It can't be cheap!

When Jesus died on the cross for our sins, He died! He didn't just get beat up and hurt for a few days. He died! Jesus knew how much your life and mine cost. He knew that in order to give salvation freely to all people He would need to pay that cost in full.

Jesus didn't try to pay some of the cost and get the full benefit. He paid the full cost. When you go to purchase a shirt that cost $30 you can't give the clerk a $20 and expect to take ownership of the shirt. You have to pay the full cost!

Since Jesus paid the full price for my life and yours we should give Him full ownership.

Jesus paid the real expense but for some reason we think that we have to pay some expense to be owned by him. To be owned by Him we would allow Him to take full and complete control of our life. We would not hold any area back. We would give Him all. The expense we think we have to pay is the surrender of the world.

May I remind you, Jesus died for you. Your dirty little habit can't exist anymore, that TV show that you watch needs to be given up, that language you use...done, that magazine you look at...done, that lifestyle you are trying to keep needs to be surrendered fully to Jesus...Why? HE OWNS YOU!

"Well I'm not ready to give that up." Do you think Jesus as a human was ready to be beat and murdered?!

When Jesus lives fully in us and we are doing our best to be fully surrendered to Him He blesses us.

I can't explain how it feels to have Jesus residing inside of me...it is the most incredible experience! Emotions, fulfillment, happiness, ah the list could go on!

I will leave you with what I started with...

It can't be cheap!

Things God showed me this week-end:

Nothing can take me out of God's hand. John 10:28-30
Once we give our life to Him we are His. He won't let us go and nothing can remove us!

You may know God but do you know God? John 14:8-10
Do you know Him?

The greatness of your relationship with Christ can be seen and felt when we ask. We can do great works for Christ. John 14:12-14

We must obey and keep Christ's commands. We don't have to rely on us. God gave us a Helper...The Holy Spirit. John:15-18

The world can't see Jesus, as He is not here physically. The the way the world sees Jesus is in and through us. John 14:19-21

We are God's home. If we keep His Word He will make His home in us. John 14:23-24

We are only human we are not perfect. The Holy Spirit will help us remember God's Word. John 14:26

We don't have to be afraid or be troubled, Jesus give us peace! John 14:27

Jesus is our source. He will work us over (weeding, pruning etc.) so we are more productive for Him. John 15:1-2

We have to abide in Jesus to bear fruit. Without Him we can't do anything. John 15:4-5

If we don't remain in Him we will be good for nothing. Like a fallen branch-lifeless-good only for fire. John 15:6

If we live (abide, remain) in Him He will give what we ask to The Father's Glory. John 15:7-8

If we live (abide, remain) in Him our joy can be full! John 15:11

We don't have a choice...Jesus chose and appointed us. We must bear fruit- real fruit- fruit that last. This is our command. Jesus will give us our desires when we live in Him. John 15:16

The world will hate us because we aren't of the world anymore. Jesus pulled us from it. If it makes you feel better...the world hated Jesus first. John 15:18-19

Feel better Christ Follower, The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, you don't have to do that part. John 16:8

We can ask, God will grant. Our joy can be full! John 16:24

Sure living in this world can be hard...don't worry, don't have trouble, Jesus has already overcame the world!!!!! John 16:33

God is so good to us to give us such great promises. We don't deserve His greatness, He gives it freely! LIVE IN JESUS TODAY!

Competing for attention is probably not that great. BUT, when it comes to my daughters competing for mine, it is flattering!

Mindy was off to minister at the juvenile detention center last night so I had the opportunity for some alone time with my daughters. We had a great time! The highlight - even though this kind of competition is not healthy - was my daughters somewhat competing for me. Still makes me feel good inside. Just so you don't think I'm a bad dad, I did everything right. That's right I'm a perfect dad. Just kidding! I did not encourage competition, especially for my attention. I gave it to both of them freely!

Anyway back to my time with my girls. It was particularly special last night for some reason, as it is not like we are never alone together. The silly faces, the climbing up and over me as I laid on the floor, jumping on me and the continual wanting to mess up my hair. We had a great time!

When one of them would be giving me a hug the other then needed to do the same. It was quite flattering and cute - especially at this stage of their lives. I love my daughters! I am so thankful that God blessed me with them.

Since I think like this I do have to add this next few words: God, our father, what does God feel like? We are His children. Are we trying to be right in front of Him, trying to be the closest? I know how I feel with my daughters trying to be the closest to me. It feels so good. I want to give them more time and bless them in more ways. Wouldn't our Father - God, wouldn't He be the same? More so... Compete to be the closest to God today! Flatter Him in your attempt.

Be kind!

How often do we hear that word anymore? I used to hear it a lot when I was young. But, not so much anymore.

I wonder whatever happened to that? Kindness is a virtue! If we are kind, people like to be around us. If we are kind more people are attracted to us. If we are kind we get along better with ourselves and others.

Don't we want people to be attracted to us and like us? Why not try being kind today? We live in a self-service culture. We revolve around ourselves. We live for ourselves and we think about and for ourselves. Often times in this way of life we leave other people behind. We get in a hurry and cut out in front of someone. We want a promotion so we might step on others to get there. We need a certain deal to go through so we rudely push.

Often times we are RUDE! What good does being rude get you? NOTHING! It is funny, a mile down the road we come to a stop light and the car we ripped out in front of is now 3 ahead. A year after we used someone to get us to where we wanted to be in the corporate ladder they are now being promoted to our boss. That deal we rudely pushed for: now it's the worst thing and we wish we didn't have it.

Today: Be kind! Think about others before yourself. Let someone out in front of you in traffic. Help someone at work. Say something nice about someone. You'll be glad you did!

"God is still in control."
"I am shocked!"
"I can't believe it."
"Good job Arkansas, our state was red."
"Lord, heal our land."

These are just a few comments I have heard early this day after election day. I have to say what is screaming inside of me:

GIVE ME A BREAK!

I mean come on! When was God not in control? Why are you shocked? You must have been blind to not see it coming. Why can't you believe it? It's been apparent for days if not weeks that this would be how the election ended. What does it matter what color our state was? God will heal our land, everything that happened yesterday could be the beginning stages. God might be taking us down so we as a country will be humble and seek Him.

COME ON CHRISTIANS, WAKE UP!

If we want Christ represented in our country and through our elections we have to represent Him ourselves. We have to spread Him around like an uncontrollable wild fire. We can't just sit around on our rear ends expecting people to all of the sudden change their own morals and values and cry out for God!

Get done with all of the political mumbo jumbo and get yourself REAL with Jesus! Tell other people about Jesus - live Jesus! Who knows, president elect Obama could be introduced to a personal relationship with Jesus if we could ever wake up?!

Our country is not suffering because of the results of any election. Our country is suffering because us Christians are sleeping while the enemy is working. WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please don't sit around complaining about how the elections did not go your way - DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!!!! The world is still here. Options are limitless! If our world was sold out to Jesus, don't you think things would be different? Let's get to work!

Do you remember what it feels like to truly be embarrassed?

Last night I spoke for a connection group for just a few minutes regarding a ministry opportunity. I went in with a great attitude looking forward to the time and the results. However, I came out embarrassed, feeling pathetic and acting to myself like I had a low self-image.

I was off from the start. My mind was all over the place, I could not hold a normal conversation, I was not talking to other people the way I normally would. I was off. Then, I got on the stage...before I say the next point, just know I speak a lot, in front of nearly every different age group and number of people. I love speaking in front of people. Anyway, I got on the stage, was introduced and then I spoke...not sure what all I said I just know I spoke. That spot in my memory is kind of dark. What I do remember is the beads of sweat rolling from my forehead and the feelings like the group was dead.

The time ended and all was well, good results were gathered. I got in the car trying to reenact the experience and absolutely beating myself over it. Then these words came belting through my car radio: "You got blood on your face, your a big disgrace, kicking your can all over the place..." Yes, you know it. That line stuck into my head and pulled me down even more.

Please keep in mind, I talk to people a lot. I LOVE speaking! It is quite possibly my favorite thing to do. And, I normally have a pretty good self-image. I am not the type to beat myself up.

What was the problem? Simple: Not speaking in the Spirit.

I went in to the meeting just fine, good attitude and all. I went through my moments terribly and left even worse. I didn't prepare. How else could I have prepared? This is my deal. Preparation in the Spirit.

I don't do ministry. God does ministry through me with His Spirit. I can't do it...clearly. He does it through me and I wasn't prepared. In other words, I had not given the time to Him and invited Him to rock it for me.

My days are rockin' when I have invited The Spirit to rule them, when I have given full control to Him. I can't make anything good. God's Spirit makes good though, and sometimes He does it through me.

You don't have to feel the way I did. Get in The Spirit. Ask God to rule and reside in and over you. Give Him full and complete control. Guess what? This takes full pressure off of you. How relaxing is that?!!

Remember that time you were having a tough day? Maybe you are there today. Do you remember your attitude that day? As the day progressed you became increasingly more upset. Someone could say something funny and it just ticked you off even more. You saw something lovely and you wrinkled your nose at it. You got even more ticked off when you were around those few people that were laughing and having a good time. You even thought to yourself: "What is there deal? They are causing such a commotion. Nothing is that funny!" Now, as you are thinking back to that day you may be experiencing tightness in your chest in the memory.

That day nothing could cheer you up. Nothing could make you feel better. Everything was stupid, dumb, lame or pathetic. Everything sucked!

Now, since we are just recounting the events of that day that you experienced. Looking back, was everything really that bad? For that matter, was anything that bad? What was that bad? Yup, that's right, your attitude! Face it, you attitude was terrible!

Because you had a terrible attitude nothing could be lovely to you, nothing good could happen and you restricted people and God from blessing you.

Point: Attitude determines outcome!

Tomorrow when you wake up, resolve within yourself to reject any negative emotion that rises within you. Resolve to have a great attitude. Resolve to have a great day. After all, attitude determines outcome.

If you are having this day today. I will get very elementary with you: STOP IT! I know, I know, it is not that easy. But it is. Take your focus from everything negative for 10 minutes and place it on positive things for the whole time. After you get done fighting with yourself you will begin to lighten up and quite possibly begin to experience happiness again. You can not allow a negative attitude to reside within you. You have to reject it. Why? Attitude determines outcome.

We all want a good outcome. Right?