We should be in awe!

Hebrews 12:28
Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.

When Jesus walked on earth and the people heard of "kingdom" they were waiting for him to be like King David and take over the government of Israel. Today, when most of us hear "kingdom" we also think in worldly terms as a form of rule over the people or country.

But in this verse observe that it says "we are receiving a kingdom" which is an internal reference. In other words, the Kingdom of God is within us. This is the fact that should bring us to awe.

So here is a question: Do you realize that the fullness of power in God's kingdom has been deposited in your inner most being?

We should be in awe!

Only God's love can help us!

Colossians 3:17
Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Yesterday we were at a line trying to get into Universal Studios. It was taking the attendants an unusually long time to process the people in and it didn't help that there were only two turn styles open.

These are the kinds of moments that the flesh can easily rise up. I started to make fun of the old guy who seem to take two minutes to scan each ticket. People in the line were getting upset and began swearing.

Todays verse is simple and pure common sense, yet at every corner there is potential failure to adhere to it. That is why we clearly need Him so much in our lives!

This verse also makes me think of that tv commercial of the sports fan who is hackling the umpires at a game. The he is shown at the gym trying to make a free throw and the basketball completely missed the rim as two janitors in the back laugh at him.

Jesus also focused in on this in Matthew 7:3 when he said "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"

This all points us to God's love. Only God's love can help us fulfill today's verse. God's love saves us from our ways. God's love can give us the patience we need at long lines. God's love can give us peace that surpasses all understanding.

Lord, pour you love into us!

Only God himself can do it!

Colossians 2:6-7
Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

In Ephesians 4:21 Paul echoes this message saying that if we are taught by Jesus we can put off our former conduct. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 Paul talks about how we are transformed into a new creature IN CHRIST. And back to today's verse, notice that he says you have "received" Christ.

What's my point? Do you think that you are the one that can make yourself good? Do you think it is up to you to be a good Christian? Do you think you any man can bring you to the fullness of your Christian life? As you are reading this, do you think I can help you come closer to God?

Paul follows this verse in Colossians with a stern warning about deceit, traditions of men and the basic principles of this world. The paragraph ends with verse 9 which is the ultimate point of this message.

Do you want a righteous and holy life? You can't do it! There are no checklists, traditions, 7 habits, Dr. Phil and Oprah shows that can help you be what God intends you to be.

Only God himself can do it! Only God can straighten the mess we are. He's waiting to get involved in our lives, we just have to get out of his way.

I thank him and I praise him.

Psalm 100:4-5
Enter [the Lord's] gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

For my 40th birthday my wife arranged a surprise party. When I walked into the house a crowd of about 40 people erupted and smiles and hugs were abound.

That level of joy captured in that moment is the same that we should have when we enter into his gates in prayer. I often start my prayers with this verse because it gives me a picture of boldly entering into the Father's throne room to ask for the things I need, knowing he is willing to help.

In other words, I thank him first for the thing I want from him, even before I receive it. I thank him and I praise him.

1 Timothy 2:1-2
I urge, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

Pray for Obama this verse says. It doesn't matter who you voted for now that the election is over the bible tells us not only to pray for Him but that we make requests to the Lord on Obama's behalf and give thanks to the Lord for placing Obama in authority over us.

To some, that might be enough to cause you to throw up but I'm just repeating what God tells us to do! But look at the promise we have from the Lord: do this and you will have peace in your life!

Now consider this: it doesn't matter how bad you think Obama will be as president. Please note that Paul was writing this under the rule of a very brutal Roman Empire that burned Christians alive every day.

So here it goes:

Dear Father, we lift up our new president in honor and we praise you for placing him in authority over us. We ask that you surround President Obama with godly men and women that will help him uphold your values and help him make decisions that are aligned with your will. Lord we ask you that you put a shield of faith around him to protect him from any fiery darts from the enemy. We ask you that through his presidency he will uphold the honor that you have so graciously bestowed upon this great nation. We ask this in the name of your son, Jesus Christ, amen.

Have you had your security briefing?

Ephesians 1:9-10
He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment - to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

Do you sometimes feel that God's will is a mystery to you? I would venture to say that many people in this world feel that way or are even completely oblivious to it. But this verse tells us the mystery is solved.

From our perspective its probably more accurate to say that the mystery is unfolding and in the day of Christ we will have the ultimate "a ha" moment.

In a much lesser extent I like to think of it as the experience President-elect Obama must be having today as he gets briefed by the CIA. Imagine what is running through his mind given all the foreign policy suggestions he gave not knowing all the country's foreign policy secrets.

Its real easy for anyone to speculate without knowing all the details. But God has given us his word which unveils the truths that clearly reveal his will.

Much like a new president when he given the keys to the country's secrets, when we open God's word, we have the knowledge we need to do the job He has intended us to do.

Its up to us to be briefed. To go into the secrecy of our closets and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the mysteries of God's perfect will and plan through his word.

Have you had your security briefing?

Dear Democrat friend

Congrats, I know you have been waiting for this day!

Just want to let you know that when you hear conservatives freaking out about Obama, I'm not one of them.

I believe he will make a fine president and surprise many. I really appreciated his speech last night and viewed it as very humbled in respect to the magnitude of his accomplishments. I hope his humility rubs off on others who would otherwise be prone to boast about the win.

As for my Republican friends, I believe it is a great thing for us. A wake up call for those who live in glass houses and often like to throw stones. My hope is that this experience gives us a dose of humility and causes us to refocus on what is good for the people of this country as supposed to ourselves. To focus on love and compassion as supposed to righteousness and judgment.

I hope and pray that Obama proves every doubter wrong. For those on the extreme religious right, the Bible says that God will use the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. Well, there is a lot of people who thought they were wise yesterday and are confounded today.

For those on the left I hope and pray that humility and love will reign in the minds as I'm reminded of how destructive pride can be.

This is a great moment for our great nation! God is sovereign and places all governing authority over us. If we trust him, them we have nothing to worry about and everything to be excited about!

Praise be to God!

Die to yourself

2 Corinthians 3:6
He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant - not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

I was having lunch one day with a muslim friend and I was questioning him about his faith. I asked him "so when are you going to make your pilgrimage to Mecca?"

His response was something like: "well I have a lot of things to work on to do that." I asked, "like what?" And he responded, "well I need to be better about my religion, be more compliant with my traditions and law."

Imagine that! Pilgrimage to Mecca, the ultimate experience for a muslim but you have check off all these things in a list before you feel worthy to go there. Sad to say but many Christians aren't much better than that!

How many Christians continue to check off all their religious tasks yet are far from living in the spirit? So consumed with their own legalistic effort by the letter of the law in contrast to living in the love of the spirit.

Our pride in following the law causes us to criticize those who are not as good as us. We throw stones at our brothers and sisters and somehow have a righteous attitude about it.

All to then later succumb to condemnation for failing to keep the letter of the law?

When are we finally going to die to ourselves and let Christ be the one who is our life?

No matter the outcome...

Romans 13:1
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

No matter the outcome of the elections tomorrow, remember this verse. Yesterday I went to two different churches and it was as if the pastors had traded sermon notes. They both spoke about the words "In God We Trust" that is on our money.

The words are also boldly engraved above the vice president's chair in the Senate and many other important government places in our great country.

Bottom line: no matter the outcome of the election we have to trust in God. If your preferred candidate doesn't get elected then you must trust God in his decision. Notice that I said HIS decision not ours.

Yes we go to the polls and vote but God can control the hearts of people to vote one way or another to ultimately maintain his sovereignty over our government.

.So remember, no matter the outcome, it is time for joy in the knowledge that this country was founded on eternal values and no one man can "fundamentaly" change it without God.

Open your eyes.

Ephesians 1:18
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.

This verse is like saying: wake up and open your eyes, don't you realize that you already won the lottery and you have nothing to worry about?

Think about it, before we found Christ we were destined for eternal torment and punishment. Then for nothing we did or deserved he gave up his son to buy us the ultimate winning lottery ticket. The ticket that says, we are saved and every we shall ask in his son's name shall be given to us!

Watch out for the cute little kitten!

1 Peter 5:8-9
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

I find this verse to be very rich in wisdom. First we are to be vigilant because the devil is on the prowl. Some of us have a certain arrogance about the devil. We act as if he can't touch us yet it is clear that even in his defeat he still roams around looking for opportunity to harass those who falter in their faith.

And while he prowls like a roaring lion I imagine it can also be like someone bringing you a cute little kitten. "Awe, he is so cute!" A few weeks later he is growing fast. So fast that in a few months you realize that you have a full grown tiger in your house.

Its no doubt that everyone of us have experienced this kind of threat. While we don't want to give the devil any credit we must acknowledge his craftiness and be on the lookout. Not just for mean looking lions that prowl with a menacing look but be also in the look out for cute little kittens that can innocently gain access to you home only to wreck havoc a few weeks later.

And if it does happen, be sure that you are not alone in this world. Ultimately, the devil is defeated and knowing this truth can cut through his masquerades.