I've Broken Them All

The next time you think you on a spiritual mountain top, I encourage you to think of The Ten Commandments. That's a great idea, you say, it's always good to mentally-review the checkpoints that helped you reach the summit. How can you appreciate the peak, to the fullest extent, if you don't first look back, and reflect, on how you arrived there.

You know what? That is exactly the the polar opposite reason I'm asking you to reflect on The Ten Commandments. Few things, in my spiritual walk, have been as humbling as going through The Ten Commandments not to see how many I have obeyed, but to count how many I have broken.

Guess what I found? I have broken EVERY SINGLE ONE-- that's right, the holy and sacred directives God gave to Moses . . . I was GUILTY of breaking them ALL!!

1. You shall have no other gods before me-- there have been many times in my life, I've elevated family, friends and things onto the throne of lordship of my life. GUILTY.

2. You shall not make for yourself any carved image, or any likeness that is in Heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bown down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love me and keep my commandments. GUILTY.

3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

It's not something I've done many times in my life, but I remember in middle school when I would get real mad . . . I would say God damnit-- something now that is one of my biggest pet peeves when I hear it, along with Jesus Christ, Christ, God, swear to God, etc. I hate hearing my Savior's name taken in vain, and used in ANY way except ways to honor Him, revere Him and exalt Him, but you know what? I've done it myself! GUILTY

4. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is within them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

I don't know about you, but there have been many times I've done yard work or the duties of my job on Sunday, so without a shadow of a doubt . . . GUILTY

5. Honor your father and mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

There have been WAY too many times, I've disgraced myself and my parents through disobedience-- disobedience to the Lord, disobedience to them and disrespect to them. GUILTY

6. You shall not murder.

When I stumbled upon this one . . . I thought FINALLY, I found one I haven't committed, but . . . the reality of it is if we commit the sin in our minds; it's the same as actually doing it, so much to my chagrin I found myself in a familiar place. GUILTY

7. You shall not commit adultery.

The old me did this on more than one occasion. Not something I am proud of, but something I have learned from. Cheating on your wife or messing around with someone who is married leaves you feeling one thing and one thing only-- empty! GUILTY

8. You shall not steal.

We often think of stealing as in possessions, and while that's true, there are other things you can steal. Not using your potential, squandering minutes, hours, days, weeks, that is stealing from the Lord and stealing from YOURSELF. I'm sure I stole things when I was a little kid, and I've definitely robbed God through not tithing and through throwing away days. In either case. Once again . . . GUILTY

9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

Although I pride myself on being honest with people, it would be a complete and TOTAL lie if I said I haven't lied in the past, don't lie presently (try not to) and will lie in the future. Am I a compulsive liar, or habitual one, no I'm not, but I definitely have been a liar in my lifetime: to God, to myself and to others. GUILTY

10. You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife; nor his manservant; nor his maidservant; nor his ox; nor his donkey; nor anything of your neighbor's.

A PERFECT, or in this case IMPERFECT 10 for 10, I've coveted what other people have a lot! In recent years, I've tried to do a better job concentrating on the blessings that do fill my life vs. focusing on the things I don't have, but it's very easy to focus on everyone's little red bouncing ball instead of being content and grateful for what you DO have! GUILTY

That's a WHOLE LOT OF GUILT, but here is the GREAT NEWS God loves me and sent Jesus to die for my sins (past, present and future ones). He did the same for YOU! I think God made these Ten Commandments so easily broken to show us, while he appreciates obedience, loves hearts after His own and wants the best for us, one thing: we are SINFUL. That's not a copout, and I believe we shouldn't abuse grace, but it's the truth. We as humans just don't get it right all that often. We are easily led astray, deceived and many times chase the 'wind' more than we chase after the Lord.

I AM INNOCENT!

God paid a debt He didn't owe and one we could not pay when He sent Jesus to 'give us a way out' and reconcile us to Him. That's way past AMAZING!

"God sent His Son not to comdemn the world, but to save it!" John 3:17.

I don't need anyone to tell me what a fake, sinner, hypocrite I am, or have been, because I already know. If I could've saved myself; I wouldn't have been in need of a Savior and wouldn't need one now!

"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace." Ephesians 1:7 Hear that!? REDEMPTION.

Or Ephesians 2:13.

"But now you who were once far away have been brought near by the blood of Jesus Christ."

It doesn't say if you are addicted to drugs stay far away . . . if you are addicted to sex . . . stay over there . . . if you are a drunk . . . cheat . . . a liar . . . a thief. . . if you've been locked up-- NO praise God ALL, who want it, are brought near by the blood of Jesus! That's awesome!

Don't tell me God can't change a person. I used to be a SEX ADDICT. . chased satisfaction and instant gratification in many forms with many types of women. . was into porn-- the whole nine yards, but it's been over a year since I've had intercourse.

In that time span, I fell back in love with the most beautiful, inside and out, woman I've ever known. I've never respected someone as much, found someone to be so insatiable, been more attracted to someone, thought someone was as sexy and never desired someone the way I desire her. Her spirit, her mind, her body and her heart are some of the most beautiful sights I'll ever see, so you can imagine between my love for her, the attraction I feel toward her and my human needs how great the temptation is! But those doors will not darkened until our honeymoon-- not necessarily because that's what I want, but because my desire to please the Lord overrides, and trumps, what I want. God can, and WILL, redeem you! If you will let Him. He took a whore, that's how I treated myself at times, and has made him pure once more!!

The chains of addiction can BE broken if you come to Jesus. You don't have to keep losing battles you could be winning, but ONLY through God's strength!

Finally look at Romans 6:23.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

We ALL deserved death-- that's the BAD news! But the unbelievable, yet true, news is we ALL can receive eternal life. It's my hope, belief and prayer you will see NOTHING DISQUALIFIES YOU FROM COMING TO JESUS!!

You don't come to Jesus cleaned up; you come to Jesus to get cleaned up. Won't you come to Jesus?

Read this prayer if you want to ask Jesus into your heart for the first time or if you want to recommit your life to Him:

God I confess I am a sinner and can not free myself. I ask you Jesus to come into my heart as my Savior. Forgive me of my sins and help me forgive those who wrong me. Lord from this day forward guide me, protect me and bless me all for your glory. Keep me safe from the Devil and give me strength. AMEN.

Whatever You're Willing to Give Me

A young white man was working the window at the soup kitchen of Christian Ministry on a cold, rainy and dreay day. It was his first day taking orders, working the window, although he had darkened the doors of the refuge of hope many times before.

"Meat loaf, mashed potatoes, corn, greens, gravy and bread is what we have today," he said to each person who just wanted a warm meal.

Most people would simply say, "Give me everything," or "Give me everything, but" . . . until Eli asked the familiar question to one of the 100 people in line.

"I'll take whatever you're willing to give me," the disheveled man, in his 40s with a beard, said.

The words ROCKED the young volunteer! "I'll give you EVERYTHING," the young man excitingly said as he whispered to the two other volunteers serving up his food, "Load him up!"

Tears came to his eyes-- how grateful an attitude clothed in the utmost humility. The rest of the hour quickly passed, but those eight words remained etched in his head, echoeing in his heart and stirring his spirit. So to did the conversation Eli had with the soup kitchen director Melissa. "If that doesn't touch something deep inside you something is wrong. You really need to check yourself," he said. Melissa, with a heart as big as the kitchen itself, agreed, telling Eli, 'You hear those types of stories all the time but they never lose their effect," she said.

"It's good to be on this side of the window. We are blessed."

The man, whose name is Tommy, smiled as as he received his food from Andre, an 18-year-old black youth with a baby face with a snapback Chicago Bulls hat perched on his head-- a high school graduate, from a small town, and talented musician with dreams of making it big.

Tommy took what looked like just a loaded-up plate of food to the naked eye, but to him was a full-blown feast, to a crowded table in the eating area and sat down beside a couple, just struggling to make it, he didn't know.

He closed his eyes to pray and when he did his heart was flooded with gratitude.

. . .  Jesus, I've only known you for a couple of weeks, but I was told you provide this delicious food we are eating. I just want to say thank you God. Use me today to make someone smile. I don't have a job, and am living in the shelter, but it could always be worse. Thank you for protecting me! (How do I end a prayer he thought to himself) That's right-- Amen! . . .

No sooner had he said amen than the 5-year-old girl, flanked by her mom, spill her whole glass of tea all over Tommy. The mom grabbed the little girl by the arm and in a hateful tone said, "Go wait outside! What is your problem!?!"

"But Mom, it's raining," the little girl replied, "and it's cold."

"I don't care. Go!"

Tommy just smiled before thoughtfully and calmly saying, "It's really OK. Accidents happen and I don't mean to step on any toes, because y'all are her parents, but please let her stay in here."

"Fine, just don't let it happen again Gabby! I mean it," the mom said.

The little girl just smiled, a smile that will light his darkest of days for weeks on end in the days ahead, and grabbed Tommy's hand. 'Thank you.'

Tommy smiled and just said, "My pleasure," as he hurriedly finished his meal as it was five minutes 'til 12:30 p.m. when the kitchen closes.

There was a homeless shelter nearby and as the unseen Hand would have it Tommy ran back into the same couple with Gabby in tow.

Standing in line, the husband noticed Tommy behind them as his wife asked how many beds were available. The answer was three and then they were going to be at capacity.

"Great," the woman said.

"It'll be me, my husband and . . . " Before she could finish the sentence.

"Baby, I'm going to stay under the bridge," her husband said. "Let him have the last bed," pointing to Tommy.

Tommy didn't know what to say. No words could adequately express his thanks, so he just smiled, "I deeply appreciate it!"

"I think you should stay with your family though," he said to the husband.

"No, really I insist."

"Well thanks again," Tommy said as his 6-foot-2-inch frame entered the doorway.

Meanwhile the young volunteer pulled into his driveway where a two-story home awaited him with all the food he needed. Though his girlfriend Elizabeth had just announced she needed a break to find healing after her fresh divorce, and though he was burdened by his hours being cut at work and the fact 25-plus job applications had turned up nothing; he felt better about his life than he ever had. He had JOY . . . He was completely trusting in Jesus. Sure he still wants to be with her and her two children, and still desperately needs a job, but he had finally surrendered his will to the Father's and in doing so had found FREEDOM.

"I'll take whatever you're willing to give me," those words played like a grand marquee through his head.

Young Eli, in his early 30s, bowed his head.

"Make me more like Tommy. Teach me to be content with whatever you're willing to give me! I know all things work together for my good (Romans 8:28) and that your plans are to give me a great future (Jer. 29:11), so please make me more like Tommy. Tommy knows you will never give him rock when he asks for bread. I know that too. In in the precious blood of the Lamb I have prayed. AMEN and AMEN."

That young man is. . . ME.

Money Matter$

Seven.

As soon as that number hit my eardrums; I felt as many emotions as rainbows have colors! I was puzzled, shocked, saddened, surprised and I was mad!

In a worldside assessment of all Christians, just seven percent tithe the Biblically-mandated 10-percent or more! SEVEN!! What?!? This can't be.

Don't believers think of that number-- 7. As in the number of days the Lord gives them per week? Each day is a blessing, a gift, it's not something that's guaranteed or anything we've earned-- it's what God so freely gives us.

Then I think of seven again. Our health, family, friends, a place to live, a job, food and water . . . seven blessings that fill our lives. Yet we show no thanks?

Father forgive us for we know not what we do . . . actually, we do, but we seem not to care!

Seven . . . as in James 1:17, "Every good and perfect gift comes from above."

If this is true, which it is, is anything truly ours? Are we not just entrusted with being a good steward of all of it?

"How Long Will you Rob from Me?"

Other than disobedience, is there anything worse than stealing from God? Before you think I'm crazy for saying that; consider Malachi 3:8-12.

"In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse-- your whole nation-- because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "And see if I will not throw open the floodgates of Heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be enough room to store it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your field will not drop their fruit before it is ripe," says the Lord Almighty. 12 Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a very delightful land," says the Lord Almighty.

TEST ME IN THIS! Those FOUR words are INCREDIBLE to me . . . it shows, while complete in His power and sovereignty, He is humble enough to say, "If you don't believe me . . . I'll prove it to you!" WOW. Humble and approachable enough to declare, "I'll put my money where my mouth is." God is under no obligation to answer to us although we often act like He is. Does SEVEN sound like we are taking Him up on His offer?

Did you Know?

Sure you know our church receives our tithe when we place our money or check into the offering plate on Sunday, but did you know what happens with our tithe at the exact same time in Heaven? Jesus, the One who died for us, receives it and presents it to His Father (God) -- Hebrews 7:8-- when you truly wrap your mind around that; you will no longer look at tithing as something you 'have' to do or are required to do (Deuteronomy 14:22, or just to get blessed, "That the Lord your God may bless all the work of your hands (Deu. 14:29), but will instead view it as the awesome privilege it is!

So What's Stopping Us?

One word-- Mammon that's what stops us from cheerfully giving back to the Lord as we are instructed to (2nd Cor. 9:7). See Mammon, as I learned through the Bible and Robert Morris' book, "The Blessed Life," wants us to find our security and identity in money. It's that spirit, which Jesus warned us about in Luke 16:13, that encourages us to look to money as our solution instead of to our Provider (God).

The last thing the Satan wants is for us to find our identity in Jesus, to share His love through our resources to those who are less fortunate and for us to help grow the body of Christ, so it's him, through Mammon, who places doubt in us that God will forgive. We think things such as, "But I need this money to pay my bills, I'll do it next Sunday, man, this is my money, I'm self-made and if I have money left over after I pay my bills."

One of the coolest aspects of tithing is it's a TRUST thing. Without trust you can not have much, if any, of a relationship. When we give the Lord our first fruits (the first 10-15 % of our paychecks) we are demonstrating two things: 1. We TRUST Him enough to provide and 2. That He can TRUST us enough to give us more through multiplying our riches--both monetary and spiritual ones (Luke 16:10). But when we cling to our money; we are being poor stewards and show we would rather put our trust into something tangible instead of the Lord.

My Challenge

The Word encourages us to pursue riches . . . but not earthy ones, Matthew 16:20-21 "Store up for yourself treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Like my pastor Mike Devine says, you can reverse the order of that sentence too . . . "Where your heart is, there your treasure will be."

My challenge is for more of us, my brothers and sisters in Christ, to trust the Lord IS who He says He is (Dennis Green voice when he coached the Arizona Cardinals) even when it comes to our precious money! Focus on Him, trusting Him and being rich in the things that truly matter: reflecting His glory, sharing His love and letting Him direct our paths. See there is nothing wrong with money, and being successful, and what it represents being A motivation, but when it is THE MOTIVATION we are showing while we may be rich in terms of money we are proving we feel it's a bigger treasure than the Lord Himself.

So get money, get paid, get quap, but when you do, remember whose hands from which it fell and give it back to Him. Because if ALL your chase is the money, even if you get it, you might just lose your soul in the process!


Please check out these two websites, which contain excellent Spirit-breathed information on tithing and I encourage you to read "The Blessed Life" by Robert Morris.
http://www.goodgroundfamilychurch.org/Sermon/Breaking_the_Spirit_of_Mammon

http://www.bellviewbaptistchurch.com/Tithing.htm

In Awe

Holy God I am humbled, I truly stand in awe of you
I look for the Son when the world tries to hide my view

You never give me a rock when your son asks for bread
So I'm simply asking for Your hand and that I may be led

You raised these dry bones up and then You gave me life
That's why I'll praise You no matter the pain or strife

People want to bring my past up, cast stones and make these allegations
I'm just trying to tell them about You~ the King of Kings and the Lord of Nations

I'm in awe of Your ways and the love You continue to extend
When at times I treat You like an enemy and not my best friend

Lord I give You praise after all look at what You've brought me through
In Christ the old has passed away-- you've made this creature new

Broken all 10 Commandments with my hands or in my mind
So I'm thankful for Your blood how you died for all mankind

Though I know chasing anything other than You is just chasing after the wind
That doesn't stop me from chasing it til my feet are tired then chasing it again

I'm so in awe of You my King; I'm so awed by Your grace
Give me strength to live for You and to always seek Your face.

JMB

Copyright John Mark Brooks Dec. 29, 2012

70 x 7

Now I just laugh! How could I not? It seems like every time I am out to eat lunch I see him.

Who is him? The man who was primarily responsibile for losing my job four years ago and have yet to fully recover from. The first handful of times I would see my former publisher out, I didn't speak. I was not consumed with anger or ill-will toward him, but I was reluctant to speak . . . I had not forgotten much less forgiven.

Yet, time after time, these encounters would continue to happen and one day when the Lord spoke to me and told me to talk to him; this time I listened.  It was awkward, and I did it begrudingly, but nonetheless I spoke. I didn't carry on a conversation with him. It was just a "How are you," and I kept it moving. But when I reached the parking lot to leave, I felt lighter, I felt more freedom and the chip I had carried on my shoulder was no longer there.

To give you a little background information, before I was 30 my career was off on the right foot and ahead of the curve. I had been a sports editor for the county newspaper, the one I grew up reading as a kid, for five years and it seemed like the sky was the limit. Then crash, pow, boom-- with the subtlety of two freight trains crashing into each other-- I was being thanked for the great job I had done and being fired the very next breath.

Talk about tough! So much resentment, so many thoughts of why it happened, so much hurt and frustration. And the timing? Couldn't have been worse . . . right at the beginning of the greatest recession our country has ever seen since the Great Depression. So for two years, with a college education, I searched for a job to no avail. This man had not affected my life, he had come through like a tornado, leaving devastation in its wake.

How Many Times Should I Forgive My Brother or Sister?

"Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.' Matthew 18:22.

When Peter asked if he was to forgive someone who had wronged him seven times; that was Jesus' response. If we're honest though, it doesn't even take multiple offenses for us to throw our hands up and be 'done'/over a relationship. Sometimes just once when someone hurts us badly, betrays us and causes so much destruction, through a choice they make, we no longer want to have anything to do with them.

A perfect example of this was when a young man, through the recklessness of driving crazy, killed himself at the tender age of 16, taking my little step-sister with him. You may say . . . that's different-- it's easy to forgive someone who is no longer alive. Is it? Honestly, it's one of the hardest things I have EVER done. See there are no more birthdays, we didn't get to watch her high school graduation, go to college, get married and have kids. Only tears.

One 'bad' decision, made through the misconception he was invincible since he was a teenager, completely wrecked lives and robbed us of something we will never get back.

But the thing about carrying unforgiveness is-- it continues to rob your joy, continues to wreak havoc on your life and strangles your heart so that you can't extend mercy, grace and love in the way you were purposed and created to do. Carrying grudges attaches you to the hurt and pain where forgiveness RELEASES you from it-- those chains are no longer there! When we refuse to forgive someone, it does not punish the offender as much as it punishes ourselves. It takes away from OUR lives not their's!!

Lewis B. Smedes wrote in his book, Forgive and Forget, "When you release the wrongdoer from the wrong, you cut a malignant tumor out of your inner life. You set a prisoner free, but discover the real prisoner was yourself."

When you think about it . . . isn't that an awesome privilege to be able to set someone free by accepting their plea for pardon through extending the same type of forgiveness the Lord Jesus extends to us on a daily basis!?! And there aren't many more humbling acts than asking for forgiveness when you know you were in the wrong and when you were completely oblivious to the fact, or in some cases the perception, you hurt someone.

Speaking to the young man, through the Spirit, I forgave him. Not because I was supposed to do, or because it was the right thing to do, but because that's what pleases the Lord. It was NECESSARY. Forgiveness changes a period into a coma. The sentence (your life) marches on. Many turn a traumatic experience into an exclamation point and give up on life. An exclamation point on the final sentence and after the final word of their life. That's a lie from Satan himself. Like Tupac said, 'Life goes on.' There is MORE to be written in your book (life)!

Yeah, but I Don't Have to Forgive!

You're right. The choice is yours, but before you make that choice. Here are some wise words on the subject.

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." Luke 6:37

and one that will really blow your mind-- Matthew 6:14-16.

"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

It's CRYSTAL clear what we are to do when someone hurts us, so why don't we?

An Update

My career still hasn't gotten back 'on track,' and it may not, but I letting God direct my paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). In the meantime, two years ago, I was blessed with a position as a proofreader, which can only help me improve as a writer, hone and increase the talent I've been given and ALL for His glory!

About eight months ago, my hours got reduced (drastically-- from 30 to 12) at work, so it's been very frustrating. Who knows how many tears I've cried over my 'work' situation. Here I am with a college education, intelligent, cooperative with many gifts and talents to match a positive attitude, and I have yet to even get an interview.

But in the meantime, I'm thankful for money I had saved and my Mom/family who have supported me financially, spiritually and emotionally. Several months ago, I started tithing. I will not say what I tithe, but it's more than 15 percent. I don't tithe to get blessed. I tithe because of James 1:7-- EVERYTHING I have has come from God, so I'm just giving back to Him what He gave me and doing so cheerfully.

God promises us He will bless us when we tithe (Malachi 3:10) but anyone who tithes with that being their primary reason for doing so is tithing with the wrong motives. For even if they are blessed, in terms of money, they are missing out on the FULLNESS of God.

So I'm trusting! Yes, I get frustrated at times because I'm human. I cry, doubt, I hurt, I wonder, I get mad . . . all of that, but I KNOW it's not a matter of IF God is faithful-- God is faithful! Like my Dad says, 'The sun don't shine on the same dog all the time.'  My ship will come in and when it does it won't be because I deserve it . . . it'll be because God can, will and does exceedingly more than anything we can dream, ask for or imagine (Ephesians 3:20-- why my blog is named Flight 320).

I ask you to forgive me for any way I have wronged you, from the bottom of my heart, for any small things I've done and the times I've screwed up majorly and I want you to know, if you feel there is any issue between us . . . I FORGIVE YOU!

Life is too short-- live, love, laugh, give (L3G) believe, pray and forgive!

What is Worship?

I stood with arms raised high above my head, eyes closed, a smile on my face as the music escorted me in. I just came to say thank You Lord for all you have given to me: Salvation, my life, my health, my family, my friends, food, a house, clothes, water and so much more. I rode the emotional high as I walked to my car after service when it hit me like a tsunami.

What is worship!?!

Reverence offered to a divine being and the act of expressing that reverence. I agree as I believe one worships out of reverence and love, but to me worship can be summed up in one word--GRATITUDE!

Not to sound corny, but the very fact you're able to read these words should be enough for you to be thankful and even if you have to have these words read to you because you're blind; you're still alive, so rejoice! Think of the billions of people who aren't able to say that, whose earthly journeys have had the curtain pulled on them.

On the Peak

Is it not easy to be grateful and to thank God when you've reached the summit-- the very pinnacle? When the birds are chirping, the sun is out and a harp is being played in the background; it almost comes naturally to express your thanks.

This is reflected through a smile on our faces, going out of our way to help make someone happy through gestures big and small and a certain pep in our steps. The world has more color, the days go faster and it seems as though we don't have a care in the world . . . happy-go-lucky and hunky-dory!

There is something about being on the mountain top that compells us to take a moment to reflect. Think about award shows. How often do rappers, for instance, whose music reflects values on the complete opposite end of the spectrum get up and thank God? I do not doubt their sincerity. My point is when you have success, when you have achieved, when you have reached your goal; even for people who aren't gracious in their daily lives, it's easy for them to take a minute to pause and a take a moment to say thank you.

When all is right and the seas are calm in our lives, I believe it still pleases God for us to worship. . . even if it is easy in prosperous times and contentment. I feel us acknowledging His provision, protection and purpose in and for our lives makes Him happy. Us spending time with Him-- the music, could be in person, on our radios, iPods, computers, CD player, cassette deck or record players, ushers us into the very throneroom of God to spend intimate time with our Maker thus creating a pleasing aroma to His nose.

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name!" Psalm 100:4.

"Exalt the Lord our God; worship at His footstool! Holy is He!" Psalm 99:5

and Psalm 150, "Praise the Lord! Praise Him in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty heavens! Praise Him for His mighty deeds (His blessings/what He has done); Praise Him for His excellent greatness (worship Him simply for WHO HE IS) . . . Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!

In the Valley

In the valley is it as easy to praise the Lord? When you're sad . . when you're mad . . when you're frustrated . . when you can't see how He is possibly working things out for your good (Romans 8:28, Jer. 29:11). Is it easy? No! There are times, when I take my eyes off Him, and start looking at the storms of life: dreams unrealized, my own 'failures,' adversity I am facing, the unfairness of this life and sin I'm trying to overcome through Him, when the last thing I want to do is tell Him thank You! That's just me being real . . . being honest.

That is when it is a MUST for us to worship Him! I believe, when we worship Him in the hallway before He opens the door . . . when we praise Him in the storm . . . when we praise Him despite our circumstances, nothing pleases Him more. I believe there is no aroma to His nose more pleasing than us showing gratitude, expressing our love and proving our trust than to worship Him anyway, taking our eyes off the bad and putting them on Him. Not asking Him, 'Why are You doing this to me or allowing this to happen,?' but through the lens of love. When we do that, gazing upon His magnificence with our hearts, we will WANT to worship . . . we will feel compelled to!

If we can overcome our doubts, fears, guilt and hurt (feelings and thoughts) and worship (the action) our feelings will fall in line. The hard part is not letting our feelings, in the vitally important battlefield of the mind, derail the action of worshiping and our trust altogether. This is something, while I'm getting better in this area, I struggle with.

But if you have the Chicken Little, 'The sky is falling,' mentality then guess what? The sky will continue to fall! That's what the devil wants.

"Shall we accept good from God and not bad?" Job 2:10

"But I will sing of Your strength; I will sing aloud of Your steadfast love in the morning. For You have been to me a Fortress and a Refuge in the day of my distress." Psalm 59:16.

Wait! That's Worship?!?

Worship is ALL of it-- it's in your T.O.E.S. TRUST when you don't feel like trusting, don't understand what's going on and don't see how it could possibly benefit you, but you still do, OBEDIENCE in doing what God tells you to do (Genesis 12:4), EVICTIONS in terms of what you allow God to throw out of your life (sin, hurt, unforgiveness, anger, habits, addictions) and STEWARDSHIP of the gifts and talents you've been given.

Obeying the Golden Rule, simply being good to people, to-- those who are undeserving, who can offer you nothing in return and to those close to you-- everyone is worship. How we spend our days we're given is worship. What we do with our gifts and talents and who we give the glory to, do we give the glory to God or keep it for ourselves, is worship. When the satisfaction of pleasing the Lord outweighs the desire to please ourselves-- that is worship! Any time we choose selflessnesss over selfishness, humility over pride-- that, too, is worship. Walking in gratitude day in and day out is worship . . . when it spills out of us with every step we take.

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is spiritual worship. Do not be comformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, but by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good, and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:1-2.

So I have one question-- How will YOU worship today?

*Please check out Casting Crowns' song Let My Lifesong Sing to You and Heart of Worship by Michael W. Smith. The words of these songs sum up, in Spirit-breathed wisdom, the essence of worship.

You Are a Treasure!

I have something that's going to change your life!

Do you want it? Do you want something so amazing and mind-blowing; you'll never view yourself, others, God or others the same again?

No, it's not millions of dollars, it's not unlimited power or status . . . it's something FAR greater than those. Before the grand reveal, let me share a story that will not make much sense to you . . . at least not through the lenses of the world.

Matthew 13:44-46

44 "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field."

45 "Again the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."

Jesus is THE Treasure, He is the PearL!

It blows my mind how truly foolish we are. We are the man, who in his wandering, found this beautiful treasure. Yet, often times, in our daily lives, we do everything but hide it in a place only we know so we can sell all we have to come back and buy the field.

Not only do we not sell all we have, but we actually take this beautiful treasure and throw it away. Every single day we choose things other than Jesus: the opposite sex, status, money, power, sin, addiction, drugs, alcohol, good things over God things etc. Any time we choose something contrary to the Lord, we squander our treasure. It's the equivalent of throwing it away or even worse running to tell someone there is a treasure in our field, and asking them if they want it!

That's crazy . . . yet we nonetheless do it.

But if we are wise, if we are obedient, we are the ones who sells all we have so we can purchase that field because we know not only is the treasure is rare, but it's PRICELESS . . . it's as invaluable as they come! His name is Jesus-- the King of Kings and Lord of Lords . . . His name is not just WONDERFUL~ His name is Life, His name is Hope, His name is Love, His name is FOREVER!

When we sell ALL we have and purchase the field; I believe that's when we step into the life more abundantly Jesus has promised to us, 'I have come so you many have life and have it more abundantly.' (John 10:10). That's when we enter the proverbial Promise Land. The time we choose our treasure over anything else is when we guard the good deposit in our hearts (2nd Timothy 1:14).

But What If It's Also the Other Way Around?

As my pastor, and dear friend/second Dad, Mike Devine was sitting at lunch with Tad Taylor, who recently lost his Mom Dorcas (who used to play the piano beautifully in our church), Taylor said what if it's the other way around. What if WE are the treasure?!? Taylor's rheotorical question rocked Devine to the core of his being. Taylor, a devout follower of Christ, family man and die-hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan, made a powerful enough point before the Holy Spirit gave Devine an even more powerful revelation of what he meant.

You can look at it both ways. Jesus is the Treasure, but WE ARE TOO! Wow!! That completely shakes the foundation of the world as you know it when you understand what that means-- how He looks at you!

God had it all in Heaven. He had worship, He had fellowship, He had allegiance and He had comfort. Yet, He sold all He had! He gave up Heaven just for you, yes you! You were lost and weren't searching for a Savior . . . yet He sought you out. When He found you, you were covered in mud, a filthy dirty mess, and He embraced you with a sense of belonging and intensity of love you've never known before. He saw you lost in your sin and He left His throne in Heaven to be beaten, tortured, mocked, taunted and ultimately die for you.

That's how PRICELESS and IRREPLACEABLE you are to Him! You are the apple of his eye, His biggest prize, His most beloved.

Remember the Treasures

So, you may feel insufficient. You may feel not good enough. You may feel like a failure. You may feel unworthy of such an unconditional, all-encompassing, relentless love. If that's the case, I have great news! WE ALL ARE. The very definition of grace, in my eyes, is God so freely giving that of which we don't deserve.

Jesus is THE treasure. We are His treasure and we must guard the treasure of our hearts daily!

When you remember those three things; you may not have earthly treasures, and you may feel like nothing or nobody but you are truly rich.

*Mike, I pray everyone receives true and deep revelation of what we mean to God and what He should mean to us. I appreciate you sharing this message and for allowing the Shepard to guide you, so you can lead His flock (Covenant Bible). I pray this blesses you as a tribute to you and for this amazing message of an oft-overlooked parable.

Tad, I am deeply saddened for you, Leah Beth and the girls' loss, as well as Tammy, Jeremy and y'alls little girl, and while I pray for comfort and peace that surpasses all understanding over the holidays for y'all; your Mom has with her treasure. . . We had a beautiful talk about the Lord about 8 months ago and about life and I had never seen her so happy. Continue being a blessing to people and awaiting y'alls great reunion!