You Gotta Keep Your Head Up!

When I was younger, I really enjoyed early Saturday morning television shows. One of my favorites was The Adventures of Superman. The show opened with the announcer saying, “Look! It’s a bird. It’s a plane. No, it’s Superman!”

No one  looked for superman to come in on foot, in a car, or on his or her ground level. When people wanted the help of Superman, they had to look up!

The other day, I was working out with a great friend of mine. It was a very difficult workout that physically took our breath away. My workout partner finished strong but felt weak. He was bent over attempting to take deep breaths. Before long, he stood up and said, “When I played football in High School, after a difficult workout my coach would tell us to pick our heads up and lift our hands in order to breathe.” He continued to say, “You can’t breathe while bent over and looking down, there’s no air down there.”

Many of us are seeking some sort of provision from God. However, in our efforts to receive provision, we have become exhausted and are hanging our heads. Keep reading - your provisional relief is coming. Understand that provision is not limited to finances. God provides peace, comfort, love, attention, relief, and more.

Genesis 24:63-67

63 And Isaac went out to meditate and bow down [in prayer] in the open country in the evening; and he looked up and saw that, behold, the camels were coming.

64 And Rebekah looked up, and when she saw Isaac, she dismounted from the camel.

65 For she [had] said to the servant, Who is that man walking across the field to meet us? And the servant [had] said, He is my master. So she took a veil and concealed herself with it.

66 And the servant told Isaac everything that he had done.

67 And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and he took Rebekah and she became his wife, and he loved her; thus Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

Isaac, the son of Abraham was by himself in an open place praying fervently. It wasn’t that Isaac was without resources (his family was rich) however his life was about to experience an area of lack. I can imagine Isaac kneeling down and praying to God, closing his prayer, then looking up. In the distance he saw the camels.

Camels carried provision. Camels carried resources. Camels carried what was needed to survive in a dry and deserted area.

Rebekah is on one of the camels. Isaac doesn’t know that he will need Rebekah, but his earthly father (Abraham) knew what God promised him and Isaac’s heavenly father (God) knew what the future held for Isaac.

Rebekah, away from her family and probably worn by the journey, is looking down as well. But, at the right and divine time, she looks up and at her provision.

Isaac needs Rebekah and Rebekah needs Isaac – God’s provision was presented to  both of them in this Camel moment.

After they meet, Isaac introduces Rebekah to his mother, Sarah and he marries Rebkah. When Sarah dies, Rebekah is the comfort he needs!

Here is the point. In our moments of desperation we tend to look down. Some look down and take a moment to pray. Others look down as if they are too worn to continue. I am challenging you to readjust your focus. LOOK UP! Your provision is on the horizon. Don’t give in – the further you push a spring down – the higher it jumps! If you continue to stay down, you are obstructing your ability to live. You can’t breath if you constrict the breathing process. You have to open up to fully receive what you need. The provision you need is not just for today it is for your future as well. Get to your place, away from the madness, and pray. God is ready to provide what you knowingly and unknowingly need.

Your CAMELS are coming! Look Up! 

If God is counting Hairs - what about the one's I've lost??!!

(Matthew 10:28-30)

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Fear is a prevailing emotion. With earthquakes, escalating gas prices, wars, and lackluster job security, people are just as afraid to live, as they are to die. When I was in junior high, number 72 for the Chicago Bears, William “Refrigerator” Perry was the greatest player alive. He was a big guy and I was a big guy - sort of. He was 6’2” and weighed 382 pounds, I was 4’9” and weighed around 110 pounds. Determined to use my weight to gain popularity and somehow discover my purpose, I joined the football team and made sure the coach gave me the number 72 jersey. My first day on the field, I was shocked to see how hard the other guys were running into each other. 

I thought, how is that fun? I don’t like being hit and I for sure don’t want to hit anybody! Given all of my prior football experience, I was placed on the “B” team as a second string lineman. The day I was told to get in the game, I was elated. I ran to my position, stood with my legs shoulder length apart, bent my knees a little, then put my right hand down balanced on my thumb and fingers. The ball was hiked and this giant man-child ran over me like truck. I walked off the field, removed my pads and exclaimed “this is not for me - use someone better!” My coach came over to me and explained that pain and persistence are apart of the game. He also said that in the game each player is important. 

The other team is going to attack at every opportunity and their goal is to get you to quit but players on and off the field are vital to victory. The coach made me put my pads back on and put me back in again. But, isn’t that what God does for us.

At our moment of desperation, He says just the right thing to remind us that even in our weak points he will provide the words that will give us the strength we need (2 Corinthians 12:9). I completed the game and the season more confident than ever. Although at first I thought my role was seemingly insignificant – I knew that if I didn’t do my part there would be no one to give the first string a break or to step in when needed. 

As Christians, we must grasp the undeniable truth that God passionately cares about us – so much so that he counts every hair on our head – even the ones that won’t grow back. You are important, invaluable, and priceless. Even though people may act like bullies and attack your character to make you feel inferior, your value is not determined by their words. God labeled you with a price that could never be paid by man and your persistence through the pain will give you victory! Remove fear and replace it with the God given confidence that you can do ALL things through Him that gives you strength.

Exposed!

John 13:3-4

3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.

My son struggled with a cold one evening. He sneezed, cried, and demanded attention throughout the night. The next morning, I struggled to get him prepared for school. He was tired, I was exhausted, and we both had somewhere to be. Eventually we loaded the car and headed to our first stop.

We arrive at a stoplight and I glance over my right shoulder to check on him. He was sitting feebly in his car seat with tears welled up in his eyes. His face was covered in mucus.  He had sneezed and then tried to wipe his nose with his hands, rubbing mucus all over his face while I wasn’t looking.

I looked feverishly for a napkin, tissue, or some sort of soft material, to wipe his nose. Nothing. In desperation to clean my son up, I removed my shirt, wrapped a portion of the shirt around my hand, and proceeded to clean his face and nose. I wasn’t worried about who was looking into my car – my concern was cleaning my son’s face.

It was just enough to bring somewhat of a grin to my son’s face. Here was his dad in traffic half naked and doing anything to clean him up and make him smile.

Reaching back to the moment Jesus was with his disciples at the last supper is a great correlation. Before Jesus served them supper, He removed his outer garment, placed a towel around his waist and washed their feet. This was His ultimate act of service before the cross. He removed his garments, washed their feet, and then dried them with the towel he was wearing.

Before Jesus went to the cross, the bible says they removed his clothes leaving him exposed before the onlookers. But in that exposed state He was more concerned with the sins of humanity than his physical appearance.

In 1 John 1:9 we learn that “ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Jesus wants to clean you up. He sees your tears and the mess that you are covered in – let Him cleanse you and place a smile back on your face. He has exposed himself for you and his main concern is you.

Pick your friends like you pick your nose! Very Carefully!

Picky Picky!

1 Samuel 16:11

So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”

My favorite professional football team, The Houston Texans, recently selected a player that wasn’t in the line up.

Elliot Coffey, a Sugar Land native, star player for the Baylor Bears, and current employee with Enterprise Rent a Car got the call when he wasn’t even on the field. After playing for Baylor, then going undrafted in 2012 and signing as a free agent to the Denver Broncos he had no playtime last year. He returned to Houston and went to work. I believe that in the back of his mind He knew he had a gift; he just needed the right people to recognize it. According to an article in the Houston Chronicle, Coffey was cleaning a car and preparing it for a customer when his agent called and said he had five days to get ready.  The first Texans preseason game had already taken place and many of the player selections had already begun but the story was not over for Coffey. Now he is a linebacker in his home city in front of those who saw him cleaning cars.

David, the great giant slayer has a similar story. When God sent Samuel to the house of Jesse to anoint the next king, Jesse brought out seven of his prized boys. David was still in the field working. David's own father didn't even consider him worthy of the anointing. God told Samuel that none of Jesse’s selections, despite size, stature, or strength were the one. God knew there was one more – the least expected. David is called forth and Samuel immediately knows that David is the one. He was the last one called and the least likely to get the position but God’s choices are not predictable.

I am encouraging you to take these two real stories and apply them to your life. David was not asleep when he got the call. Coffey was not at home or in the streets when he got the call. David wasn’t practicing being a king and Coffey wasn’t knocking over foam players. Nevertheless they were busy and every work we do can be applied to where we are going. (Romans 8:28) 

Maybe you feel like the last one left and everyone else appear more qualified for the position. God said, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) You are pre-qualified, hand crafted, and the perfect choice. Remain humble, keep working, and when you get the call – go get your blessing!

How to Survive the HEAT

“Look!” he answered. “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” – Daniel 3:25

HEAT is powerful! It burns, purifies, molds, refines and removes. Anyone living in Houston can attest to the overwhelming strength of heat. We can also learn a lot about HEAT from the three Hebrew boys who were thrown into the furnace.

King Nebuchadnezzer was so HEATED at Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that he demanded they be thrown into the fire... Fueled by anger, the king had the furnace HEATED to such a degree that it INCINERATED the individuals who threw the boys into the furnace. After a short while, the King noticed the once bound boys walking around in the midst of the HEAT with a cool companion.

I encourage you to think about four quick things:

1.     Haters get heated, but they will only destroy themselves, and those they conspire with, if YOU stay cool.

2.     You may feel bound while in a hot place, but you can still call out for help.

3.     God is with you always, and He can use every heated situation for your benefit.

4.     God also uses heated situations for his glory.  God did more than perform a miracle for the boys. He also sent a message to the king and any onlooker about His power!

There is always a way to stay cool in hot times. 

The Paralysis of Analysis

The Price of Pushing forward 

The Paralysis of Analysis

Someone once said…”I made 6 resolutions last year and I kept them all Year long. They are in an envelope at my house.

A decision not to decide is still a decision. Frequently, the uncertain consequence of decisions is more intimidating and paralyzing than the decision itself. My Pastor likes to refer to the extended pause in pressing forward as the “paralysis of analysis”.

This pretty much sums up my decision making process. Some decisions are so difficult for me that it is almost comical. I get bothered when a restaurant has too many choices. Don’t let them have pictures to coincide with the food. It makes me want to order half of the menu! Thank God for patient wait staff.

The Bible says:

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. – James 1:5

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 1 John 5:14

Based on these two verses it can be ascertained that God is already prepared to graciously pour out wisdom when we ask for direction. The catch is that we must ask according to His desire for our lives and not our selfish intent. We can’t be halfway into something that we know isn’t right and simultaneously asking God to guide us on the same path. That is just seeking justification for bad judgment.

Godly wisdom is the understanding of what pleases God; because God is the source of wisdom, He unselfishly doles it out when we ask with a pure heart.

Recently, a very popular basketball player was faced with a difficult decision. Pride, pay, popularity, and promise were sizeable factors in his impending decision. His current team and teammates had their influence. His past team and performance had their influence also. However, when asked how Dwight Howard chose to play his next season with the Houston Rockets, he removed every influence but one. Ironically, Dwight’s decision to leave the Los Angeles Lakers took place on a day designated to celebrate freedom and independence from the past.

“It was on the Fourth of July,” said Howard. “That’s when I felt it was Houston. I was in Colorado. It seemed like every person that I met was from Houston. It was just so ironic. I’d walk around. Someone would ask for a picture. They’d give me a business card and it would say Houston on it. I was like, ‘Is everybody in Colorado from Houston right now?’ It was unbelievable.

“I was like, ‘You know what, this has to be from God.’ You pray for things to happen. You pray for signs, for God to show you things. It just seemed like, this was it.”

Howard is supposedly taking a 3 million dollar pay cut to play with the Rockets.

Howard continued, “I chose to go to Houston. I wasn’t traded. I was just like I had an opportunity to do something for myself and it wasn’t anybody’s else’s choice. It wasn’t a friend or fans or based off anybody but myself. In Orlando, I wanted to do everything for everybody else and I wasn’t happy inside with what I did. I just wanted to see everybody else happy. This time, I wanted to make myself happy and get back to being who I am, being Dwight, having fun and being happy.”

When you accept Jesus into your life, The Holy Spirit moves in and plants stakes. You have all that you need, living inside of you, to make the right choice. Every choice you make is worthy of God’s opinion. God will grant you wisdom and He will also give you confirmation. Three million is three million despite your level of wealth nevertheless PEACE IS PRICELESS!

Keep shouting!!

When the people heard the sound of the rams’ horns, they shouted as loud as they could. Suddenly, the walls of Jericho collapsed, and the Israelites charged straight into the town and captured it. (Joshua 6:20 NLT)

Don't underestimate the power of your SHOUT! There is a popular cleaning agent that has the ability to destroy dirt, set stains free, and  clean the most caked on issues! The product's slogan says it eloquently! "Let life happen. You've got shout".

Catch this! When the people opened their mouths and released their triumphant shout - the walls crumbled. The boarders, barriers, blockades, or hinderances in your life will lose their hold when you loose your shout!

SHOUT IT OUT!! God is in control and will crumble your concerns. Stop stifling your praise - the music is calling you to say something - allow God to bring down those walls.

And even if your issues lie within you and have built a boarder around your heart -the bible says that if you would just open your mouth to communicate with Christ, He will cleanse. (1john 1:9) Are you ready to shout yet??

There is power in you! Shout!