My Joy is Zapped and God Doesn’t Care About Me!

How can I experience joy that lasts, when...

I’m feeling the effects of high inflation that results in high gas prices and even higher food prices
I’m unemployed

I’m dealing with a bad marriage
I’ve just lost my spouse to death

I feel so lonely
I’m rejected
I feel God doesn’t care about me

Joy and happiness are not the same.  Happiness seems to depend on our external circumstances. If our circumstances are pleasant, our needs are being met, and we have the approval of family and friends, we generally feel happy.

Joy, however, is a Spirit-fruit quality that sustains us when the storms of life are raging and bad stuff happens and painful memories are experienced and life is more of a challenge than joy.  Joy will fight for you and give you a spiritual perspective that will calm the struggling spirit and turn you 180 to see hope in the fire.

 

Trusting God’s provision of joy is key to experience calmness.  John 14:1-4, Jesus said, "Trust in God...." I believe that trust is earned. It takes time to trust someone. As we begin the get-to-know-the person-better, the relationship strengthens and trust evolves. I’ve talked to many people who have asked me, 

Our Influence Matters

Jesus modeled influence effectively. Although some of the “so-called” religious people felt his influence was being jeopardized when he spent time with the “less than” people. In Luke 5:27-32 there is a conversation with “religious” people and Jesus’ disciples about who Jesus was associating himself with. They asked, “Why do you eat and drink with such scum?” Jesus quick on his feet shot back, “healthy people don’t need a doctor, sick people do.”

Christians have an opportunity to demonstrate values that will influence our communities for the greater good. In reading many surveys, without exemption, the overwhelming view of non-churched people felt that Christians are judgmental, hypocritical, old fashioned, and way too involved in church politics. I’m sure some can and will argue the perceptions non-churched people have of those of us who call ourselves Christians. Is it fair, maybe not, but could there be some truth to how they perceive us? Absolutely!

It is amazing to me that Christians can work together at their jobs. Attend little league to watch their children play baseball. Cheer in the stands together for the local high school football team. Eat together in restaurants and have cookouts with their neighbors in their backyards. But come Sunday morning, it becomes the most segregated time of the week. There are some streets in communities that have at least two of the same type of church because one thinks they are more right than the other. Or, we have churches splitting over silliness, so they start another church across town. What does this kind of behavior convey to the non-churched person? How are we as Christians able to influence our communities for the greater good if we cannot get along ourselves?

Our communities need Jesus followers who are committed to living a consistent spiritual life. Our communities need Christians who are bent on demonstrating behaviors that are godly, holy, and right. Our communities need to see consistency among Christians. They must see love demonstrated toward each other regardless of their philosophies about salvation. Our communities need to see unity between each Christian and not an “I’m the only one right” Christian mentality.

The best way to influence others is by living like Jesus. When we influence Jesus’ way we will…

Be positive – Philippians 2:14, Do everything without arguing or complaining.
Be a builder – Ephesians 4:29, Build up others according to their needs.
Be kind – Galatians 5:22, Kindness is a bi-product of a Spirit controlled life.
Be friendly – 1 Peter 4:9, Offer up hospitality.
Be lovers – 1 Peter 1:22, Love deeply from the heart.

No theology or doctrine matters if our positive influence isn’t there to back it up!

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian

God is More Than A Rainbow Maker

It was the last day of the year in 1978.  I was twelve.  And, it was my mother’s birthday.  It was a rainy day.  The darkness shown its face as we were traveling to a place to baptize my brother, Keith.  I was sitting in the back of the station wagon that had a seat facing the cars behind us.  We had lots of fun in the back of that ole station wagon.  But that night, I wasn’t laughing or making faces at the cars behind me.  I was praying.  Yes, praying.  The thunder was loud that night and the lightning was scary.

 

I wanted to be baptized, too!  I remember my prayer forty-four years later.  I said, “Dear God (that’s how I thought I need to address God because everyone else did) please get us to the church safely so that I can be baptized, too!”  God did and I did! 

 

I was told after I was baptized that all of heaven is rejoicing.  Truthfully, I couldn’t comprehend “all of heaven rejoicing” as a twelve year old, but I could feel the peace of God deep within me.  I felt a presence unlike I had ever felt in my short life.  I was no longer afraid of the lightning or thunder.  I knew that a power had entered into my body, but I couldn’t explain it.  I still feel that power forty-four years later.  The power is God’s Spirit.  The creator of the universe lives in me…ME!  Oh, that makes me feel so good; yet, I feel nervous.  I don’t want to make him feel unloved or unwelcomed. 

 

The Apostle John said, “God so LOVE the WORLD….” John 3:16.  At our worst, God is at his best!  Think about it!  God loved the world before he gave us his Son!  That means, he loved the thugs, murders, kidnappers, gossipers, liars, cheats, bigots and the list is endless so much more than we can ever imagine.  So, when I surrendered my life to King Jesus, that love God already had for me is demonstrated by giving me more.  Not only Jesus, but his Spirit, too!  Peter said to the mournful crowd, “Turn to God and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38. 

 

Ahhh, God is masterful at gift giving.  He is more than the creator of the universe and he is more than the rainbow maker and sea divider and lion tamer, he is dad.  He protects.  Provides. Loves.  He shows up at every event.  He cheers.  He cries.  He’s a proud papa. 

 

For forty-four years, I have experienced a heavenly dad who doesn’t quit on me when I am bad.  Actually, he doesn’t call me bad he calls me his son!  He will call you his son…his daughter.  He won’t bad mouth you when you cuss or drink too much or lie or cheat, but he will show you how to turn away from sin.  He won’t move out and tell you he will never come back.  But, he will say to you, I, The Lord your God will have mercy—[I] He won't destroy you or desert you.” Deuteronomy 4:31

 

I’m so thankful my heavenly dad goes with me everywhere and I can count on him every day for a lifetime.  I, we are blessed!

 

Remember, Be God Controlled!

 

Brian

I Want to Find God, Where do I Find Him?

There was a young boy who had asked an old man, “I want to find God, where do I find him?” The old man took the young boy to the nearby lake. They stood in the shallow end of the lake and the old man said to the boy, “Stick your face into the water.” The young boy sticks his face in the water. The old man ever so gently presses the boy’s head further into the water. After several seconds, the young boy struggles and starts moving his head back and forth because he wants out of the water. The old man finally releases and pulls the boys head up and asked the boy, “What did you desire when you were under the water?” The boy replied, “Air, I wanted air!” The old man said, “As soon as you desire God as much as you desire air, you will find God.”

 

God doesn’t play Hide N Seek where it’s too difficult to find him. God isn’t too far away where he is unreachable. God doesn’t disguise himself in camouflage where he can’t be seen. God is in plain sight. He makes himself visible and noticeable. God wants you, me, and us to find him. He is not interested in living as a hermit all shut up in his throne room; rather, he wants conversations with us. He wants to go on vacation with us and sit around the campfire and go for a hike and ride with us through the countryside admiring the beauty of the autumn leaves. God desires us.

 

Countless people are searching for God. Their lives are turned upside down. Their life is a dead-end road. Hopeless. Fearful. Futureless. Lonely. Dark. 

 

“Where can I find God?” they ask. Moses said, “But even there, if you seek GOD, your God, you’ll be able to find him if you’re serious, looking for him with your whole heart and soul.” Deuteronomy 29:4 The simplicity in finding God comes from the pure heart. Jesus said, “God blesses those people whose hearts are pure. They will see him!” Matthew 5:8 

 

God is in love with us. He wants to be found. He wants to be loved. He wants us to search for him with pure motives. He doesn’t want to be used and abused. He doesn’t want a lackluster relationship. He doesn’t want a halfhearted worship. He wants us…all of us! The Proverb says, “I love everyone who loves me, and I will be found by all who honestly search.” Proverb 8:17

 

I found God early in my life. Not because my parents were “church goers” but because I desired to find him. I needed him. I wasn’t always the best at keeping my promises to him or faithful in prayer or bible reading or sharing my faith…I’m still not. However, I know where God is. He is deep in my heart. He is in my actions. He in my car, house and when I am sitting at the campfire. He is walking with me and sitting at the dinner table next to me. He is the sun, moon, galaxies and mountains. He is the wind, rain and snow. God is the face of every child, the touch of comfort and the hope in a crisis. God is the generous woman, the helping hand of a young boy and the tenderness of a thoughtful girl. God is in front of you; all you have to do is desire to find him. 

 

Remember, Be God Controlled!

 

Brian

 

Can You Tell Me About Jesus? I Want to Go to Heaven

She walked into the room where I was teaching. I immediately noticed her frail frame and her feeble walk as she held on to her cane. She reached her left hand out to grab hold of the church pew as she shuffled her feet towards the place she would eventually sit. She was exhausted. Out of breath. She sips on her water. She takes a deep breath and exhales slowly. She reaches for the pew bible and then looks up at me with her tired eyes.

“We are talking about the parable of the lost son in Luke 15” I said. She fumbles her way through the pages of the pew bible until she finds Luke 15. I continued to teach the class until the frail framed woman raises her hand. 

 

She clears her throat and says, “My name is Connie.” I said, “It is nice to meet you Connie.” She continues. “I have never been much on going to church. It has been years since I’ve been to church. I am thirty-five and have one son named Cody. My husband left me a few years ago. As you can tell by the way I walked into your class, I am sick. I have cancer. The doctors say that I might have two months to live. I don’t want to die. I want to see my son grow up. But, the doctors say there is nothing they can do other than make me comfortable. Can you tell me about Jesus? I want to go to heaven.”

 

Holding back my tears I said, “Yes Connie, I will tell you about Jesus!” So, I did. I was teaching the perfect parable for the perfect person to hear it. God’s timing is incredible and a life was changed that day.

Connie lived four months from the time she walked into my class. Her life was changed. She no longer lived in fear. She lived in hope. She experienced peace. She was sad to leave her son, but couldn’t wait to live cancer-free forever. 

 

Connie lived her last four months sharing her story…Jesus’ story! Connie’s parents, Bob and Ann surrendered their life to Jesus, too! Many of Connie’s family and friends began to change and live their life differently…better…Jesus focused. 

 

Jesus wants you to come to him just as you are! It’s doesn’t matter if you’re broken, sickly or have lots of money and healthy. He wants you. He loves you. He doesn’t care if your life is filled with anger, bitterness or hate. Jesus wants you. It doesn’t matter if you have addictions to alcohol, pornography, gambling or drugs, he will open his arms to you and help set your life free. Jesus wants you. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t prayed, read the bible or attended church, he will open his house to you for you to experience a wholesome life. Jesus wants you just as you are. 

 

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30

 

Remember, Be God Controlled!

 

Brian

I’m Glad You’re Home!

Finally. After decades of harsh words, rejection and loneliness, he is free. Free from hurt and pain. No more hearing “you won’t amount to anything” or “I hate you” or “you’re fat” or “I don’t love you” or “you’re full of crap” or “you make me sick” or “I’m going to leave you” and countless other defamatory words that are too explicit to write. 

 

He used to walk with slumped shoulders, but now he walks upright and proud. His self-esteem was shot, but now he sees his self worth and knows God’s plans and purposes for his life. He desperately wanted to be loved, but now feels love all around. He once coward to the bullish people in his life, but now he is able to stand on his own two feet. He is confident, but humble. He is scarred, but not broken. He uses his scars to remind himself that no matter how deep the wounds, they will eventually heal. 

 

He learned that there are kind-hearted and grace-filled people. He learned that not all people hate and that most people will love you for you and that God was always at his side. He learned that he wasn’t inferior to anyone and that he actually has abilities that other people like. He learned that he could become anything he set his mind to become and that he is loved so very much. 

 

One day, he walked into the door of his house and his wife walked up to him and gave him a big hug and whispered in his ear, “I’m glad you’re home!” It was then that he felt more loved than ever before. He finally believed that he was wanted. He was welcomed home by the only one that mattered to him mostly. After the “I’m glad you’re home,” his wife gave him a soft kiss on his lips and together they were home. He was home! Loved. Valued. Welcomed.

 

Many can relate to the true-life story of the man I wrote about. Countless men and women are abused mentally, physically and emotionally every day. They long to be loved, held and valued. They desire to be met at the door and hear “I’m glad you’re home!” Millions are broken and wounded and heartbroken. Their scars have not healed and they walk defeated and hopeless. 

 

The Psalmist said, “He [God] heals the broken-hearted and bandages their wounds.” Psalm 147:3. God is always on the scene doing what he does best…loving people and healing their wounds. So, if you have a wife or husband, meet him or her at the door and say, “I’m glad you’re home.” If you have children at home, go into their bedroom and say, “I’m glad you’re mine!” Part of God’s healing process is using us to be love and tenderness and kindness and gentleness and hope to every person he puts in our life or path.

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian

 

God Loves Us More Than He Hates Our Sins

God is the perfect Father! He Cares. He is Patient. He is Forgiving. He is Gentle. He is Gracious. He is Merciful. He is snail slow to anger, but lightning speed to love.

God loves us for who we are, not for what we do. His grace isn’t conditioned on our perfection, but rather on his love for us. God wants our best all the time. He desires our faithfulness. He expects our honesty, godly character and spiritual morality. 

 

In our pursuit of living a godly life, we fail a lot. God never calls us to live perfectly, but he does call us to live righteously. We cannot make excuses as to why we can’t live godly; nor should we ever sugarcoat the importance of righteous living. 

 

The good news for imperfect people is that God is perfect. So, how can the perfect God be willing to have anything to do with imperfect people? Simple…he loves us more than he dislikes our imperfection. When John said, God so loved the world that he gave us his son….” he wanted us to know that God’s love is big, really big! 

 

God’s love is so big it became sacrificial. The Apostle Paul said, “But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful.” Romans 5:8

 

If you ever doubt God’s love, stop and re-read John 3:16 that says, “God so loved the world that he gave US His Son…” God’s love for us was not only giving his Son, but also eternal life through His Son. Jesus became the bridge builder for us to be saved. 

 

God’s love is so big that he forgives us. I John 1:9 says, “But if we confess our sins to God, he can always be trusted to forgive us and take our sins away.”

 

Forgiveness is not always our way, but it is always God’s way. The Prophet Isaiah said, “But I wipe away your sins because of who I am. And so, I will forget the wrongs you have done.” Isaiah 43:25 God never holds a grudge or brings up our past after we have asked for forgiveness. 

 

Does God want your best? Yes! Does God love us more than he hates our sins? Yes! So, will you give God your best? Will you love God more than you love anyone or anything else? 

 

Remember, Be God Controlled!

 

Brian