Carol and I have been married for 23 years. When we were talking about marriage, we agreed that one day we wanted to have children. Today, we have three beautiful, amazing children! From the beginning, that was the plan. We have experienced good times, rough times, and challenging times. But you know what? We have no regrets. Life isn’t problem free, nor is it perfect. Things don’t always go as you planned. Our children don’t always do what we say. We have disagreements, and there are times we do our own thing. But make no mistake; our love for each other and our children is limitless and unconditional. It is no secret ... there is no end to this love.
The entire Bible from beginning to end is a story about God’s plan of building a family. It has always been His plan to adopt you into His family. This plan is the ultimate priority to God, and all this would be accomplished through Jesus Christ. God is full of so much love! He treasures relationships. This relational love is universal regardless of who you are, where you currently live on this planet, or your lifestyle. From the beginning, God has always wanted you in His family. The only way to accept this spiritual and relational closeness with God is through believing and accepting by faith in what Jesus Christ did for you 2000 years ago. No longer are you just a creation of God, but now you are a child of God and part of God’s global family.
I hope and pray this amazing truth marinates and is absorbed in your soul. You are part of God’s family because of Jesus Christ. God is proud of you. His love is unconditional, immoveable and limitless. Being included God’s family is the highest honor you will ever receive.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
THE CAUSEWAY
THE CAUSEWAY…
In southern Louisiana, there is this enormous wide body of water called Lake Pontchartrain that separates the north shore of New Orleans from the south shore, approximately 24 miles wide. To get to from the north shore to south shore, they engineered and constructed the longest bridge in the world over water called the Causeway. Ok, why am I sharing this with you? Open your heart because you are going to like what you hear!
The width of God's love extends across the entire globe and includes all people, everyone he has created. In Psalm 145:17 it reads: "The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made.” “God loves the whole world . . . “ John 3:16
God has never made a person that he didn't love. He made you … he loves you, and God doesn't make junk! He loves you unconditionally. He loves you very, very, very, very, very much!
Everybody matters to God! We even see in the life of Jesus, that he loves the unlovely and those who may feel unlovable. Do you want to know the secret of your esteem? Here it is … if you want confidence, then understand how much you matter to God. If God loves you, who cares what anybody else thinks?
Because God loves you, there's no need to prove your worth. We don’t need to rely on clothes, cars, and connections to identify our worth. The Creator God loves us unconditionally. Rest and be refreshed by His love.
“And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” Ephesians 3:18-19 NLT
In southern Louisiana, there is this enormous wide body of water called Lake Pontchartrain that separates the north shore of New Orleans from the south shore, approximately 24 miles wide. To get to from the north shore to south shore, they engineered and constructed the longest bridge in the world over water called the Causeway. Ok, why am I sharing this with you? Open your heart because you are going to like what you hear!
The width of God's love extends across the entire globe and includes all people, everyone he has created. In Psalm 145:17 it reads: "The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made.” “God loves the whole world . . . “ John 3:16
God has never made a person that he didn't love. He made you … he loves you, and God doesn't make junk! He loves you unconditionally. He loves you very, very, very, very, very much!
Everybody matters to God! We even see in the life of Jesus, that he loves the unlovely and those who may feel unlovable. Do you want to know the secret of your esteem? Here it is … if you want confidence, then understand how much you matter to God. If God loves you, who cares what anybody else thinks?
Because God loves you, there's no need to prove your worth. We don’t need to rely on clothes, cars, and connections to identify our worth. The Creator God loves us unconditionally. Rest and be refreshed by His love.
“And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” Ephesians 3:18-19 NLT
Saturday, September 11, 2010
BRING IT ON...
The Bible says, “Nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37 God can handle any situation you give to Him. Nothing is beyond His ability. But first things first . . . you’ve got to bring it to Him.
So let me ask you: What decision are you facing this week? What mountain do you need moved? Physical sickness? Financial? Marriage? Can’t break a bad habit? “Nothing is impossible with God . . . “
When you read God’s Word, it’s as if God is saying . . . “Bring anything to me and see if I can’t solve it.” God is laying down the gauntlet, “Bring it on and watch me handle it for you.” Here are just a few Scriptures that promise you God is capable.
“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?" Jeremiah 32:27
"God is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes!" Ephesians 3:20
“My God shall supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
We see God saying, "I'll take care of yesterday's failures, today's frustrations, and tomorrow's fears because I am a capable Father."
So let me ask you: What decision are you facing this week? What mountain do you need moved? Physical sickness? Financial? Marriage? Can’t break a bad habit? “Nothing is impossible with God . . . “
When you read God’s Word, it’s as if God is saying . . . “Bring anything to me and see if I can’t solve it.” God is laying down the gauntlet, “Bring it on and watch me handle it for you.” Here are just a few Scriptures that promise you God is capable.
“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?" Jeremiah 32:27
"God is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes!" Ephesians 3:20
“My God shall supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
We see God saying, "I'll take care of yesterday's failures, today's frustrations, and tomorrow's fears because I am a capable Father."
Friday, August 27, 2010
KEEPS GETTING BETTER...
Do you like to get good news? Everybody does. Do you like to share good news? Most people do. At our house, we love sharing good stories or things we have accomplished. In our staff meetings, we have a great time when we share good stories that are happening in the church or in people’s lives. The writer Mark in the Bible says that, “We’re to tell the good news to everyone.” Now many of us think, “The people I work with and my friends . . . they’re not interested in the good news.”
That is the wrong perception! They may not be interested in religion, but they are interested in the good news. The problem is not that our friends and co-workers aren’t interested. Could it be the problem is we’ve forgotten how good the good news really is? Once you’ve been a Christian for a while, we forget how miserable it was to live without hope. We forget what it was like to have guilt, fear, regrets, bitterness, and boredom in your life—a life before Christ.
What happens to most of us is that the longer we’re a Christian, the more we tend to take for granted just how good the good news really is! Likewise, most people who do not know Jesus don’t understand how good the good news really is. If you go out into the community, many people feel they have to earn their way to God. That is not good news . . . how good is good enough for God? It’s no wonder why they don’t get excited about it!
But here’s the good news: you are able to enter into a relationship with God through an attitude of trust—trust in Jesus Christ—and not through a religion of rules, regulations, and rituals.
God says you get to know him just by trusting him. If you trust his Son with your life, you receive forgiveness for your past, a purpose for living in your present, and a secure hope in the future. Is that good news? Do you think anybody you know would be interested in that? The good news keeps sounding better and better because the bad news of the world keeps getting worse and worse.
That is the wrong perception! They may not be interested in religion, but they are interested in the good news. The problem is not that our friends and co-workers aren’t interested. Could it be the problem is we’ve forgotten how good the good news really is? Once you’ve been a Christian for a while, we forget how miserable it was to live without hope. We forget what it was like to have guilt, fear, regrets, bitterness, and boredom in your life—a life before Christ.
What happens to most of us is that the longer we’re a Christian, the more we tend to take for granted just how good the good news really is! Likewise, most people who do not know Jesus don’t understand how good the good news really is. If you go out into the community, many people feel they have to earn their way to God. That is not good news . . . how good is good enough for God? It’s no wonder why they don’t get excited about it!
But here’s the good news: you are able to enter into a relationship with God through an attitude of trust—trust in Jesus Christ—and not through a religion of rules, regulations, and rituals.
God says you get to know him just by trusting him. If you trust his Son with your life, you receive forgiveness for your past, a purpose for living in your present, and a secure hope in the future. Is that good news? Do you think anybody you know would be interested in that? The good news keeps sounding better and better because the bad news of the world keeps getting worse and worse.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
I SURRENDER
When I was a young kid I loved playing army. It was great when you would approach your friends unexpectedly and say to them, “Surrender!” Their hands would immediately go up in the air!
God does not sneak up on us, but He does approach us with the His constant voice to surrender to Him in all situations. The Apostle Paul challenges us in Romans, to “Give yourselves completely to God... surrender your whole being to Him to be used for righteous purposes." Romans 6:13 This is a pure picture of true worship.
“Surrender” is an unpopular, yet a humbling word. Many times we don’t welcome it. It is doing what God wants rather than what we want, being the person that God wants us to be rather than who we want to be in situations.
Surrender evokes unpleasant images of admitting defeat in battle, forfeiting a game, or yielding to a stronger opponent. The word is almost always used in a negative context. For example, captured criminals surrender to the authorities.
In our world we're taught, “I have rights,” “I have the right,” “Never give up,” and “Never give in,” so we don't view surrendering as a healthy option. If winning and getting my way is everything, surrendering is unthinkable.
Yet, the Bible teaches us that instead of “fighting for our rights,” that we are to yield, submit, obey, and surrender. This is the higher and healthy road. And by surrendering to God, we enter into the heart of worship. This is true worship . . . bringing pleasure to God as we give ourselves completely to Him.
Surrendering is best demonstrated through obedience, by cooperating with your Creator. Instead of what I want or how I feel, we stop, and say, "Yes Lord" to whatever He asks of you.
Surrendered people obey God's word, even when it doesn't make sense. God is a Lover and a Liberator, and surrendering brings freedom, not bondage.
God does not sneak up on us, but He does approach us with the His constant voice to surrender to Him in all situations. The Apostle Paul challenges us in Romans, to “Give yourselves completely to God... surrender your whole being to Him to be used for righteous purposes." Romans 6:13 This is a pure picture of true worship.
“Surrender” is an unpopular, yet a humbling word. Many times we don’t welcome it. It is doing what God wants rather than what we want, being the person that God wants us to be rather than who we want to be in situations.
Surrender evokes unpleasant images of admitting defeat in battle, forfeiting a game, or yielding to a stronger opponent. The word is almost always used in a negative context. For example, captured criminals surrender to the authorities.
In our world we're taught, “I have rights,” “I have the right,” “Never give up,” and “Never give in,” so we don't view surrendering as a healthy option. If winning and getting my way is everything, surrendering is unthinkable.
Yet, the Bible teaches us that instead of “fighting for our rights,” that we are to yield, submit, obey, and surrender. This is the higher and healthy road. And by surrendering to God, we enter into the heart of worship. This is true worship . . . bringing pleasure to God as we give ourselves completely to Him.
Surrendering is best demonstrated through obedience, by cooperating with your Creator. Instead of what I want or how I feel, we stop, and say, "Yes Lord" to whatever He asks of you.
Surrendered people obey God's word, even when it doesn't make sense. God is a Lover and a Liberator, and surrendering brings freedom, not bondage.
Friday, August 13, 2010
My Thought Life...
“Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.” Proverbs 4:23
The Bible says our thoughts influence our lives. For instance . . .
Your Insight Influences Your Situation. It's not what happens to me that matters as much as how I choose to see it. The way I react will determine whether the circumstance makes me better or bitter. I can view everything as an obstacle or an opportunity for growth -- a stumbling block or a stepping stone.
Your Beliefs Influence Your Behavior. We always act according to our beliefs, even when those ideas are false. For instance, as a child, if you believed a shadow in your bedroom at night was a monster, your body reacted in fear (adrenaline and jitters) even though it wasn't true. That's why it's so important to make sure you are operating on true information! Your convictions about yourself, about life, and about God influence your conduct.
Your Self-Talk Influences Your Self-Esteem. We constantly talk to ourselves. Do you run yourself down with your self-talk? Stop doing that! Proverbs 23:7 says, "As he thinks in his heart, so is he."
The Bible says our thoughts influence our lives. For instance . . .
Your Insight Influences Your Situation. It's not what happens to me that matters as much as how I choose to see it. The way I react will determine whether the circumstance makes me better or bitter. I can view everything as an obstacle or an opportunity for growth -- a stumbling block or a stepping stone.
Your Beliefs Influence Your Behavior. We always act according to our beliefs, even when those ideas are false. For instance, as a child, if you believed a shadow in your bedroom at night was a monster, your body reacted in fear (adrenaline and jitters) even though it wasn't true. That's why it's so important to make sure you are operating on true information! Your convictions about yourself, about life, and about God influence your conduct.
Your Self-Talk Influences Your Self-Esteem. We constantly talk to ourselves. Do you run yourself down with your self-talk? Stop doing that! Proverbs 23:7 says, "As he thinks in his heart, so is he."
Friday, July 30, 2010
Your Bloodline...
A little over a year ago, our family vacationed in New York City. One of our planned visits was to Ellis Island. I never realized how much time, effort, and resources went into the historical tracing of bloodlines coming to America. It is the coolest thing growing up Italian and from the city of New Orleans.
Friends, God looks at you and me with deeper meaning and purpose than what your last name is or what city you were born in. Our externals are irrelevant. It doesn’t matter the color of your skin or what your ethnic background is. It doesn’t matter how many weaknesses or flaws you have. You were made in the image of God. You come from a long line of champions in life.
Ponder this… Your heavenly Father spoke the universe into existence… Your family member Jesus Christ defeated the ultimate enemy of mankind, Satan… Think about the bloodline you come from and the feats they were a part of… Moses parted the Red Sea… David, a young boy, defeated the champion of warriors, Goliath… Daniel spent an entire night in a hostile cage of lions because he refused to compromise his allegiance… Nehemiah built a wall that provided security around Jerusalem when all the odds were against him… Queen Esther put her life on the line to save God’s people from genocide… You see, courage, strength, protection, determination, heroism, and sacrifice are in your bloodline.
The above are not random names from the Bible; they are part of an unbroken lineage of faith that comes down today to your life and mine. What God did in their lives, he wants to do in ours. You come from a bloodline of champions. You are not ordinary. On the inside of you are seeds of greatness. On the inside of you is champion after champion.
YOU ARE THE SEED OF ALMIGHTY GOD.
Friends, God looks at you and me with deeper meaning and purpose than what your last name is or what city you were born in. Our externals are irrelevant. It doesn’t matter the color of your skin or what your ethnic background is. It doesn’t matter how many weaknesses or flaws you have. You were made in the image of God. You come from a long line of champions in life.
Ponder this… Your heavenly Father spoke the universe into existence… Your family member Jesus Christ defeated the ultimate enemy of mankind, Satan… Think about the bloodline you come from and the feats they were a part of… Moses parted the Red Sea… David, a young boy, defeated the champion of warriors, Goliath… Daniel spent an entire night in a hostile cage of lions because he refused to compromise his allegiance… Nehemiah built a wall that provided security around Jerusalem when all the odds were against him… Queen Esther put her life on the line to save God’s people from genocide… You see, courage, strength, protection, determination, heroism, and sacrifice are in your bloodline.
The above are not random names from the Bible; they are part of an unbroken lineage of faith that comes down today to your life and mine. What God did in their lives, he wants to do in ours. You come from a bloodline of champions. You are not ordinary. On the inside of you are seeds of greatness. On the inside of you is champion after champion.
YOU ARE THE SEED OF ALMIGHTY GOD.
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