Our real home cannot be found on any GPS

John 17:14-16 (NIV)

14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.

At a Spanish church a lady that recently underwent cancer surgery came to church and sang a song of God's goodness with her husband. After the song she witnessed about how our loving Father had been her strong tower during these difficult times and that she truly had nothing to fear. She also gave her heartfelt thanks to her "fan", the one who had always been at her side throughout it all: her daughter.

The Sunday after January 12, 2010, the day Haiti was decimated by the 7.0 earthquake, one of the members who had still many family members and friends in his home country stepped forth and sang in front of the congregation: "C'est merveilleux, c'est admirable" (How wonderful, how marvelous), praising God with all of his heart, for God is truly bigger than all of the circumstances.

Two testimonies, from people born in two different parts of the world, but both having the same message: Our God is faithful even amidst our worst circumstances.

"Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul." (1 Peter 2:11 NIV)

We are on a mission and our real home cannot be found on any GPS location on this planet. If we face death, fear does not fill our soul. On the contrary, we become excited! We are going home, where our heart belongs!

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body." (Phil 1:21-24 NIV)

This hope that awaits us motivates us, and no circumstances, no matter how grim they may be, will keep us from praising the One who always stands at our side.

What do we really have to lose?

Dear Lord, thank You that no matter the circumstance You are faithful and we can fully trust in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Are You Relying on Your GPS or God?

Matthew 11:28  (NIV)

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

At the turn of the twentieth century it was predicted that technology would procure us less work and more leisure time. 3 to 4 days of weekly work or even less could be anticipated!

Sadly that kind of promising rest never became a reality. Instead we are now working triple-time, if not more, and all thanks to technology. Stress is on the rise and so is sleep deprivation.

Take for example the GPS. A very special invention that helps us go from point A to point B. Or at least this is what it does in theory.

Take for example this story I read recently.

We had set our GPS for Leonard Harrison State Park in Pennsylvania. We opted for the option, "Lead us the shortest way possible". What a mistake! We soon found ourselves on a narrow dirt road running along the face of a steep hill. No way would we make it up there with our tent trailer and our minivan! So we did what was becoming second nature, thanks to our GPS. We turned around. Over the course of 15 minutes! Backward a few millimeters, then forward a few more, for what it seemed like ten thousand times. Am I exaggerating? I can't remember! It isn't easy to turn around on such a road with a trailer! Luckily there was no traffic! It seems that the locals were not using their GPS!

A little later, we passed another shortcut our GPS wanted us to take. It was some road name Rattlesnake Road, covered with rocks, dirt and well, probably lots of rattlesnakes! Not the best place to turn around!

Once at the campground we were notified that many people get lost going to the camp, thanks to their GPS. And we all thought the GPS would make our lives easier!

No rest for the wicked with a GPS. At least we get to practice turning around! No peace either! Have you ever tried to have a conversation with the constant interruptions of the GPS? "Turn right at the next street . . ." Or even better "You are no longer on the indicated route. Make a legal u-turn as soon as possible."

No wonder people are unsure if technology is a blessing or a curse! My neighbour once saw a man ditch his computer in the garbage can in frustration! The promised rest has never become a reality!

In contrast, one promises us rest, and you know what? He truly can deliver! His name is Jesus and here is His outstanding promise that will become a reality to any of us who follows His advice (No u-turns ever needed! Whew!):

"Come to me" (Matt 11:28 NIV)

Some of us do take shortcuts. We go to our pastors instead. Or to our churches, or to our denominational offices . . . These are all roads filled with rattlesnakes. Not that they can't be of help to us, but Jesus clearly indicates that we are to go directly to Him. He personally cares for each one of us!

"all you who are weary and burdened" (Matt 11:28 NIV)

I do believe we all qualify for that one! No matter what our circumstances might be, we all, so often, feel weary and burdened!

"and I will give you rest." (Matt 11:28 NIV)

How many of us face insomnia? How many of us even know the word "rest" in our day and age?

How can we obtain that rest?

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me" (Matt 11:29 NIV)

"Yoke" is a word we are not too familiar in our day and age, due to our technological advances. In the olden days they used yokes on animals, especially on horses or cows. One was the lead animal who would take up most of the work. The other animal would follow the leader and would learn from the lead animal. In other words, Jesus is inviting us to have Him lead our lives and learn from Him. In all reality, the "I am in control of my life" does not mean much when we are all stressed out on a daily basis! Jesus is willing to take the burden out of our lives.

"for I am gentle and humble in heart" (Matt 11:29 NIV)

Jesus is someone we could really learn from!

"and you will find rest for your souls." (Matt 11:29 NIV)

Here is the solution to all of our heartaches and headaches! Jesus is the only One who can give us real rest! But we have to be willing to let Him be in the driver's seat of our lives. No GPS needed! Hallelujah!

"For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matt 11:30 NIV)

Quite a contrast with the yokes and burdens of life, including the GPS, computers, cellphones and all the rest! Have you noticed they all have one thing in common: Technical errors! Grrrr. . .

Jesus is truly our Rest and our Peace, if we let Him!

Dear Lord, thank You for being our GPS. Thank You that we can rely on you for rest and guidance. Help us not try to do it on our own. I Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Everybody Has a GPS

John 14:26-27 (NIV)

26 But the Advocate, 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. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Many people in the Western world now use GPSs for navigational purposes. It is really a fantastic tool. You set the address or coordinates into the tiny computer, and it tells you what road to take, how many miles or kilometers it is, and even how long it will take you to get there. It can tell you where there is gas and food, it can even tell you where the nearest hospital can be found!

Truly a wonderful device.

But anyone who has a GPS knows that it can also be a frustrating tool. Once you program a route, there is no stopping. Even if you just pull off the road at a rest area or gas station, you immediately hear the annoying voice of the GPS telling you that you are no longer on the intended route. If you continue in your "wayward" way, the GPS will ask you repeatedly to make a U-turn, and if you persist in ignoring it, it will continuously tell you to turn right or left, trying to get you back to the original route.

Once off the path the GPS will NOT STOP telling you to get back to the intended route unless you either turn it off, cancel your trip or hit the "mute" button.  The GPS is very much like the Holy Spirit.

God has given us a guide. God's Spirit will guide us. He will keep us on the right path. But we can choose to "press the mute" button! We can ignore God's Spirit and continue to do our own thing.

The problem is, the consequences could be more harmful than turning down the volume on the GPS! The worst that can happen with the GPS is that you get lost! But if I ignore God's Spirit, if I continue to go my own way, despite the warnings and heedings of the Holy Spirit, you will also get lost-spiritually lost! you will quickly fall into sin, you will miss opportunities to witness, you will miss opportunities to help others, and you will make wrong decisions, ones that can have lasting consequences, to name a few.

If your GPS annoys you, go ahead, turn down the volume. But if God's Spirit is letting you know that you are taking a step in the wrong direction, give Him your FULL attention!

Dear Lord, we thank You for given us our very own GPS. Thank you for the Holy Spirit that leads us and guides us. Help us to follow your directions. In Jesus’  Name, Amen.

The Holy Spirit our GPS

Mark 3:28-30 (THE MESSAGE)

But there is yet another, even worse consequence of tuning out God's Spirit: "Listen to this carefully. I'm warning you. There's nothing done or said that can't be forgiven. But if you persist in your slanders against God's Holy Spirit, you are repudiating the very One who forgives, sawing off the branch on which you're sitting, severing by your own perversity all connection with the One who forgives."

Many people in the world now use GPSs for not only navigational purposes but for GEO Caching . It is really a fantastic tool. You set the address or coordinates into the tiny computer, and it tells you what road to take, how many miles or feet it is, and even how long it will take you to get there. It can tell you where there is gas and food, it can even tell you where the nearest hospital can be found!

Truly a wonderful device.

But anyone who has a GPS knows that it can also be a frustrating tool. Once you program a route, there is no stopping. Even if you just pull off the road at a rest area or gas station, you immediately hear the annoying voice of the GPS telling you that you are no longer on the intended route. If you continue in your "wayward" way, the GPS will ask you repeatedly to make a U-turn, and if you persist in ignoring it, it will continuously tell you to turn right or left, trying to get you back to the original route. This occurs until we finally give in and hit the mute button.

As I was out GEO Caching trying to find that hidden cache it occurred to me that the GPS is very much like the Holy Spirit.

You see, God has given us a guide: His very own Spirit: "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you." (John 14:26-27 NKJV).

God's Spirit will guide us. He will keep us on the right path. But we can choose to "press the mute" button! We can ignore God's Spirit and continue to do our own thing.

The problem is, the consequences could be more harmful than turning down the volume on our GPS! The worst that can happen with our GPS is that we get lost! But if we ignore God's Spirit, if we continue to go on our own way, despite the warnings and heeding’s of the Holy Spirit, we will also get lost-spiritually lost! we will quickly fall into sin, we will miss opportunities to witness, we will miss opportunities to help others, and we will make wrong decisions, ones that can have lasting consequences, to name a few.

If your GPS annoys you, go ahead, turn down the volume. But if God's Spirit is letting you know that you are taking a step in the wrong direction, give Him your FULL attention!

Dear Lord, we thank You for the GPS that You have given us in the Holy Spirit. We pray that we would always stay tuned into the leading that is available to us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

God's Word Our GPS

Matt 7:13-14 (New International Version)

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

It would be very hard for anyone to lose his way home in today's society. GPS, maps, tourist information booths… These are all geared to help us find our way around. Even if someone woke up with complete amnesia, his identity could be traced through his fingerprints and he could still find his way home. In spite of this, some people still manage to get lost, some even ending up in Timbuktu, wherever that is.

Amazingly, although nature does not have any of these navigational aids, none of nature's creatures ever get lost.

Take for example the Chinook salmon. It lives the first two years of its life in the fresh water of the Yukon River. It then migrates to the Bering Sea where it lives for the next four or five years. It is now approaching the end of its life, but it has one last trek to make. It must return to its place of birth, and to do so, it sometimes has to travel more than 2,000 miles up the Yukon River. And all of this without the help of GPS or the AAA!

But this is no ordinary trip back into nostalgia. The salmon has a specific purpose for returning home. It is returning to spawn, and then to die.

And to make things more interesting, the Chinook Salmon won't eat during the three months it takes to make the arduous trip from the ocean to Whitehorse. Instead, it relies on stores of fat alone for its energy. (Hopefully it is fat enough!)

A similar story can be told for the salmon found in Alaska, in British Columbia, or anywhere in the world, for that matter. The salmon will always return to its birthplace to spawn.

Talk about faithfulness!

Sometimes human structures (dams, for example) interfere with the salmon's migratory trek. To remedy this, fish ladders, such as the Whitehorse Rapids Fish way, are built, thus permitting the fish to reach its destination. It is interesting to note that barely 3% of the salmon spawned ever makes it back home. The others succumb to predators or disease.

The salmon's faithfulness in returning to its birthplace is a wonderful reminder to us. In our trek through life, we are also going to our Heavenly home. It is easy to get off track, however, for there are many dangers (trials, temptations, addictions, etc.) that can prove fatal to our eternal souls. We need to continuously check and make sure we are on the right path, that we haven't somehow managed to swim down the wrong river!

How do we do this? By checking regularly with our "original source" manual and its author: The Word of God and His Holy Spirit. Only the Word of God and His Holy Spirit can point us in the right direction all of the time. Only these guides can prevent us from becoming easy prey.

Do you have a fishing rod? Good. Instead of using it to catch migrating Salmon, why not use it to become a fisher of men? Many are lost and in dire need of direction.

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." (Matt 4:19 NIV)

Dear Lord we pray today that we would faithfully follow You in all that we do. Help us use the Word that You gave us as our guide. Help us to study it and use what we learn to be fishers of men. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

G P S - Gods Positioning System

There was a time when Albert Einstein was going on a train to an out-of-town engagement. The conductor stopped by to punch his ticket. The great scientist, preoccupied with his work, with great embarrassment rummaged through his coat pockets and briefcase to no avail. He could not find his ticket. The conductor said, "We all know who you are, Dr. Einstein. I'm sure you bought a ticket. Don't worry about it. Everything is okay."

The conductor walked on down the aisle punching other tickets. Before he moved to the next car, he looked back and saw Dr. Einstein down on his hands and knees looking under his seat trying to find his ticket. He came back and gently said, "Dr. Einstein, please don't worry about it. I know who you are."

Einstein looked up and said, "I too know who I am. What I don't know is where I'm going!"

Like Einstein, we often don't know where we are going. That's why we are often compared in the Scriptures to sheep -- animals which have a very poor sense of direction. They have no idea where they came from or where they're going. That's one of the reasons they are in such dire need of a shepherd.

Like sheep, we have all "gone astray." (Isa. 53:6). We need someone to show us the way. And Jesus not only shows us the way -- he IS the way!

"Thomas said to Him, 'Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?' Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'" (John 14:5-6)

Thanks be to our God, who provides us with direction. Today is the day to let God be our guide and not ourselves.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

- Proverbs 14:12 (New International Version)

Dear Lord we thank you for being there to be our guide. We pray that we will remember to let you lead us and not try to do it on our own. In Jesus’ name, Amen.