Shhhhhh, Just Listen

 “Be glad, O people of Zion, rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.” Joel 2:23

 

I love the Fall.  There is something magical, magnificent and inspiring to watch the leaves change and feel the crisp, cool morning air as I step out onto the porch.  There is a smell in the air of leaves burning and hotdog roasts which tell us all that the little things in life need to be cherished.  We race through life trying to stay on our schedule, because Lord knows if we get behind that our day-timer is unforgiving.  Lisa asks me periodically to think about this one question: “In 2 years will any of your busyness mean anything.”  This is not to say that the decisions we make in our work, school and life aren’t important, they are for the moment.  What she is reminding me of is that we must constantly be evaluating the long term benefit of spending quality time with each other and those important to us enjoying life’s simple pleasures, and get away from the stressful day to day churn in the office.

As usual she’s right on the money.  God has blessed you with unbelievable beauty and miraculous events each and every day.  The problem is that most of us are moving too fast to actually recognize them when they happen.  Have you ever thought that your busyness is simply a result of you trying to solve your problems without God’s intervention, rather than seeking the One who created it all for direction and help.  I have discovered that the more often I align my daily calendar with God in the morning how much easier my day flows, and the more I get accomplished.  If you think He isn’t interested in what you are doing throughout your day at the home, at work or in school, you are completely mistaken.  Scriptures tell us that He knows every hair on our head, every thought in our mind, every desire of our heart and every word before it’s spoken.  He knew you before you were born and placed a dream and a purpose in your heart.  For you to believe that any of that is true and not believe that He is interested in your daily decisions and actions doesn’t align.

If you keep a day-timer or scheduler on your phone or tablet, I recommend you schedule a recurring meeting with God every morning for the first 15 minutes of your day.  Prepare for that meeting just like you would prepare for other meetings or events in your day and come prepared with an action list for the day.  Share this list with God and ask that He bless your decisions throughout the day and that your day be filled with opportunities to share His love and glory with others.  Then take a few minutes and rest in the peace of His presence.  Listen to Him, hear what it is that He wants for you to do with each and every day.  We often get so preoccupied with our own schedule that we don’t leave time for God to provide us direction on what He wants us to do each day.   Perhaps we should prioritize His actions first and then figure out what to do with the rest.  Just give it a try for a week.  I guarantee it’s better than flying by the seat of your pants each day.

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
For an archive of Daily Thoughts go to: http://www.10minutereader.com

All Who are Thirsty

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He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.”  - Revelations 21:6

There is something about a tall glass of ice water on a hot day.  As you lift the glass to your lips, you can almost feel the coolness before it passes over the threshold.  Your mind is already realizing the impact that the water will have on your body simply by observing the condensation that has formed on the outside of the glass.  Then it becomes reality as it enters your body and begins to quench the thirst that is inside.  It has no taste, it has no color and no artificial sweeteners, yet it surpasses all other beverages as the most healthy thing to drink on a daily basis.

In Genesis we read of God’s creation:
“Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” (Gen 1:2)

When God cleansed the world of sin and unrighteousness, He brought the floods:
“The waters flooded the earth for a hundred and fifty days.” (Gen 7:24)

God parted the sea through Moses  obedience, and delivered the Israelites from Egypt:
“Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided” (Exodus 14:21)

God brought water from the stone to quench the thirst of the Israelites:
“I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel.” (Exodus 17:6)

Job, despite his pain and agony, recognizes the authority and power of God Almighty:
““Can you raise your voice to the clouds and cover yourself with a flood of water?” (Job38:34)

Jesus, was baptized in the waters of the Jordon:
“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.” (Matthew 3:16)

Jesus turned water to wine: (John 2:1)
Jesus calmed the waters: (Luke 8:24)
Jesus walked on the water: (Matthew 14:22)
Jesus gives the water of life to the woman at the well: (John 4:10-15)
Jesus thirsts on the cross: (John 19:28)

We are all born through the water (amniotic fluid) and require it for survival throughout our lives.  God created from the waters in the beginning and will sustain us through eternity from the spring of water of life.  The connection between God, life and water is evidenced throughout all of scripture (over 620 references) and when God tells us He is the Alpha and Omega, He is telling us that though water is essential for life, He is even more so for He is before the water and will be above the water in the end. 

There is no cost for this water of life, it is given freely by our Lord and Savior – Jesus Christ; for all to partake of.  So drink up my friend, there is nothing more satisfying or fulfilling than drinking from the cup offered to you by God Almighty.  Soon we will never thirst again.

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
For an archive of Daily Thoughts go to: http://www.10minutereader.com

It’s not Your Fight

“Your hand will be lifted up in triumph over your enemies, and all your foes will be destroyed.”  Micah 5:9

When the sunlight faded into the darkness of night the streaks could be seen from miles away.  Rockets, missiles tracers and artillery fire left distinct images in his mind that could never be erased.  The world had changed from when he was a young boy, and everything he had read in his history books about war was very different while watching it on TV.   It was almost as if watching a movie or television drama, built on the fascination and desire of mankind to see the game.  But, it’s not a game, it’s real life and there’s only one.  The explosions as the missiles strike their target are leaving dead bodies in the rubble.  Some innocent, some with every intent of firing missiles back in return.  There is no winner in war, it’s not a game with a scoring system.  The conflict arises for many different reasons and we have come to a point where humanity cannot simply put aside our differences and rationalize an answer through negotiations.  The reality is that most wars and battles are fought as an act of revenge.

Why are the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, Korea, the Middle East, Africa and other areas of the world taking place today?  The original battles may have been fought over cultural, economic, territorial or religious beliefs, but the ensuing battles have been examples of vengeance.  As a human race we are intent on executing our own form of revenge upon our enemies, and to defend against our enemies who may seek revenge against us.  These are not problems we will solve in this manner.  A strike against another country or people will only result in a vengeful return strike from those people in the future at some point.  There is no end to this exercise, there is only more death and destruction.  You see, man’s ability to execute vengeance is only temporary and can only result in more violence.

When the scriptures say “Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord.” (Romans 12:19) there is much truth in this verse.  The Lord will enact true vengeance on mankind and sift the wheat from the chaff.  On that day, He will destroy those that have denied Him, mocked Him and cursed Him.  Between this day and that day, many will die in trying to defend the Lord’s honor against those that do not accept His love or plan of salvation.  In doing so they will do nothing but create anger and hatred for the God they are trying to promote.  We must take a step back and realize that this “Holy War” is rooted deep in the history of the scriptures and can only be resolved when God chooses to do His bidding.  We are to share His love, grace and mercy with the world.  This is one of the things that differentiate followers of Jesus Christ from other religions and cultures. 

There are those religious sects that have determined to enact revenge, death and destruction on any who do not see god the way they do.  This is not the role of the Christian Church in today’s world.  Defending our faith is our calling, but we do not need to defend Jesus Christ or God Almighty.  Their ability to destroy their enemies is legendary and greater than any force imaginable on this earth. God’s ability to invoke wrath is demonstrated throughout the scriptures, but that is not what following Jesus Christ is about.  Christ came that we would learn to love, serve and discover salvation without force and killing.  The only battle worth fighting for is the battle over the souls of those that are lost, and this isn’t accomplished through force or killing.  It is accomplished through love and grace.  Let God hold the final word on who should or should not be eliminated, and trust that He will and if you’re not clear read Revelations 20:11-15 – God lays it out clearly.

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
For an archive of Daily Thoughts go to: http://www.10minutereader.com

Holding Daddy’s Hand

“How precious is Your loving kindness, O God!  And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.”  Psalm 36:7

 His hand has grown 10x it’s original size, according to the averages in the US, from birth through the age of 7.  Yet, it barely fills the palm of my hand when we hold them next to each other.  When we are in a busy place or by a road, my hand naturally opens, and his is always right there to grab ahold of it.  I wrap my fingers around his small fingers tightly, but not too tight.  It is my way of ensuring that he is protected, he is not lost nor in harm's way when I am holding his hand.  It’s no different with any of my other children or grandchildren.  There is something comforting about holding their hand and guiding their direction away from the obstacles in life.

 If you’ve been watching the unfolding events over the last week or so you are likely feeling somewhat vulnerable, angered and perhaps even confused.  The hatred, the anger and the violence that has erupted throughout the Middle East was predictable, yet we must realize that our Father knows how to protect His children and to guide them to safety and peace.  The times that we live in will continue to be tumultuous and the uprisings and rage will escalate as the true battle’s in life become more tense.  These events are simply an outward display of a war that has raged for centuries and millennium.  We see it much more transparent because of the media and the digital media coverage that has made it available globally.

Understand that the battle between those of the Islam faith and those of the Jewish faith and those of the Christian faith is ancient.  Those radicals that seek out the death and destruction of the others are in the minority and do not represent the loving kindness of the Father.  You see, they are worthy of God’s grace as much as you are.  Although confused through their culture and upbringing, they are no less loved than you and I by their Creator.  God’s love is unchanging and equally available to all mankind, yes, even those that are battling against Him.  God is our salvation and His plans will persist despite the efforts of mankind.

Trust in His word, and realize that He knows exactly what is going on, even though you and I don’t.  In Ezekiel 36, 37, 38 and 39; he prophesied about the war against Israel in the end days.  He wrote those prophetic books over 2500 years ago, and we see it unraveling today as all eyes are upon Israel, and those that wish to annihilate that little piece of land of 8 thousand sq miles (the size of New Jersey, USA).  Some discount it as rubbish, but those of us who know that God is in control of all things look at the events of late and realize that Ezekiel’s prophecies and visions have merit to them.  We are His children, and can trust that He is our protector through these events.  Do not lose sight of His eternal plan as you get lost in the mire and confusion of the media around you.  There is nothing that is going on that our Lord has not already planned for, so seek refuge under His wings and hold on to His hand and He will guide you and I through these obstacles and into our eternal future with Him.

  

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
For an archive of Daily Thoughts go to: http://www.10minutereader.com

Serving Coffee

“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”  John 6:27

When the door opened he stepped through as if it was just another day.  His attitude was vibrant and his mind was set on another successful day at the office.  As he grabbed his coffee at the local coffee shop on the 2^nd floor he noticed the cashier was shaken and somewhat distraught.  He received his coffee and rather than leave, he stepped to the side and waited for her to finish with the few other customers in line.  When the others had cleared away, he stepped forward and inquired, “If you don’t mind me asking, you seem upset, is there anything I can do to help?”  Her response was slow and invoked tears, “l just received a call from my sister that her son is missing and never made it to school this morning.  There is no one to cover for me this morning, so I feel helpless when she needs me most.”  The man walked around the counter without saying a word, asked if he could pray with her and proceeded to bow his head and say a few words to help comfort her.  He then surprised the customers who had formed a new line.  He took out his cell phone, and placed a call.  He told the person on the other end, “I’m going to be late today, I’ll check in with you in a few hours.”  and hung up.  He then asked her where there was another apron, and he put it on.  Surprised, she looked at him with confusion; “What are you doing?”  His reply was simple, “I worked behind a counter just like this to get through college, I’ve got this, go help your sister.” 

He then proceeded to familiarize himself with the cash register and the coffee machine and supplies.  He gave her his cell phone number and asked that she give him a call when they found the little boy.  He then turned to take the next order, while she stood there dumbfounded, unsure of what to do.  Should she trust this man and leave, would she get fired for leaving, why would he do this?  So many questions ran through her mind, but she decided to take the opportunity and called her sister to meet up with her and help search for her son.  As she was leaving she looked back and saw that he had already helped the first two people in line, and they all seemed quite satisfied. 

The little boy was found a few hours later in the park down the street from the school.  He had gotten off the bus and followed a stray dog to the park and then got sidetracked and began playing without any care in the world that someone was frantically looking for him.  Once reunited with his Mom, her sister immediately called the man at the shop and started back.  When she arrived, everything was perfectly normal, and he was cleaning the counter top and wiping down the coffee maker.  Only a few hours had passed, and her tears demonstrated her gratefulness.  “How can I repay you?”, she asked.  His answer was simple, “Help someone else in need when the opportunity comes up.”  With that he took off the apron and put his jacket back on.  He picked up his briefcase and started to walk away.  As he did, she asked, “What will your boss say?  Will you be in trouble?”  He smiled and said, “I only have one boss – Jesus Christ, and He said it’s perfectly fine.”  The man then walked to the elevators and proceeded up to the top floor, where he was received with the typical “Good morning, Sir.” followed by applause from many of his employees as he made his way to the corner office.  You see, the man behind the counter that morning had poured cups of coffee for most of the people in the office was indeed the CEO of a small business in that building. 

A job is nothing if it takes away the essence of your relationship with Jesus Christ.  If that relationship is put at risk, or minimized because of your job, it’s time to move on.  Everything you do needs to reflect the love and compassion of your Savior and others will see it through you.  This is your purpose each and every day you step into the workplace, never forget that and you’ll never go hungry.

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
For an archive of Daily Thoughts go to: http://www.10minutereader.com