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Look Up 316

There’s always a lot of hype about Super Bowl commercials. One commercial was rejected by Fox Sports this year for containing too much “religious doctrine.” Yet, just before the 4th quarter, up it popped to the surprise of many. The commercial actually didn’t air in all the markets, and its audience was quite small in comparison to being broadcast nationwide, but boy, what an impact it had!

The commercial drew so much traffic to its website, www.lookup316.com, that it was difficult to load the web page. Before anyone knew what had happened, the whole thing had gone viral on the internet.

What kind of commercial could draw so much attention? A message of hope with no preaching. The website offers a simple explanation of John 3:16, “For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him, will not perish, but have everlasting life.”

When God decides to do something big, get out of the way. Even Fox Sports can’t stop Him.

MLK, Jr - Dreaming the Dream

Do you ever dream about things you want to do? Many great things accomplished in life have started with only a dream. It’s a good thing to analyze our dreams to see if they are within the will of God. If they aren’t, don’t waste your time dreaming about them. The safest place to be is in the center of God’s will so don't let your dreams get you off-center.

So, how do we find the center of God’s will? Years ago there was a story told about the ship channels in Italy. It was dangerous for ships to travel the long channels inland from the sea since there was little room on either side for navigation and they were at risk of running aground. Therefore, a system was designed using three lights to guide the ships inland.

As a ship entered the channel, three lights could be seen. The goal of the ship captain was to line up all three lights until only one large light could be seen. Then and only then would the ship travel safely through the channel and not run aground. If at any time the captain saw two or three lights, he had to quickly make adjustments until all three lights were lined up again into one large light. The system never failed and the three lights that became one light guided many ships inland to safety.

In Bob Mumford’s book, Take Another Look at Guidance, he tells about the three lights that will guide us safely into the center of God’s will. The first light is The Word of God. The second light is the Holy Spirit. And the third is our circumstances. Unless all three lights line up, we should stop and consider if we are on course and in God’s will. Very often we allow our circumstances to dictate the direction that our life should take. In reality, our circumstances are the lesser of the three lights. God’s Word and the Holy Spirit giving us God’s peace are the most important. When all three are in line, we can be sure God is guiding us safely.

Are all three lights in your life lining up into one large light? Do your dreams take God’s Word and the Holy Spirit into account? It’s never too late to make adjustments. Let the peace of God rule your hearts in Christ Jesus... Colossians 3:15-17

Pulling the Wrong Latch

Did you ever do something stupid, and then acted as if nothing had happened? I remember a story that the illustrious Erma Bombeck told about her husband. It seems that he rented a car while in Pittsburgh and accidently pulled the “open hood” latch rather than the “brake release”. Instead of getting out of the car, closing the hood and driving off, he got out of the car and spent five minutes under the hood adjusting wires that didn’t need adjusting - just so he could save-face.

I thought of the many times that I’ve done dumb things just to save-face. God never minces words. We call it saving-face, but He simply calls it PRIDE. We’ve all got it, but God hates it. He tells us in 1 John 2:16, “For everything in the world – the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes, and the boasting or what he has or does (the pride of life) – comes not from the Father, but from the world.”

Could it be that our willingness to let go of our pride and admit that we’re wrong could even lead to our healing? In James 5:16 it says, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

I want to be powerful and effective, don’t you? Let’s remember this the next time that we pull the wrong latch.

Rescued Miners

Who has not been glued to the TV set over the last few days as the 33 Chilean Miners were hauled to the surface one by one? We have been astounded that these men could be held captive underground since August 5th, yet emerge alive and well. Many of the freed miners are sharing their spiritual experiences. God was doing a mighty work while they were entombed over 2,000 feet underground, in the depths of the San Jose mine.

As the last miner emerged, church bells were ringing and car horns were honking as people throughout Chile celebrated the rescue. Everywhere, people were weeping and laughing because the miners were set free. There was reason to celebrate; they were given up for dead, yet they’re alive!

In John 3:3 &16 Jesus says, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless one is born-again, he cannot see the kingdom of God…For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.”

We’re all sinners and like the trapped miners we need to be set free. It took a ton of people and equipment to free the miners, but it only takes Jesus Christ to set us free from our sins. The payment for unrepentant sin is eternity in hell – but Jesus paid a ransom that we may be set free from sin and the punishment of hell. He died on the cross over 2,000 years ago to pay for your sins, my sins, and the sins of the world. Anyone who believes in Jesus in their heart, will not perish, but have eternal life.

What is your part? Accept Jesus Christ’s payment for your sins, turn away from your lifestyle of sin, and ask Him to come live in you and guide you. Then the angels in heaven will be praising God and shouting Hallelujah! You, who were once dead in your sins, is now alive – you’ve been set free!

What if...?

Have you ever played the game “What if…?” You know, you think of something good that happened in your life or the life of others. Then you think of a slight change of circumstances that would have altered the outcome of the situation entirely. The scenarios are endless. An example would be taking a different route to work one day and later discovering there was a fatal accident that you avoided. What if…?

I love the fact that God is in control and not me. Proverbs 3:4-6 LB says “If you want favor with both God and man and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust the Lord completely; don’t ever trust yourself. In everything you do, put God first and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success.”

When I’m wondering “What if…?” It makes me see the wonderful hand of God in everything I do. His way is perfect and He directs my path. I can’t depend on myself because I make too many mistakes, but I put my life in His hands and it’s amazing the way He leads me.

What are some of your “What ifs…?” Leave me a comment; I’d love to hear from you!