Show God's Love This Day...

There are broken people everywhere. Take a look around you and be aware of God's children that need help. There are a lot of hurting, hurting people. They live next door to you, their children go to school with your children, you work with them and you worship with them. Show them God's love this day.

You don't have to quit your job, sell your house, and take off to Africa to do a mission to help others. Help those you are in contact with every day. Help the co-worker who just lost her mother to cancer, a friend whose six year-old has been in Children's Hospital for two months, a neighbor who has lost his job, and another friend who has been out of work for nearly a year.

These people need the love of Christ and you are commanded to share God's love with them. "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." John 13:34

Jesus didn't just go to church on Sunday and say Amen, and then go home and NOT do what God's holy word says to do. Jesus helped others daily. We call ourselves Christians. That means we are to be Christ-like. He was constantly approached by people and always found time to help all those in need.

God does not expect us to meet all the needs the world has, but the people that he does send our way, he expects us to be there for them. Don't bog yourself down in trying to help everyone at once. Pray to God for direction and the Holy Spirit will lead you to do the Lord's work where he feels it is needed most. Listen, show care and show love to others.

God didn't call you to be used. He called you to do what you can to further his kingdom. Like Jesus, you can be thronged with people at times. Especially as they find out you are a kind person and have a direct connection with the Almighty. You don't need to jump in head first and get buried in others problems. Pray about it. God won't give you more than you can handle.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus directs us to be like the Samaritan. To pick up the person needing attention and have compassion on them. The Samaritan wasn't bogged down with caring for the person, but gave them the immediate attention needed and went on about his business. He later returned to pay the expenses incurred. Jesus said of the Good Samaritan, "Go and do like-wise." Luke 10:37 (NIV)

In Romans 12:13, brother Paul wrote, "share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." In God's word in Hebrews 13:16 in it written, "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."
　
Jesus always gave his Father the glory when he helped someone and we should do the same. "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2:14 (NIV) All glory and praise to the Sovereign King!

Rick Hawbaker

'Leading Sheep To Jesus'

(Photo from Sprague Lake Trail in RMNP)

　

"...How Constantly I Remember You..."

Apostle Paul wrote a comprehensive letter to the Christ followers in Rome as he wintered in Corinth on his third missionary journey. Paul was in hopes of going to Rome after returning to Jerusalem, but the Holy Spirit had warned him what might be ahead for him there.

According to Acts 21:10-11, a prophet named Agabus visited Paul that winter and, "he took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, "The Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.' "

With that in mind, he was not sure if he would ever make it to Rome, so he was inclusive in writing to them about what he had been preaching.

In his introduction to the Romans, Paul wrote, "...how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times..." Romans 1:9-10 (NIV). "How constantly" is how it is written in the New International Version. King James says "that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers." The New Living Translation says, "Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God."

Whatever version you want to go with, you can see Paul prayed regularly for these people unknown to him. It is believed that the church in Rome was set up by Christians who went to Rome and it wasn't begun by Saint Paul or Saint Peter. Isn't it amazing how well the church of Rome grew without one of these heavy-hitters founding it.

Paul lifting up the Roman Christians to God "day and night" "constantly" "without ceasing" was a key to how they prospered so well. Imagine how your own church would grow if you prayed for it to God in your prayers "constantly".

Rick Hawbaker

'Serving A Living God'

(The above photo was taken in Denver at the Downtown Aquarium.)

Glorify Our God...

Do you have any idea what you were created for? The Sovereign Lord certainly doesn't need us. He set up this universe and everything in it. He did it all without consulting our pea brains.

God talks of mankind, "Whom I created for my glory" in the old testament book of Isaiah in 43:7. In 1 Corinthians 10:31, God tells us "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

O.K., so we were created to glorify God. What does that look like? We can glorify the Almighty through what we say, how we act and what we are thinking.

We must acknowledge how glorious he is and to put him above all things. If you are going to glorify God, you must make it known to others. You can't live by yourself out in the mountains and never tell a soul or not share with anyone just how great he is.

You must be grateful and have a desire to obey him. We glorify God through our desire to know him. The more we rejoice over him "so will your God rejoice over you." Isaiah 62:5

Don't wait any longer to begin pursuing God. Life is a vapor. I was 28 yesterday and today I am pushing 60. You are a child of God. Nothing on earth is going to satisfy you. We weren't made to live on earth. We were created to glorify our king.

There are children of God yet to be born. Born again that is. It is up to us to be the hands and feet of our Lord and help harvest these souls for the kingdom. In doing so, we will glorify God.

I recently read J.I. Packer's 'Knowing God'. Packer wrote, "We are cruel to ourselves. We try to live in this world without knowing about the God whose world it is and Who runs it. The world becomes a strange, mad, painful place, and life in it a disappointing and unpleasant business, for those who do not know about God. Disregard the study of God, and you sentence yourself to stumble and blunder through life blindfolded, as it were, with no sense of direction and no understanding of what surrounds you. In this way you can waste your life and lose your soul."

"Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

Leave behind your past way of life and glorify God in everything you say, in everything you do, and in everything you think. Walk away from your boat and be a blessing to someone today.

Glorify our God!

Rick Hawbaker

'Serving of living God'

(Photo taken in Rocky Mountain National Park. This is at Alluvial Fan.)

We Need Not Face Life All Alone...

Hey, what's the deal? Sometimes it sure feels like there are more than one Monday per week. One a week to deal with is bad enough, but some weeks I experience two or three Mondays in five days. How about you? Do you feel you are receiving more than your share of Mondays?

The world seems to collapse on Mondays. You had fun Friday night, Saturday and Sunday and are now back to work. If work was fun they sure wouldn't call it work.

Mondays you are taking to work your life's problems, mixing in lots of work that needs to be done right away, and you are, of course, tired as you didn't get enough sleep over the week-end. Mix that all together and that's a bad day for you. A Monday!

I have a friend that is closer than a brother. He helps me through the Mondays of my life. I have called upon my special friend a lot. No matter how many friends you do have, nobody sticks closer to you than your brother Jesus. That is the friend I am talking about...Jesus, the Holy Spirit, our God.

God's holy word says in Proverbs 18:24..."A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Don't count on your friends to help you through the days you struggle. They can't give you the help you need. They will let you down. Only the king of kings can give you the help you need!

We need not face life all alone. God has given us the Holy Spirit to call on for help. He lives in us and is always there ready to help. "We know we live in him and he in us, because he has given us his spirit." 1 John 4:13 (NIV).

There is nothing greater than our Almighty God. He is our father and he loves his children!

Rick Hawbaker

'Serving of living God'

"Wait For The LORD And Keep His Way..."

Are you currently waiting on the Lord for direction of what to do about something? You waiting to be healed of the pain in your body or for a loved one to be healed? Waiting for the right job to come along? Or are you waiting for any job to come along so you once again can get caught up on bills, and have a full stomach, and be comfortable with your finances?

God's holy word tells us in Psalm 27:14 (NIV), "Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD."

David waited over two decades on the Lord. We are told he waited for 15 years from the time he was first anointed by Samuel to become king over Judah and waited another seven years to be king over all of Israel.
David is just one example of someone who waited on the Lord.

God promised Noah there were be a flood. It was a long time coming. Abram and Sarai were promised a child, but waited 25 years to get him. Jacob waited 14 years to get the wife he wanted. Joseph waited to see his father and family when he was in Egypt.

The Israelites waited 430 years in Egypt to return to the promised land. For over two thousand years, God's dearly loved children have been waiting for the Lord's return and the coming of our risen King's Kingdom. These are just a few of the many examples of saints waiting for God.
　
Waiting is a part of the divine plan of things. It is no accident that we wait. Satan wants us to not wait on the Lord, but to figure out things on our own. He wants us to doubt God. To seize the moment using others to get our desires and in doing so, sometimes use questionable means. God tells us in Psalm 25:3, "No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse."

"Wait for the LORD and keep his way..." Psalm 37:34

Rick Hawbaker

'Serving of living God'

(Pictured above is Sprague Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, Photo by Rick Hawbaker)

'That's How You Defeat Satan...'

Just a note to encourage you to do everything possible to further your relationship with Christ. Don't think because you have spent years going to church every Sunday that you have got a place to go in the sky when you die. You want to meet your Maker in the sky, you better have a personal relationship with him on earth.

God isn't going to be checking how many gold stars you have on your Sunday School attendance card when you check out on earth. When you meet him face to face you will want him to recognize you as one of the king's men.

I have grown tremendously in my faith and love for our Sovereign Lord. I have a burning desire to know more and more about our God that created me from himself. Yes, a little bit of me is from him. It is deep inside of me and it is up to me to make that part of me grow and grow.

Our God is great. He is awesome beyond compare. David wrote in Psalm 40:3, "He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God." Who can't use a new song in their mouth from time to time. I am excited about the high Jesus has given me. Thank you for that new song, O God. All praise and glory to you forever and ever!

Study God's word, memorize it and meditate on it day and night. No matter how old you are. It's not too late and you will never learn scripture any younger. I encourage you to read your bible daily and memorize scripture. If you know the word of God and have it on your mind and on your lips, it will be easy to apply it in your life. That's how you defeat Satan.

Rick Hawbaker

'Serving of living God'

You Have A Divine Power...

Satan is the ruler of this dark earth. He was real to Jesus and is real to me. There is no way out of this darkness than through Jesus Christ, the light of the world. No other way to break away from this evil that has seized the human race.

The gospel is the one and only way for us to find out what God wants us to be. It is the place for us to see examples of the life that he intended us to have.

David had been going through some very sad times and began Psalms 40 praising God for the mercy he had shown to him. "I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand." Psalm 40:1-2.

God is there for us to call on when we need him. The sooner we figure out that we need God's Holy Spirit to take control of our lives, the sooner our lives will make the turn to the better. Have you ever been in a completely dark room and turned on a light? It gets light immediately. When you turn off the light, the darkness gradually takes over. It is the same with God. He is superior to Satan just like light is superior to darkness. God rules over darkness.

Jesus came to destroy what the Devil has done. Jesus took authority over the enemy and set us free. The Holy Spirit gave Jesus the power to overcome and Jesus delegated that same power to us.

When Jesus sent out the 72 to follow his 12 Disciples, Luke wrote "He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you." (Luke 10:18-19).

The power of the Holy Spirit in a believer is more powerful than the power of evil. Just like light over dark. You have been given a divine power. There is nothing you don't have power over. Let His light shine ever so brightly through you!

Rick Hawbaker

'Serving a living God'

Be Joyful, Pray And Give Thanks

After taking a break and returning to work, I shared with a friend that I wasn't going to the break room anymore. It had turned into a complaining room. It had become not a place to take a break, but a place to go to complain about everything.

"You know, I don't particularly care for what is going on or care for what is coming down from management either," the friend said. "But, I am sure glad to be picking up a pay check every week instead of standing in line at the food bank like I was doing a year ago."

I think we could all step back and think about this comment for a tick or two. This person is truly thankful for the job he has been given. He is being blessed as he perseveres through the daily turmoil. And is looking past the small problems we face and on to the king who has set us free.

Paul encouraged the Philippians to stand firm and rejoice regardless of their circumstances. Even when suffering. "Rejoice in the Lord Always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4 NIV).

There are children of God living here in Satan's kingdom that are very happy in their circumstances. Spurgeon suggest of such people, "Their minds are so sweetly occupied with the higher things, that they are not easily distracted by the little troubles which naturally arise among such imperfect creatures as we are. Joy in the Lord is the cure for all discord."

God gave me this scripture to memorize when I was going through the worse days of my life. "Be joyful always. Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV).

All three of these things, being joyful, praying and giving thanks, seem like easy things to do. They are easy until you are oppressed beyond what you are wired for. They become impossible without the Lord, our great strength.

In God's word in the first chapter of James it says, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trail, because when he has stood the test, he will received the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."
Satan tells us it is much easier to tear each other down than it is to build each other up. I haven't looked in another person's eyes yet that is completely content with their job. You can certainly ruin your attitude and the attitude of others as you run down your work place.

Stay away from those who spread bad vibrations and drag you down. I once heard that 'your attitude determines your altitude.' Look past your current circumstances to the BIG picture. God is in control and let him be so! Let him lead you through this speck of time you are on earth. There are greater days ahead.

Rick Hawbaker

'Serving a living God'

Turn It Over To God And Leave It In His Hands

I shared with you in my last blog a story of how an act of kindness by one cancer patient to another made all people involved feel the presence of our great God. The passing of the pretty pink purse brought on the heart water in many. Let the tears continue to flow and keep reading how our Sovereign Lord is working.

Dylan, a ten year-old boy, in the community I work in had been dianosed with cancer in his lungs. His future was certainly dim. Dylan went forward with his parents at his church several weeks ago. Many people in the congregation gathered around and laid hands on him. They prayed to the great healer for a healing for this young boy.

This body of believers believed "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8 NIV) and asked him to heal Dylan. They believed that God still heals people and that miracles still happen. God told Moses in Exodus 15:26, "for I am the LORD, who heals you."

Dylan has gone back to the doctor in the past week for more test. They x-rayed his lungs and they couldn't find the spots that were there the previous week. Knowing very well the little boy had cancer before, they sent him back in to do the x-rays over.

This time they took x-rays of Dylan in several different positions. They continued trying to figure out why the cancer spots would not show up on the x-rays like they had. I know why they didn't show up. And so do you. They weren't there anymore because Dylan had been healed! May all the praise and glory go to God!

Pray for others in faith and always believe God will heal them. Then turn it over to God and leave it in his hands.

In God's word it says, "Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 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." (James 5:14-16 NIV).

Rick Hawbaker

'Serving a Living God'

'Refresh Others And Be Refreshed'

I encourage you this day to share with believers the great things that God is doing in your life. We sometimes get caught up in Satan's world and have a tendacy to dwell on the bad. Then we pass the doom and gloom along to others. Don't support Satan and participate in spreading his evil. Instead take a look around and share with others what you see our great God doing.

My cousin back east has a daughter with terminal cancer. She took her daughter to an oncologist appointment this past week. While in the waiting room, her daughter remarked to a lady that she had a very pretty pink purse. When my cousin and her daughter came back to the waiting room, after having her blood drawn, the lady leaned over to the daughter and said, "I want you to have this purse." The lady, who was also a cancer patient, had taken all of her things out of her purse and put them in a plastic sack.

Brother David wrote in Psalm 36:7, "How priceless is your unfailing love!" Thank you Jesus for showing yourself through this lady. God is love. That is what God is. It's not just what God does. His love reaches to the high heavens way beyond the blue. More than we can ever fathom. Great is the King of Glory!

It is not known whether this lady was an angel or just one of God's children who knows "whoever sows generously will also reap generously," (2 Corinthians 9:6 NIV). In Proverbs 11:25 it is writen, "A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed."

This kind lady is someone who loves people on purpose and that is what we need to do. God didn't create us to walk on earth so we could go to Starbucks every day and enjoy a cup of coffee. We are here to represent him and to learn to be more like him. In doing so, others will see God through us and we can help them. We got to be his hands and feet.

God gave us a master copy over two thousand years ago of what we should be like. That key was his son, Jesus. God needs millions and millions of duplicates of that master copy. Be kind and compassionate to one another. "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children." (Ephesians 5:1 NIV).

Rick Hawbaker

'Imitator of God'

Help Strengthen Another's Faith

We must be the hands and feet of our Creator and use the gifts he has given as we go about loving a world that is broken.

God has freely given talents and ability, so we are able to help meet the needs of the body of believers.

Paul wrote to the church of God in Corinth, "Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed." (1 Corinthians 1:7 NIV).

Don't let needs go ignored. Pray to our father through his glorious son, Jesus, to be able to use the gifts he has given you to strengthen others faith.

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully." (Romans 12:6-8 NIV).

You will experience great joy as you discover your gifts and use them to build up others faith. When you have run across someone that needs help to keep an even keel, ask God what you can do for this person. Don't worry about what gift you possess or that you may not have the right gift. Pray that you may help. God will work through you giving you the gift you need.

Jump out of bed in the morning with the desire to strengthen another's faith. Most take the path of least resistance. Don't be like most people. Be different. There are lots of ordinary people already.

I can't think of anything more exciting or rewarding than helping the Lord of the heavens. Join me in the pursuit to battle evil and gain back God's kingdom. You know how you feel when your heart has been broken. Imagine how God must feel when he sees us not helping. He knows we have the ability. He gave it to us.

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (Psalm 147:3 NIV). We are told in (Zephaniah 3:17 NIV), "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."

Let the angels in heaven sing so sweetly as you pray that you want to help strenghthen the faith of others. The choice whether to be on God's team is yours. This is a decision you have to make.

"...if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15 NIV).

Rick Hawbaker

'Serving our King'

'Fan Into Flame The Gift Of God!'

We all have been given special gifts of God and I encourage you this day to find out what your gift is and to use it.

Paul told us in the first book of Timothy "Do not neglect your gift." Do you know what your gift is? Are you using it for our Almighty God's glory and to build his kingdom?

God has given us all gifts, but they do not work on their own. We must cooperate with God and have a desire and a drive to develop these gifts as we serve as one of the king's men."For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God...(1 Timothy 1:6 NIV)

Paul tells us in chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians, " To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines."

This is a short list of the gifts of God. There are many more gifts and all need to be developed with the Holy Spirit working through us. Some of you may have four or five gifts, some two or maybe only one. However many gifts you have, you can't just leave them lay there. They are given to you to use for his glory. Don't keep God waiting.

Keep the fire that God has given you burning strong. God wants us to keep our given gifts burning for him. Satan doesn't have a chance when you are teamed up with God. Drive Satan out of your life, out of your home, out of your work place, and out of your community. He has no dealings with you.

Gifts from God our meant to be shared. Pray to God through Jesus today to find out what your given gift is and pray to develop it like it was meant to be. Ask God to increase your desire to know him more!

Don't let the light of the fire of God go dim in your life.

"Fan into flame the gift of God!"