Our Best - Far Less

Who doesn't love a wedding? Jesus and His disciples joined His mother and family at a wedding celebration in Cana of Galilee. The hearts and lives of a bride and groom had been joined together in holy matrimony - in the presence of God - literally .

Everyone was enjoying the festivities (see John chapter 2) when the servants began to notice the wine was down to it's last drops. This was a tragedy and would be a disgrace for the newly married groom. Mary gets wind of the situation and goes to her Son Jesus with a plea for His help.

Although Jesus rebukes her gently for her request (due to its timing), He begins giving instructions to the servants. Six stone water jars (holding 20-30 gallons each) were filled to the rim with water. Jesus, then told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." And they did just as He directed.

Upon tasting the miraculous wine, the chief servant called the groom over and remarked, Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."

As I read these words this morning I began to wonder, "What in my life have I thought to be the best, but in reality is just a cheap imitation when compared to what God has for me?" Are there areas where I am settling for less than His best?

I've been working through the Esther study and have been learning about destiny. A young orphan girl, adopted by her male cousin, living in exile, herded into the Kings harem, destined to be queen - destined to save her people.

I don't know about you, but I want to fulfill my destiny. I want Gods best and nothing less.

11 Jesus performed this first sign in Cana of Galilee. He displayed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.

Father, I want to bring You glory. Keep me from settling for anything less. Esther fulfilled her destiny. Jesus fulfilled His destiny. Lord, I don't want to fall short. Fulfill Your destiny in me.

Mountain Mover

Image via Wikipedia

This morning as I was worshipping we were led in a chorus that I love to sing. The title of the song is "Mighty to Save".

As we sang, God really moved on my heart. The words of the chorus are,

My Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.

Something that has been on my mind and on my heart, God showed me has become a mountain in my life. It's something that is standing in the way of our family moving forward.

As I lifted my heart to the Father, He reminded me that He is the mountain mover! He is the calmer of the storms. He is the the I AM!

He is not only mighty to save, He is faithful to redeem.

My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I, whom you have redeemed.
Psalm 71:23

Yet their Redeemer is strong; the LORD Almighty is his name.
He will vigorously defend their cause so that he may bring rest to their land,
but unrest to those who live in Babylon. Jeremiah 50:34

If my Jesus, my Savior can conquer the grave, there is absolutely nothing in my life that He cannot accomplish, move or make right.

I am taking God at His word! I am believing God for my family!

How about you? Do you have any mountains that need moving? Let me introduce you to someone who is in the mountain moving business. his name is Jesus!

10 Ways my Dad Reminds Me of Jesus

Ten ways my Dad reminds me of Jesus:

1. He has shown me a lifetime of unconditional love - just like Jesus.
2. I have seen him give when he didn't have it to give - just like Jesus.
3. He worked long hours every day during the week driving a truck for Nabisco. Every Saturday he was at the church fulfilling the role of janitor and took care of the yards. He provided for all of our needs - just like Jesus.
4. He is the full time care taker of my 94 year old Grandmother. He makes her meals, cleans her house, does her laundry. He makes untold sacrifices - just like Jesus.
5. He would drive miles in a car, van or bus to bring boys and girls to church so they could hear about a God who loves them - just like Jesus.
6. He coached every little league, softball, basketball team his kids ever played on. He taught us to work together as a team - just like Jesus.
7. He has never been one to put himself out there for everyone to see. He is more content to be a servant - just like Jesus.
8. Life the last several years have been hard, but he hardly ever complain. He gets up every day and go about his business, whether anyone ever says thank you are not - just like Jesus.
9. He has taught me as much by example as he has by his words. He have poured out his life for others - just like Jesus.
10. He made sure that Melani, Jeff and I learned that putting God first was the most important thing that we could ever do - just like Jesus.

Thank You Dad for not just telling me about Jesus, but for living him out before my eyes in everything you do. Happy Fathers Day! I love you!

The Banquet Table

Image by betsythedevine via Flickr

Can you imagine being invited to attend the finest banquet ever to be held? Your neatly engraved invitation has been hand delivered, definitely not mailed. Your transportation and clothing have already been provided by the Master of the home. You have formally accepted the invitation and are so excited to be attending this grand event.

Your mind begins to wander as your imagination takes over and your daydreams being to paint a vivid picture. You wonder what your host will look like; what type of food will be served; who else will be in attendance.

When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, "Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God." Luke 14:14

Your tummy is grumbling as your eyes survey the great banquet table that stretches as far as the eye can see. The first thing you notices is a bowl filled with the most luscious of fruit. These fruit are like nothing you have ever seen before. The steward notices the inquisitive look on your face and offers the names of each fruit.

The red ones are love which overflows the bowl itself and pours out onto the table and the fine white linens. There is no way it can be contained. The purple fruit are called joy and cause you to feel like shouting and singing with every single bite. The placid blue fruit brings such peace to your soul as you juice rolls down your chin. The rest of the fruit include patience and kindness; goodness, faithfulness and self control. Each one was beckoning me to taste for myself and see how good they truly were.

Beyond the fruit was a platter of meat. This meat was tender and juicy. I took a knife and fork and cut a small bite just to take a quick sample. I placed it in my mouth and began to chew. The more that I chewed it, it's as if the flavor became more and more intense. This meat was called "the Word of God". Somehow I sensed that no matter how much I chewed this delicate meat, I would never lose my desire to savor just one more bite.

In the center of the table was a basket of bread. Oh how I love bread. It was labeled, "the Bread of Life". All those who eat of this bread shall never die, but have eternal life. Just one bite of this bread is all that you will ever need.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever
believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Jesus has prepared a banquet table and has invited each of us to come and dine with Him. You see, He has already extended an invitation. Look at the palm of His hands. They were engraved at the cross of Calvary where Jesus died, just for you. He is waiting for your response. Will you:

• Admit - Admit to God that you are a sinner. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
• Believe - Believe that Jesus is God’s Son and accept God’s gift of forgiveness from sin. Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
• Confess - Confess your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Romans 10:9-10,13 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved...for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Is it time for you to become a Christian? The banquet table is ready.

Dear God,
I know I have sinned and that my sin separated me from you. I am sorry for my sin. I believe Jesus died on the cross for me so my sin can be forgiven. I believe Jesus rose from the dead and is alive. God, please forgive me. I ask Jesus to come into my life and be my Savior and Lord. I will obey you and live for you the rest of my life. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus name ~ Amen

Have you accepted your invitation? I'd love to hear all about it.

Come Lord Jesus Come

I love when you're driving on a dreary day and suddenly the clouds part and the sun shines through. My mind is immediately taken to the thought of the day when Jesus will split the Eastern sky and return one last time. Come Lord Jesus Come!

You see, when Jesus comes again it will be much different than the first time.

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Revelation 19:11-16

One day very soon, Heaven will open and Jesus will appear. When He came to Bethlehem more than 2000 years ago, He came as a Lamb to be sacrificed for sin. But not this time. Jesus will come as a warrior on a white horse, a Conquering King bringing judgement in His hands.

The battle lines between God and evil have been drawn. Today we are waiting for the King to ride onto the battle field for the final battle. There really is no fight, however, because Jesus won the victory the day He died on the cross for sins atonement and rose victorious from the dead.

I am waiting in eager anticipation for the sound of the trumpet. Oh how I long to see my Savior face to face. Come Lord Jesus Come! Are you ready?