The Frisbee isn’t very impressive to look at, is it?

In a world full of high-tech electronic toys, it is pretty low on the totem pole.

But in the right hands, wow can that little piece of plastic FLY!!

Sometimes you and I may look at the talents that God has given to others and think, “WOW that is really impressive!”

Then, think of ourselves and say that God hasn’t given us very much talent, just a piece of plastic.

We might even be tempted to hide our talent.

But, when we use our gifts and talents to be all that God intended for us to be… WOW, we can fly!

Put your life in the hands of the “Master Flyer” and get ready to SOAR!

2 Timothy 1:6 …fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you!

1 Peter 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.

Have you ever had to hire a lawyer?

Why do people hire lawyers? Usually, because they need help with a matter that has gone beyond what they can do for themselves. Sometimes it’s for advice, or counsel in that matter. Sometimes it’s to take the matter farther for a good resolve. Other times it’s because the matter needs an end, and a lawyer is the only one who can help get them to that point.

Is every lawyer, counselor, good for every situation? For example, would someone hire a civil rights attorney if you had a land dispute? Would a counselor who specializes in adoptions be a good fit for a case involving business patents? No. When seeking counsel, people usually go to someone who knows about the situation, has experience with the matter and has a reputation of “winning” cases as well.

Wouldn’t it be awesome if there was One Counselor Who would give perfect advice; Who could solve, resolve, and restore; Who knew each situation we went through SO intricately that all we would have to do is acknowledge Him…we wouldn’t even need to explain the reason we need Him because somehow, He would already know everything without one word from us?

NOW, that’s a counselor I would keep on retainer FOREVER!

keep Him! Matter of fact, He willingly paid the “retainer” in order for you to have Him as yours, FOREVER! (See Romans 5:6-10.)

Jesus says, “I will ask the Father to give you a Counselor to be with you forever—The Spirit of truth.” (John 14:16)

How cool is that?! If we are a follower of Jesus (go back and read John 14:15), we have the Perfect Counselor (not observer, not debater, not judge, not jury, but Counselor—the One Who knows you perfectly, Who can counsel you on ALL matters, Who helps, saves, rescues, and restores. Unreal!).

Do you need counsel?

Do you need advice?

Do you need a good resolve for a troubling issue?

Do you need help getting to the end of a problem?

Do you need help with a matter that is beyond what you can do for yourself?

Acknowledge The Counselor…

John 14:26 The Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to You.

Romans 5:5 God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, Who has been given to us.

Romans 8:14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

Romans 8:26 … the Spirit helps us in our weakness.

Romans 8:27 … the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

We have a PERFECT Counselor! Trust Him to see you through anything this world may choose to throw your way!

Acknowledge Him… He WILL direct your way (Proverbs 3:6)

He’s the Wheel in the Middle of the Wheel

He’s the Lily of the Valley, the Bright Morning Star

Makes no difference what you say,

I’m gonna’ get on my knees and pray,

I’m gonna’ serve Him every day ’til Jesus comes!

 

You can listen to a version of this here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy4Ce6PJBtI

 

Do you believe the words of this little ditty?

He’s my Rock- do you believe that God is YOUR unchanging, immovable, fully-protective, faithful foundation upon which you build everything else in your life? (2 Samuel 22:2-3a)

He’s my Sword- do you believe that, through His Word (The Sword of the Spirit: Ephesians 6:17), He has given you everything you need to move forward in life, no matter how dangerous or difficult?

He’s my Shield- do you believe that He will keep you from all things that are not from Him? (Psalm 28:7)

He’s the Wheel in the middle of the Wheel (see Ezekiel 1 for this picture)- do you believe that He should be the focus of your heart and your life?

He’s the Lily of the Valley- do you hold Him as the ultimate example of how to live your life? (Lily of the Valley is white: Live a pure life; it is plentiful: Live a life of service; it has a sweet fragrance that attracts life to it: Live a life that draws others to Jesus; it grows tall, but its flowers are always bending down: Live strong but humble)

He’s the Bright Morning Star- do you KNOW/trust that God will go before you, to prepare the way every day, with a promised purpose (Jeremiah 29:11)? (The Morning Star is the planet Venus. It ALWAYS rises before the sun… it’s the promise that a new day is about to begin! A new day that is filled with purpose and God’s great faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-24).

If you truly believe that God is Who He says He is, then it’s easy to take a stand for Him in this world. It’s a comfort to fall on our knees before Him.

AND, it’s our calling to serve Him every day ’til He comes!

How would you describe a family? Would it be based on bloodlines? Would it be based on location? Or interests? Would it be based on beliefs, or religious views? How about wealth or what foods you choose to eat (or not eat)?

Having a difficult time narrowing your response? Well, you’re not the only one! Even the dictionary can’t give a clear description. Dictionary Online gives 15 definitions for the word ‘family’.

I’m going to say that a family is usually people who love each other DESPITE not liking each other at times. They often reside together, (nuclear) but have many people they consider family that don’t live with them (extended family.) Beyond these two sentences everyone’s ideas are subjective to their own experience.

Think about the people who you would consider family. What have you done to encourage or build them up lately, maybe within the last month? We should take time to encourage one another, not just sisters & brothers in Christ, but encourage your neighbor, your mailman, the grocery clerk, your child’s teacher, the cousin who you only see at Christmas, the nurse at the doctor’s office, etc. AND remember to encourage your brothers and sisters in Jesus (by the way, that part is a command! See 2 Tim. 4:2, Titus 2:15, Hebrews 3:13.)

It only takes a few moments to say something nice, or send an email, or a note snailmail.

But what a difference it can make to the person receiving the encouragement.

How good do you feel when someone compliments you, or just takes the time to say thank you?

Here’s a challenge:

Make a list of people you consider family. Over the next 4 weeks find a way to encourage every person on your list. It can be as simple as a compliment, or short email. It can be as complex as you want, BUT DO IT!

You will be amazed at people’s reactions. (Which tells me that there isn’t enough ‘good’ talk happening in the world today.)

Be a source of delight as you delight in your family!

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17: May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

Open wounds hurt. Have you ever had an open wound on your body somewhere? Hot water burns it. Band-Aids rub on it. Clothes irritate it. You don’t want anything to touch it.

A friend of mine experienced this wound recently, and the thought came into my mind, this is just ONE wound. Think about what Jesus experienced with all of the whipping and torture He endured before going to the cross.

It is said that because of the open wounds on His back, shoulders, and chest, which in some places tore His skin off down to the bone, He was unable to carry the cross beam to Calvary. This one small open wound hurt when things rub on it. How much more would it hurt to have many open wounds and have to carry a heavy, hard wooden beam for any distance.

Can you imagine the suffering that Jesus endured?

Yet, He did it for you and for me.

He loved us that much that He bore all of the sin of the world on His body in order to provide a way of escape from the penalty of sin for each person on earth.

As we get ready to remember our Lord Jesus Christ on Good Friday, be sure to remember the wounds that He bore for you and for me.

“For He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities…and with His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5