The One

"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? - Luke 15:4

I lived this verse out this past weekend. My wife and I went to visit our daughter and her husband. Oh, and our granddaughter too. :)

My son-in-law and I played some disc golf while the three ladies checked out the local splash pad.

After we were done with our visit my wife and I made the 30 minute back home and unpacked. That's when I discovered I was missing my favorite golf disc.

It was too late to drive back so I resigned myself to the fact that I had lost a treasured possession.

The following day at church I found myself thinking about that verse from Luke so I decided to make the 60-minute round trip - leaving my 99 discs behind to go and search for "the one."

My lost disc was not at the park. It was a good disc. It always did what I asked of it and now it was gone.

Later that evening my wife called out to me from the garage.

"What color was that disc you lost?"

"A light blue Innova DX Valkyrie, 164 grams, slight smudge on the upper left. Flies super straight, even turns to the right with a little more power off the tee. Why?"

"Oh. Did it look like this?"

My wife tells me my mouth hung open for a second or two before an ear-to ear grin took over.

"Where did you find that!?!" I exclaimed with joy.

"In the pocket on the back of the front seat. Must have slid in their on the ride back home."

There is great joy in finding something that wad lost. That's why the sheppard left the 99 to go after the one.

There is also great joy in pursuing a lost sinner. God wishes that none should perish. The world we live in is filled with lost sheep. God would absolutely love it if we would help Him find a few.

What do you say? Is there a lost sheep in your family. What's the 99 you will leave behind to go after the one? Your spare time? A night alone? A small price to pay to make God smile.

The 99 - 7eventh Time Down

Church Attendance

California churches defy their governor's order banning worship. Are they right to do so?

When I served as an usher in church part of my duties was to go up in the balcony and take a head count of all those in attendance. Today, the same thing happening only now it is the government doing the counting.

The state of California's governor, Gavin Newsom, has mandated that churches not gather for worship. He's trying to keep everyone safe from the Corona virus. However, in his doing that, several churches have determined that he is doing so illegally. Ultimately the US Supreme Court will decide.

Two prominent pastors have issued statements and have gathered for worship in defiance of their governor's orders stating, "The church transcends the governments of this world and the politics of this world because the church is a living, breathing, divine institution." - Jack Hibbs, Calvary Chapel - Chino Hills, CA

So, who is right? SOMEBODY has to be wrong in this case. And honestly? I think it's the government. Liberal politicians are getting a little too greedy in their quest for power (in my opinion).

The Bible says that God "hath put all things under his (Jesus) feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church," - Ephesians 1:22

Pastor John MacArthur wrote a letter to the governor of California. This is the last paragraph of that letter.

Therefore, in response to the recent state order requiring churches in California to limit or suspend all meetings indefinitely, we, the pastors and elders of Grace Community Church, respectfully inform our civic leaders that they have exceeded their legitimate jurisdiction, and faithfulness to Christ prohibits us from observing the restrictions they want to impose on our corporate worship services.

Persecution is coming for God's church. He has told us so in His Word. He has also told us to have no fear. We were made to worship. For someone to prohibit that worship is "anti-Christ". Need I say more?

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." - John 16:33, Jesus

California Churches Defy Governor

Stand Alone

So, what is your breaking point? At what point do you no longer care about what other people think and you stand up for what YOU believe in?

There have been a lot of hot topics on social media lately. I'm not going to list them all but here's a few. Masks or no masks, Republican or Democrat, Ford or Chevy, Toilet paper - over or under? It's a battle field out there.

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Sam Coonrod stood up recently - literally standing alone during the national anthem. Later, he said this to reporters.

"I'm a Christian, like I said, and I just can't get on board with a couple of things that I have read about Black Lives Matter," Coonrod added to the network. "How they lean toward Marxism, and they've said some negative things about the nuclear family. I just can't get on board with that."

Now there's a REAL "stand-up" guy! Faith, family and country are more important than taking a knee.

After Moses died, Joshua was put in charge of taking Israel into the promised land. He did a wonderful job, following the Lord's commands all the way. But when he was old and near death, Joshua warned the people in a little pep talk. We would do well to heed his words today.

14 “Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord! 15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” - Joshua 24:14-15

Joshua stood up for God, but the people ultimately failed God after Joshua's death. They strayed and worshipped other gods. And God's anger grew. God eventually punished His people, giving them over to their enemies. Let that not be us. May we stand tall and choose this day whom we will serve.

BLM Destroyed American Sports - Mike Nificent

The Lightbulb

We have all had those moments of enlightenment when, all of a sudden, we actually get it. Maybe it was the first time that someone said "I love you" or when we first realized that God is real. The lightbulb goes on and we become changed.

I got to witness one of those "lightbulb moments" this week in the eyes of a 12-year-old girl named Savana. I have known this pre-teen kid for ten whole days now. She is a student in one of the disc golf classes I teach. When we first met she was the stereotypical kid - shy, quiet, self-conscious and awkward . . . with glasses.

Savana couldn't throw very well in our first class but in class number two something happened. Something clicked and the lightbulb came on.

The class that day was about different ways to throw a disc. Discs were flying everywhere and I do mean everywhere! We got around to a throw called "the flick roller" and for Savana, that was her lightbulb moment. She could really throw those things! She was throwing them better than the football guy standing next to her!

You should have seen her smile. Her confidence level soared. A smile came to her face that never left. She was experiencing joy in the knowledge that she actually was GOOD at something.

Do you remember how you felt when you first came to faith in Christ? That moment when you first came to believe? The knowledge that God chose you! Even though you were awkward and felt unworthy.

None of us measures up to God's high standard of perfection. But Jesus did! It is through our faith in Jesus and His substitutionary sacrifice on our behalf that MAKES us good enough. Doesn't that bring a smile to your face? Doesn't that lift your confidence? It should! Because we are all children of God!

"So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise." - Galatians 3:26-29

I Will Come Back Stronger - Paige Shue
Forehand Rollers - Eric Oakley

Nephilim

"The Nephilim were on the earth in those days - and also afterward - when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown." - Genesis 6:4

There was a plot by Satan and his fallen angels to create a new race of people - bigger, stronger, more evil, more perverse, and totally devoted to worshipping the devil himself.

If you are wondering why God destroyed every living thing on earth (except Noah and his family) these Nephilim, which literally means "fallen ones," are the reason for the flood. They and the perverse offspring of these demons and humans.

There are many parallels between the times of Noah and the days we are living in today. So many similarities in fact that one could think that the flood was prophetic in nature for when Jesus returns to judge us all.

There are no giants in the world today, or are there? Perhaps instead they are giant corporations doing Satan's bidding. Like Planned Parenthood for example. A giant baby-killing machine to be sure. Killing off potential Christ worshippers just like King Herrod did back when Jesus was born, trying to kill off the coming Messiah.

And what about the United Nations? They too are a giant organization who seem determined to eliminate Israel from the face of the earth. That sounds like something Stan would love as well. Eliminate God's chosen people? Oh, yes indeed.

There are many things that we have to look forward to when Jesus returns. One of them will be live without all these evil things in our lives. New bodies, no more tears or pain, no more suffering. Only love, and worship and peace. These are promises from God!

Until that day we must endure. We must endeavor to persevere. But, oh, what a glorious day that will be when Jesus returns! Until then, let us not become children of darkness like the Nephilim. We are children of God. We should act like it.

"You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness." - 1 Thessalonians 5:5

"Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them." - John 12:36

Special thanks to Pastor Dave for inspiring this story through his teaching on Sunday. You can find his message on Calvary Chapel - Waupaca's website under "Teaching". To be posted 7-21-20

Calvary Chapel - Waupaca - Teaching

Resistance Is Futile

Why is everyone acting so weird lately? It's almost as if some are not thinking for themselves anymore but rather have succumbed to some sort of alien collective. It seems that way because . . . it's true.

It's like an episode of Star Trek where you have Star Fleet and The Borg. According to the Borg's way of thinking, "Everyone must be assimilated. Resistance is futile." If you refuse to assimilate you must die. Simple.

On July 5th a 24-year old mom was shot in the head, dead, for daring to say that "ALL lives matter" to a member of the BLM collective. She did not match their group-think, therefore she was eliminated even though she spoke the truth.

How can such evil exist in this world? That's a question many people are asking these days. The answer is simple. Open up your Bible.

From Genesis to Revelation you will find a battle being waged between God and Satan, between good and evil. Satan is the one who is telling you that resistance is futile. God offers everyone free will and a choice.

As we read the Bible and compare its teachings to the rhetoric of "the world" it doesn't take long to figure out that God is the One who is right. He IS the truth! "The world," therefore, because it opposes God, is wrong.

We need to constantly examine ourselves to make sure we are actually following God in His will. And guess what? We too are quite often found lacking. We all must repent and throw ourselves at the foot of the cross. True Christians have already done that. We are still waiting for the left, the media, the BLM movement and Satan to do the same. And, sadly, many "Christians" as well.

"There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." - Proverbs 14:12 & 16:25

"The Borg" in our world is The Left, the liberal media, and anyone contrary to God and His Word. To put it bluntly, they are all liars in God's eyes because they do not speak the words of truth. We must be cautious. We live in enemy territory. But we must also stand firm because we are on God's side and that is worth the battle.

"Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." - Matthew 12:30

Choices must be made in this war. The question is whose side are we on? I have no regrets at all about my choice I made. Should it cost me my life, I have no doubts whatsoever that I am on the right side. Sadly, movements like the left, BLM, the LGBTQA+ movement, the abortionists, etc. all firmly believe they are on the right side as well. We all will see soon enough who is right, but we already KNOW. It is written in the Bible.

Are we ready for battle? It IS coming. How much are we willing to sacrifice for our King? Our answer should be EVERYTHING.

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." - Philippians 1:21

All Who Are Thirsty - Kutless
We Are The Borg

Hidden In Plain Sight

What does your name mean? And why did your parents name you that? Was it because it just sounded cool? Or did it have some special meaning? A SECRET meaning?

Enoch, from the Book of Genesis in the Bible, was born around 4600 BC. He was the father of Methuselah and the great grandfather of Noah. Enoch was a prophet in his time and prophesied about a great flood that would be coming.

What's interesting is that Enoch named his son Methuselah which literally means "his death shall bring". Bring what? The flood.

The flood was preached for four generations - Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech and Noah. "His death shall bring" (Methuselah) meant that the flood would not come until Methuselah died. Guess what. The year Methuselah died, the flood came.

Here's a trivia question for you. The oldest man in the Bible was Methuselah, yet he died before his father did. How is that possible? Because Enoch did not die.

"When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. 22After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years. 24Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away." - Genesis 5:21-24

The Bible has so much information in it. Most of it we just gloss over as "boring." I have read the Bible eight times and never even stopped to think that Biblical names might carry actual meanings. Our pastor preached about those meanings on Sunday and offered this very interesting observation.

If you took all the ancient Hebrew names listed in Genesis 5 and wrote down their English translation, this is what you would have.

"man" - Adam

"appointed" - Seth

"mortal" - Enosh

"sorrow" - Kenan

"the blessed of God" - Mehaliel

"shall come down" - Jared

"teaching" - Enoch

"his death shall bring" - Methuselah

"despairing" - Lamech

"comfort, rest" - Noah

Now, string all those meanings together and see if you notice anything.

Man is appointed mortal sorrow: but The Blessed of God shall come down teaching. His death shall bring the despairing comfort, rest.

It's Jesus! It's the Gospel!

And if you think about it, don't we all need to get into The Ark named Jesus Christ in order to be saved from God's wrath?

Here's another trivia question for you. Who closed the door after everyone got on the ark? It wasn't Noah. It wasn't any of his sons.

"Pairs of all creatures that have the breath of life in them came to Noah and entered the ark. 16 The animals going in were male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the Lord shut him in." - Genesis 7:15-16

Get on The Ark of Jesus Christ today before the wrath of God comes and you go the way of all the earth.

Hidden Treasures in Genesis - Chuck Missler
Genesis 5

For What Purpose?

Do you believe that things happen for a reason? I do. Does someone orchestrate these "coincidences" that life throws at us? Is it God? It has to be!

I have been a born-again believer in Jesus for over 14 years now and have seen enough amazing "coincidences" in my life to convince me that things do in fact happen for a reason. God is that reason. He is the cause, the perpetrator, and the orchestrator of ALL things.

"He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." - Colossians 1:17

A friend and I were playing disc golf on Saturday when my buddy's tee shot went wide left on Hole #3. We searched for it in the thick brush and finally found it but not before finding another disc as well (see picture).

The found disc was an older model. Some might consider it a collector disc. My friend who found it  definitely thought it was worthy. As he gave me the disc he said, "If you don't find the owner, let me know, I'll put it in my collection."

You see, I run our league's Facebook page and we advertise lost and found discs. Most disc never make it back to their owners. No name or phone number on them. That's MOST discs. This particular found disc had the owner's name, phone number and PDGA number on it! This disc really wanted to go home!

Isn't it odd that the person who now had the disc also had access to the PDGA player database. Hmm. Strange. A search was made and the disc's owner was found. He lives in Stevens Point - a community about 20 minutes down the road.

I also just happen to be a member of the Point Disc Golf group on Facebook. Hmm. I wonder. So I searched their membership list and there was the disc's owner! So I sent him a message. You won't believe the reply I received.

"Oh my gosh! That's awesome!"

And WHY was it awesome, you might ask?

"That disc was one that I had in my bag when it was stolen out of my truck."

Wow! And now here it was, heading back to its owner . . . tomorrow. But for what reason? What purpose?

You see, this whole thing, in my opinion, this whole chain of events, is too weird to be strung together by anyone other than the God Himself. His name is written all over it, just like this golf disc had it's owner's name written on it. But why would God do this?

Well, on Tuesday I am driving up to Point to meet this guy. He will be happy to get his disc back. He will also be happy to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And how do I know that? God didn't bring that disc this far without having a purpose behind it. And God placed it in the hands of one of His children, who once was lost. And now I can tell the disc's owner a story about how "I once was lost but now am found."

"But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'" - Luke 15:32

God is very good at finding lost things and reuniting them with their owner. You and I were lost. But then we were found. Let us thank God for His willingness to pursue us and search for us and for calling us to Himself like He did. We were all hopelessly lost. But God never gave up the search. And now we are going back home to our Owner where we belong.

[This story will also be appearing on Disc Golf Devo's Facebook page]

Disc Golf Devos

Need Encouragement?

We all need encouragement from time to time. So, how do we get it when we are usually the ones who do the encouraging in other people's lives? Here are a few things you can do to fill up that cup and keep pouring into the lives of those around you.

The first thing you can do to encourage yourself is to remember whose you are. If you are a Christian you belong to Christ. To the King of kings and Lord of lords. Another thing to remember is that you were chosen! God picked you!

"You were chosen by God the Father long ago. He knew you were to become His children. You were set apart for holy living by the Holy Spirit. May you obey Jesus Christ and be made clean by His blood. May you be full of His loving-favor and peace.

3 Let us thank the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It was through His loving-kindness that we were born again to a new life and have a hope that never dies. This hope is ours because Jesus was raised from the dead. 4 We will receive the great things that we have been promised. They are being kept safe in heaven for us. They are pure and will not pass away. They will never be lost." - 1 Peter 1:2-4

We also need to remind ourselves that we were chosen FOR A REASON. Why did God choose you? For what purpose? It's because He wants you to do something for Him. He wants you to serve Him, to worship Him and to love Him.

Have you volunteered lately at a food pantry or Meals on Wheels? Maybe it's as simple as baking some cookies and giving them to your neighbor. Serving others accomplishes two things. It help those with a need and it helps us fulfill the purpose for our lives.

When I need real encouragement I open up my Bible to Romans 8. There is more than enough encouragement in Paul's writing to the Romans to get me encouraged.

"If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died - more than that, who was raised to life - is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:31-39

Feeling encouraged yet?

"Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called "Today," so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." - Hebrews 3:13

We will never need encourament as long as we remind ourselves of these simple truths.

The Word - Sara Groves
The Words I Would Say - Sidewalk Prophets

The Avenger of Blood

Reading through the Book of Leviticus can be like taking a short walk through a big desert. It can be a struggle to get through, but when you get to the other side - paradise!

There are lots of rules in the Book of Leviticus. Many of them don't make too much sense to us, living in today's world. But, when we stop and think about them, if we do, the rules suddenly make sense. Like the Avenger of Blood and the City of Refuge.

You have probably heard the term "city of refuge" in the news recently. In today's context it applies to illegal aliens trying to escape the federal government's desire to deport them. The city of refuge in today's world is willfully disobeying federal law.

Back in the time of Moses a city of refuge was a place where someone could flee to if he or she accidentally killed someone. The Avenger of Blood, usually a family member, could not kill the fleeing person in that city. But if the fleer ever left the city. Boom!

This city of refuge concept is mentioned many times in the Bible. It must be important. So I got thinking about that concept and came up with this.

Isn't Jesus OUR "city of refuge"? When we flee from the sins we have committed, aren't we safe "in Him"? And if we should every leave Him, aren't we then doomed? You and I face death if we are found anywhere outside of our City of Refuge, Jesus.

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe." - Proverbs 18:10

Our salvation is found in The Lord, our strong tower. The righteous run into it and they are saved.

The Name of The Lord

Sing Sing Sing

"I will sing the praises of Your name." King David couldn't help but sing! But these days many Christians are not being allowed to sing in church. What do we do?

The news stories and church e-mails read like a page out of Satan's playbook in my opinion). You shall not sing praises to the Lord your God. Ridiculous! Yet it is happening right now.

Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, closed down all the churches in his state when the Covid-19 virus first hit. Remember that separation of church and state thing? Yeah. Well, the United States Supreme Court remembered it and canceled the governor's edict against houses of worship.

So the governor came up with a new plan. No singing in church! And he is not alone. At least one of our area churches has prohibited singing in church. Instead its congregants have been instructed to "meditate on the words."

I am proud to say that the church I attend worships together, sings together, and none of us wears a mask either. And everybody's healthy. Praise be to God!

David liked to sing praises to God. That's what his Psalms are. They are songs!

"The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior! 47He is the God who avenges me, who subdues nations under me, 48who saves me from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes; from a violent man you rescued me. 49Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name." - Psalm 18:46-49

Yes, we should use our heads when worshipping. Socially distance yourselves if you must. If you're sick, stay home. But we were made to worship. We worship God not some bishop's decree or a governor's executive order.

I know we are supposed to follow the laws our government sets down for us. EXCEPT when they contradict God's laws.

If I was a Christian living in California I hope I would stand up and sing. No government should ever get in the way of our right to worship.

The Canadian government has already told pastors what they can and cannot say about gay marriage for example. It's hate speech they say. This ban on singing is just another example of Satan using non-believers to accomplish his will.

Wait a minute. Did I just say these church leaders who are creating and obeying these no-sing laws are not Christians? I guess I did. Christians follow God, not man. Paul and Silas were forbidden by the local government from preaching Christ. What did THEY do?

"They brought them (Paul and Silas) before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar 21by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.”

22The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. 23After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them." - Acts 16:20-25

Are we being tested by God to see who it is that we obey?

"The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. 4It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him." - Deuteronomy 13:3-4

May we pass the test and sing His praises louder than ever before.

Sing Sing Sing - Chris Tomlin

The Price of Disobedience

Did you ever hear these words when you were growing up? "Wait until your father gets home!" If you did, you were loved.

Discipline is an essential part of learning what's right and what's wrong. That's the way we humans learn. Why? Because we can't seem to learn any other way.

Lots of animal trainers reward their animals with treats whenever they do something right. When the animal does something wrong they are punished. If there is no punishment, why change the behavior?

God punishes us when we sin. Why? So we learn NOT to sin.

"My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, 12because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in." - Proverbs 3:11-12

Do you think that God is punishing us today because we have been disobedient? Well, that's actually not the right question to ask. I should have asked my question like this: How can you think that God is NOT disciplining us for our disobedience?

Watch the news. Our punishment can be seen everywhere. Many of our cities are still smoldering from the riots. God's people are living in fear from things they cannot even see. We wear masks, we shame those who don't, we disrespect our police and we cave in to every faction and squeaky wheel that raises its voice.

Our churches should be yelling, "Wait until your Father gets home!" but many have caved in and no longer speak words of truth. Instead they try to please humans rather than God. God will not be mocked!

"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." - Galatians 6:7-10

I saw where my former church, the ELCA, is now praying to Mother God. Nowhere in the Bible is God ever referred to as a woman. It is always God, The Father. God will not be mocked! Therefore God will punish the disobedient. Let me refer you again to the news.

In 2009 the ELCA voted 559-451 to allow and encourage gay pastors. They currently have a gay bishop. This is contrary to God's Word! The vote tool place in Minneapolis. And last month Minneapolis was the first city to burn.

What is needed today is repentance, not accommodation. Humility, not pride. Teaching God's Word, not capitulation to society's demands.

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." - Proverbs 14:12

There are so many blessings to be had though our obedience to God. Why would we EVER do otherwise? Why? Because we are sinners and we can't seem to help ourselves.

Here's a powerful video about the importance of fathers in our lives.

Just Like You - Lecrae

How God Works

Sometimes we can get frustrated when it seems like God does not hear our prayers. We can feel alone or "unheard" by Him. That's a sad place to be. But that's not faith. Sometimes it's just how God works.

Why do I have a picture of a golf disc for my blog today? Well, because it is the beginning point of where this story about God answering prayer begins.

Three weeks ago one of the players in the disc golf league I run gave me this disc. "Found this on hole eight" he said. So I took this picture of it and put it on our group's Facebook page. It wasn't long before I got a message from the disc's owner.

I carried this disc in my car for weeks. Finally, last night, I messaged the owner again and told him I was at Swan Park if he wanted to come get his disc. We finally met last night and the exchange was made. But that's just the side story.

Earlier last night, before all the players came, I prayed. The whole reason I had created this disc golf league was to establish relationships with people. The goal being to share the Gospel and share my faith with others. That might sound weird but that's just what I felt like I should be doing. In ALL things.

However nothing like that was happening and I was frustrated. So I laid it all out in a prayer.

"God, I feel like I'm not accomplishing the things I wanted to do for You. I want to share the Gospel. I want to share my faith and my love for You with others but it's not happening. Please provide an opportunity tonight."

As the night came to an end I started packing up. The players left and soon, I was the only one left. Well, me and this guy who came walking up - the lost disc's owner. He and I talked for 40 minutes about life, family and God until the entire parking lot was empty.

THAT, my friends, is how God works.

Would you like to have God answer your prayers? Pray. But pray in such a way that God will WANT to answer. Don't pray asking God to help you pass a math test. God is not a genie. Pray in His will. Pray for things you know God would want to have happen anyway. We are here to serve Him, not the other way around.

Does God want us to share the Gospel? Yes. Does God want us to be in healthy relationships for His ultimate glory? Yes. Was I surprised when this young man then came walking up and into my life? No. Because God is and was being glorified.

THAT is how God works!

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do." - James 1:5-7