Heavenly GPS

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“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" – Romans 8:31

 When we take the individual events of life in a single snapshot and weigh God's love based on one event we are blinded by emotions rather than truth. God's perspective on our life is eternal. From the moment He created the heavens and the earth, He knew you and knew everything about you. He sees the span of your life, the turns, the ups, the downs, the good and the bad. The bible tells us that He is for us in every situation, and yet it is so easy to point blame toward Him when things don't work out.

  Think about your view of the earth from satellite imagery. We have the technology now to look down upon an area of a city block or a few square miles. Picture yourself in a military situation watching a monitor with a satellite image of an area as a battle evolves. On the ground you have troops, walking down a street in a metropolitan city. They can't see what's around the corners up ahead, but from your vantage point with a tops down satellite image you can. Your communicating to the squadron leader through an earpiece. You are warning him of an ambush that lies in the alley up ahead. He hears you and you can see his response of pause. Then you see him turn to his squad and issue hand signals, splitting the team and directing them to spread out. You warn him not to, and then you see him remove his ear peace. The team proceeds forward, cautiously. From your perspective you see the enemy positioning themselves and maneuvering for the right angle. As your squadron move into the intersection with the alley, they are observant to both sides and looking into the shadows for the enemy. Unfortunately for them, they didn't realize that the enemy had moved up one block. As the squadron comes out of the alley back into the main street, the enemy is there waiting for them. Tragically the entire squadron is lost in the ensuing battle. From your post miles away observing through a monitor you watch as the event unfolds. Why didn't he listen to you? Why did he think he had it under control? You would have guided him safely through the streets and ensured victory over the enemy that lie in wait.

  We are challenged daily to walk upright and to stay consistent in His light. It seems that the trials and temptations of life continue to attack on a daily basis. I, for one, can testify that it is easy to become discouraged with the constant barrage from the enemy to steal one's joy. We must be able to stand firm in the promises of God when challenged in our faith. In this letter from Paul to those in Rome, we see him encouraging them to remain strong in their faith, despite their difficult circumstances. We should take this advice and lean into God's wisdom and knowledge when times are difficult, for God will provide your strength against the enemy at all times. This doesn't mean you won't struggle, it is an encouragement that God is still in control and will carry you through it. Remember, His view is eternal. It's not about the daily event, it's about the life story. Live your life with the confidence that He has your back and will get you to the finish line. Nothing can stop this from happening, nothing.

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com

In Memory of Lisa

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“For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.”   - Romans 14:8

Lisa Palmer, Mt. Cutler, 2009

Today the breeze upon the Rocky Mountains is a little more gentle.  It is with a heavy heart I come to you my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and ask for your prayers and blessings upon my nieces and family.  This morning, their mother, Lisa I. Palmer, was taken from this world into a world of peace and rest.  We were blessed with her presence for 48 years, but after battling cancer with incredible strength and conviction, she can finally rest and find comfort in His arms.  I ask for your silent prayer and meditation for her daughters: Kendra, Katie, Emily and Bethany and for her mother, Ronnie, her brother Wayne and my brother Steve.  Please surround them with your love and blessings today, that they might be overwhelmed with the comfort of the Lord in their mourning.  God bless you Lisa I. Palmer, may you rest in peace.

Feel free to share this with your email and Facebook friends as you feel led by the Lord.  These individuals need all of our prayers of comfort and grace.

             

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com

It’s Not Locked

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“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”   - Revelations 3:20

It’s your move.  There is nothing more that anyone can tell you that is going to convince you of what lies before you.  The ways of the Lord are a mystery and to some confusing, because they are unwilling to accept it’s simplicity and grace.  To others it is simply illogical that His love is freely given, despite the loathsome and unrighteous lives we have lived.  Perhaps you are unwilling to believe that there is a greater authority in life, that omnipotently engages with us as humans through unseen spiritual interaction.  Perhaps, you believe it is all a fairy tale, made up by 1^st century writers to appeal to the lost and hopeless Israelites at the time.  Some have expressed to me that it’s their impression that all religions lead to the same God, so it doesn’t matter what we choose in life.  Yet, others tell me, if God is so loving, why do bad things happen, and why do those we love get hurt or die?

The reality of it all is that it comes down to you, and your choice.  You must make a choice in life, because despite what your friends tell you, or your mother or brother and sister; you are held accountable for you.  Your life is going to end.  You can think you know what is going to happen after life, but in reality you don’t and neither do I.  So, in thinking it through; the decision rests upon your shoulders to trust in those around you; who believe they have all the answers, or to seek the answer from the Creator, Himself.  You cannot enter into this decision without contemplating what’s on the other side.

Forever is a very long time.  I was in the car yesterday with my kids, and when I made that statement, my daughter (age 9) stated back, “Not really Dad.  Some people die as children, and some as teenagers.  That’s not a very long time.”  With a perception that this is all there is, her answer was accurate by the measurements of man.  When put on a timetable of eternity though, forever is a very long time.  Imagine a rope that was tied to a tree here in Houston, Texas and the other end went into outer space, close to the stars.  This rope represents life, although there is no actual end to the rope in outer space, it just keeps going.  Now, imagine that an ant stepped from the tree onto the rope and looked up as far as he could see.  The length of that ant is not more than 2mm long.  He represents your life on this earth, be it 10 years, 50 years or 100 years; it all fits within that 2mm length.  The rest of the rope represents time after death – eternity is forever.  The decision you make in this life (the 2mm) will impact where you spend eternity. 

It’s not a game, and the choice is very simple: Heaven or Hell.  It’s not a threat, but there’s no sugar coating it.  The decision is very real and you must make it, despite what every other person around is saying.  The writers of the New Testament captured this importance throughout their writings.  They were stoned, burned alive, tortured endlessly, beaten to near death, fed to lions and crucified for their beliefs, without changing or recanting their proclamations.  Their knowledge that this decision was more important than any pain or suffering on this earth gives us the understanding that there must be some absolute foundational truth to it. 

A stubborn, prideful, worldly view on this decision will have an impact on your eternal existence.  You’re not promised tomorrow, you’re not even promised today.  I’m not going to save you, I can’t, only Jesus Christ can.  For He alone was sent by God the Father for that purpose, and by believing in Him as your Savior and Lord, you are given eternal life with Him forever.  I pray that you are thinking about this, and thinking about those that you love dearly, and sharing it with them.  For if you care about them in this 2mm life, why don’t you care about where they will spend the remaining eternity?  Help them see that the door isn’t locked, they just need to turn the handle.

             

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com

How Clear is Your Crystal Ball

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"And just as it is destined that each person dies only once and after that comes judgment"  - Hebrews 9:27

Control. Are you like me, do you thrive on controlling your life? I don't care how many times I am reminded that the Lord is in control, I will turn around the very next day and take control right back. I believe it's in our general nature to be in control. Regardless of how much I realize that He has a better plan and a bigger picture, I see what I see and know what I know. I create lists, plans, budgets and detailed timelines for managing my life. My calendar in Outlook is up to date, my smart phone keeps reminding me when someone wants to email, IM or text and my car has every reminder you can imagine to ensure that the tires are rotated, oil is changed and it is maintained properly. Throw a wrench into the middle of my crystal blue pond though and the ripples will cause all the pieces to fall in on themselves.


  There always comes that point though that slaps me back into a dependency on the Almighty Creator. When I'm up against the proverbial wall and I see no way out of a situation, I've been known to fall into a depressed state and suffer from the chicken little syndrome (you know - the sky is falling). I'm quick to blame others for my calamity and pout in my circumstances. This happened recently, and a dear friend looked at me with the simplest of challenges. You know the question that always comes, "Did you pray about it?" What's the right answer to this question? If I say yes, then the natural assumption is that God now has it and will work it in His sovereign way, so I need to get out of the way and let Him take it. If I say no, then my faith is challenged and I am forced to the self-realization that I'm not giving God the control. In both responses the fundamental root answer is the same - God can take this, but you've got to give it to Him. Easier said than done isn't it?

  Why do we struggle with giving up control to the Creator of the galaxies? Think about these questions:

         - Did you have anything to do with your creation?

         - Can you defeat death?

         - Who has control at the point of judgement for your eternal status?

  We try to control our life, but we must consider that the very life we are working on was created and brought forth without any input from you and I. We breath in a gas that was created by the green plants surrounding the globe, and in the same manner breath out a gas that is consumed by these very plants. What part of that creative process did we partake in? That's right - we didn't. Likewise, water is created through evaporation and precipitation in a cyclical manner that sustains life. Was that by our design or His? You see, the life you have is controlled by the Creator because He designed it. He knows exactly what you were designed for and the purpose you would fulfill on this spinning globe. As much as we feel out of control, we have to fall back into His arms and let Him have the reins to our life. Dieing to ourselves is a state of giving up those things that separate us from His love, grace and purpose. In doing so, we actually find life. We find a life that is unbelievably full of righteousness and results.

  Likewise, the Creator has also established a time for each of us to come home. We see in Hebrews 9:27 that we are all destined to die once. In a natural way we have no control over that. There are unrighteous ways in which we can take control, but here again - since when have our plans been more fulfilling and blessed than His plans. He knows how many hairs are on your head, He knows your heart, He knows your mind and He knows your depression. If we've learned anything from scripture it is that we are created for God and to bring glory to Him through our life. Only He knows when that work has been completed. He kept John the beloved from dieing at the hands of a Roman emperor through poisoning, being boiled in a vat of oil and being banished to the island of Patmos. John was very old, well into his 90's. He was tired, having served Jesus Christ from early in his adult life. Yet, even still, God had a plan for John to be the recipient of His Revelation when John was on the island of Patmos. The One who created you and I, knows exactly the season of our life and the things we will accomplish in that timeline.

  Finally, do you have any control over your own judgment for eternity? Obviously, you have choices to make that bring you in line with God's grace and eternity with Him. But, here again, it is the Lord who has designed the perfect plan for your salvation. There's nothing you can do to earn, buy or control your salvation. Your salvation is given to you by the One who created it, and is the final judge. Only by the grace of our Lord are we given redemption and a place in His heaven. Some think they will have a second, third and multiple opportunities, but the scriptures are clear. There is one time appointed each man to die, and then judgment (Heb 9:27);

  "Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But God does not take away life; instead, he devises ways so that a banished person may not remain estranged from him" (2 Sam 14:14)

   "{Jesus}..to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.." (Jude 1:15)

  God is in control. The sooner we accept this and allow Him to be, the stronger we become and the more productive we are in His kingdom. Just as John was used well into his old age God may have a plan for you. Can you imagine in your mind what you will be doing for the Lord when you are 98? God doesn't need to imagine, He's already planned it. Why don't you get on board with His plan and find out what He's got in mind for you. I promise it will blow your socks off in comparison to what you had in mind.

             

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com