Always Be Reppin'

There is an old adage that goes, "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach." There may be some truth to that but there is also another old adage that says, "Never underestimate an old man who plays disc golf."

This summer I am going to be teaching a couple of disc golf classes for our local park and rec department. The main focus will be for kids as part of an after-summer school program. But the other class is designed for seniors, like myself. We like to do things too you know! Lol!

During my research for these classes I found a video. There's a link to it at the bottom of this story. It featured a handful of today's top disc golfers - teaching. They were doing exactly what I will be doing this summer. Except they taught a class of 450 kids. Yikes!

My challenge in teaching disc golf will be in bringing Jesus with me as I teach. As one of the disc golfers says in the video, "Always reppin'." As Christians we always want to be "representing" our faith in whatever we do. Reppin' for Jesus!

So, how do we represent Him in a world that doesn't seem to like Him all that much? I think it's not so much with our words but with our actions. The key being love.

The Book of Galatians has a list of ways we can be reppin' Jesus.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." - Galatians 5:22-23

If we can show others these qualities in our relationships I think we've done a wonderful job telling people about Jesus. And then, should anyone ask why we act this way, then we tell them. Then the words will come, after the relationship building. Then, all glory, praise and honor are to be given to God. If I can do that this summer, my class will be a success, at least in God's eyes.

And we ALL  can do the same thing in our everyday relationships. Today. What a great day to get started doing that!

How To Help Grow The Sport - Simon Lizotte

Into Your Hands

How focused on, and devoted to, God, The Father, was Jesus Christ, our Lord? Totally. 110% Can we say the same?

I was reading through the Book of Psalms this week when I came across a verse that made me stop and think for a bit.

"Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God." - Psalm 31:5

Gee, that sounded really familiar. That's because Jesus spoke those exact words from the cross. According to Luke, those were the last words Jesus spoke. Jesus quoted scripture just before He died.

"Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last." - Luke 23:46

Wow.

What an example of devotion! I hope that, when I die, I can have that kind of devotion. To use my last breath to quote scripture and to honor God.

But why wait until then? Why aren't we that devoted to God right now? Isn't that what disciples of Jesus should be? Totally devoted? Following their teacher?

When we place our faith in Christ, we should be saying those same words. Acknowledging our sins before God and then surrendering ourselves to Him should be paramount on our to-do list when we place our faith in Christ.

And let that be our prayer today!

Father, into Your hands I commit my day, my life, my everything. Do with my life as You will. I surrender it to you in the name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.

We must do everything in this life with our Heavenly Father in mind. When we wake up, when we take a shower, when we eat breakfast, and when we fall asleep at night - do we think about Him? Do we honor Him? Do we praise Him?

I'm kind of thinking we should.

Into Your Hands - Matt Maher

Hidden In Plain Sight

God is pretty good at hiding things. Sometimes the most amazing things can be hidden right in front of our faces yet we cannot see them. Why is that?

"Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

10When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. 11He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables 12so that,

“ ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving,
and ever hearing but never understanding;
otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’ ” - Mark 4: 9-12

Jesus often spoke in parables. Only those who had received "the Kingdom of God" could understand them. But even at that, Jesus STILL had to explain them sometimes. To everyone else it was like Jesus was just telling stories. They couldn't understand the hidden meaning - "hearing but never understanding."

There is a common phrase in today's language - "Thinking outside of the box." Do we do that? Rather than look at things the normal way, do we search for ALL the possibilities? All the meanings?

A friend of mine recently changed jobs. It was rather stressful, but that was only because my friend wasn't thinking outside of the box. All my friend could think about was himself and his situation. He wasn't thinking that God was placing him in this new job so God could use him as a witness in someone else's life.

Do we search for all of life's possibilities in our prayers? In our work life? At school? Maybe that needs to be our prayer from now on. Instead of praying for a list of things we want perhaps we could try something like this.

Father, today, as I walk through this place, give me eyes to see the things You want me to see. Help me to understand what it is that You want me to do for you. I want to serve you! And I don't want to miss anything you are asking of me. Help me hear you in the whisper of the wind. Help me do Your will, Lord. For Your glory. Amen.

"After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave." - 1 Kings 19:12-13

In The Whisper - Christy Nockels

Imagine, If You Will

"Imagine, if you will, a time when Christians no longer walk the earth. It is a dark and terrifying time, without hope, love or even a future. Welcome to The Post-Christian Zone.

If you  are as old as me you probably can remember watching The Twilight Zone with Rod Serling. Each week Mr. Serling would bring us a bizarre, "out there", black and white television offering about some random topic, trying to get his audience to think. And that, my friends, is the REAL Twilight Zone - right here and now - trying to get people to actually think. That's a problem in today's world. We aren't thinking about the consequences of our actions.

"According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words." - 1 Thessalonians 4:15:18

Did you ever wonder what the world will be like after the rapture? No humanitarian organizations like Samaritan's Purse, the Salvation Army. They all will all be gone or just an empty shell left behind. Most, but not all, of the churches will be gone too. There is only one true church - those who truly believe in Jesus.

In my opinion, this world will become a very dark place to live when the church is gone. Crime will increase. Violence. Abortion will be the law of the land. Oh, wait, it already is. Those in poverty and the elderly will simply be allowed to die. Many will perish due to lack of food. Why? Because few will care. Remember, the vast majority of the world's caring people will be gone.

Christianity, as Rod said in his weekly open, "is a dimension, not only of sight and sound, but of mind." Well, God said in the Book of Romans, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:2

The next logical question is, "How do we get our minds "renewed?" - The Holy Spirit is the answer. We receive Him when we receive Jesus as our Lord.

There are lots of politicians promising us free stuff lately but the truth is it's never really free. Somebody will pay for it. God, however, offers us lots of free stuff. The only problem is that many don't want it.

But think about it - free eternal life, immunity from pain and suffering, No darkness or shadow, only light. No more tears. There WAS a price to be paid, but Jesus already paid it on the cross and all we have left to do to collect God's riches is place our faith and trust in His Son.

When Jesus returns and collects His church, this world will not be a great place to live, no matter WHERE you are. But like the old 60's song says, "People get ready, there's a train a comin'. You don't need no baggage, you just get on board."

Twilight Zone Opening
Left Behind Trailer
People Get Ready - Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions

Purity

"On that day they read from the Book of Moses in the hearing of the people, and in it was found written that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever come into the assembly of God, 2 because they had not met the children of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them. However, our God turned the curse into a blessing. 3 So it was, when they had heard the Law, that they separated all the mixed multitude from Israel." - Nehemiah 13:1-3

When you hear the word purity, what do you think of? Free from dirt or im-PURE-ities? Free from moral fault or guilt? Chaste? Pure blood or unmixed ancestry? A virgin? These are some of the things listed in Meriam-Webster's dictionary. How about us? Are we "pure?"

In the verses above, the Book of Moses was talking about mixed ancestry. God wanted Israel pure. Not following after false gods, not intermarrying with other people groups. In the New Testament pure has a different meaning - sinless, spotless.

"For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

22Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. 23For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God." - 1 Peter 1:18-23

As we look in the mirror, do we see someone who is pure? No. Do we see purity in our politicians? Our newspapers? Our newscasts? Our schools? Our churches? I don't see it.

What has happened to us? Where is the passion? The weeping? The anguish over our sin and disobedience to God? We have it too easy in this country. We want everything "for free!" We want everything given to us. Why? Because WE are our own gods. We don't need anything.

Just like in the Old Testament, God will remind us of our disobedience. The day is coming, and it is coming soon, when it will be too late to repent and seek God. Unless we have placed our faith in Jesus Christ we ALL will experience TRUE anguish.

Our faith in Jesus is what makes us pure. We become the virgin bride, pure and dressed in white, through our faith, not through works. Why? Because Jesus was pure and spotless, without blemish. He died and imputed all those qualities to us . . . in the eyes of God.

Let's get on our knees today and thank God for His forgiveness for we ALL have sinned mightily. We are far from pure. We have no purity of our own. But Jesus . . . thank God for Jesus!

A Call To Anguish - David Wilkerson

Lying Spirits?

When we watch the news (and I try not to) it quickly becomes evident that somebody is lying. So, who is telling the truth?

Last week someone commented on one of my blog stories, saying I was "disparaging their religion" (Mormonism). In MY mind I was telling the truth. But how do I KNOW that MY truth is is THEE truth? How do THEY know? Why do I believe what I do? Is the Bible actually true?

Let's begin with the basics. The God of the Bible has one very important characteristic to remember. He cannot lie. It is not in His nature to lie. He doesn't want us to lie either. One of those commandments. Yet, and this is interesting, He will allow demons and lying spirits to lie. I just read it in the Bible!

"And he (a lying spirit) said, ‘I will go out, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And he (God) said, ‘You are to entice him, and you shall succeed; go out and do so.’ - 2 Chronicles 18:21

So think about that for a moment. God will not lie but He will allow a lying spirit to lie, all to accomplish His will. Remember that. Now let's switch to the discussion of Mormonism. The following is from GotQuestions.org:

Joseph Smith, Mormonism's founder, claimed to have received a personal visit from God the Father and Jesus Christ (Articles of Faith, p. 35) who told him that all churches and their creeds were an abomination (1 Nephi 13:28; Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith – History 1:18, 19). Joseph Smith then set out to "restore true Christianity" and claimed his church to be the “only true church on earth” (Mormon Doctrine, p. 670; 1 Nephi 14:10).

Now who is disparaging someone else's religion?

If God cannot lie and God's Word is true, who then is lying here? Is Mormonism the "true Christianity" as Mr. Smith says or is Christianity true?

We all will find out one day who is believing the actual truth. I feel quite confident with where I stand. Let us pray for the Mormons because if Christianity is true, and it is, the Mormons are being deceived. They do not believe in the God of the Bible (although they say they do). They do not believe that Jesus is God but rather A god, but also a created being (which speaks against John 1 - "In the beginning was The Word (Jesus)). Let us offer prayers to the One TRUE God for those in this world who have been deceived.

The Bible was written by divine revelation over a period of about 1600 years. Mormonism began in the 1820's. Why? Because some guy said he was visited by "God AND Jesus." Doesn't that sound like something Satan would orchestrate? To create confusion and false religions? To distract and take away from the ACTUAL God?

I have no doubt Joseph Smith was visited by someone. Satan. Remember, Satan can appear to be an angel of light. Also, remember this . . .

"You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you." - Deuteronomy 4:2

Why would God, whose Word IS true, suddenly add to it after 1600 years? Don't be fooled by believing a lie. Seek the truth, always. That's where the TRUE God is to be found.

Lying Spirits - GotQuestions.org

Solomon's Treasure

King Solomon was a very wise man. Rich too. He was SO rich that he left some of his treasure for us to find in his writings. See if you can find it with these clues he left behind.

I stumbled across one Solomon's treasures in my reading this week. After I read this prayer of his, something was revealed to me. A secret? No. You can find it too, if you think about it. Here are all the clues you will need. Can you find the treasure? They are hidden in Solomon's prayer to God.

“When they sin against You (for there is no one who does not sin), and You become angry with them and deliver them to the enemy, and they take them captive to a land far or near; 37 yet when they come to themselves in the land where they were carried captive, and repent, and make supplication to You in the land of their captivity, saying, ‘We have sinned, we have done wrong, and have committed wickedness’; 38 and when they return to You with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, where they have been carried captive, and pray toward their land which You gave to their fathers, the city which You have chosen, and toward the temple which I have built for Your name: 39 then hear from heaven Your dwelling place their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive Your people who have sinned against You. 40 Now, my God, I pray, let Your eyes be open and let Your ears be attentive to the prayer made in this place." - 2 Chronicles 6:36-40

Did you find the clues? The treasure is hidden in the words themselves. Do any of these words sound familiar? They should. It's the Gospel! The Good News! Add a little Jesus and there you have it!

Verse 36 - We all sin.
Verse 37 - We must come to ourselves and repent.
Verse 38 - We must return to God with our whole heart and soul.
Verse 39 - We must ask for forgiveness.

This is the treasure that awaits us all in God's answer to Solomon.

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." - 2 Chronicles 7:14

Your treasure awaits you. All you have to do is place your faith in God's Son, Jesus. If you do that one thing there will be no more sorrow, no more pain, only joy. And all that will last forever. It will never run out. Isn't that worth everything?

Listen to the bridge in the following song. Sound familiar?

What If His People Prayed - Casting Crowns

Indispensable

The advise I always give people when they get a new job is, "Make yourself indispensable." Make it impossible for someone to want to let you go or fire you. So, are you? Are you that valuable?

A couple of friends of mine have lost their jobs recently. It's a sad thing to see because it was preventable. They did it to themselves.

They were taking extended breaks at lunch and to go smoke, they came in late and left early. In one case they were ignoring company orders in favor of doing things their way. Not good things to be doing when companies are looking to increase their profit margin and make themselves more competitive in the marketplace.

I'm glad our salvation isn't based on works or being "good enough". None of us would be able to hold a job! Thank God (literally) for Jesus. He is the one who made us indispensable in God's eyes. And just how did that happen? Jesus sacrificed Himself on our behalf. He paid the price for our screw-ups.

There is a saying that goes, "A chain is only as strong as its weakest link." It's true. Companies don't like weak links. Companies like to be strong, so they like to replace the weak links with stronger ones.

In the case of our sinful nature, even though you and I are "weak links," God has given us the ability to become strong links in His eyes simply by our placing our faith in Jesus. Then, when God looks at the "chain" He has created with those who have trusted in His Son, He sees strength in each link . . . because He is seeing His Son in them. Link after link after link is Jesus.

Being indispensable in our daily jobs is a good thing but it doesn't compare to being indispensable . . . in Christ.

"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." - 1 Corinthians 12:27

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." - John 1:12

"It has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ;" - Philippians 1:13

Life Lines

This is a picture of me on my faith walk. I tend to wander all over the place, get into trouble, then cry out to Jesus for help. He always saves me and then I repeat the whole process all over again. What is wrong with me?

Well, I'm a sinful human. That's the biggest part of the problem. It seems like no matter how hard I try I just can't stay on "the path."

Still, at least I KNOW there is a path. Many people don't. They walk wherever they please, doing whatever they want. Sounds like Old Testament Israel. Stiff-necked, disobedient, doing what is right in their own eyes.

Did you hear the Old Testament Fixer Upper story about Josiah and The Book of The Law? Israel was doing a rehab project on the temple.

"Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. 9 So Shaphan the scribe went to the king, bringing the king word, saying, “Your servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of those who do the work, who oversee the house of the Lord.” 10 Then Shaphan the scribe showed the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king." - 2 Kings 22:8-10

King Josiah was just living life, doing all the things we sinners continue doing today. But then Hilkiah showed up with the Book of The Law and it was read to him. He then felt convicted and repented.

"Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, that he tore his clothes. 12 Then the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Achbor the son of Michaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king, saying, 13 “Go, inquire of the Lord for me, for the people and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found; for great is the wrath of the Lord that is aroused against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.” - 2 Kings 22:11-13

That is why we read The Bible my friends. "The law" is there to convict us of sin. We are supposed to repent after we feel convicted. The problem today, just as it was back then was, if you don't know right from wrong how can you obey?

We must stay rooted in The Word. It was given to us to KEEP us on the path. Wandering all over without God's Word as a guide can get us into a WHOLE lot of trouble. We need that light to guide us through the darkness this world wants to keep us in.

Read!!

Thy Word - Amy Grant

R U Religious?

Are you religious? This guy says he's VERY religious and I'm sure he is. But so were the guys who flew the planes into the World Trade Center on 9/11.

I saw three politicians talk about God and prayer this week. Honestly, I don't believe any of them. Why, you might ask? If someone tells us that they pray and they talk about their religion and God, aren't they religious?

Let's get one this straight. Being "religious" is NOT a good thing. The Pharisees and the Sadducees were religious in Jesus' day and Jesus spoke AGAINST them often. He called them snakes.

“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. 35A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” - Matthew 12:33-37

Mitt Romney is a Mormon. Mormonism is NOT a form of Christianity. Yes, they talk about Jesus. Yes, they use many of the wonderful Bible verses we Christians know and love, but they are NOT Christians! Many consider them to actually be a cult. They follow the teachings of Joseph Smith and have their own Bible - The Book of Mormon. It is NOT the Bible!

Nancy Pelosi said this week that she prayed for the president. I'm sure she did. However, Nancy is Catholic. If she is a woman of faith then why does she support the killing of babies and same sex marriage - two things clearly spoken against in God's Word AND by the Catholic Church?

And Donald Trump, he is probably the closest to the Kingdom of Heaven but I don't think he truly believes either. You might say, "How can YOU judge what is in a man's heart?" And you would be right in saying that. I can't. But Jesus told us that we ARE to judge the fruit of others claiming to be Christians. There is much work to be done yet in Trump's heart. SOME fruit is present but it is hard to separate true faith from a faith of convenience. If Trump were a Christian I would think we would see humbleness, mercy, grace and forgiveness.

"Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." - James 1:26-27

But I also must look at myself. I am a sinner too. I also profess a faith in Christ. Am I telling the truth? Is there evidence of my faith in the way I live MY life? That is for others in the church to judge. And, ultimately, it is for Jesus to judge when I stand before Him one day.

I sin every day. All of us do. That's why Jesus, the true Jesus, is our only hope. He has said that if we believe in Him we will be saved.

None of us can claim to be perfect. We are ALL sinners. Apart from Christ we all are lost and without hope. Worshiping a false God is hopeless. Saying we are Christians is one thing, actually living it is another.

The Holy Spirit that dwells within in us is the only evidence of the TRUE Christian. And how do people see something that is invisible? Look for the fruit. The Fruit of The Spirit as defined in Galatians 5.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." - Galatians 5:22-26

Jesus said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." - John 15:5

We all must pray for one another, in love. And we must live out that love. There is love and truth to be found. It is found in the One True God and we have access to it through His Son and the Holy Spirit. Let us show our love, not only in prayer but in the way we live our lives. And let us never stop searching for the truth because the truth, THEE Truth, will set us free.

"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." - John 14:6

Ex Mormon Gives His Testimony
I Would Die For You - Adam's Road

The Deep Dark Woods

Have you ever found yourself in a very dark place? Alone and afraid of what lies ahead of you? Want some company?

I have never faced a life or death battle - in a war or in a hospital bed - but I have walked beside people who have. There is one thing I know for sure. It is an honor to be there.

I was reminded this week of a time when I was giving my testimony to someone about how I came to faith in Christ. Part of that testimony involves the abduction and murder of a nine-year old girl in our town. What a tragedy that was. Each time I tell that part of my story I get emotional. It's a very painful thing, even to this day, when I think about that family and what they went through.

As I was telling this particular person that part of my story, the person hearing it reached out their hand and held mine, helping me get through it.

Isn't that what we should be doing when people in our lives are going through a tragedy, a medical procedure or some other painful experience? We should be exhibiting the same compassion for others that Christ showed countless times for us in our suffering.

"To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps." - 1 Peter 2:21

What an honor it is to willingly walk with someone during their time of sorrow or doubt.

Think of Jesus, hanging on that cross. Where were the disciples? Were they hanging next to Him? NO. They had all scattered, afraid for their lives. Truly, they should have suffered and died themselves, if they were true disciples and truly walking with Christ. Only after His resurrection did they truly understand. And suffer.

Who will we walk with today? Is there somebody in YOUR life who is walking alone? I wonder how they would feel if suddenly you were there, asking to walk with them for a while. And how would God feel when we did that?

In The Garden - Alan Jackson

Set Apart?

I watched some of the Super Bowl yesterday. The first couple of series anyway. Then something began to grate at me. What was I watching? And why was I watching it?

My wife and I used to watch the game just for the commercials and maybe that's what's bothering me this year - the commercials. Ads are designed to sell things. Companies want to make their products / services look appealing so we will want to buy them. But what are they selling? And why?

I think if it was just another football game, this game would have been a good one to watch. Two great teams, two good coaches, playing their hearts out. But then, in creeps "The World." Politics, luxury cars, fantasy movies . . . Mr. Peanut.

And the half-time show. Oh my. Jennifer Lopez and Shakira? I don't have to tell you what THEY were selling. I heard it was just shy of a strip tease show. I was glad I bugged out in the first quarter. I wonder how many impressionable kids watched the show?

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:2

If we are  to be transformed, how are we to do that? I think it's through reading the Bible and through prayer. Listening for that "still, small voice" and receiving God's Holy Spirit within us. Not by wallowing in worldly things.

The more we read and learn, the more our eyes are opened. We move closer to God and farther away from "the world" when we follow God's Holy Spirit and His leading.

We are Christians. We are called to be Holy, which means to be "set apart." And perhaps that's a good question for us this post Super Bowl Monday morning. Are we set apart? Are we holy?

Are we Christians?

I'm not picking on any Christians for watching the game (Yes, I am). I watched some of it. But I AM asking this question. WHY were we watching the game? For the football? For the commercials? For the halftime show? Did any of those things make us holy? Set apart from the rest of the world? The world we are not supposed to be like? Probably not.

Lord, help us not to conform to this slowly sinking world. We do the things we say we shouldn't do. We are no better than the rest of the unbelieving world. We should not be part of this world. We are YOURS! Help us act like it. Please!

"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 16What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God." - 2 Corinthians 6:14,16

Forgive Me - Tenth Avenue North

Winning

Have you ever won anything? It's kind of a weird feeling - being given something you didn't actually earn.

I was scrolling down through the ol' Facebook news feed the other day when I came across a picture of this beautiful blue golf disc. Purtty!!

The post said that all I had to do to have a chance of winning the disc was to say what color was by favorite. Seemed easy enough so I typed in "blue". Well, out of 318 comments, mine was somehow chosen. And that's really weird because I had been praying about something disc golf related all week and then . . . Boom! This gift drops in my lap. A sign?

You know what this gift reminds me of? The Gospel of salvation through our faith in Jesus.

Our salvation is a free gift from God. It's called grace. It's not earned, it is given. All we have to do is repent of our sins and call on the name of The Lord. That's it! Pretty easy.

"For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." - Romans 10:13

But the gift I received did come with a price. Someone bought the disc and then customized it. Made it more beautiful. That's what Jesus did. He paid the price for OUR sins by His shed blood on the cross. He "customized" us when we came to believe. We are different now with our belief compared to before without it.

Do you see the words "First Run"? It means that there were never any like it before. This disc is the first of its kind. There has never been anyone like Jesus before either. Fully God, fully many, born to die, a holy sacrifice, given once for all.

And look at the crown! What could that be a sign of? Oh, I don't know. Maybe Jesus, our King?

"On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords." - Revelation 19:6

Do you see that pattern in the background on the disc - kind of a sunburst, like the sun shining through some clouds? That's actually the name of the disc. Its official title is a Burst First Run Hyzer Dyes Maverick. A light shining through the storms in our lives? That's Jesus! He IS The Light!

I know I'm probably reading too much into all this but I am seeing this gift as a kind of answer to my prayers about how I should proceed in a new venture I am considering.

Will I ever throw this special gift? Probably. That's what these things were made to do. But I know this. I will treasure this free gift fir sure . . . and we all should do the same with our free gift of salvation.

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