Simple Thoughts

FIFA World Cup soccer is here in America. Like me, I’ sure you have watched the world’s fans descend on the US and have flooded social media with “wows” and “unbelief” as they take in the enormity of our country, the beauty of our country and its grandeur. The supermarkets with its numerous choices and options. The abundance of products at Costco. The portions at fast food joints. What we take for granted, the world has reminded us how blessed we are. Every time I watch another “reel” of a foreigner taking in all things American, I thank God that He has placed me here, for such a time as this. I feel renewed patriotism as I talk with friends and family members who are also watching these “reels.”

Praise God we are looking at our country with a new lens, through the eyes of visitors. I love hearing, too, about how friendly, how hospitable, how nice Americans are. What a wonderful opportunity we have to share the love of God with others. How our founders had the wisdom to afford us the freedom in this country to worship God in spirit and truth. These same biblical principles have spilled over into all areas of our society- families, communities, cities, states and our nation. They see us living with hope, joy, and love in spite of our differences.

As Christians, let our spirit be renewed! Let us be grateful and thankful with all of these blessings from God. I am truly thankful to live in such a wonderful country. But, more than that, my heart rejoices as I trust in His holy name. (Psalm 33:21)

Psalm 33:20-22 “Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.”

Sitting. Praying, Worshipping. Time spent alone with God is invaluable. It allows me to confess, repent, pour out and realign my thoughts, my heart. my will with God. What a blessing at the table.

Then, I get up from the table and what happens? How do I proceed? Do I react? Do I leave God at the table? Or have I been changed and feel God’s presence as I am away from the table, still seeking Him, still praying, still following and submitting to His will, His Words, His ways?

The table may move. It may become a seat in a car, a doctor’s office, a conference room. But God is still present. Still desiring me to pour out my heart to Him, to continually be aligned with Him as I pursue Him in my day.

So, spend time alone with God each day, knowing you can meet with Him wherever you find yourself. He is waiting for you to come and dine with Him at the table.

An unexpected phone call. a rollicking storm. Events of our own making. Whatever distress you find yourself in today, whether it is outside of your control or not, lift up your eyes to the heavens. We can come to our heavenly Father in prayer. He delights to hear from us. As we pray in faith, let your feelings of distress pass and let peace, His peace, fill your heart. God rescues. How? Through His Son, Jesus. When we call upon the name of Jesus, He saves us. “ For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

In times of distress, seek Him in prayer. Find Him in the pages of scripture.

What do we occupy? Our homes, our workspace, our planet. As we occupy these areas, are we simply taking up space? Are we as productive as we could be? Is being a good steward of our planet important to you, us?

As we occupy our homes, are we teaching our loved ones to love others, to be hospitable, sharing the gospel with those in our home? In our work space, do we work to the best of our ability, as if working for the Lord? Being a testimony amid co-workers who are not receptive to the gospel of Jesus Christ? As we venture into parks and other green spaces, are we good stewards, cleaning up after ourselves, enjoying God’s creation?

Let us not just take up space as we occupy. Let us be faithful in our walk, humbly serving, gentle in spirit, thanking God daily for the gift of each new day to occupy, until He returns. “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

“Come” a verb meaning to “move toward.” What priorities have you set in your life that you are “moving towards?” Have you arrived at your destination? Or are you indecisive, struggling, not sure of what you should be moving towards? We have all found ourselves searching, seeking, wondering: what is truth and how can I know it?

Jesus is that truth you are seeking. John 14:6 tells us, “Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” Jesus is the peace you are searching for. Matthew 11:28 says, “Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” We can know the truth by reading and studying God’s word. John 6:45 says, “As it is written in the Scriptures, ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.”

As we celebrate Easter this weekend, the Resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we remember His victory over death! Matthew 28:6 “ He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. 

We also look forward to Him coming again. In the book of Revelation, we are reassured in these verses. Revelation 22:7 “ “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book.” Revelation 22:20 “He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!”

“Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!”

Deadline approaching. Company coming. Vacancy needs filling. Some of us work well under pressure, nearing the deadline or date on a calendar to get us moving, motivated.

Recalling the events of Palm Sunday, as I sat in church yesterday, the people had been waiting for their long awaited Messiah. Here He is! “Hosanna to the Son of David.” (Matthew 21:9) Hosanna means “I beg you to save” or “please deliver us.” (Gotquestions.org) The people laid down coats, waved palm branches, waited expectantly and urgently pleading for Jesus to save them… from Roman oppression and set up His earthly reign as King. The people were crying out for salvation. Since it did not come in their expected way, they rejected Jesus. They missed their Savior. Jesus came to save them spiritually. From their sins.

And He continues this message today. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) We all need to urgently repent of our sin and respond in faith to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Today. This is one decision you do not want to procrastinate on. Do not delay. Do not let the moment pass you by. “Call upon Jesus while He is near. (Isaiah 55:6)

For those of us who belong to Jesus, let us be urgent in our conversations, in our prayers. God wants anyone and everyone to come to Him in faith, that none would perish in their sins, eternally separated form God. “ The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” (2 Peter 3:9)

As I was writing this morning, my pen was running out of ink. I wanted to keep on but I had to pause and look for a new writing utensil.

How many times do we find ourselves teaching, studying, ministering, only to find ourselves running low. We are so busy serving others that we have neglected our own one on one time with our Savior. Let’s be intentional in our reading of God’s word. Spending time alone with God, thanking and praising Him for Who He is, what He has done and is doing. Allow His words to touch our hearts, that we may confess our sins before Him, seeking forgiveness. In these precious moments, God will hear you, renew you and give you strength for each new day. “Blessed be the Lord who daily bears us up; God is our salvation.” Psalm 68:19

I found myself “doom scrolling” through social media, intrigued by reels titled, “I died at __ age but I once was…” The reel then slowly shows the celebrity at an old age, counting back, showing physical as well as career highlights. As humans, it is natural, as we age, to look back on our life. The highs and lows. The mountaintops, as well as the valleys.

As Christians, though, our gaze is ever forward. At a point in time, you confessed your sins and professed faith in your Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. From that moment on, you became a new creation. With a new heart. A new desire. A new attitude. The Holy Spirit now resides in you, opening your eyes daily to new truths you discover about God in your daily bible studies. As time moves forward, you too, move forward. Ever learning, ever trusting Jesus more and more each day. We can say, “I once was ___, but praise God, I am now His!” As the song resounds in our hearts, “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see.”

Ephesians 2:4-7 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— ⁶ and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷ so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”

I recently watched an exchange with a US senator and a medical doctor. The simple question, that everyone can answer since they were children was, “Can men get pregnant?” (http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/health/2026/january/abortion-doctor-wont-answer-congress-on-whether-men-can-get-pregnant) The unbelievable part was this medical doctor could not, would not, answer the question. How have we gotten here? Simple biology we all learned in school is now unanswerable by scientists. Sadly, the truth is, the farther we move away from God, we exchange the truth for a lie. We listen to “so called experts” and turn from biblical truths.

Let’s start at the beginning, shall we. Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Each of the six creation days begin the same way, “Then God said…” and ends with “And God saw that it was good.” In Genesis 1:26, God says, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.” Verse 27 continues, “…male and female He created them.” Why? Verse 28 answers the why: “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth.” God did not stop after He created man. Genesis 2:18 tells us more of the creation story. “Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” So God did what only God can do. He created a helper, a woman. God’s design in all creation was perfect. Man and woman come together, become one flesh, and are able to reproduce.

Again, basic biology but man has so muddied the waters that we have people being blinded from the truths. Let’s get back to basics, go back to the beginning. Re-read the creation story. Decide for yourself who and what you will believe. Let the word of God pierce your soul and convict your heart.

I have to clean my house. I have a roof over my head with stuff. I get to clean my house. I have to go to work. I am able to participate in the workforce to help others, to serve. I get to go to work. I have to exercise to be healthy. My body works and I am able. I get to go for a walk. I have to drive to the store. I have a car, money in my wallet. I get to go buy groceries. I have to do yard work. I have a home with a yard to enjoy the outdoors. I get to do yard work. I have to go to church. I live in a free country. I get to go to church to hear the word of God proclaimed without fear of my life.
Let’s turn our have to’s into get to’s. When your attitude changes, your outlook changes. You see God in your day. You become aware of your blessings and thank God for them. You get to thank God.