No Strings Attached

Have you ever wondered why God sent Moses to tell Pharaoh to "let My people go"? The Lord could have led the Hebrews out of Egypt without getting Pharaoh's permission, but God wanted to give Pharaoh a chance to "let go." He needed to "take his hands off" the Hebrews and release them from slavery. If he had listened to Moses and let go, he could have avoided the ten plagues. But, he didn't heed God's warning and so he had to suffer the consequences.

Lots of people today have "Pharaohitis." They're holding on to people in their minds that they need to let go. Maybe they've been hurt by someone and won't forgive. God says to let the person go. Or, they're involved in an unhealthy relationship and the Lord commands them to let the person go. Some people have lost a loved one either through death or a breakup, and even though years have passed, they still haven't let go. Others are "controllers" and will try to make everyone do what they want. God says to them, "Let My people go so that they might serve Me" (Ex. 8:1).

You can let go by cutting the string that connects you to that person. As long as the string is attached, you're in bondage to that individual. Imagine taking a pair of spiritual scissors and cutting the string in Jesus name. Tell the Lord that you are releasing the person into His care and that there are no more strings attached. Now when that person tries to pull strings, it doesn't affect you because the connection has been broken.

Keep looking up!

Kent

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Your Time is Running Out

Do you know the difference between a clock and an hourglass? A clock has revolving hands, which gives the illusion that time goes on forever. An hourglass, on the other hand, reminds us that time is running out.

In Psalm 90, Moses reminds us that our brief time on Earth is running out. He says "As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, or if due to strength, eighty years . . . for soon it is gone and we fly away" (v.10). He then offers a bit of advice for all of us, in v. 12:

1. Count your days. Moses says, "So teach us to number our days . . . " We usually say, "I'm 25, or 45, or 65 years old" because we count our days from the time we're born. But I think Moses is telling us to count our days from the other end--from death. And that's assuming we make it to 70 or 80. No one is guaranteed the next breath. "Counting our days" means that we realize that life is short, and we have a ever-diminishing amount of time left.

2. Make your days count. Moses continues, "that we might present to Thee a heart of wisdom." Once we realize every day is a gift from God, we make our lives count for Him. You can only do this if you've given your life to Christ. Once you've done that, live to please Him in all that you do, which is presenting to God "a heart of wisdom." You'll not only make the most out of this life, but you'll also be rewarded in the next life too.

Keep looking up!

Kent

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"Do the Opposite"

In an episode of Seinfeld, George Costanza was frustrated because every decision he had made and his every instinct had turned out to be wrong. Jerry says, "Here's your chance to do the opposite. If every instinct you have is wrong, then the opposite would have to be right." George realizes that Jerry is on to something. If he would act and react completely opposite of his normal actions and reactions, he might have better results. George made a decision to alter his behavior and said, "Yes! I will do the opposite!"

It turned out that Jerry was right. Whenever George did the opposite of his normal reactions, the situation always turned out in his favor.

It was Jesus, not Jerry, who first came up with the idea to "do the opposite." He said in Luke 6:27-28 when people hate you, do the opposite and do good to them. When people curse you, do the opposite and bless them. When people mistreat you, do the opposite and pray for them. I know that it's not the natural way to react, but if you'll do what Jesus says, He will give you the supernatural ability to do it. And you just might be pleasantly surprised at the results because of your change in behavior.

Keep looking up!

Kent

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Guidance in Decision-Making

Jurors in Kentucky couldn't decide whether to convict a man of murder or manslaughter. So what did they do? They flipped a coin and found him guilty of murder! The lawyer for the defendant said, "It's scary to think that twelve people would decide to flip a coin to reach a verdict, especially in a murder case."

Are you shocked by their actions? Lots of people use the coin toss as the final deciding factor. Others simply take a wild guess and hope they've made the right choice. God offers a better way. He says, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go. I will counsel you with My eye upon you" (Ps. 32:8). Here are some factors to consider when you are making a decision.

1. Consider your options. Carefully examine and list every possible option to take.

2. Investigate the situation. (Luke 14:28-32) Jesus said to first sit down, which settles down our emotions so we can think clearly. Next, we are to calculate the cost, which means to do a background check on the potential situation.

3. Make a plan. (Prov. 16:9) Vision is the eye that sees the goal. A plan is the map showing us how to get there.

4. Walk in the light you have. (Ps. 119:105) God will shine His light on the right path. Sometimes it's a spotlight, while at other times it's a flicker we can barely see. Walk wherever the light shines.

5. After making your decision, don't look back. (Luke 9:62) Looking back and doubting yourself will only cause problems after you have already made the correct decision.

Keep looking up!

Kent

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Bees in the Promised Land

While Timmy was playing in the yard, a bee stung him on the hand. He ran to his mother, crying, "I hate bees! I wish God had never made them." His mom put some ointment on the sting and said, "Let me get you something that will cheer you up. Do you want some toast and honey?"

Timmy perked up. "Yeah I'd love to have some honey!"

"Are you sure?" she asked. "You hate bees, but it takes bees to make honey." Tim looked at his toast and honey, which he was holding with the hand that had been stung. "Hmm. I never realized that bees had a good side!"

And so it is with life. Everything has a good side and a bad side, including the Promised Land. Moses sent twelve men into the land of Canaan to spy it out. The spies saw the land "flowing with milk and honey" but they also noticed the giants living there. Israel would have to fight the big guys to obtain the land that God had promised them. (See Numbers 13)

When they returned, ten spies gave a frightening report, saying they shouldn't go into the land because the giants would win. Joshua and Caleb said just the opposite--that the land was fruitful and God would give them victory over the giants. Although all 12 spies looked at the same territory, they came to different conclusions because 10 focused on problems and 2 focused on blessings. What we choose to focus on determines whether we're terrified or hopeful!

What does this have to do with your situation? You are "spying out the land" where you now live and are giving daily reports on what you see. Are you looking at your problems and missing what God has promised? Are you like the 10 whiners, or the 2 winners? You choose.

Keep looking up!

Kent

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Facing the Giants

Many of the incidents recorded in Scripture teach us valuable lessons that we can apply to our lives today. When David killed Goliath (1 Samuel 17), we discover some truths about how to approach our "giant" problems. Let's examine some facts about this famous battle and David's secrets to gaining victory.

1. We must first conquer our fears before we can conquer the giant. Everyone in Israel was afraid to face the giant. "When all the men of Israel saw the man, they fled from him and were greatly afraid" (17:24). David was the only one who wasn't afraid. We can't enter any battle trembling in fear, but must be totally confident of winning.

2. We must trust God to stand behind His covenant. David stood firm in God's covenant and asked, "For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?" (17:26). Circumcision was a sign of God's covenant. David understood the "uncircumcised" giant was no match for him because David had God's backing and Goliath wasn't under the covenant. Every child of God is under the New Covenant and we must trust the Lord to come through, even when the enemy taunts us.

3. We must remember God's faithfulness in past battles. As a shepherd, David had killed a lion and a bear that tried to attack his flock (17:34-36). These experiences were training exercises to get him ready for Goliath. David acknowledged this when he said, "He trains my hands for battle" (2 Sam. 22:35, Ps. 18:34, 144:1). He reflected on God's faithfulness, knowing that the God who gave him the skills to kill the lion and bear would also give him victory over the giant.

4. We must follow God's instructions and not man's. King Saul tried to equip David for battle by putting his bronze helmet and armor on him. David had never worn soldier's armor before and could barely walk (17:38-39). If he had tried to fight Goliath in the typical way he would have been killed! Instead, God had him use a rock and sling. We must listen carefully to the Lord about how to attack the problem, which might not be the way it has always been done.

5. We must give God the credit for giving us the victory. David didn't take credit for slaying the giant but wanted the Lord's name to be exalted, "that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel" (17:46). And that prophecy was fulfilled. It's 3,000 years later and people all over the world know about David killing the giant through the God of Israel.

Now go kill that giant you are facing today.

Kent

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The Purpose for Joseph's Pit

Joseph was thrown into a pit in the wilderness by his brothers. They had planned to kill him, but Reuben suggested that they throw him into a nearby pit instead (Gen. 37:18-22). It was no accident that the pit just happened to be where they were. God had planned in eternity past for it to be there, knowing that it would one day serve a divine purpose. It was an ordained pit! Notice three things about this pit:

1. The pit kept Joseph from being killed.

His brothers fully intended to kill him and saw the pit as a way to get rid of him without shedding blood (v.22)

2. God made sure the pit was dry (v.24). If water had been in it, Joseph would have drowned.

3. The pit was used as a holding tank until the Ishmaelite traders came by and escorted him to Egypt (v.25-28). It was no accident that the traders just happened to travel by that route at just the right time. God was leading them (without them knowing it) so they would take His servant to the desired destination. And it was there that the Lord eventually made him a ruler!

Sooner or later, someone is going to throw you into a pit. When it happens, keep in mind that the Lord has a purpose for your pit. Although your enemy had the first word, look for God to have the last word. He is just using your pit as a holding tank to get you to a better place. And He will, if you will keep your heart right and not get bitter at your brothers.

Keep looking up! (Even when you're at the bottom of the pit)

Kent