Yes, Celebrate

Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

20 “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”

Go back and reread Luke 2:1-20. Two things among many:  vs 14, the angels sang “peace among those whom God favors.” That’s enough right there. Peace is ours. Too often we shun it, but it’s ours. God’s favor is ours. We walk in his favor. Walking in his favor gives us peace. And it’s all because of Jesus!

Vs20, after seeing the baby the shepherds returned praising God for what they had seen and heard. Every year we celebrate the birthday of Jesus. But every day we can celebrate our salvation because of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Everyday we can celebrate going to him in prayer, and being guided by Holy Spirit. Everyday we can praise him for what we have seen and heard. God’s love for us is personal, and we have a reason to praise him- we have his peace, his favor. That’s good news! And there is more. enough for now

Our Challenge

Luke 1:37

Luke 1:37-38 (NRSV): “For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.”

This was after Gabriel told Mary that she would birth a child. If you look at both Joseph and Mary, although chosen for the task, they had to overcome challenges. They did. Mary’s response to Gabriel “May it is be to me as you have said.” And because of that Jesus was born.  And look later as Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. His response was like his mother’s “Not my will, but your will.”

Because of Jesus’ birth we can overcome any challenge. Our key? Believe that with God nothing is impossible. Let that permeate your spirit. Nothing is impossible with God. And our response, “May it be to me as you have said.” Yes Lord, we are more than conquerors. Enough for now.

That One

Is 58:12 NRSV “Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in.

God had to get the Israelites to understand true fasting. We are to care for others, treat others right, help them to be restored. Then we have the right to receive his favor, we can call and he answers. We can bring peace to others because of our connection with God. We walk in being that one- repairer/restorer.enough for now.

Call

Jeremiah 33:3NRSV

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”

We miss the different ways that God reaches out to us. He invites us to call him, to trust him. When we call to him, he shows us more than we can even imagine. We realize more than we did. He shows us wondrous things. And all we have to do is call. This call to him is in seeking him. In communing with him. In trusting him.

 Oh my God, the joys, the wonders of communing with God. And all we do is call to him. Take time today to let that sit with you. To marvel in that moment. That  marvelous wonders are available now. That communication with God is so very real. And even when there are hard things we face, we don’t face alone, and he shows us and walks us though. enough for now.

It’s Not What You Think

Acts 11:9, 17

9”But a second time the voice answered from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, you must not call profane.’ 17 If then God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God?” 

This Peter’s report to the church at Jerusalem. We see God’s revelation, and Peter’s realization. Go back and read Acts 10 and 11.  Sometimes God gives us something to do and we try to explain who we are. He knows who we are, and he knows why he gives us the task. Peter tried to explain to God that he didn’t eat unclean animals. But there were clean there also. He threw the baby out with the bathwater. Peter was sent to minister to the Gentiles, who were considered less than by the Jewish people. 

Peter’s ministering was Cornelius’ answered prayer. We are all together, and God uses us to help help someone else. We just follow his guide. We cannot call unclean what God has made clean. And since we don’t know - we must not judge. Yeah, I know - it’s rough, but listen: we do not want to be responsible for hindering God. 

enough for now.

Be Ready, Be Willing

Exodus 35:5

“Take from among you an offering to the Lord; let whoever is of a generous heart bring the Lord’s offering . . .”

Go back and read this whole passage. It is about the building of the Tabernacle. Many interesting items were needed, but the people had them. God only wanted those who had a willing  heart to contribute. 

God has use for our gifts, what he gave us. However, our hearts must be right. When we give from our heart, there will always be more than enough. But it starts with a willing heart and it goes from there. It doesn’t matter what the gift, God will use it, but we must be willing. Be ready, be willing. enough for now.

Hold On

Psalm 119: 105, 11

5 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

11 “I treasure your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against you.”

Things that keep us.

When my sister and I were small, we learned a new scripture every Sunday, and of course in Vacation Bible school, and then in Weekday Bible school. For some reason, these two scriptures always were together and so I learned them as: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.Thy word have I hidden in my heart that I may not sin against you.”

It automatically flows together. Look at the power for a child to know that God’s word keeps us through the dark places and shows us the way. Look at what it does for us as adults. Dark places come in so many ways- but God, and his word holds, shows us the way. And when we have that word to hold to, nothing can misdirect us for long. 

Yes, we can be misdirected, distracted, thrown off the path for a minute, but when hold his word close, we are reassured and redirected.  That’s holding his word in our heart. 

As I am writing I remember the year we were in Nassau when hurricane Andrew was about to hit. 

One of the guys with us went out to try to take a picture of what he saw. All he could do was grab a pole and hold on. His legs went out from under him and he wrapped his arms and held on tight, until a few of us got him down. It took a few of us. 

When we hold to God’s word we can hold on for our life. And he keeps us. Oh since then I have many other scriptures that I hold to, that I stand on. That I hold to for my life. What scripture do you stand on? And hold on, help is always on the way- when you hold to him. enough for now.

See It

Psalm 34:1-2, 3-4, 7-8NRSV

“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. 

3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. 4I sought the Lord, and he answered me, 

and delivered me from all my fears. . .

7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him. 

We are cared for, protected. The angel of the Lord encamps around us. Sets up position around us to keep us. And when we call on the Lord he responds, because we are his, he keeps us, he delivers us from those things that try to destroy us. What a mighty God we serve! 

When we walk in that alone we really can bless the Lord at all times, we can praise him at times. We have a reason to praise him. We know what he has done. We know that he has done so much for us, if he did not do another thing - he’s done enough. Oh but- look at him. He keeps on loving, keeps on giving, keeps on protecting. Can you see it? Our actions invite others because we know. Oh try it, taste and see that the Lord is Good.

enough for now.

Yes, Give Thanks

Psalm 13 (NRSV): How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 

How long must I bear pain in my soul, and have sorrow in my heart all day long? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and answer me, O Lord my God! Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death, and my enemy will say, “I have prevailed”; my foes will rejoice because I am shaken. 

But I trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, 

because he has dealt bountifully with me. 

That “but”- you have to go back and see what was before it. I had to write it all so you could see the progression from hopelessness to hopefulness. Sometimes we can’t see, or don’t know the way, but because of our trust in God, we have a way. And out of his way we have hope, joy, peace and we can praise him for it all. Thank him, praise him- when we are up, when we are down. That praise lifts us, and we can give thanks more. enough for now.

We Are Not the Same

Luke 9:49-50 (NRSV)

“John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him; for whoever is not against you is for you.”

I think we need to recognize this more, both in the church and out. We are all on a journey. Just because I do not pray the same way you pray, or act the same way you act- as long as I am praying to the same God . . . Do you see it? We are all different but as long as we are on the same journey we can’t think another is not just because they don’t act like us. 

Even in school, in life we really need to be more mindful that not everyone does things like we do, if the same goal is in mind then that’s a good thing. My pastor used to say we will be surprised when we get to heaven who is there.😎 We can’t fight one another, then the enemy wins while we are distracted. We are not the same, but we have the same cause.enough for now.

Just Do It

James 4:6–10 (NIV): “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”  

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

We usually stay with submit to God, resist the devil. But here are the steps that we progress through in order to be in that place, that space of humility to God. 

And we do it because we must move away from any negativity within, which causes conflicts within and out. Go back to verse one to read the why we must do the 7-10. We shift, and allow Holy Spirit to guide. Try it and keep in trying it. enough for now.

Rest Now

Matthew 11:28 (NRSV)

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

This is my devotional this morning. I couldn’t have said it better. Let it speak to your heart as the passage speaks. 

“Yes, come for rest. But stay for rest, too. Stop all feverish haste and be calm and untroubled. Come unto Me, not only for petitions to be granted but for nearness to Me.

Be sure of My Help, be conscious of My Presence, and wait until My Rest fills your soul. Rest knows no fear. 

Rest knows no want. Rest is strong, sure. The rest of soft glades and peacefully flowing rivers, of strong, immovable hills. Rest, and all you need to gain this rest is to come to Me. So come.”

Russell, A. J.. God Calling: Expanded Edition (p. 378). Barbour Publishing, Inc.. Kindle Edition. 

enough for now.

Live

Psalm 91:1,2 NRSV

“You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.”

This a psalm of wisdom, of secrecy in the spiritual disciplines. It is not a psalm of safety. It’s not to be left opened in your house. That means nothing. But the words on the paper are life changing for us. When we realize that we have a place that keeps, that protects. 

Wisdom is when we realize that we live in God’s shelter. (Talk about the high rent district, and we pay no rent.) And we stay in his shadow. It’s time for us to move into what is already provided. It’s time to let him keep us safe in his shadow. It’s time to trust what he is doing in our lives.

The move is to shift our focus to God and live life from that position. We already know what God will do. That is our testimony. The more we realize it, the more we see. And there is so much more. He has us. Trust him in that. Live life in a new reality. enough for now.

Your Mouth

“The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell” (James 3:6).

Go back and read verses 1-12.  Our mouths mess us up. We must take care what comes out. How can we?  Check our thoughts,  check our heart. 

When we were young we all sang, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me.” How terribly wrong that was. Words are like missiles that are fired to do harm. That harm stays with us long after broken bones have healed. 

Our tongue betrays our heart, all from our mind. We must catch our thought before they becomes thoughts. Yes, we can. When our heart and mind is stayed on things of God, on positivity and not negativity, we can control. You see, what comes out will be positive. enough for now.

Be Careful

  Numbers 11:4

“The rabble among them had a strong craving; and the Israelites also wept again, and said, “If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we used to eat in Egypt for nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; but now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.” “

Please note ‘the rabble among them’. These were the foreigners that came out of Egypt with the Israelites. These were people who did not know God. These were people who were not accustomed to the diet of the Israelites.  But they complained and complained so much, so loud that some Israelites began to complain. These complaining Israelites had forgotten how God had already kept them

.

While God answered the complaint (there is a difference between complaint and prayer) with quail- those who complained were stricken with a plague and died. 

We must be careful what and who we side with- we have a different way of seeing things unlike nonbelievers. Be careful not to take up the wrong banner. Check with God by listening and watching what he is doing in your life.

Steadfast

Matthew 5:10-12

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

These verses are regarding our attitude toward humanity. Jesus warns and encourages that we will have times,  but we can rejoice. For the Jewish people listening that day -they considered  verbal abuse as vicious. The Rabbis considered it as evil as idolatry, formication, and bloodshed combined. The one whose name was defamed would be so bad that he would consider suicide.  Persecution plays with your mind. Remember it’s never the person or thing that hurts you, but how you feel about it. That’s why people act differently to the same circumstance. 

A Spanish proverb says, “Truth, like oil, always comes to the surface.” 

We can settle and rejoice knowing that the kingdom is here and now and here and then. God has us now and will have us then. Can you see how much weight comes off your mind when you understand that? That is being blessed, that is being favored by God. enough for now.

He Will

 Matthew 5:7-9  NRSV

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

When I was a union rep we paid close attention to “shall” and “will”.  “Shall” may or may not happen. “Will” is binding. Hold that. And then remember that the blessings are here and now and in the future. We will experience God in the sacred space here and will experience in the sacred place. 

We work toward releasing any negativity that keeps us from experiencing God’s blessings. We don’t work toward getting in his presence. It doesn’t work that way, but we work toward following, listening, being guided by him and we find ourselves in that space. He will do what he promised he will do. Read your contract! enough for now.

Pray

Today, pray for Haiti and what they are facing from the earthquake. Pray for Afghanistan. Pray for leadership everywhere. Pray that wisdom abounds. Pray for yourself. Recognize that you need prayer also. Pray for me. enough now.

Give BAck

Exodus 35:5a

(NRSV): “Take from among you an offering to the Lord; let whoever is of a generous heart bring the Lord’s offering: . . .” 

Go back and read all of 35. God required specific things from the Israelites in the constructing of the Tabernacle. Some were difficult to come by, but they had them. The main thing is that God only wanted them from those whose heart was willing. Everyone has something to contribute- everyone has giftings but they mean so much more when you recognize that you offer them to God. 

I saw a bit of the closing Olympic ceremony and I was beaming. Countries that had never won -won. Some didn’t win, but they were there. They went for it. When you offer yourself, your gifts to God he uses them. But when it’s not quite the time you don’t give up, you stay ready, sharpening what he has given you. enough for now.

Rejoice

Philippians 4:4-8, focus on 4.

Paul encourages us to rejoice always. That Greek word for rejoice is an imperative- a command to rejoice and keep on rejoicing.  In order to do that we must look beyond our present situation - that is faith. We must repel negativity and attract positivity by being positive. That is why Paul gives the what we used to call ‘The whatsoevers’. 

“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. “

That sums it up for positivity. Think about how God has kept you. That’s rejoicing right there. Think about how he has moved you into places that you could not imagine. Then think on the whatsoevers. That’s rejoicing right there! Enough for now.

God’s Not Done

Philippians 1:3-6 NIV

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

This is Paul’s joy letter. And it is encouraging to us to know that we are not yet done. That God’s work continues in us. Look back a few years ago. Can you see God’s progress in you? Sometimes others see it before we do. We are not yet done, there is great hope. We are still being molded into who we are. God continues to remove the caked on lies and false beliefs that has twisted our minds, and caused us to try to fix what hurts through our dysfunctional behaviors. The more he removes, the more we look like who we really are. He’s not done. enough for now.

Step Out

Luke 5:4b

“Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 

T was Simon call into ministry. Go back and read verses 1-6. What would have happened had Simon

Not complied with Jesus to take the boat? What would have happened had he not gone farther as Jesus instructed? Each time he had an opportunity to comply, to obey, and it got bigger and bigger. He went from fishing to fishing for mankind. 

We are offered opportunities to obey God. We don’t know what’s in store but it is always better than where we are. We are encouraged to get out of our comfort zone and to follow what God has. Step out and watch what God does. 

Happy Father’s Day to my son Marq,  my grandson Trey! Happy Father’s Day to all. enough for now.

In the Right Place

Acts 3:9,10

“All the people saw him walking and praising God, and they recognized him as the one who used to sit and ask for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.” 

Go back and read 1-10. This is about the beggar at the gate and Peter had him to shift his focus on what he was to what he could be. And he walked. Two men, different stories, at the right place at the right time. 

Sometimes we don’t know what God has for us and we miss because our focus is on the wrong thing. We must watch and listen for all opportunities for what God has. Peter offered the lame man his ability to walk, and in that, to move from being a beggar by the gate. 

Don’t know what would have happened had the man not shifted his attention to Peter.- but he did. Oh, what can happen when we shift our focus from whatever to what God is doing in our life. We watch what God is doing. He puts us in the right place at the right time. 

My son graduated this week as a medical doctor. (Yeah God!) His journey was rough, it was tough, but look at what God did. He is that witness to what happens when you shift your focus. You shift from what is to what can be, watch he hat God is doing. enough for now.

Sing

Psalm 96:1–3 (NRSV): “O sing to the Lord a new song; 

sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples.”

There are three imperatives here: we are to praise, proclaim, and declare. We praise him, we proclaim his salvation (how he has delivered us), and we tell it.the thing about it is that it is a new song everyday. There is something different everyday. God is moving everyday. and if we miss it- we miss the opportunity of growing in him. 

God has given each of a reason to sing to him and it is new everyday- because his mercies to us are new everyday. That passage starts with ‘Oh’, and that ‘oh’ comes from a place of great depth- a place of knowing. That place of knowing that you know, that you know, that you know. And nobody can take that away from you. 

Sing! Go ahead- sing a new song. It’s your song! It’s your story wrapped up in God’s story. Won’t he do it? Yeees! Yeeess! Yes he will. enough for now.

 

Together

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!  It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. 

It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.”

God is big on unity among believers. David relates it to the precious anointing oil, which could never be duplicated. Gathering as believers is so important. Each time is different, each time holds something different. It should. 

Each time it is restorative as the dew on Mt Hermon. Mt Hermon is snow capped 2/3 times of the year. Even in the hot summer months. And that dew, the rain, the snow on Mt Hermon flows to the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan River, and in to other outlets and emptying into the Dead Sea. 

We are restored in unity - God’s love flows to us, and overflows to others. Can you see how important that is?  We are restored, refreshed, nourished. enough for now. 

The Power

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Today is Pentecost. They were gathered together. Read Acts 2: 1-4. Yes, they heard the sound of a violent rushing wind, but there was no wind. Yes, they saw tongues of fire settling on each person, but they didn’t catch fire. They were gathered together. Together. They heard the sound together, they saw the fire that settled on each person. Oh come on . Holy Spirit is here and he is with personally. We know him collectively, but he guides us personally. 

It’s bigger than just speaking in other languages - no, we are empowered to witness. And there are no language barriers. There are no barriers. That day the disciples shared what they witnessed, what they felt. - in other languages. We tell our story.  

You know we feel when we get together as family. We always have great memories.  Can you even see the memories coming out of that? Come on, we too have those memories. We tell our story. Our actions tell our story that Holy Spirit guides. We are empowered to do what we do in his name. enough for now.

A Different War

“Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in. 

Then the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men” (Joshua 6:1&2)

Jericho was a well fortified against the Israelites. They had heard of Israel’s God and knew his power.  Yet, God told Joshua Jericho was theirs. 

Now here is the crazy part. They did not battle as tradition. Yes, they circled the city, but that was all. There was no siege ramp placed, no battering ram. You know that had to freak out those inside the wall. And probably those marching. That’s not the way they battle. But they were not battling, they were warring. All they had to do was follow God’s instructions. 

Look at it. Our Jericho is that stronghold that sets itself against us and defies us to fight. Many times  we have been so distracted by it that we think we can’t win. But God. He has given Jericho to us. We war by following God’s instructions. We don’t win our war by fighting like others, no. Our strategy to follow God. 

He has already given us the victory. You know, we don’t fight for the victory but we fight from the victory already won by Jesus. Remember that! enough for now.

A Love Story

“My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, or lose heart when you are punished by him; for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves, and chastises every child whom he accepts.” 

This timely as many times we forget that part of love is the discipline.  As mothers, there are times that we must discipline our children to ready them for what they will face in society.  To grow them mentally and spiritually. As children, often we don’t understand why some discipline until later. It was for our good.

This is God’s love story. When he disciplines it is for our growth, our healing. Not so mankind. Sometimes we get it wrong. But God does not. His love for us never fails. Our story is wrapped up in God’s story and we can rest assured that he does have us in all situations. 

Be strengthen, listen, and watch what God is doing in your life. enough for now.

Get it Right

I don't think we are getting this journey right. I think many have gotten off the path. I heard more of the same type of disturbing news this morning. Yes, more than black men being arbitrarily killed by white police. That is bad enough. Black lives do matter. Now the oxygen in India is low? Indian lives matter. And then there is still Covid-19. All lives matter. 

When are we going to get on the path? People fussing about not being physically in church- but not being physically in church does not stop anyone from worshipping God. You have it wrong.  You are on the wrong path.  

I say wrong because some things really are not right. Some things just takes common sense. That is the path we are confused on. Yes, I am a believer, and I know what God will do. I have seen it, many times over.  But for you who don't believe, who need to believe - where is your common sense? You are trying to make paths that are not true to your journey. 

The journey involves spiritual growth, if we are on the path. It involves love of another, if we are on the path. It provides peace to troubled minds, if we are on the journey.  Come on, we need to it right, because we all do matter, and our lives depend on it. enough for now.

You have to Know

“So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty” (Zec. 4:6 NIV).

That’s it right there. This is a passage that I have stood on for so long. It keeps me grounded. 

Sometimes we may forget how we got here- but we must not forget that it was indeed God and his favor. Yes, many times you may feel that you are not where we want to be, but look at where you are.  And there is more to come- but we keep in mind that is not by our might nor by our power, but by the  Spirit of God. God did it, God is doing it, God will do it- when you let him. Go ahead, thank him for all he has done, for what he is doing, and for what is in store. enough for now.

Which are You?

 “When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted” (Matt. 28:17 NIV).

This one verse says it all. This was after Jesus’ resurrection and the disciples were to meet Jesus in Galilee. It says it all. To the eleven disciples, who were to receive the great commission- some worshipped when they saw Jesus, but some doubted. 

When our hearts can worship him, doubt can’t hinder us.  When we entertain doubt, we can’t worship. 

We must ask ourselves where we are. Can we worship him? Or do we doubt? 

There is still hope for doubters. Although some doubted-  Jesus commissioned all to go. He commissions us to go, in spite of where we are. enough for now.

The Road

“They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?””

This is the on Emmaus Road after the resurrection. Go back and read 13-32. It is amazing that the disciples didn’t know who Jesus was. This passage shows us they had a clue, but they didn’t know while he walked and talked with them. They didn’t know until after they invited him in and when they saw him break bread and blessed it.  

How could they not have known who Jesus was? But they had a clue. We have to open our eyes to the moment and we must invite him in. Not just one time but every time. The more we invite him in, the more we see, the more we know. We have a clue, but we need more. 

Yesterday we went to an Escape room. Wow! It was difficult and we needed help with the clues. Life is difficult, and we need help with the clues. enough for now.

He Lives!

He lives, we can live. We can love. We can be rid of any and all negativity. That’s enough right there. To be rid of negativity- that is indeed life! Let that stay with you. Learn how to release the negative ideas that have bound you. Blessings of newness on this Resurrection day! enough for now.

Hosanna

“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out” (Luke19:40 NIV)

This was Jesus’ triumph entry into the city. Only he knew what was going to happen. The Pharisees tried to quiet the disciples. The disciples and the crowd were praising what they had already witnessed. But the Pharisees weren’t having it. Could it be because they could not see? They were indeed haters.

We know what Jesus has done and is doing in our lives. That’s reason to praise him. We can’t let anyone stop our praise. They don’t know what we know. They can’t see what we see. 

Jesus will always have a witness. If we keep quiet the stones will cry out. Hallelujah! Blessing of joy, praise, and contemplation as we move through this week of reflection- Passion Week. enough for now.

Do you love me?

A deacon at our church in Detroit used to ask me, “Rev, is Jesus in your heart? The first time he asked, I answered rather flippantly, “Well yes.” He shook his head and said, “don’t tell me, show me. I had to think about that. The next time I saw him, he asked again. I nodded, and he shook his head – ‘no”. Aw, but then I got it. So, the next time I saw him he asked me, “Rev, is Jesus in your heart?” My outside smile from my beaming inside showed him, and he nodded and smiled, and said – ‘yeah’. It didn’t stop there, every time I saw Deacon George until he went home to glory he would look at me and nod and smile when he saw my smile.

In John 21:15-17 Jesus asks Peter three times “Do you love me.” I think sometimes we have to be clear what that means. The answer should come from our heart and not necessarily from our mouth. He asks us the same same question “Do you love me? How do you respond? enough for now

Can You Drink This Cup?

“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”

Guys, go back and read 20:20-24. 

The disciples had no clue of what they were asking. Sometimes we think more highly of ourselves than we ought. Jesus gave them a clue, he said, “You don’t know what your are asking.” That was a way out but they jumped right on it. the other disciples were upset. 

Here’s the thing - it’s all about servant hood. We walk as he has us, we learn how to serve, how to love, how to care. We learn how to walk in his will for our lives, and in doing so, he elevates, he does what he does. He knows what he has for us. 

Too often we want what is not ours, and not to walk in what is ours. But it doesn’t fit. Spiritual growth comes from a fit in what God has for us.enough for now.

Why Are You So Afraid?

“He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”   

This was Jesus’ question after he’s calmed the waves and wind. But it speaks more to the tense. He didn’t ask why were they afraid, but why are they afraid. Here’s the thing, they were afraid of one thing and then another. But they walked with Jesus and really should have had no fear. If Jesus was resting, they could rest. 

But that is also us. We forget too soon how he kept us in our ‘befores’. If he kept us in our ‘befores’, then he has us in our ‘now’. And we can have peace. Today, thank him for your ‘befores’ and watch him in your ‘nows’. The more you watch, the more you see. And you can walk with no fear. The Tribbett says “If he did it before, he’ll do it again. Same God right now, same God back then.” Won’t he do it? Then why are we so afraid?  enough for now.

Who Do You Say

Matthew 16:13-16 NIV “When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 

Jesus first asked the disciples who the people said Jesus was. You know people said a lot of things.  It was then he asked them who did they say, and Peter spoke up. 

Many people speak about what they have heard about Jesus not what they know. Peter had relationship with Jesus and spoke from that. There are times that we call his name and we call out of who he is right then. We may call Jesus, our comforter, Jesus our way maker, Jesus of peace bearer. He is still Jesus. But we can’t call if we don’t know him him like. 

His name has so many facets and all of them are available to us - it’s relationship. Call him by his name Jesus! enough for now.

Do You Want to be Healed?

John 5:1–10 (NIV): “Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. [4] One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” 

“Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” 

Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.”

This was another question that Jesus asked- and that he asks us, “Do you want to be healed?”

Our infirmity may not be in form of 38 years of a physical disability. But it can be in the form of any trauma that we have suffered, and may still be suffering. And since we have been born into a fallen world, at sometime or another we have suffered trauma. 

The good news is that we don’t stay there. That we too are offered relief. Do you want to be healed? All we do is say yes, and watch what God does. enough for now.

What Do You Want?

John 1:32-39. “The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” 

When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” 

They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” 

“Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” 

So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.” 

The focus is on the question that Jesus asked, “What do you want?” Jesus asks the same question to us- what do you want? Too often we respond with what we don’t want to with short term fixes. But God is long term. What do you want?  enough for now.

Cutting Edge

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

I think sometimes we miss the power in this. We learn from one another, that’s why we share with one another. No one person has all the knowledge, and when we share we strengthen each other. Likewise, when we can offer constructive criticism and it is accepted, then both are strengthened. 

We don’t need to understand it all, but we learn through questioning for understanding, and yes for challenging. But this type of challenge is to strengthen and encourage- not to tear down. Unity is key as no one is sharpened alone. When we sharpen one another we can gain wisdom. Our experiences, our gifts, our talents are meant to share to help each other. Enough for now.

That Place

Psalm 15:1–5 (NIV): “Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? 

The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others; who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the Lord; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind; who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. 

Whoever does these things will never be shaken.”

These five short verses asks the question who can commune with God, gives the answer, and then the promise of God. We get to sacred space of communing by walking blameless. Even this pandemic has shown us that there are some things we must do to enter  a reputable business: wear a mask, take temperature, hand sanitizer, be socially distanced. 

 Why would we not think there are some thing we must do to meet God in that place? He rewards our efforts to walk in what he requires. And really, really, it’s not that hard, but we make it difficult. 

He invites us into that space at any time. And the cool part about it is that nothing, no one can take it from us, from snatch us us from him.  

Just as we check off what we need when we leave home, let’s check where we need strength, and give that place to God. And watch what he does. enough for now.

Be Still

You know, with all the crazy around- it can get you down. And even today I tried to check this site and couldn't find myself. Well that is enough. It is time to . . . be still. I have found in the stillness one can get answers. In the stillness one can get direction. In the stillness one can rest in a saneness given by God, and move from the insanity of negativity. In the stillness we can know that he is God. And that’s all we need. enough for now.

A Change

Yesterday I made a real decision, I made up my mind to change. . . to walk resolved for change. . . not to look back- why should I? I know what's there. But to walk toward more in my life. That's more on my change. it is not a resolution, bu a decision. Join me in your walking toward positivity. What is your change? enough for now.

Walk Confident

It’s here! The new year. We get excited about that. But we can get excited about smething else. Each new day is another chance - another chance to live fuller- another chance to love more - another chance to watch what God is doing in your life. Walk confident that you are not alone, that your story is wrapped up in God’s story. enough for now.