Even the Little Things Matter to God…
Last month Jenni and I took a vacation to Tampa, FL. We stayed in a great condo on Treasure Island. We did a lot of nothing and just had a wonderful time doing it. We rested and reconnected with each other and with the Lord.
We walked the beaches a lot while we were there. We saw lots of small shells. I did some snorkeling and found a lot of larger shells and sand dollars. There was one thing I looked for though and never found. I’m not sure why but I just thought it would be neat to find a sharks tooth. I looked and looked and looked but never did find one. I even saw a guy catch a small shark along the shore but no sharks tooth for me. I wasn’t overly upset by this and pretty much forgot about as we packed up to return home.
We got home on a Tuesday evening and I went back to work on Wednesday. I was attempting to get the sand out of my brain since my mind was still on the beach. I was preparing for my day and walking around my office. As some of you may know I tend to dress rather casual at work. I had on a pair of slip-ons that I had worn while in Florida though not that much. I was still thanking God for the blessing of such a wonderful time. Suddenly I felt a stab in the bottom of my foot. I removed my shoe and there stuck in the bottom of my foot was a sharks tooth! It was no bigger
than a rose thorn. I would have never been able to find something that size on the vast beaches we walked. But there it was.
It was such a little thing but it meant so much to me. It was a small gift from God but a huge reminder of this vacation and to remember that I need to occasionally slow down and take time for myself, my wife and my God (not necessarily in that order). Thank You Father.
Show Me the Money…
“All the church ever wants is my money”. How many times have you heard that? I’ve never heard anyone say “all SuperMart wants is my money” or “all the IRS wants is my money”. But that is all they want. All the church wants, hopefully, is for us to be be obedient in our worship to God.
I think since there is generally an immediate exchange of goods or services we don’t think about giving up our money at a store. But this exchange of money from us to the church doesn’t provide an instant or visible return. But there is a huge profit for the store and the church is just trying to keep in operation. The church needs to be able to reach out and provide for those in need. To do this they need money. Pastors and staff are expected to perform certain duties. They need to be compensated for this. We wouldn’t show up to our jobs and perform very well or at all if we weren’t getting paid for it. Why should we expect that from them? They have families and needs to provide for too.
God doesn’t need or even want our money. What He does want is for His people to be obedient, worship Him and care for His house. Do I think some churches are a little too extravagant? Sure. Do they not always spend their money wisely? Sure. But on the other hand we don’t bat an eye at putting too much money into our cars or homes or at the marble columns or ornate glass and steel that decorate our malls. Why shouldn’t we honor our God with a nice place to worship Him?
All we have is given to us by God. The earth, the air, water, food and even our jobs. He has blessed us with everything we have. In thanks for that we are asked to give back. A tithe (10%) is mentioned in the Old Testament numerous times. I think this is a good starting point if you’re comfortable with it. It should probably be your minimum goal as you mature spiritually.
As commissions go 90% is pretty good. Remember it was all His in the first place. He just let us have it. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says: “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” That’s right, a cheerful giver. That means we should happy and thankful in giving back a portion to God what He gave us. This is simply an act of worship and obedience.
This is actually something I struggled with for a long time and still do occasionally. I didn’t start out giving 10 % but as I experimented with giving more and more God blessed me for my obedience and I learned to trust in Him. Even though I shouldn’t be I’m still amazed when I place Him first in my finances and He always provides more so I can get by.
I Love My Crown
I know we’re supposed to be humble and all but I am so proud to wear my crown. Proverbs 12:4 tells us “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband.” I’ve heard guys say they have the best wife ever but I would have to say they are either mistaken or lying because I have that honor. Jenni and I have been married for just over 20 years now and if you ever needed proof that there is a God and he watches over us and gives us strength she is a testimony to that because I’ve been no picnic.
When Jenni and I first decided to get married she asked me if I believed in God. I grew up not really thinking or talking about God or religion much. The only family member that I knew that had anything to do with that “God stuff” didn’t exactly set a shining example. So, I just kind of didn’t think about it much. Well, when she asked me that question I sorta lied and told her yes. She had been recently saved and it seemed to mean a lot to her and I was in love with her and not losing her meant a lot to me. (hey don’t judge me, she was and is awesome and I knew it)
I think she soon found out that I either lied or had no clue what believing in God meant. But she hung in there. Sometimes by the skin of her teeth and sometimes only by Jesus and her friends holding her up.
I don’t want to paint myself up to be this horrible person or anything but I was not the husband I should have been. Sure, I loved her but my own selfish agenda always seemed to rule out. My life was all about me and she more often than not conceded at least enough to appease me. (And believe me when I say I did some stupid stuff)
But, no matter how bad I sabotaged our marriage or my own life she was there and so was Christ. He showed her how to love me in spite of the pain I caused. He showed her how to shine His light even when I was in the darkest of places. Through the grace that He showed her when she never deserved it she was able to show me that same grace when I certainly didn’t deserve it.
Finally, after over 16 years of prayer and petition and undying love and grace, I opened my thick skull, removed the scales from my eyes and accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and savior.
I still so don’t deserve the blessing that God has given me in my wife but I will proudly wear that crown. Thank You Lord and thank you Jenni. I love you.
Wasabi Gospel
I’d like to tell you about an awesome book I just read by Shawn Wood called Wasabi Gospel. This book will be available for retail sales on July 8th in a “book bomb” at Amazon.com Check it out!
I’m not a big fan of hot or spicy foods like hot wings, Mexican food, Indian food those sorts of things. For one reason they don’t seem to like my body and I can’t get to far from the house after eating them. But another reason is I don’t understand the point of having your lips, mouth, throat, stomach and eventually other body parts burning or even to the point where you can’t even feel them anymore. I just don’t get the appeal. But for some reason the first time I tried Wasabi I loved it. Sure it was a bit scary at first and I only tried a small teeny tiny bit but I soon found that not only did I like the taste, it also agreed with my body.
Jesus saved me a little more than three years ago and over this span of time I have experience many gut punch moments with scripture. I had never made the comparison of wasabi and scriture but being familiar with both I love the idea. To compare the effects of wasabi to the effects of scripture is brilliant in my opinion. I love how wasabi and The Word stimulate your senses, awaken you and gives you the punch that Shawn Wood discribes so well in his new book Wasabi Gospel. For those of you that are unfamiliar with this little unassuming glob of green paste it is typically served with sushi. It seems very innocent and harmless but as Shawn found out it packs quite a punch. Gods word can do the same thing. Shawn does a wonderful job in this book explaining how certain scriptures can seem so innocent and harmless until you get a little taste of them at just the right moment under just the right circumstances and <POW!> right in the gut.
This book may look small but don’t let that fool you. It too packs quite a punch. I highly recommand it one and all. If you believe it delivers affirmation on what you may already have experienced and it convicts you to be bolder in spreading the Gods word. If you’re not a believer or you are confused and have questions this book may help explain what God means in the way He describes and commands certain things in scripture. Again, you can find it HERE at Amazon on July 8th.
You can learn more about the book or Shawn at www.wasabigospel.com or his blog at www.shawnwoodwrites.com or follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/shawnwood or friend him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/shawnwood
Highway to Hell
For Easter this year New Spring Church in Anderson, SC open their service with AC/DC’s Highway to Hell. It was a great rendition of an all to familiar (for me) rock song. I watched the service and Pastor Perry Noble brought it!!
Now, don’t get me wrong here. I’m not bashing AC/DC or rock music. I’m a fan of both. Music and rock bands are not evil (except maybe country music). Neither are people or things (except maybe cats). Evil can and will take up residence in people and things but it can be overcome and run off.
Anyway, I love it when anything can invoke a spiritual questioning or yearning or exploration in someone. I think God can speak to us through any means He sees fit even a rock song about going to hell. I have heard this song a million times but this time God really got me thinking about the lyrics and what they were really saying. A few weeks ago my wife, Jenni, and I were in Florida and saw the sign to the left. I told her “hey, look we’re on the highway to hell” and I was taken back to that message Perry gave and the song so I felt lead to share how God spoke to me through the lyrics:
Living easy, living free – It’s so easy to be deceived into believing this lie. We can choose to live this way here on this earth but what about afterwards? Where will you spend eternity?
Season ticket on a one-way ride – It is a one-way ride. Once we’re dead and we’ve chosen the wrong path there’s no second chance.
Asking nothing, leave me be – Ignorance is bliss? Just because one chooses not to believe in Jesus Christ or explore the possibilities doesn’t give us an excuse when we stand before Him and face judgment.
Taking everything in my stride
Don’t need reason, don’t need rhyme
Ain’t nothing I would rather do – How can we just waltz through life without answers? When it’s all said and done we will answer to God for our lives. Wouldn’t you rather be educated and prepared to speak to Him?
Going down, party time
My friends are gonna be there too – Eventually, the party is over and our friends may be there too but they will suffer the same fate and will be of no help or consequence.
I’m on the highway to hell – We are all there at some point whether we’re 5 or 95. There are so many off ramps being offered all around us though. Step out and explore one.
No stop signs, speed limit
Nobody’s gonna slow me down – No person can or will. He may use others to facilitate it but only God can do this and already has if we just accept it through Jesus Christ.
Like a wheel, gonna spin it – Are you willing to gamble with your eternal soul? I’m not.
Nobody’s gonna mess me round – another lie. People will get in your way on both paths. You have to own your choices.
Hey satan, payed my dues – You will, one way or another.
Playing in a rocking band– We can choose our job, our voice, our method but to whose glory? Who are you doing “your thing” for.
Hey momma, look at me
I’m on my way to the promised land – We are! Actually, there are two lands that are promised. Heaven and Hell. The choice is ours.
I’m on the highway to hell – I’m not anymore, are you?
Own It!
I once heard that every one owns their spiritual journey. It doesn’t matter what hand you were dealt, ultimately, you are responsible for how you choose to live your life. I know others can affect our lives and the things that go on around us positively and negatively. But, when you stand before God you will be held accountable for your actions. He will not accept “but so-and-so caused me to…” or “I was never given a choice…” We will all be judged for the decisions we made and for the way we reacted to the decisions made by others that affected our lives.
Can you own your journey? Or are you allowing your relationship with Christ to be hindered or damaged because you have chosen to blame your circumstances or someone else? That is unacceptable to God.
I know people can do bad things and cause great pain in our lives (been there, done that, on both sides of the fence) but if you allow their actions to affect your relationship with Christ you are making the wrong decision too and just as guilty as they are.
Are you attending church and worshipping God? Are you in prayer often? Do you study your Bible? Are you in fellowship with other believers? Are you growing in Christ? If you cannot answer yes to all of these questions, then who is to blame? If you believe the answer is not staring back at you in the mirror every morning then you are flat out wrong! That’s right Y-O-U!
You may be saying right now, “But you don’t know what’s been done to me…” It doesn’t matter. What matters is what you did. Is your church not reaching you? Go somewhere else. Do you feel someone has done you wrong? Confront them or forgive them and move on. Do you have trouble understanding the Bible? Get one you can understand or seek out someone to help you learn what is being said. Do you not like the “Christians” you have met? Go meet others until you find a group you can interact with.
Bottom line… Do something! Something other than sitting around whining and crying about this thing or that thing, this person or that person. God loves you but He doesn’t want to hear your excuses. He will judge each of us for our actions and our re-actions.
So, can you own it? Can you say you did whatever you needed to in order to maintain and grow your relationship with Jesus? If not you better rethink your current course ad find a way to own it because you will own it come judgment day whether you want to or not.
