Category: Journey Devotional

You’re doing it wrong…

You’re doing it wrong…

When it seems as if God isn’t talking, we can begin to lose sight of the bigger picture and live only for ourselves in the past. By the past i really mean the past; We rely on old stories of days gone by. i don’t mean reminiscing or sharing exciting memories but what i do mean is we aren’t trying to or living to make any more new ones. Some may not even have any stories of their own but simply rely on the stories of others.

Fact, Jesus want’s to talk to you right now. Fact, it will require you to put things aside and spend time with Him. Fact, He want’s to use you in adventurous ways. Fact, it will demand that you trust in him completely. Fact, none of these things are easy. Talking to Jesus can be scary because He might say things you don’t want to hear, but need to hear. Putting things aside, clearing your schedule, is difficult; With adventure comes challenges, and challenges test our trust and requires simple faith…and by simple, i mean Herculean faith.

A few things to consider. You have to believe that Jesus wants to talk to you. One of my favorite verses is Psalms 5:3 “Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.” (NLT) We can wait expectantly because we know that His Holy Spirit is at work, John 14:26 says; “The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you.” (MSG) When you pray, pause and give time to hear what Jesus would say to you. Solomon once prayed that God would give him a hearing heart, a heart that hears and understands. (1 Kings 3:9)

Go on great new grand adventures with Jesus! The Christian life is not boring…if you think it is, you’re doing it wrong!

you are LOVED,
cj

A Place for Prayer

A Place for Prayer

A few nights ago i had a dream that i was sitting at a beautiful rolling desk in an early 19th Century library type room. It was so real that i even had the smell of books in my nostrils. Although the chamber was very 19th Century, i was on my Mac Book, which sadly because of the cracks and dents looks like it might have come from the 19th Century, but most definitely did not. For me, there is just something about old books and furniture in an older musty book smelling room with a fireplace that i find great pleasure.

It’s in these moments of blissful dreaming that i seem to hear and generate ideas with Jesus. It’s almost as if together we are sitting and discussing what is going on in my life and the life of the ministry. It’s my dream prayer closet. To one day have a study straight from the late 18th early 19th Century, full of old musty books, a beautiful wood desk, old English furniture with brick fireplace, would be my happy place, my prayer retreat, my battery charging station.

Scripture mentions a prayer closet. In Mattew 6:5-6 Jesus gives this instruction:

“And when you come before God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat? Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place, so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense His grace.” (MSG)

Perhaps, even my dream is a bit too extravagant, but it is for me a peaceful moment where in my only focus is Jesus and His will.

 you are loved,
cj

The Adventure of a Lifetime!

The Adventure of a Lifetime!

Once when i was eight years old, i went exploring a construction site. A soon to be apartment building made for a great playground in the eyes of my friends and i. Framed in staircases, partially framed walls, and planks across open spaces in the floor made for a grand adventure. Albeit, a dangerous and illegal one. Our mission, to avoid the one lone security guard patrolling the site which included several separate buildings.

Many spend most of their lives doing what my friends and i did at eight. They feel as if they are living a life of adventure because the adrenaline is pumping through their veins. What they don’t realize, often until it’s too late, is they are in constant peril. The danger of a wrong step could lead to severe injury or even death and of course, there is the constant looking over your shoulder in fear of getting caught.

The world would have you think that being a Christian is boring. That life in Christ is the opposite of adventure. However, that couldn’t be any further from the truth. There are countries where being a Christian is illegal, and you could be thrown in prison or killed. Although we live in a relatively safe environment to be a Christian, there is still some great adventure to be had! Just take a look at some of these stories…

  • Rachel from the Axiom has a great story of when she was just starting to get back into the church when she had a confrontation with a girl she had fought in the past. This girl wanted a “rematch” however, Rachel in her now living for Jesus refused to fight. Several years later the girl saw her in church and gave her a big hug, “That day changed my life!” she said.
  • Some local Missionaries the LaGatta’s, were in El Salvador when they were kidnapped at gunpoint, driven to the desert and left. They survived with not only a great story of faith but a memory of great adventure.
  • Then there is this: 9 Year Old Willie Myrick <<< Click the link it’s awesome!
These remind me of some stories found in the greatest adventure story ever written…
  • Acts 9:23-25 tells the part of the story (read below) of Saul/Paul’s escape after many were seeking to kill him.  “After this had gone on quite a long time, some Jews conspired to kill him, but Saul got wind of it. They were watching the city gates around the clock so they could kill him. Then one night the disciples engineered his escape by lowering him over the wall in a basket.”
  • Acts 16:25-26 a story about an earthquake and a none prison break that lead to the jailer coming to know Jesus with his whole family. “Along about midnight, Paul and Silas were at prayer and singing a robust hymn to God. The other prisoners couldn’t believe their ears. Then, without warning, a huge earthquake! The jailhouse tottered, every door flew open, all the prisoners were loose.”
  • John 11:1-44 shares the account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. It’s insane! Here is part of it:”Then he shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And he came out, a cadaver, wrapped from head to toe, and with a kerchief over his face.

    Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him loose.”

If you have accepted Jesus and consider yourself a follower of His, a disciple, rest assured…you are on the adventure of a lifetime!

You are LOVED,
cj

Strolling Along

Strolling Along

There was this old white-haired lady at the gym the other day. She rode a stationary bike like she was on a leisurely stroll through the park while simultaneously, talking to her friend about Jesus and reading a book. She not only read the book but she laughed out loud at several passages. Why do i tell you this particular story?

Well, two reasons. First, there are people who can multi-task and do it well. Second, a bit more intentional here, life is a mission field and regardless of what you find yourself doing there is always opportunity to tell your friends about Jesus. You must be intentional with your relationships and never be ashamed to speak truth.

Isaiah 41:10
“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

You are LOVED,
cj

I am so mad I could spit

I am so mad I could spit

i had a friend growing up named Spencer, he was both a friend and an enemy, as we fought as much as we got along. He had a funny expression when he would get upset, “I am so mad I could spit!” He never did spit, his mom was pretty strict, okay very strict. I remember one time we were swimming in the apartment pool and he yelled out, “DARN IT!” after missing a pass as we tossed a football back and forth. His momma came out of the house faster than a jackrabbit being chased by a coyote. “Spencer Allen, you get in this house right now!” Fear gripped his eyes and bewilderment my mind, “what did you do?” i asked. “I cussed,” he said, as he walked the walk of shame up to his apartment.

A few years later i got in trouble for saying, “damn it” and as i was being punished i thought about how strict my parents were; then i remembered…pour Spencer Allen. Nowadays young people are just a bunch of sailors, as the stereotype goes, cussing up a storm.  i read a Facebook post about a parent volunteering at school and witnessing this along with all the disrespect towards teachers just this morning. As a youth pastor, i interact with teens on a regular basis, and this sort of behavior is on the rise and seems to be accelerating at a high rate of speed. It reminded me of a passage in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 it says:

“Don’t be naive. There are difficult times ahead. As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. They’ll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they’re animals. Stay clear of these people.”

i read this in two ways, one as a warning to watch our character. To be vigilant in our pursuit of that which is holy; body, mind, and soul. The other part is to be watchful of those we would associate with on a regular basis. Your core group of friends should be like minded as you in Christ. You are going to interact with folks found in the passage above as well you should. You may even call some your friend, again this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It becomes bad when those are your core friendships. It is easier to pull down than to lift up. Here is one more passage to end for today found in Ephesians 4:

29 Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.

30 Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted.

31-32 Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.

You are LOVED,
cj

Once upon a time…

Once upon a time…

Once upon a time in a land far far away there lived a little dog named Shiloh. He was a happy dog who loved car rides and belly scratches. When left alone he suffered from anxiety and would chew things including and not limited to dumping the trash and spreading it around the house. So the master of the dog kept him close by his side. He made sure to talk to Shiloh often and reassure him that, he, the master, would never be too far away.

The master feeds the dog the same food almost every day. He doesn’t clothe the dog as the dog wears the same coat every single day. Yet the dog doesn’t care; he is happiest when the master is home and doesn’t fuss about such things as food or clothes.

“If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.” Matthew 6:26-34

As in Matthew, so here too, you are to the master even more than a dog. He cares for you. “…you count far more to Him than…” dogs.

you are LOVED,
cj

Heard for Ourselves

Heard for Ourselves

“We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.” John 4:42

We, that have given our hearts to Jesus in faith, because we believe, once did so because someone told us about Him. Hopefully, however, as you have grown and matured in your relationship with Jesus, you no longer believe just because of someone else…but because you have a personal relationship with Him.

i was 8ish years old. It was a Sunday morning and Pastor Scott preached a salvation message. He concluded with a call to respond, and so i did. i did so because i heard the words of Pastor Scott. His message somehow resonated with me and stirred my heart to respond. i believed because of Pastor Scott. It was several years and many trials later that i would rekindle that relationship with Jesus and go from believing based on someone else to believing because i knew HIM.

When our relationship is built on someone else’s faith, someone else’s belief, our own understanding is weak. As we grow and mature in Christ on our own through study, prayer, conversation and research our faith becomes our own! My prayer for you is that you grow in your personal relationship with Jesus and that your faith is based on; “…’I’ no longer believe just because of what you said; now ‘I’ have heard for ‘myself’, and ‘i’ know that this man ‘Jesus’ really is the Savior of the world.”

“Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it, you may grow in respect to salvation” 1 Peter 2:2

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16

 you are LOVED,
cj

Emulate what you know to be true…

Emulate what you know to be true…

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV

The main message in this passage is the same as that of Colossians 3:1. You should be able to recite it from memory by now…but i will write it out for you. “So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, ACT LIKE IT. Pursue the things over which Christ presides.” MSG

Paul writing to two different Churches has the same message in mind. Follow Jesus, do what you see Him doing, learn from Him, emulate what you know to be true. A good place to start learning from Jesus is Matthew 5:1-7:27.

you are LOVED,
cj

Decisions….

Decisions….

i like traveling on a one-way road. One that is relatively straight, clear, smooth, wide, with plenty of comfortable stops along the way. Unfortunately, that isn’t how life works. Life is full of bumps, sharp turns, narrow paths, thorns, and intersections. i can handle bumps, sharp turns, narrow paths…after all the Word says, “narrow is the way” right? …i can even handle thorns, it is the intersections that get me. Intersections are the worst. Decisions, decisions, you know what i like, not making decisions. i always wonder, “what if”! What if this or what if that or what if what if???

i remember watching a movie once where the main character lived out all the possibilities of his life, all the what if’s were answered, good or bad. i don’t know if i would like that either. And that is the problem. We would never be satisfied and because there are so many decisions made every day the possibilities are endless. What is the answer to decisions? Simply put faith. After a decision is made you can always second guess, and Monday morning quarterback your choices that turned out…well, less than desirable. However, our goal ultimately should be learning from them and trusting or having faith that in the moment you made the best decision given the information that you had.

Reflect on this verse Proverbs 3:5-

“Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he’s the one who will keep you on track.
Don’t assume that you know it all.
Run to God! Run from evil!”

you are LOVED,
cj

Prayer Journey

Prayer Journey

i have been on a bit of a prayer journey the past couple of weeks and i have invited you along. If you follow me on social media (see links below). i just want to take a minute and recap where i have been and where i am on this journey. First the challenge was to consider our biggest dreams for life and ministry what would you fearlessly ask for if you knew anything was possible? Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Do you believe it?

Next i looked at UNLESS; “Unless the Lord builds the house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.” (Psalm 127:1) What a powerful image. i want for us to seek the Lord in all we do and unless Jesus go with us…

Then came brokenhearted. What if we changed our perspective on how we look at those around us, even those hardest to love? What if we took the heart of the Lord and made it ours? Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is close to the BROKENHEARTED and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” May we become a place of healing for the broken hearts, young and old.

One, Jesus said, “I have given them the glory You game Me, so they may be one as we are ONE. I am in them and You are in Me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that You sent Me and that You love them as much as you love Me.“ By one thoughtless or careless word relationships can crumble…yet through Jesus we can all find reconciliation and be ONE as God is ONE, He in us and us in Him! When we are one in heart and spirit there is nothing we can’t do through Christ!

Now that you are on this journey with me, once we have come through these truths we see that God is at work in and through us. That His desire is for us to be about His business. He doesn’t just call us but He also equips us! “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” (Romans 12:4-6) He has GIFTED us with a GIFT to love and to serve, what is your gift?

UNLESS God goes with us, our outreach to the brokenhearted is in vain. We must be ONE with Him, using the GIFTS He has graciously given us to reach this GENERATION for the Kingdom.

you are LOVED,
cj

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