Caring for Creation

Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth." Then God said, "Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you; and to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to every thing that moves on the earth which has life, I have given every green plant for food"; and it was so.

Genesis 1:26-30

God created us in His image to rule the earth. This isn't in a way that's equal with God's dominion, absolutely not. But He gave us the earth to take care of. Like the homes and other things given to us we are to look at the whole earth as our possession to nurture, till & prepare for harvest. We cannot just pass through this world without caring for it. It's part of God's design for us and we're missing it.

I've recently been enlightened to this truth and I haven't done much about it. Does this mean that I become a tree-hugger and focus all my efforts to going green and saving the environment? Yes and no. It means that I need to take care of this earth in the ways God appoints me. When the opportunities arise, take it. Jesus had many opportunities to pass people by on the road to Calvary but that didn't prevent Him from healing and ministering to those around Him. I need to open my eyes to see God's creation for what it is, magnificent and wonderful. Only when I'm in awe can I appreciate God's wonder.

Heavenly Father, so awesome and wonderful is the Creator of all. Thank You for Your everlasting peace and encouragement this past year. So many opportunities to follow You but too many missed ones. Help me Lord to follow You with an unyielding heart, thirsting for You in the most heavenly ways. I love You, Amen!

Focus on the Eternal

There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him;

they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.

And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.

Revelation 22:3-5

To not have any of the anxieties or worries of the world, to not have any of the heartache and pains that comes with the fallen world is unfathomable. I can't understand what this will be like. But God is revealing some awesome truths that are to come to those who choose His ways. We are so bound to this world that it's impossible for us to understand the great glory of God but if we hold onto Truth we will get to experience all that He's prepared.

I can't help but to be afraid of what I don't understand, I think this is natural for all of us whether we admit it or not; it's a control thing for me. I'm afraid because I don't trust Him enough. How do I raise my faith and trust so that I can face all things without hesitance? I gotta put myself out there and take risks. I gotta take risks for Jesus and just be bold, get out of my comfort zone and life more. I need to put aside all my insecurities and do the things I know is right.

Father God, thank You for an amazing 2009 year. There's so much that I haven't done, so much harvest that I have not reaped in Your name. Not because of opportunity but because of my fears. Fears of failure, insecurities & rejection... and loss of control. Help me Lord to grow further into Your image. In the matchless name of Christ Jesus I pray, Amen!

Back on Track

This isn't so much a reading devotion as it is a personal reflection of my direction. I've been struggling with things that are somewhat in my control but my flaw is that I'm allowing it to become my Lord, my God. I'm allowing things to capture my mind to where my worship is hallow and spirit is down. I cannot allow the devil to steal my joy.

The devil stealing my joy, that's an interesting statement because I don't go on blaming every little thing on the devil. Sometimes, it's our fault! Sometimes, our selfishness and pride gets in the way of God's blessings and WE are the ones who bring pain and suffering upon ourselves.

As my daily devotions declined so did my worldly influences increase. I began to once again think as the world does. Not in ways to dominate and control everything around us but the same thing internally. I'm trying to control my emotions and desires without worship, without Jesus at the center. I haven't been picking up my guitar to worship... yes I do to play, but not to honor the King.

So I need accountability really bad. But who should I turn to? Do I go to someone who can mentor me or someone I can just talk to, a spiritual friend and companion? But I don't want to see like a complainer either? And that's something I noticed too, that I tend to gravitate to accountability when I need something... not necessarily a bad thing but not what I'm envisioning for accountability.

Sometimes I wish I were back in ministry. I'm still in ministry at NHSI but really into it where I'm seeing my brothers and sisters weekly and not just once a month. Should I go back to Men's ministry? Maybe with my dad? Or should I get involved more at Farrington, maybe with the sound team again or audition for Frontlines with Dane? So many things but I need to center my life back on Jesus before anything else. I cannot seek something in this world to fill my heart, only Jesus can I and need to spend time with Him.

Stop Trying to Figure Him Out

Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, "There will be no more delay! But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets."

Revelation 10:5-7

What would it be like to know the mystery of God? It really doesn't sound right... it makes me think of Adam and Eve, when they took the forbidden fruit and ate it because they wanted the knowledge; to be equal with God. To know what God knows almost seems like sin in our human bodies. But this scripture marks the end of the physical world as we know it and serves as a transition to a new time, a new world where exposing God's mystery marks an end and a new beginning. Only at that appointed time can we ever expect to know God's thinking. Until then, we must submit to the holy mystery.

Every single time something happens in my life where things get a little challenging I turn to my own understanding. At the same time my mind fills with the "why" questions. I ask God why this and that... why does it have to be so hard... is this really His plan? I will never know these answers but what I do know is the stance of my heart as I encounter these questions. I need to achor myself on His word, including all His mysteries. This will equip me to get through today because tomorrow isn't as bad as we dream it up to be and never as easy as we think. The shortcomings I have with dealing with my problems isn't due to today, it's due to the lack of preparation yesterday. So I need to be on guard, mentally, physically and most importantly spiritually so that I'll never need to question my Mighty God.

Heavenly Father, You hear my cries. You know what I'm going through even before I go through them. Thank You for being patient and compassionate with my strongholds. Lord, I release them to You so that I can serve You full-heartedly without restraint. Enable me to the wonderful works You have planned no matter what the task. Help me discipline my own mind to follow not the world but the guiding Light, my Savior! In the matchless name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen!