I want to KNOW!

"To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free'.” John 8:31-32

The results of hold on to the truth is learning and knowing Jesus. Knowing the Truth comes as we hold on to the teachings of Jesus. The definition of knowing is to perceive directly. It is to grasp with the mind clarity and certainty. Knowing is experience and awareness.

We know Jesus when He becomes real in our lives, in our hearts, and in the holding on to His teachings. As we stay the course and are suspended over the cliffs and valleys of life... knowing what is holding us and what we are holding on to becomes much more real. It is the truth that gives us life...when we GROW in Jesus and GROW in His teachings that awareness only enhances our knowledge of Him...that knowledge then sets us free from the bondage of this world and we have peace with abundant life.

Let me ask you...do you know Jesus? Is He real in your life? Do you have an awareness of Jesus that permeates the very fibers of your being?

How does Jesus become real? When a believer holds, abides in, and cherishes Jesus' teachings. Paul writes it this way in Philippians 3:10, “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.”

Looking to KNOW Jesus more, Don

Mathematically Certain!

I have always loved this email that passes around. It is a great illustration of Abundant Living!

How about ACHIEVING 101%? 
What equals 100% in life? 
Here's a little mathematical formula that might help answer these questions: 
If: 
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 
Is represented as: 
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26. 
Then: 
H-A-R-D-W-O- R- K 
8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98% 
And: 
K-N-O-W-L-E- D-G-E 
11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+ 5 = 96% 
But: 
A-T-T-I-T-U- D-E 
1+20+20+9+20+ 21+4+5 = 100% 
THEN, look how far the love of God will take you: 
L-O-V-E-O-F- G-O-D 
12+15+22+5+15+ 6+7+15+4 = 101% 

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that: While Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close, andAttitude will get you there, It's the Love of God that will put you over the top! 

You know I love ya - Don

Desperation leads to compromise!

Do not hold against us the sins of the fathers;
may your mercy come quickly to meet us,
for we are in desperate need.

Help us, O God our Savior,
for the glory of your name;
deliver us and forgive our sins
for your name's sake. - Psalm 79:8-9

Desperation often leads to things that don't minister life to us. People who are desperate to make more money can get caught in the trap of compromising their conscience. I wonder how many young girls have gotten into pornography because they had a dream to be a model, but would not wait for God to open doors of positive opportunity. Another, is young men that will compromise their integrity so that they might move up the financial ladder.

Everyone of us needs to work on making decisions when we are calm and sound...not when we feel desperate. Desperate choices lead to poor consequences. If you are emotionally distraught, wait 24 hours and pray for God's direction and leading.

I once heard a story about a desert nomad who awoke in his tent one night feeling extremely hungry. He sat up, turned on the light, looked around his tent, and saw a bag of dates in the corner. He reached in to the bag, took one, and bit into it, only to discover there was worm in it. He spit it out and took a second one, but he found another worm. He tried one more time and all he had in his mouth was worm. Because his hunger was so intense, he pondered a moment what he should do. He turned off the light, reached into the bag, and proceeded to eat all the dates.

At times people turn out the lights of their conscience and do things in desperation, trying to fill the intense longing in their hearts. They are willing to bear the consequences of their sin in exchange for a moment of happiness. God's will is not that we have a moment, but rather a lifetime of happiness, adventure, romance, and fulfillment.

I am choosing to wait on God - in this desperate time in America, won't you join me. - You know I love ya, Don

Wise Jumps of Faith

 ²⁸Peter said to Him, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."

 ²⁹And He said, "Come!" And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. - Matthew 14:28-29

We have all asked this question before an important decision. "Lord, if you are in this...would you let me know? Give me a sign?" I will be preaching in Solid Ground services next Sunday (8/23/09) and we are going to discover some principles for understanding God's leading. Thus, we will be better equipped to make wise jumps of faith.

In v.28 Peter said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." To be fair to Peter, I do not believe he wanted to show off. He mainly just wanted to be with Jesus. Notice his request was, “command me to come to You on the water,” rather than, “command me to come on the water to You.” That translation is faithful to the Greek word order. “On the water” was simply the only way to get to Jesus quickly.

Likewise, in John 21:7 we read that after the resurrection, Peter jumped out of the boat and swam to Jesus when he realized He was standing on the shore. Again, he just wanted to be with Jesus. In Matthew 14, it probably seemed to Peter that in the storm it is safer to be on the water with Jesus than in the boat without Jesus!  We should desire to be with Jesus. And in fact, the storms of life will often drive us closer to Jesus.

Oh the power of what faith can do when God gives us a promise we can rightly claim for ourselves! By faith the power of Jesus flowed unto Peter, and He was able to walk on water just like Jesus! As Peter was held up, so we shall be held up everywhere, and in any storm, as long as we set our confidence and faith upon Him.  So, how do we get the answers to the question, "Lord, if it is you?"

Simply ask.  Ask Jesus, "If this is you"...and wait for His answer.  His answers are found in Scripture, in Godly Counsel, in experience, and most important, in the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Simply ask the Lord and if it is Jesus, He will call you out of the boat to join Him. Then we must be willing to jump out and walk on the water.

You know I love ya - Don

A Loud Voice in the Sky!

Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." 29The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. 30Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." 33He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die".- John 12:28-33

I wonder what I would do if I heard a voice from the sky? Would I explain it off such as some did in this passage or would I listen to its direction and wisdom?

It is like I have never read this passage before. A voice came down...God has glorified His name and will glorify it again...The voice was for those listening! The glorified name of Jehovah is the declaration of His worship in our Lives!

I wonder what I would do if I heard a voice from the sky? I have the Word of God, the scriptures and there is no doubt that it comes directly from Him. Yet, many times I am explaining it off. I guess there is no reason to wonder.

Lord, help me to never explain off your righteousness and your teaching. Open the eyes of my heart, I want to see you high and lifted up. Thank you for being so glorious. In Jesus name, Amen.