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    Heaven’s On My Mind

    Romans 8: 5 
    For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.


    We have all heard the saying from Pliny the Elder (A.D. 23-79) when he said, “Home is where the heart is.” So, if that is true, then where is our home, and where is our heart? Where and what do we keep our minds focused on? 

    It's so easy on a daily basis to lose our focus on truly what matters. I remember in high school our basketball coach always talking about using our peripheral vision. When you're running down the middle of the court with the ball, to see your teammates on either side of you with your peripheral vision. You never turn your head to the left or the right, but look straight ahead and know exactly where your teammates are at any given second. Then as you get close to the hoop you pass the ball and your teammate takes the shot. Two points. No one knew you were going to pass the ball because you never turned your head. I remember watching Michael Jordan perfect that move when I got to see him play live in Portland Oregon in 1992 with the “Dream Team.” Never before had there been so much talent on the basketball court at one time.
     
    I think our Christian life and our daily walk need to be done almost the same way. We need to use our peripheral vision. Our focus should still be Heaven and what God has called us to do each and every day. But when the flesh wants to distract our minds and have us turn our focus to the left or to the right, we need to keep our focus straight ahead. I love what Colossians 3:2 says in the Amplified Bible. “Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above (the heavenly things), not on things that are on the earth (which have only temporal value.”) 

    In the same year the “Dream Team” played, 1992, there was another group, a Christian music group called "Novella." They put out one of my favorite songs, and brings the thought of today's verse full circle.  I hope you enjoy this blast from the past. The song is called... 
    Heaven's On My Mind
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    Singing With Thankfulness In Your Hearts To God

    Colossians 3:16 

    Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 

    Today is Thanksgiving. Each of us have so much to be thankful for. I'm sure if we compared lists of the things that we are thankful for, many of the things on our lists would be the same. But what is the first thing on our list that we are thankful for? 

    Are we thankful first for our family and friends? What about another day of life? That is something to be thankful for to say the least. Are we thankful for a roof over our heads? What about good health? How about money in our pocket? What about the car in the driveway to get to the job that uses our God given talents to bless others and bless God? The list could go on and on and that is exactly the thing to think about on Thanksgiving. It is good to have times of reflection and look back and not take for granted all that God has given us. Thanksgiving really should and could, be everyday if we set our minds to it. We should and could, have a thankful heart to God, day in and day out.  

    Today's verse says, “with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” I remember growing up in church as a child, grabbing the hymnal from the pew in front of me and sometimes singing the "Doxology." If you remember the words to the song, they are simple but amazing. I will include the song as the last video, to wrap up the whole thought of Thankfulness. The first line is perfect for today. “Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow.” 

    Some say that Frederick R. Barnard said, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” So, if that's true, what is a song worth? One of the reasons I love music so much is that I believe it is the universal language. No matter who you are or where you are, you can appreciate music. It speaks to your innermost being. In fact, Christian music is the reason my wife and I recently moved to Nashville. Last week we went to Whole Foods. Outside in the parking lot there was a man playing an accordion. We sat outside for a while listening and appreciating his talent. I went over and put some money in his tip jar hoping to request a song.  When I spoke to him, he said, “No English.” I pointed to him and he said, “Italian.” Case and point, music is universal. 

    So, what is a song worth? Well, today you be the judge. I have added many of my favorite songs that talk about being thankful to God. Let's remember this Thanksgiving, what the verse today says, “with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs...
    Singing With Thankfulness in Your Hearts to God 

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    Don’t Forget the Past, He Will Do It Again

    Matthew 15: 32-34 

    And Jesus summoned to Himself His disciples, and said, I feel compassion for the multitude, because they have remained with Me now for three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not wish to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.” 
    And the disciples said to Him, “Where would we get so many loaves in a desert place to satisfy such a great multitude? 
    And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” 
     
    OK, someone slap me now because I think I must have fallen asleep during the movie. Was I snoring? Jesus is here in Matthew 15 getting ready to do a miracle and feed 4000. But in the chapter before in Matthew 14:15-21 we see almost the exact same story, but this time Jesus feeds 5000. OK, call me simple, but I am just curious how much physical time has passed between Matthew chapter 14 and Matthew chapter 15. Are we talking days or months here? Did the disciples really forget that quickly what Jesus did to feed 5000, and now question Jesus how is He going to feed 4000? Really? Am I missing something? 

    I guess I don’t feel so bad for the disciples. I have forgot the miracles Jesus has done in my own life in the past. How about you? It's interesting how time has a way of almost making us callous, hardened and insensitive. It's so easy to pray for something today that we know God has done for us in the past, a prayer He answered. Yet here we are again, same prayer yet it is a different day. We quickly find ourselves questioning how Jesus is going to do it. Really? Again, somebody slap me because I think I fell asleep. 

    What does Hebrews 13:8 say? "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." OK, if I read that correctly, that means that He is able to do again, what He has done before. Right? He will answer our prayers. The beginning of Malachi 3:6 says, “I am the Lord, and I do not change.” So, if God does not change, and God is the same, day in and day out, why do we question Him? Why are we similar to the disciples and forget quickly? Don’t feel bad, yes, we are human and forgetful, but honesty the disciples literally walked with Jesus in the physical, and they still forgot past miracles. So, there is grace for you and I, praise God. 

    The point is we should not be so quick to see a situation arise and immediately think of it with our human mind. It is easier said than done, and I am speaking to myself here, but we first need to bring it to the Holy Spirit in prayer. What is your will here Holy Spirit? I know you have done this before and you “WILL” do it again. I surrender this request to you and am excited to see how you work your will and your way through me. Thank you, Jesus, for this opportunity to see you shine. You get all the glory for the great things you have done and will do again. Even though things may seem impossible...
    Don’t Forget the Past, He Will Do It Again 
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    You Can't Trump Truth

    Psalms 63:9-11

    9)But those who seek my life to destroy it, will go into the depths of the earth.
    10) They will be delivered over to the power of the sword; They will be prey for the foxes. 
    11)But the king will rejoice in God; Everyone who swears by him will glory, for the mouths of those who speak lies will be stopped. 

    Psalms 64:1,3,6,7,8,9,10

    1)Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; Preserve my life from dread of the enemy.
    3)Who have sharpened their tongue like a sword. They aimed bitter speech as their arrow.
    6) They devise injustices, saying, “We are ready with a well-conceived plot”; For the inward thought and the heart of man are deep.
    7) But God will shoot at them with an arrow; Suddenly they will be wounded.
    8) So they will make him stumble; Their own tongue is against them; All who see them will shake the head.
    9) Then all men will fear, and will declare the work of God, and will consider what He has done.
    10) The righteous man will be glad in the Lord, and will take refuge in Him; And all the upright in heart will glory.

    Psalms 65:1

    There will be silence before Thee, and praise in Zion, O God; And to Thee the vow will be performed.

     

    I have been reading from Biblehub.com. The Bible commentary from Barnes for Psalm 63:11. “But the king shall rejoice in God. This passage, as was remarked in the introduction to the Psalm, shows that this Psalm could not have been composed in the time of Saul since the title king was not then given to David. The use of the term here in the third person does not prove that the Psalm could not have been written by David himself, for he may have spoken of himself simply as “the king," and all the more forcibly and properly as he was driven unjustly from his throne, and was now in exile, yet was still a king- the king. The title was his; the throne belonged to him, and not to Absalom who had driven him from it. It was not improper to allude to this fact in the manner in which it is referred to here, and to say that “the king”- the true, the real king- himself- should and would yet be restored to his throne. Every one that sweareth by him shall by him shall glory-Everyone that sweareth to him or maintains his oath of allegiance to him, shall be honored.”

    2 Samuel 15:21

    But Ittai answered the king and said, “As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely wherever my lord the king may be, whether for death or for life, there also your servant will be.”

    Ittai of Gath was a Philistine soldier, an enemy of David. He knew firsthand the reputation David had from his own country and was swearing his allegiance to both God the Lord, but also to David, who was my lord the king. On Biblehub.com MacLaren’s Expositions for 2 Samuel 15:21 there is a lot of information, if you want to read about Ittai of Gath. It gives a better understanding on the oath of allegiance he makes to God and king David. I highly recommend you take the time to read it to get a deeper knowledge of what is truly going on here. As Paul Harvey used to say, “The rest of the story”.

    Ittai was a Philistine soldier with 600 men. For Ittai and his men, the one thing they wanted to do, was to be beside David. They had watched him in the past and where inspired. They saw God's hand on David and knew firsthand of God's power. They swore their allegiance to both God and David. Psalms 63:11 says, “Everyone who swears by Him will glory.” I think it is saying the same thing Ittai said. Everyone who swears by God as Lord and by the lord the king, who was David will glory. Swearing allegiance to both.  

    Let's continue back with the Biblehub.com Barnes commentary on Psalms 63:11. “But the mouth of them that speak lies- All who have sworn falsely; all who have professed allegiance and have proved unfaithfully; and those who, contrary to their oaths and their obligations, have been found in rebellion. They shall not be permitted to exult or rejoice, but they shall be confounded and silenced. This expressed, therefore, the fullest confidence in God; the absolute belief of David that he would be again placed on his throne, and again permitted “to see the power and glory of God as he had seen in the sanctuary. Psalms 63:2 the belief that he would be restored to prosperity and that his enemies would be humbled and destroyed- So it will be with all who put their trust in God. There is certain joy and triumph for them, if not in this world, at least in the world to come.”

    How can you not read all these verses today and not see a comparison to king David and President Trump? They are both similar stories. I feel God wants us to see the comparison and know the ending. Trump will be back in office by the hand of God.  

    Psalms 63:9 “But those who seek my life to destroy it.” They have tried to get Trump out of office for the entire four years he has been President.  

    Psalms 64:3 "Who have sharpened their tongue like a sword.” All the media has been against Trump. Even censoring him on social media. Speaking lies about him, to cast doubt in public opinion.  

    Psalms 64:6 “We are ready with a well-conceived plot,” they devise and say out loud. Evil has had a plan for a long time to silence Truth, and since Trump speaks Truth, they want him gone. They have stopped at nothing with their plan to remove him. Right now, they think they’ve won. They think they have their President in office even though we know just like David, who is really the President, Trump is President. The real President.

    Psalms 64:8 “So they will make him stumble; their own tongue is against them.” Have you seen the Fake President lately? When he speaks, he doesn’t know what he is saying. His tongue and speech are slurred. His “own tongue is against them.”

    Psalms 64:8 “All who see them will shake the head.” I do this every time I see the Fake President speak. I know if I notice this everyone else is starting to notice how he talks. The whole world is shaking their heads when he talks, not understanding a thing he says, his own words have no meaning. His “own tongue is against them.”

    Psalms 64:9 “Then all men will fear and declare the work of God, and will consider what He has done. I believe Habakkuk 1:5 ties in here. “Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder! Because I am doing something in your days- You would not believe if you were told.”  

    I believe things are lining up quickly to see God's work first hand all around us. God wants his king put back in office as President. God wants to get all the glory. Trump will see the hand of God over his own life and this nation. He will bow down and worship God like he has never before. He will see firsthand what God does to save our nation but also the entire world. Trump will be humbled and know he was part of this but God finished it. It will be a miracle for the whole world to see. Nothing like this has anyone today ever seen before. We have read Bible stories from the past, but I believe the things we will soon see will be even greater. What a time to be alive! What an amazing God we serve! What a loving God we serve. He loves us so much; he wants the best for us. His plan is, Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not calamity to give you a future and a hope.” The Good News Translation says, “I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for.”

    Psalms 64:10 “The righteous man will be glad in the Lord, and will take refuge in Him, and all the upright in heart will glory.” I believe when all the Christians see what God does firsthand and know He is cleaning up this mess like only He can do, we will all be glad and take refuge in Him. This event or events will draw us into a closer and deeper relationship with the Lord God almighty. In Him we should fear. Luke 12:5 “But I warn you what to fear; fear the one who after He has killed hast authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!” We need more of that fear of God in our lives. We will see His power, but with that power He has saved us from His wrath. We have been sparred to sing His praises and give Him all praise and glory. KING OF KINGS. LORD OF LORDS. ALMIGHTY FATHER. PRINCE OF PEACE. THE BRIGHT AND MORNING STAR. THE ALPHA AND OMEGA. THE BEGINNING AND THE END. What God starts He will finish.

    Psalms 65:1 “There will be silence before Thee.” I believe the world will be in shock and horror. The world will shake and be woken up. Any of those sleeping, will realize who the real true God is and feel compelled to accept Him as their personal savior. To ask forgiveness for their sins, to want to spend eternity together with God.  

    Psalms 65:1 “...and praise in Zion, O God.” The Christians will praise God for revival in the land. Peace coming over the nation, our nation, but also all the nations around the world.  

    Psalms 65:1 “...And to Thee the vow will be performed.” The unbelievers will accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Revival will be everywhere. Everyone will sing of the praises of God around the world. Everyone will wake up and know what they just saw was indeed a miracle from God and His hand of righteousness is all around us; Cleaning up the evil and putting those in authority who have a heart after God.  

    It has been said by some, that Trump said he wants to be known as the President who prayed the most in the White House. I always say be careful what you pray for. God may just give you the desires of your heart. They may come with some big distractions along the way. Distracting you from the Truth and God’s plan. But that is when you know you are exactly over the enemy target. These distractions are trying to get your eyes off God and focusing on Him. James 1:2-4 “Consider it all joy, my brethren when you encounter various trails, knowing the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” I believe Trump will get his request. God will allow him to be known as the President who prayed the most in the White House; and I believe it will be for many more years.  

    Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” The things we have seen this last year in 2020 have been interesting to say the least. But I believe moving forward we will see even more interesting things happen and speed up faster and faster. Drip...Drip...Drip...Waterfall. Hold on. We are all in for the ride of our lives.

    What a time in history to be alive. What will we tell our grandchildren? We will tell them that we got to see the power of God firsthand. I don't know about you but I am excited to see how God does it. Be ready to tell those around you what’s going on when they have spiritual questions. They will ask, just like Ittai the Philistine soldier from Gath who was David’s enemy, if they can follow our God. Our Lord Jesus Christ. They will want to vow their lives and pledge their allegiance to God. We will get to help them do that. In turn strengthening our own faith. Blessing others, but in turn being blessed. God is good. Go in peace. God has this. We won.
    You Can't Trump Truth
    Danny Gokey Singing the National Anthem
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    Time Flies When You're Having Fun

    Ecclesiastes 5:19-20 

    Furthermore, as for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to receive his reward and rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God. For he will not often consider the years of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of his heart. 

     

    We have often heard the phrase or even said it ourselves; “Time flies when you’re having fun.” But what does it mean? 
     
    There are many days that my beautiful wife and I spend together enjoying life, only to get to the end of that day and say, “Where did the time go today? It went by too fast.” We both enjoyed another day of life together. God gave us many amazing memories to remember the day and it was fun and brought us joy.  
     
    On the other hand, how many days have we toiled at our J.O.B.
    I have heard it said the acronym for the word J.O.B. is “Journey of the Broke.”     

    I think we feel that way many times at work. The day goes by so slowly. Yes, we are busy, but we lack to find joy in our work. When our focus is just on us, time goes by slower and everything seems to affect us negatively and distract us from Jesus. Yes, our J.O.B may not be the calling Jesus has put into our heart, but it does currently pay our bills. Jesus has put us there for a reason that only we can fulfill for Him. Look around, there is opportunity everywhere if we change our focus off ourselves and to the first two commandments God gave us. Matthew 22: 37 says “Love God” and Matthew 22: 39 says “Love your neighbor,” or Love People. That’s the secret to having true joy and as Ecclesiastes 5:20 says …"gladness of heart.” 
     
    Just the other day as I was working, the Holy Spirit prompted me to go talk to a homeless lady sitting on a bench. He said to just tell her “good morning,” and acknowledge her presence. When I did, she was excited and her eyes lit up with joy. She said “good morning” back to me. Hours went by and again the Holy Spirit said to go talk to the lady still sitting on the bench. This time I noticed the brace on her leg and crutches nearby. I asked her some questions. The injury caused her to lose her job, causing her to lose her car and her home. She was now homeless, but sitting on the bench, waiting for a family member to come pick her up. I still remember her words, “I guess I have hit rock bottom.” I told her that was a great place to be, because it can only get better from here and things will start to look up. I asked her if I could pray for her. She said “yes.” I have never prayed out loud with my eyes closed for a total stranger at my job before. The Holy Spirit was totally using me to speak life into her. 
     
    I don’t know, but in that moment, I may have been blessed more than she was for saying that prayer. My faith was increased and the joy of the Lord I felt was hard to describe; it was crazy awesome! It would have been sad if I had not been listening to the Holy Spirits promptings and missed that opportunity. 
     
    Times like that is when we know what we are doing is what the Holy Spirit has called us to do, that calling will bring us joy. 
     
    As each of us walk daily into more of that calling, we are excited to see how God is going to use us. That calling and those gifts are fun for us. That’s why all of these years we have liked certain things that only bring “us" joy. Others have things God has called them to do that have zero appeal to us. We could never see ourselves doing this or that. But what God has put into our hearts is undeniably ours and ours alone. We get it and it makes sense to us. It brings us joy. We are glad when we do it. Others may even see it in us and comment how blessed they are by it.  
     
    Follow the burning desire God has put into your heart. Fill your mind with the possibilities of what it will look like. Pray to God to open those doors of opportunity and then walk through those doors. God will reward your efforts as you step out in faith. You will even earn wealth from it, and get to enjoy it while rejoicing in the Lord. He gave your dreams to you to bless you and bless those around you; “loving your neighbor as yourself.” 
     
    As the years go by and you look back, you will ask yourself “Where did all of the time go?” You're not going to a J.O.B. every day, you're living your God dream every day. Your loving God, loving your neighbor, and loving life. You're having fun. 
    Time Flies When You're Having Fun!
     
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    Casual Christians Have a Choice Today, “Heads You Win, or Tails You Lose.”

    Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 
     
    I don’t know about you, but every day it seems like we get busier and busier and have less and less time to get things done. We get up, go to work, come home, do our “To Do” list, go to bed and wake up the next day and do it all over again. Before we know it two weeks has went by and you get paid from your job. I got a text message the other day saying my paycheck had been automatically deposited. I completely forgot it was “Pay Day." Even years ago, when I was self-employed “Pay Day” came at many different times. When jobs were completed weeks later or when banks paid out on a processed file months later. But we argue and say, “When we are self-employed, we don’t always get paid, some of our deals fall apart or fall through.” My answer to that would be, “Yes, in fact we were paid, just not the way we usually think of.  We got pain out of the deal, when the deal died.”  Sin is the same way.

    When we sin, we all get paid, a paycheck. We all are paid minimum wage. The minimum wage of sin is death.     
     
    Sin does not discriminate against any person and pays everyone equally. That “Pay Day” could come in two hours, two days or even nine months depending on the sin. But paid, we will be...   Guaranteed!

    Again, we argue and say, “But my sin does not affect anyone but me, I can manage my sin. I only watch pornography at lunch in my car, my office, or work vehicle. I only watch pornography before my wife gets home from work while I am by myself.” Or we say, “I will drive home from the bar after I have had only two drinks. Well maybe three drinks. Hey there is my buddy and his wife from work who just got married. I should go buy all of us a drink and celebrate their new marriage. OK I will drive home after four drinks or more, but I am OK. I can manage it.”

    We think we can get away with sin but God sees all and knows all. 

    We think sin only affects us, but it actually affects everyone around us, even to the point of death. 

    Look at the story of David and Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11 & 12. Their sin caused two deaths. Bathsheba’s husband Uriah the Hittite was placed on the front line of battle by David’s instruction in the letter to Joab. David wanted Uriah killed to hide his sin and have Bathsheba to himself. It's interesting how one sin usually leads to another one very quickly. Soon Uriah died in battle. Then Bathsheba’s new born baby died, 2 Samuel 12:15 says, “Then the Lord struck the child.” Verse 18 says, “...the child died.” 

    I know many people who have been affected by drunk drivers. Some were hit by drunk drivers going the wrong way on the freeway. Some were the drunk drivers and had a car accident hurting themselves and people in another car, in some cases. Many had their drivers' license taken away because it happened more than once.

    But there is hope. Eternal life is a two-sided coin. “Tails you lose, but Heads you win.” 

    “Tails” says the wages of sin is death. But “Heads”, says the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. We win, Jesus took the loss of death for us so we don’t have to.  Jesus loves us that much John 3:16. 

    When we accept Christ Jesus and His free gift of eternal life, we can't help ourselves, we want to give Him a gift back. It’s a true gift exchange; He gives us His life and we give our life to Him. We want to serve Him with 100% percent of what He has given us. We want to use all of our talents for His glory. We don’t do it because we have to, we do it because we want to. Serving God comes from our heart overflowing with Him. We have joy in life and joy for the future. Colossians 1:27 says, “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Because we have Christ in us, we do have hope for the future, we know we have eternal life with Christ Jesus our Lord. God loves us so much and wants us to love Him in return, but He does not force us, He lets us choose. 

    I love what Joshua says, in Joshua 24:15. “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living.

    But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”     

    Revelation 3:16 says, “So because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” We can't be “Casual Christians” anymore. The time is now to make a stand and make a choice, one way or the other. Get off the fence and choose God. Your neighbors need you. Your coworkers need you. Your spouse needs you. Your children need you. The world needs you. They all need you to become who God has called you to be. His perfect plan for your life is waiting on you. 
    "Casual Christians” Have a Choice Today, “Heads You Win or Tails You Lose.” 
    Casual Christian by Degarmo & Key
    The original song was released in 1985