“Not all people who sound religious are really godly. They may refer to me as ‘Lord’; but they still won’t enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” – Mark 7:21

In this verse Jesus challenges people at the very center of their faith. Anyone can “act” religious or say spiritual things, but have a void in their hearts towards developing a deep relationship with God. Having intimacy with God means that our thoughts, actions, prayers and attitudes are in alignment with His plan for our lives. Wow that is a real challenge for all of us.

A person who doesn’t have a personal relationship with Jesus may be able to say all the right things but lack the faith to live a Christ-centered life. The writers of the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) emphasize Christ’s teachings related to hypocrisy. In Matthew Chapter 23 we read about the hypocrisy associated with the Pharisees and Sadducees. In Mark 3 we see Christ challenging other religious minded leaders about their hypocrisy and “hard-heartedness” regarding the healing of the sick during the Sabbath.

Continually Christ reminds us “our walk should match our talk”. An engraving on a cathedral wall in Germany bears these soul-searching words:

Thus speaketh Christ our Lord to us:
“You call me Master and obey me not;
You call me light and see me not;
Your call me the Way and walk with me not;
You call me life and live me not;
You call me wise and follow me not;
You call me fair and love me not;
You call me rich and ask me not;
You call me eternal and seek me not;
If I condemn you, blame me not.”

The more we learn about what God has done for us, the more we will want to know what we can do for Him. In addition, our motives will come from a pure heart, not from selfish ambition, guilt, or some church tradition. God is looking for genuine believers whose walk matches their talk. Let’s not say we love and then show disrespect to others. Let’s not say we care and then not show acts of kindness. Let’s not preach tolerance and then lack patience when dealing with complicated issues. Let’s not judge unless we want to be judged. Let’s try and keep His word central to our problem solving and relationships.

Now go out and have an EPIC day today!!

Grace often comes as a surprise when we are least expecting it. There was a woman who went to draw water at a well.  It was around noon…the hottest part of the day. She wasn’t looking for anything, just going about her day, doing her duty as she always had.  She had no idea someone was waiting for her. She could not have guessed the surprise she was about to encounter.

“Draw me water,” Jesus asked.  He had been sitting there, tired and thirsty from his day of traveling.

Shocked and a bit startled, she wondered how he could ask this of her?  She was a woman, and a Samaritan woman whom the Jews despised. Asking for water would make him ceremonially unclean.

Jesus told her that he could give her “living water” so that she would never thirst again.  He baffled her once more. Jesus then revealed she had had five husbands and was living with one whom she was not married to.  He caught her attention a third time.

GRACE

Grace was waiting for her that day.  Grace was sitting there, eager to give her a glimpse, a taste of something beyond her circumstances.  Grace wanted to encounter her in a way only it could… to touch her beyond her physical needs and heal her eternally.

Perhaps Jesus knew there was a longing in her heart that she hadn’t yet expressed. She needed redemption; someone to rescue her from the turmoil of her life.  We know she was touched in a powerful way because the accounts show that because of her story, many Samaritans came to believe in Jesus as their Savior.

Where do you need to see grace today? Grace is available to YOU TODAY!!!! Just open your heart, humble yourself, and ask.

Now go out and have an EPIC day today…

³ As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. ⁴ He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”

⁵ “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked.

And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! ⁶ Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

⁷ The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one! ⁸ Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. ⁹ He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink. ACTS 9:3-9

This is an incredible story that most of us know, but I want to take a few moments to take a look at it and pull out just a couple things.

In verse 3 Saul had no idea what was about to happen to him. God knows us, He has purpose for our lives, even if WE DO NOT SEE IT. The last thing on Saul’s mind was God in fact he was on the road to stop Philip from preaching about Jesus. God did what He had to do to get Saul’s attention. Can you even imagine a “flash of light” around you and then hear a voice speaking to you (after you hit the ground)?

The men with Saul heard the voice but did not see anyone!! What a scene that must have been. Saul knew who it was in fact he asked “Who are you Lord?” They had a conversation, well a one sided conversation!

Here is the main thing I want to pull out…

“And he was three days with out sight, and neither ate nor drank”

What took place during those three days? We don’t really know except this — his life was radically transformed!!! God will go to great lengths to reach you and I, do whatever it takes, but Saul still had a choice, he could have walked away, he could have refused to listen, he could have pretended to be involved and then lived his life as he chose. But he didn’t… why? I am convinced that if we actually get a glimpse of Jesus, just ONE SECOND it will change our lives forever!!!

My word for today….. IF you are struggling with your faith, your commitment, if you need to SEE HIS FACE get alone with him do what ever it takes to connect. Be blind to what is going on around you, turn off all MEDIA, turn off TV, and turn off people and the last thing is FAST!!! Not a partial fast but a full blown fast. And my friends this is possible of anyone to do…. married, children, job whatever there is a WAY if you want it bad enough. Saul fasted and turned off for 3 days and he emerged as Paul. Paul one of the greatest hero’s of the faith, wrote most of the NT and still 2,000 years later his words hold incredible power!!!

I want to recommend a book to you to read. “FASTING” by Jentezen Franklin — this book changed my life. A great read. Time is short, our family is a stake, things in the world are changing fast and prophecy is unfolding right before our eyes!!! Are you ready?

Now go out and have an EPIC day today.

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” James 5:16

Last year after considerable rainfall, I noticed that two gutters were overflowing with water.  It became apparent the drainpipe wasn’t the problem but the drains themselves. Further investigation with a rod showed that the drain lines themselves were clogged.  After some digging and a visit from someone called I hired the drains once again flowed properly.

It is amazing how a little root can leverage its way into a drain. Over time it begins to grow, trapping small particles of dirt and other debris. What seems so faultless can become a major disruption to a normal system. If left unchecked this problem could have triggered an erosion problem that might have caused our house great damage.

It caused me to think about the effects of sin in our lives. Daily we struggle with those little annoyances and temptations that can begin to accumulate into a major problem. It’s those little exaggerations that can lead to half-truths, which then lead to outright lies. Perhaps it is that off-colored joke that then leads to inappropriate comments to members of the opposite sex, which can become flirting and so on.

Our lives daily get clogged with roots of disobedience that trap particles of sin. According to scripture we need the Holy Spirit and a touch of the Good News to help cleanse our minds and hearts from the daily sin that life can bring. It is wonderful that God’s grace has already been provided. We need to just ask Him for the forgiveness and guidance.

Jesus came to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29). None of us are without sin (dirt and roots); we are all clogged drains to some degree (John 8:7). Because of God ‘s grace, sin need not be our master (Romans 6:14).

Aren’t you glad that our “clogged drains” don’t require any special and expensive service call, we don’t have to hire anyone? The amazing grace God provides is free and available to each of us anytime day or night.

Now go out and have an EPIC day today — living FREE

One of the greatest blessings is to encourage, inspire, and equip people like you who are disciple-makers.  I’m convinced that most, if not all, the biblical prophecies associated with Christ’s return have been fulfilled.  That fact suggests to me that all believers have a responsibility to share our story and God’s Word with those people He puts in our path.  In these End Times we need to go public with our faith.

Maybe some of these thoughts will help equip you to be that messenger who can be used by the Holy Spirit to help transform a person’s life. The Apostle Paul in writing to the believers in Rome said this: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” Romans 10:13-14

In The Message, he gives us a good understanding as to how Jesus used the illustration in Matthew 5 about Salt and Light to talk about our role in personal evangelism.

SALT AND LIGHT

“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”

Scripture is very clear about going public with our faith.  Discipleship is a relational process that requires people to become actively involved in their faith.  Evangelism is not just for dramatic believers, gifted orators, ordained clergy, or international missionaries.  It is for everyone who proclaims to know Jesus.  The Great Commission found in Matthew 28 – “Go Make Disciples”- was a command to each person who calls themselves a child of God.  The encouragement we receive from God’s Word helps equip us for the mission:

• Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
• Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.””
• 1 Timothy 2:3-4 “This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
• Romans 1:16 “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”
• Mark 16:15 This is a command “He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to all creation.”

The key to sharing your faith is to be available.  Why not look for opportunities this day to proclaim your allegiance to Christ.  You can do it!  You need not be pushy or a zealot.  All you have to do is to tell people what your life was like before Christ and after Christ. “I was blind and now I see….I was dead and now I’m alive”

NOW GO OUT and HAVE AN EPIC DAY!!!

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

In the original relationship between man and God we see that there’s a force, Satan, who hates healthy relationship in life with God and his mission is to destroy that relationship. How does he do it? Through fear. His script is still the same as it was in the garden, if you listen to God you’re going to miss out. That created a perceived loss in Adam and Eve which led them to think and act on that fear. Fear opens the door to the enemy. We have to fight the lies in our relationships with God and people and not let fear come in and destroy the relationship. It’s important to feed our faith in the people that we are connected to. And, we have to feed our faith in God.

 

If half the battle is recognizing the motives and intentions of God toward you, His person, His plan, and His promises, then half the battle is coming into an awareness of who He is, how He feels about you and how He performs.
The difference of the law of Old Testament and the grace of the New Testament is running from the fear of failure to the motivation of His love and acceptance towards you. Don’t buy Satan’s lie. God totally accepts you, sins and all.

Now go out and have an EPIC day today

“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.” ~ Philippians 1:20 ~

We’re surrounded by the world’s proud.

Their tongue is far from tame. Cursing freely when they want to on any occasion.

They challenge any spiritual beliefs that say otherwise.

On social media they post images, statuses, and videos of what they believe in be it political, professional, or personal.

There is no confusing where they stand, how they live, and what they believe. The simply know no reserve.

They live so loud that I don’t have to hear their words to know what they’re about. Just observing their life provides more than enough information.

This reality challenges me daily. Begging the question…I’m I living just as loud if not louder for Christ?

Am I openly professing the name of Jesus everywhere?

Can anybody browse my social media profile and feel the love of Christ?

Do people have to wonder whether or not I am a believer, or can they clearly tell by how I live my life and treat others?

Prayerfully the answer is ‘yes’ to them all. God has been too good to us for anybody to sit silently in a world that lives loudly.

It’s time to step out of our comfort zone for Christ. Stop worrying about offending someone’s beliefs with the truth…give them the truth in love.

Stop worrying about opportunities you may lose out on if you openly claim your Christianity…you don’t need those types of opportunities anyway.

It is time to turn up the volume on our faith walk and love for Jesus. The world needs to know there is a better way. The world needs to know Jesus.

It it won’t be accomplished silently.

Now go out and have an EPIC day living God LOUD

If you live long enough you will occasionally think about the mistakes you made in life.  Maybe it was dating the wrong person when you were younger, or hanging out with a group of friends who led you astray.  Selecting the right house or car is often a quandary for some. And, the permanent jobs we accept can often effect and dictate our future circumstances.  Decisions, decisions, and more decisions.

The question I always ask is, “How can we be more effective in our decision-making?” One of the most difficult things in obeying God’s call upon our lives is to know His will.  How can we know His will on the important decisions we make in our lives?  Are we actively seeking God’s will and heart in the decisions we are contemplating? Where is His influence in the process?

I don’t know about you, but I want (and need) to be better at embracing God’s wisdom in the decisions I make.  The following is an order that I’m attempting to utilize in my evaluation process and decision making:

1. I pray for wisdom, knowledge, and clear direction.  God is not the author of confusion or frustration. As Scripture reminds us, ^“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matt. 6:33
2. Get away from all the distractions and noise that clutters our minds and confuses our thinking.  “Go away to a quiet place and rest a while.” Mark 6:31 It is when we are at rest that we can really hear from our Lord.
3. Fasting (for those who can do that sort of thing) not only cleanses the body, but allows our system to concentrate its energies on hearing His voice. We are fearfully and wonderfully made by our Creator. If you know Jesus, His spirit is within you. “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many.” 1 Corth. 12:13-14
4. Seek godly counsel from people more experienced in the area I’m praying about. God places people in our lives who can help walk us through matters that are confusing, stressful, or complex. Because our family members often see our short-comings best, we need to also evaluate their opinions. God’s word teaches us that, “Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established.” Prov. 15:22
5. Reading Scripture and seeking His truth as related to the subject matter will help shape the way you think.  His Word can penetrate our stubbornness and opinions.  If we let it His word can be that guidepost we are looking for.  “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Ps. 119:11
6. One of the toughest things to do when seeking to make the right decision is waiting.  Frankly, as a directive decision maker I find it difficult to wait upon Him.  The “waiting room” is often where God does some of His best work in shaping our souls.  “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart.” Ps. 27:14

Nothing is more important than keeping pace with God’s plan for our lives. .“God… works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose” (Phil: 2:13) Sometimes God works through us as we engage our minds, open our mouths, move our feet, and use our hands to do what He’s already put into our hearts.

Now go out and have an EPIC day today…..

The disciples asked Jesus what was most important to knowing God and sharing the message.  The answer was clear and to the point, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the most important commandment. The second most important commandment is like it: Love your neighbor as you love yourself. The whole Law of Moses and the teachings of the prophets depend on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40

The unity Christ desires for His church is the same kind of unity the Son has with the Father: “Just as You are in Me and I am in You” (John 10:38; 17:11, 23). The Father did His best works through the Son and the Son always did what pleased the Father. This spiritual unity is to be patterned in the church. Without a union with Jesus and the Father (they . . . in us), we can do nothing of significance.

The goal of our lives is to know the Father, do His will, and love one another.

Like a cancer attacking a physical body we see too much of the back-biting, petty jealousy, rumors, miss-understandings, and gossip eating at the very spirit of many churches and para-ministries.  How can we expect un-churched people to know our love if we are fighting petty battles within our congregations and friendships?

I’ve seen many churches from the inside-out.  Too often, there are folks who focus on the things that separate us rather than place their attention on the love, grace, joy, mercy, and kindness we share.  Unity of the body is important to its function.  I’m convicted and convinced that we can disagree, provide contrasting opinions, and challenge others without being un-caring, un-loving, or unkind.

With God.- having unity among believers accomplishes two important things: (a) that the world will believe in His Son’s divine mission of knowing God more fully while sharing His love, and (b) that the world will sense that God’s love for believers is deep, intimate, and lasting as is His love for His Son.

Read Christ’s prayer for His Church: “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.  And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.  O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” John 17:21-26

 As I read those words, straight from the mouth of Jesus, I am convicted and committed to living a life that expresses more of Christ’s love to others. Will you JOIN ME?

Now Go Out and have an EPIC Day Today!!!