Strong Coffee

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Psalm 121:1-2 I will lift my eyes unto the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord...! I memorized these verses while on a bicycle road trip across the state of Tennessee. You would be surprised at what goes through your mind after six days of sleeping on the ground, eating high carb snacks, enduring summer thunderstorms, miles from home, and on a bicycle. At night I would retrace my ride and count the number of hills...and how many mountains lay in store for me the following day. When your on a bicycle, it's all about the climb. Throughout the years I've wasted countless sleepless nights worrying about mountains. Even in my doubt, God has always given me the strength to endure the trials and climb the mountains that I've faced in life. Why do we waste precious time with worry when we know God is faithful to sustain us in all things? Just like my cross country experie...

Isaiah 40:31  But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint . I've wondered lately about how much of my time each day is spent waiting. There are different kinds of waiting. Last night I waited for a pizza carry out. Before my order was ready, I think I could have gone to Nashville and back. Earlier I had waited for what seemed like hours in a Doctors office. Waiting there seems to be fair...because everyone else is doing it too. There's waiting for the mail, for the light, the cashier, the laundry; all kinds of waiting everyday. What about waiting on the Lord? Do you think it's the same kind of wait we find ourselves in at other times? I have a lot to learn in waiting on the Lord but what I do know is this; how we wait is important ! Have you ever noticed those that seem to be prepared for their wait? Whether it's a kindle reader, ba...

Galatians 2:21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" It was not easy being Paul. He was persecuted from all angles. On the left their were tyrants who sought to silence him and if that wasn't enough, on the right he came under attack from his own Jewish brethren...even Peter. The rock of offense was namely over the law. In Acts 21 he was accused of being the man that was against all the Jews, the law, and of Moses. Paul surely had to rely on a rock solid confidence when facing false accusations. This statement in Galatians is very clear, "no one is justified in keeping the law in the sight of God". If this were true...then Christ died for nothing. At one point he even had to challenge Peter himself for bowing to the pressure of the Jews for teaching a salvation gospel, blended with the observance of the law. Paul sternly reminded them that Christ met all the requirements ...

1 John 2:16 For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. Where do we learn kindness, meekness, gentleness, and patience? Is it not from the most Holy Spirit of God? Where do we learn anger, pride, lust, and greed? Is it not from the most carnal of this world? The expression of certain disciplines reveal the head master from whose lectures we adhere. A student of the world is astute in the sensual arts; a major in temporal pleasure; an expert in the science of lust; skilled in the pursuit of self. The instructor in carnality is a grand master. The Spirit filled mind is trained in praise, artful in love, keen on gratitude, and fine with joy. The Spirit master instills nobility in each pupil. He is a guide, advisor, and counselor. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spiri...

Matthew 18:7  Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! Sin is cunning, baffling, and powerful.  Not only are we born with it's nature; the temptation which lures the nature to surface in our life waits for us at every corner. The world is sinfully depraved. The crimes of Sodom and Gomorrah are present today in every city, suburb, and community. Satan is alive and well on planet earth. Some of the things that people think up can have no other origin but him. If you think it's scary now, you should. Multitudes are drawn away by enticing sin; from children to clergy. The woe that was issued from Christ Jesus is upon those who advertise iniquity and it means; grievous affliction . Even our Lord wants us to take note to the pattern, place, and people from whom sin is promoted. His declaration was that evil...will be met with horror.  The judgement of God is upon the worl...

  Judges 2:10-11  After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel. 11 Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD and served the Baals . Talking to a young girl the other day opened my eyes to the generation gap that impacts our culture and the church. She was 13 and listening to music on her MP3. I ask her about the kind of music she liked and after we talked a while it was clear that she had never heard of Coldplay and Bocelli and I had never heard of her groups. We talked a little more about faith and related things and the gap grew even wider. Music, media, entertainment, technology, and so on has changed dramatically. Just a simple task like filling up at the pump is a challenge for some. Time has changed things because people change. Sports legends and movie stars give way to a new generation of the young and ...

Ask Him... I've challenged many to honestly pray, ask God if He is there, and if so...help guide them to know what they should do. The bible says in Ecclesiastes 3:11 He (God) has set eternity in their hearts. I have come to believe that every person comes into this life with a natural desire to know God. Pascal wrote that in every heart their is a God shaped hole that only God can fill. All people, from all walks of life and cultures, will at one time or another think about eternity and the possibility of standing before the creator. It may be when they were very young and soon forgotten...but not long forgotten. The urge to look heavenward and revisit the question of God and eternity may surface many times in life. Exodus 34  The LORD!       The God of compassion and mercy!    I am slow to anger       and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.   7 I lavish unfailin...