells us those who are maturing will think the same way.

Just remember when the struggle get tough it is a goal worth the struggle.

Good Vision

Where there is no vision , the people are unrestrained,

Prov 29:18 (NASB95)

Vision is a fad word these days. You can hear of organizations, everything from grocery stores to major business to churches talking about vision. Vision is important. It is that ability to see and know where you are going. It is helpful to know exactly what your goal is and your purpose for existence.

But for the Christ follower this has even a more relevant importance and a deeper meaning. The Holman Christian Standard Bible translates Prov. 29.18 this way:

Without revelation people run wild, but one who keeps the law will be happy.The word translated vision can also be translated revelation. The point is that vision for the Christ follower is always based upon God's Word. It is not based upon our personal desires, our feelings or a groups consensus. It is based upon the Word of God (revelation) speaking directly into our situation and context.
Without vision/revelation we will be unrestrained and run wild. We will find ourselves running in every direction. But when God's Word gives direction we understand God's will and we have direction, meaning and satisfaction as individuals, as a group of believers, as His called out ones.
God's revelation is not restrictive, it simplifies and clarifies our direction.
Enjoy God's vision/revelation for your life today!

6 Principles to Winning Life's Challenges

David said to Saul, “Don’t let anyone be discouraged by him; your servant will go and fight this Philistine!”

1 Sam 17:32 (HCSB)

You don't need me to tell you that life has a few challenges. In fact life has a few "giants" along the way. So how do we win when the odds are against us? What does it really mean to win? The world around us does not always have the right opinion when it comes to winning. For David, popular opinion was against him. And again for David, he will defeat the giant. We can win although we may not always slay our giants. I think there are six principles for winning the challenges of life. You may want to take a Bible and look further into these principles in the coming days to get a deeper and clearer understanding (1 Samuel 17:31-49).

1. Learn from past experiences. (Vs. 34)
   
2. Honoring God defines winning and is our purpose. (Vs. 36)
   
3. The battle is God's. (Vs. 37)
   
4. The Lord prepares His warriors. (Vs. 38-40)
   
5. Don't get caught up in appearances. (Vs. 41-43)
   
6. Keep the right perspective and attitude. (Vs. 44-49)

Love

Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. 10 Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. 13 Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 16 Be in agreement with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation.

Romans 12:9-16 (HCSB)

Love is a precious commodity. There is little of it in this world. We are called to love and show family affection. To rejoice with those who rejoice. The following video is a wonderful example of the kind of love we are to have for others. Enjoy and be challenged.