God's Phone Number

A Preacher’s Prayer: “Lord, fill my mouth with worthwhile stuff, and nudge me when I’ve said enough.”

A little girl’s Prayer: The little girl was being punished by making her eat by herself in the corner of the room, the family paid no attention to her until they heard her pray: “I thank Thee, Lord, for preparing a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.”

A little boy’s Prayer: On a hot summer day they had guest for dinner, the mother asked her four year old son to say the prayer. “But, mom, I don’t know what to say,” he said. Just say to the Lord what you’ve heard me say,” she told him. The little boy bowed his little head and said, “oh, Lord, why did I invite those people here on a hot day like this?”

God is always aware of us. Scripture says that God will never leave us. One day, as I was reading in the book of Jeremiah, I discovered that God has a direct line for everyone who wants to talk to him. I call it God’s phone number. It is JER-333 – Jeremiah 33:3, which says, “Call to me and I will answer you. I'll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.”(The Message)

Prayer has always been a big resource in my life. However, there are times that for some reason or another, my prayer life would take a hit and I would be self-absorbed and not talk to God as much. Maybe you have heard the phrase: “Seven Prayerless Days Makes One Weak.” It is true! We are the weak and vulnerable when we are not calling God. Someone said, “He who is a stranger to prayer is a stranger to power!”

A Sunday school teacher asked her students, what is prayer? One student replied, “That is a message sent to God at night and on Sundays when the rates are lower.” As funny as this sounds, it is simply not true. God is always available. 24/7. Toll Free. No drop lines. No dead zones. No call waiting. No pressing 1, 2, or 3 to get God…He is always the one to answer. Proverbs 15:29, “The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the righteous.”

One teenager’s view of prayer: “God answers prayer four ways: yes, no, wait awhile, or, you’ve got to be kidding!” I laugh at this, but in every situation, God answers no matter the request. We may not like how He does it, when He does it, or what He decides to do, but He will answer you. God is in the knowing us business and will do what is BEST for us. Trust Him. Talk to Him. Be Faithful to Him. Pray often and then pray some more.

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian

When Did God Change?

The year was 1978.  My father had a Ford Station Wagon that was green, with brown paneling on the side.  In those days, station wagons were made with a backseat that faced the traffic in the rear.   It was great to make faces at oncoming cars and to get truckers to honk their horn. 

The day was December 31^st. We were on our way to baptize my brother, Keith.  I remember as if it were yesterday.  It was unusual to have thunderstorms in St. Louis in December.  It was raining hard.  Thunder was loud.  Lighting lit up the sky.  As I was sitting in the far backseat on our way to the church, I was scared.  Not scared of the loud thunder or the flash of lighting, but scared that if Jesus came that night or I was hit by lighting and died, I wouldn’t go to heaven. 

I was 12.  I heard all the fire and brimstone sermons.  Preachers pounded the pulpit.  The same question sermon after sermon, “If Jesus were to come today, would you go to heaven?”  At 12 years old, I was so afraid that I wouldn’t go to heaven.  I wanted to go to heaven!  I wanted God to love me and not be mad at me.

As my father drove, I sat quietly.  Praying.  “God, if you get us to the church building safely, I will give my life to you.  I will be baptized.  I will live my life for you.”

We made it!  Our family entered the church building and my brother Keith was preparing to be baptized by my brother Jim.  I sat on the front seat with nervousness.  “I made a promise to God,” I said to myself.  I finally got the nerve to go to my dad and say, “Dad, I want to be baptized, too.”  My dad asked, “Why do you want to be baptized?”  I said, “Because I want to go to heaven.  I want Jesus to be Lord of my life.  I want to be a preacher and tell others about Jesus, too.”  My father wrapped his big arms around me and gave me a big hug and said he was proud of my decision.  After Keith was baptized, it was my turn.  My brother Jim baptized me on a rainy night in December.  As I resurrected from the water, I knew!  I knew that something changed within me and connected me to God, Jesus, and Spirit.  It was more than any feeling I  had felt before. It was powerful!  34 years later, I can still feel what God did at my baptism.

During the last 34 years, I’ve gone against God’s best for me. I sin.  I’m weak.  I feel the pressures of life.  Early in my life, I only heard about the punishing God.  The all-seeing eye watching every move we make kind of God. If we get out of line, he will surely punish us. 

That was then.  Today, I know a God who is deeply in love with his children.  I also know that God does not call us to be perfect; he calls us to trust him.  He will get us through all the difficulties we get ourselves into. When we love him with all our hearts, soul, strength, and mind our attention is taken off ourselves and placed on God.  We will do our best to serve and be involved in kingdom work, not because we are trying to please God, but rather, we desire to glorify God.

The faith journey is not perfect, but his forgiveness is limitless – 1^st John 1:9, “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (NLT)

Our spiritual life will have traces of weakness – but his grace is sufficient – 2 Corinthians 12:9, “…My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness….” (NLT)

We will get weighed down by pressures, life struggles, and sufferings – but he said we can always come to him – Matthew 11:28, "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out…Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life.” (The Message)

God has always been grace! He has never been the all-seeing eye watching out for those doing wrong.  God has always been the all-seeing Father who cheers at our victories, hurts when we do wrong, forgives when were sorry, lifts us up when we are down, and loves at all times.

God has always been mercy!  God has always been a forgiver!   God has always loved us deeply and forever!  

Today, I know a God that I didn’t know 34 years ago.

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian

Uninterrupted Conversation!

Vacations are supposed to be a time to relax and get away from all the “stresses” of life. Recently, I spent several hours on the beach by myself. It was one of the most relaxing times for me in a long time. I walked for several miles along the waters edge. My thoughts were as mute as my words. No one needed me. No schedule to keep. No bills to pay. Nothing. I was completely alone. Until….

Until I looked around and saw kids building sand castles, men and women getting sun tans, young boys with huge fishing poles casting out into the ocean, lovers holding hands as they walked, birds flying overheard looking for their next meal. People everywhere. Noise. The crashing waves. The sounds of boats and airplanes. I wasn’t alone, not for one minute. However…

However, I was able to put all the noise and people out of my mind. I was alone again. No noise, no people, no fisherman, nor boats; just me! I went to a place in my mind that only God and I could hear and know. It was peaceful. Joyful. Uninterrupted conversation.

Jesus on many occasions went to places where he could have uninterrupted conversations with his Father. They were deep conversations about spiritual matters. After all, Jesus was all about living up to the much-needed spiritual standards that were in contrast to what “religious” folks thought were the norm of the day.

Jesus spent much time in solitude. He got a way from all the hectic parts of life, people, and demands. Jesus disciplined himself in the routine of solitude so much that it became an integral part of his ministry.

As Jesus begins his ministry, he immediately goes into the desert alone (Matthew 4:1-4). Before Jesus chose his Apostles in Luke 6, he was alone all night praying. Before he went to his death, he sought alone time with his Father (Mark 14:32-36).

Developing the discipline of solitude takes work and time. However, it is a spiritual must for every believer. Maybe you remember the commercial several years ago that said: Calgon, take me away! We need time alone to refresh ourselves spiritually, mentally, and relationally. Teresa of Avila said, “Settle yourself in solitude and you will come upon Him in yourself.” Solitude is an opportunity to be in the presence of God, not in His absence, nor anyone else. Solitude gives us uninterrupted conversation with our Father!

Remember, Be God Controlled,

Brian

Freedom Isn't Free!

-->

Freedom Isn’t Free!

Freedom isn’t free! It is costly, demanding, and sacrificial. There are times in which our nations freedom is tested in ways that cause war. Over the last 100 years, our nation has fought in many wars.  Thousands have died in order to preserve freedom and to keep other nations from being brutally abused or murdered by dictatorial regimes.  Our freedom fighters must never go unnoticed or forgotten.  Their death must not be in vain.  And, their sacrifice must be held with the highest respect.  In the last seven wars, 643,412 of our fellow Americans have paid the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our freedom.     

Afghanistan, 2,227 died (and counting) ? War in Iraq, 4,454 died (and counting) ? Gulf War, 293 died ? Vietnam Conflict, 58,168 died ? Korean War, 54,246 died ? WW2, 407,316 died ? WW1, 116,708 died.

Memorial Day isn’t about having a bar-b-que, going on a vacation, or finding great retail sales, but rather, to remember the men and women who fought in the battlefields to protect us from the enemy.  It is also a time to say thank you to God for creating men and women who has the willingness and drive to keep our nation safe.  

Freedom is not free!  It’s costly and sacrificial!  To live in a nation where we have freedom is precious, however, there is still one freedom that is far greater than living in a free nation!  This freedom came with a price.  It separated a father and son.  And, it cost a man his life.  Not just any ordinary man, either.  The man?  They called him Jesus.  Jesus?  Yes!  His name alone means freedom (He saves). 

All of humanity was in the prison of sin.  Hopeless.  Chained.  And, locked in the grips of Satan.  Galatians 3:22 says, "But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin...." Isaiah 59:2 says that our sins have separated us with God.  And, God said in Romans 1:18 that He hates sin.  Our sins have barred us from experiencing the joy of spiritual freedom and have locked us up with no way out! 

Are we in spiritual prison forever?  NO!  Is there a way out?  YES!  Do we have a freedom fighter who can provide the power to set us FREE!  YES!  Who is it?  His name is JESUS!

Jesus came to rescue us from the grips of Satan.  Romans 5:6-8, "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Jesus’ sacrifice declared our independence from Satan Romans 5:9, "Since we have now been justified (Declared Free) by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!"

And, Jesus made it possible for us be set free from sin, John 8:36, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

Jesus is our freedom fighter. His death and resurrection made it possible for us to live a life of spiritual freedom.  Our church gatherings and our daily living must be a testimony of joyful freedom and thanksgiving to our freedom fighter, Jesus Christ!

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian

A Priceless Offer

From nursery school onward we are taught how to succeed and make it in society. The early bird gets the worm. No pain, no gain. There is no such thing as a free lunch.  Demand your rights. Get what you pay for. I want people to get what they deserve – nothing more, nothing less. It’s ALL about ME!

The world places value on material stuff. Not so for the pursuer of righteousness. The Christian places value on spiritual matters. They hunger and thirst for right living.  They see kingdom seeking as an opportunity to be a witness for Christ. They engage themselves in the spirit of God and allow the Spirit to engage, equip, and empower them. They make it about Him and not about themselves!

While the world says make it about ME…God says I am going to make it about YOU and ME. Romans 5:8 says that God demonstrated His love for us…while WE were still sinners, His Son died for US! God says, I love you deeply and forever. I want a relationship with YOU! WE really deserve death, but He gave us life! WE really deserved punishment, but he gave us forgiveness! We really deserved wrath, but He gave us grace! We really deserved prison, but He gave us a pardon!

God offers hope. Life. Joy. Peace. Rest. Compassion. Understanding. Patience. Caring. And, buckets full of love! The world offers a limited timeshare to happiness and material wealth. It gets redistributed and it never leaves the compound of earth. We purchase deadbolts for our houses and alarms for our cars just to protect the very things that will not last. As I have said many times: “I have never seen a hearse pull a U-Haul yet.” Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-21 “Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is; is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.” (The Message)

As expensive as the material stuff that we have accumulated over years is, are spiritual life is priceless and eternal. God’s offer is not for sale, it is given freely to all who accepts. God’s offer is not a sales pitch, nor is it cheap. God is always honest and transparent. Isn’t the spiritual life worth accumulating?

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian McCutchen

The Focused Life

Life has many distractions.  There are many things that clutter our mind and keep us from concentrating on achieving our goals.  We can let the smallest of distractions keep us from our focused life;  whether the goal is to read a book or lose ten pounds. 

Is there anything in your life that is distracting you from focusing on accomplishing your goals?

Paul talks about focusing his life goals in Philippians 3:14 when he said, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”  Paul focused on the future rather than the present.  While his life was wreaked up at times, he saw the bigger picture with clarity. 

Dale Carnegie said, “Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.”  There may be times life gets blurred and you have to re-focus the lens.  But by all means, keep on trying to keep the lens focused! Don’t allow the distractions to cause you to lose out in the end.

John Bradshaw said, “It's okay to make mistakes. Mistakes are our teachers -- they help us to learn.”  There will be many mistakes made in our pursuit of reaching our goals.  Learn from them, but don’t repeat them. 

As you strive to reach your goals in life, no matter if they are physical, spiritual, health, education or athletic, keep your life focused.  Don’t allow distractions to keep you from feeling the victories of reaching your desired goals!  You can do it!  Believe and stay distraction free!

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian

Grace

"Timmy had been misbehaving and was sent to his room.  After a while he emerged and informed his mother that he had thought it over and then said a prayer.   "Fine", said the pleased mother. "If you ask God to help you not misbehave, He will help you."   "Oh, I didn't ask Him to help me not misbehave," said Timmy. "I asked Him to help you put up with me."

God puts up with a lot, but he still loves us in spite of all that we do wrong.  Remember, God loves us for who we are, not what we do.  Yes, God wants our faithfulness, commitment, and our spiritual loyalty.  He wants our faith to grow.  He desires for each of us to be in the Word.  God loves for us to talk to Him.  Loving one another deeply from the heart is a God trait.  And, living the Christians life is demonstrating integrity.  However, no one is perfect and in all of our inconsistencies, failures and disappointing moments, God still loves us for who we are and gives grace abundantly. 

What is God’s Grace?  Grace comes from the Latin and Greek origin that means,  favor or kindness shown without merit.

When we use Grace in reference to God, this word defines His heart.  Ephesians 2:8 says "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God."  God’s grace is His kindness towards us in spite of our actions or behavior.  Yes, I understand that Romans 6:1 says that we cannot keep on sinning so that grace may increase.  However, in our daily pursuit of living under grace, we do fall short of the glory of God.  This is the very reason why grace is so important to the believer.

God defines himself in Exodus 34:6 as the merciful and gracious God, who is slow to anger and rich in unfailing love and faithfulness."  God's grace is amazing because He forgives us of our sins!   Romans 3:24 says that we are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."  To be justified means that we are declared free.

The essence of the Gospel is Grace.  Forgiveness.  Mercy.  Hope.  Never merited, but always given.  I do because I love God, not because I am trying to earn my salvation, eternal home, or for God to love me.  My faith propels me to be obedient not because I am earning extra points in the spiritual life, but because I have a deep and profound love for God. 

God gives grace because He loves us.  I give him my life because I love Him. 

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian