Controlled

"Controlled"
By Zach Wood
Romans 8:6-8
The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God.  It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.  Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.


When I was a kid, I remember getting remote-controlled toys that were quite fun to play with.  I would spend hours controlling a car to do cool and funny things.  It was neat how that provided so much entertainment in my young years as a boy.  Something about being in control of that little car and making it do things I wanted it to do was just fun.  I had complete control.  Whatever button I pushed or how I steered the little wheel on the remote, the car did what I wanted it to do.  As you can imagine, I had fun bumping the thing into walls and sending it off little ramps I put up.  It was fun to see the tricks I could do with the car I controlled.

In our lives, we have a choice who we are controlled by.  Are we going to allow ourselves to be controlled by the sinful nature and allow Satan to use the remote to crash our lives and bump into things that will hurt us?  Or, are we going to allow the Spirit to control us and steer us in the directions we need to go?  The enemy wants nothing more than to kick us around and steer us in every direction that will hurt us and bring misery into our lives.  When Satan has the remote control, there will never be happiness and joy long-term, only temporary pleasures.  We may speed our way through some things and think they are fun at the time, but they will eventually result in pain and heartache. 

When we allow the Spirit to control our lives, we focus our mind on eternal things.  We experience peace like never before.  We are controlled by the Spirit and are led into a life that is rewarding.  Now, this is not to say we will not experience any grief, sorrow or pain.  There is no life that we can live void of these things.  That is just life.  No way to avoid grief, sorrow and pain.  However, when we are controlled by the Spirit, we can experience comfort, peace and joy only by the power of God. 

Who controls you?  Is it the sinful nature or is it the Holy Spirit?  Do you feel like the Apostle Paul who in chapter 7 of Romans explains the constant struggle of sin?  Each day, we must all make the choice whether we are going to be controlled and led by the sinful nature or by the Holy Spirit.  If we choose to be led and controlled by the Holy Spirit, we must be strong in prayer and ask Him to lead us.  Remember, a mind that is hostile to God and chooses the sinful nature cannot in any way please God.  If we choose to be led by the sinful nature, nothing good will ever come out of that lifestyle.  Only the life led by the Spirit in accordance to God's word will result in happiness and eternal rewards.

I encourage you today to examine your heart and decide each day who will control you?  The enemy or the Spirit?

Changed Lives

"Changed Lives"
By Zach Wood
Acts 9:3-6
As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.  He fell to the ground and heard a voice says to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"  "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked.  "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied.  "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."


If there was anyone that was radically changed from one extreme to the other, it was the Apostle Paul.  One of the most profound and powerful writers of the New Testament went from a life of killing Christians to becoming a bold man fired up for the Kingdom!  When I read the story of Paul's conversion, it is truly amazing.  Saul had one thing in mind and it was to stop Christians and do it by killing them.  People were terrified of him because of what he was doing and what all he kept planning to do.  However, God stopped him in his tracks on the way to Damascus and got a hold of him.  Saul had an encounter with the Living God that would change his life forever.

When I read this story, I think to myself, "God, why in the world would you choose someone who was killing Your people?"  The answer is clear to me.  God is in the business of changing lives.  The Apostle Paul is an amazing example of what God can do through someone to change their life.  I am amazed at the way God uses people to do extraordinary things, like He did through Paul.  I look at my own life and I am so amazed that He still uses me.  God wants to use you to change other’s lives.  You just have to be willing and He will do extraordinary things through you.

One thing I have always struggled with is looking at people who seem very evil and mean and think, "They will never change.  There is no hope for them."  Instead, I should lift them up in prayer and ask God to do a work in them to change their lives.  And, if I really want to take a risk, I could pray and ask that He in some way use me to minister to them.  Is that not what God wants to do through us?  He desires to use us to change other's lives.  We communicate the love of God and He does the rest.  He speaks to their heart and convicts them when the time is right.

I confess that I have looked at people before and think that they do not deserve God's change in their lives.  I sometimes think they have done so many horrible things that they do not deserve God's Love and His forgiveness.  When I think that way, I have gone way too far.  I have to remember that I never deserved what God did for me and I have to realize that God saved me from the sinful life I once lived.  He changed my life. 

I encourage you to read through Saul's conversion in Acts 9 and carefully study what happend to him and how people around him reacted.  The Disciples were a little scared to be around him.  He had a changed life, but it took time for people to really believe he had changed from the life he once lived.  Once people saw his changed life, he impacted so many people.

The next time you are tempted to judge someone and feel they do not deserve The Cross and His forgiveness, just remember the Grace, Mercy, Love and Forgivenss that was extended to you.  God is in the business of changing lives.

His Ways Never Fail

"His Ways Never Fail"
By Zach Wood
Psalm 40:4
Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.


In all my years of ministry work, both full time vocational and volunteering, I know I have talked so much about how we are to trust in the Lord and lean not on our own understanding.  That phrase comes from the wonderful passage in Proverbs most of us have come to know so well.  We do know that we are supposed to trust in Him and not in our own knowledge.  However, it is easier said than done to trust in Him completely without any reservations rather than trust in our own logic and understanding.  You would not be human if you did not ever trust in your own strength and knowledge.  We all do this and learn great lessons because we come to realize every time that only God's strength and ways prevail. 

In all the years of my Christian life, I know I have put trust where trust should not be.  I have trusted in worldly things.  I have put my trust in others when I knew they would let me down.  Now, this is not to say we cannot trust people, but there are times when we just know there are certain people we should not trust.  I have put my trust in things that I hope would happen and bring me happiness, only to be let down hard and be heart-broken. 

Why do we always seem to have such a hard time trusting in God with all of our heart?  I have wondered this time and time again.  I say that I am a Christian and that I desire to walk closely with God every single day.  However, when I really think about it, I have to ask myself whether or not I totally put all trust in Him.  I doubt His guidance.  I doubt His strength.  I shouldn't, but I do.  I want to trust and I know I need to fully trust in Him.  I am learning and realizing that this is a daily battle I need to overcome and trust that God will provide my strength and direction even when I am scared to death of what might be ahead. 

I want to encourage you to put your trust completely in God's hands, no matter what you are experiencing.  It is good to trust in good friends and family, but they are not perfect and they will make mistakes.  God will never make a mistake in the way He guides you and leads you.  People often put their trust in worldly things and go that route only to discover pain and agony.  God's ways are always better and His strength is eternal.  His ways are never temporary.

I pray and hope you will find yourself trusting in God's strength and guidance more each day.

Don't Miss It!

"Don't Miss It!"
By Zach Wood
Psalm 40:5
Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done.  The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.

The past few days, as I have read this passage, I have been thinking about the past year and all the things that I have possibly missed that God has done in my life and around me.  Of course, I cannot recall all the things God has done throughout the whole year, but I do remember many things.  I am sure many of you would also admit that you have missed important opportunities and have regretted them.

This time of year, we tend to reflect on the past and make choices that will better our lives and get us started possibly in a new direction.  To be honest, I do not really make New Year's resolutions.  I think about a lot of things I need to do better in my walk with Christ, but I do not necessarily write out a list of resolutions.  I have done that in the past, but as many people do, I tend to forget about the list and go on about my daily life.  I began just asking God to open my eyes to new opportunities and ways to be a better husband, father and servant.  Please understand I am not saying that making resolutions are in any way wrong or bad.  It is just my personal preference.

I miss a lot of things.  I really wish I could remember more things.  I do not have a great memory.  My wife is the one who keeps up with the calendar events.  If it was up to me to put events down on calendar, we would miss things all the time.  I am glad she takes care of that.  I miss things all the time it seems.  I become so forgetful.  I get so busy do my own things and have my own agenda that I forget what is really important. 

I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit's presence in my life to convict me and remind me that I need to take time to remember the many wonders God has done and continues to do in my life.  When I read this passage last week, it really stuck with me and I felt led to use it in this devotional as an end of year encouragement for remembrance. 

God is such a Mighty God and His ways are so great and awesome that no one can fully understand them.  I am so thankful for all that God has done in and through my life this past year.  He has taught me a lot and has broken me down many times to help me grow the right ways. 

I so much do not want to miss things God has in store for me.  I want to be in tune to what He wants to show me and teach me.  It is so easy for me to become distracted and miss so much.  Those opportunities come and go sometimes so fast that I do not even notice they were before me just waiting for me to notice.  That is sad.  But, I do serve a God who gives me more chances to see things He wants me to notice and act upon. 

I encourage you, as you end this year and begin a new one, simply ask God to show you what is truly important in your life.  Do not worry about making an exhaustive list if you are into making lists.  Keep it simple and add to it if you feel the need to list more.  I encourage you to do this to keep your priorities in check as you focus on your walk with Christ each day.  Don't miss what God has in store for you to see as you walk with Him each day.  Many are the wonders He has done and continues to do in and through you. 

Are You There Yet?

"Are You There Yet?"
By Zach Wood
Psalm 15
Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary?  Who may live on your holy hill?  He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the Lord, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.  He who does these things will never be shaken.


I was reading this passage the other day for my devotional time and when I finished reading it, I said, "Lord, I have so far to go to have a really close relationship with You."  This psalm of David is powerful.  I questioned my motives and the pureness of my heart.  I started reading again through this psalm and saw so many areas of my life that have fallen far from a close relationship with God my Creator.

This psalm is quite a mouthfull. I would encourage you, not just now, but maybe for the next few days or week, read through this and just ask God to examine your heart and reveal to you what you might need to change so that you can dwell in His sanctuary with a pure heart. 

As the title suggests, are you there yet?  In your heart, do you feel you are able to dwell in His Sanctuary with a pure heart?  Are there things in your life that are keeping you from being completely open and honest with God and growing closer to Him?  Are you at odds with so many others in your life that you just cannot seem to focus on what is real? 

When we come to Him with an open and honest heart and truly desire to dwell in His Sanctuary and follow Him, wonderful things happen in our lives.  We desire to have peace in our relationships with others and treat others with love and respect.  When we have Jesus Christ in focus, then the other areas will follow.  It will not be easy, but with Christ at our side and walking with us, it will be better than living a life of chaos. 

Are you there yet?  If not, what are you doing about it?

Security And Rest In The Almighty

"Security And Rest In The Almighty"
By Zach Wood
Psalm 91:1-2
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

There was a song written many years ago by the Christian rock band Skillet called "Rest".  I would like to share the words of the chorus with you:

And I rest in the shelter of Your love
And I rest in the wonder of Your Grace
And I rest in the shelter of Your love
And I rest in the wonder of You

When I listen to this song, it reminds me of the peace and security I can find in my Savior, Jesus Christ.  It is one of their slow songs and is a great worship song.  I would encourage you to look up the song online and listen to it.  I am sure it will be a blessing to you as well.

When we come to the shelter of the Most High, He promises to give us a place of rest.  When we are resting in the shadow of His Wings, He will protect us and give us rest.  The words in this passage are so very powerful in describing the ultimate security, peace and rest we find when we abide in Christ and walk with Him.  There is no greater source of comfort and strength.  When we are weary, He invites us to come to Him and find peace and rest.  He is truly our refuge and fortress. 

If you need rest for your weary soul, then please take the time to come before your Savior and just rest in His presence and Holiness.  Just take the time to bask in the wonder of His Love.  He loves when we come to Him and take in all what He offers.  There is no other place where we can find eternal security.  He is our true source of rest, security and shelter. 

Rest in the shelter of His Love and the wonder of His Grace.

Nothing Compares

"Nothing Compares"
By Zach Wood
Psalm 86:8-10
Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord; no deeds can compare with yours.  All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name.  For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.


Each of us have times when we discover something that becomes a favorite to us.  Each of us has a favorite pizza.  Each of us has a favorite flavor of ice cream.  Each of us has a favorite place to go and shop for clothes.  Each of us has a favorite place to vacation.  Each of us has a favorite restaurant we enjoy making repeated visits to.  Each of us has a favorite CD we like to listen to.  Each of us has a favorite beverage.  

These things are special to us.  We remember them.  No matter what other pizza, ice cream, CD or store we go to, nothing seems to compare to what our favorite is.  There is just nothing like our favorite.

When I read this passage in Psalm, I cannot help but think how there is no other god except the true Living God Who gives us the best life we could ever hope to live.  Many of us have tried so many different ways of living.  We try to live this way or that way and we just want to live a life that is like no other.  We try following people and how they live, but the truth is, once we discover Who God is and learn of His marvelous deeds, nothing quite compares to anyone else.  There are no other gods we could live for and experience what we do when we follow and live for the One True God. 

There is only One True God.  Nothing can compare to Him.  I am so thankful that I can worship a God Who loves me unconditionally, Who gives me another chance when I mess up again and again, Who comforts me when I am falling apart in my life.  This is a God Whom I want to serve.  I do not desire to serve anyone else.  There is no other god who could love me, guide me and direct me.  Bottom line, there is no other true and living God.  There is only One who came to die on a Cross and is real and living.  I am so thankful I serve a God who is the Real Thing. 

Nothing compares to the One True Living God.