Luke 19:26 NLT – …to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But from those who are unfaithful, even what little they have will be taken away.

Wayne Cadeiro, a friend of mine who pastors in Hawaii, talks about the richest place on the earth. He shares that there is a place that is laden with wealth beyond measure and nobody can access its riches. People have tried and have failed over and over. That place is every grave yard around the world. In those graves lies the talent and gifting of billions of people who were blessed to have talent and giftings that were given by our creator but have never used them on earth. They have now been taken to their grave. It is sad but true that many of us have been blessed with God-inspired talents but never use what God has endowed to us. You might say that your gift is small and insignificant but who are you to argue with our maker of what is important or not. Paul tells Timothy to “stir up” the gift. We can’t hide it or hoard it – it must be used. In fact, according to this parable – either we use it or lose it. I am most fulfilled in life when I am doing what God wants and designed me to do. I like what John Piper says, “God is most glorified when I am most satisfied in Him.” I am most satisfied when I am doing and using the gifts that God gave me and seeing the fruit thereof. Take what you have, even if it is a little, and begin to use it. The world we live in will be so blessed if we can do that.

Psalms 126:3-6 NLT – Yes, the LORD has done amazing things for us! What joy! Restore our fortunes, LORD, as streams renew the desert. Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.

We’ve all seen what a little water will do to a parched piece of land or how it will refresh and vitalize a thirsty soul. What seemed to be dying or dead suddenly comes to life and flourishes before our eyes. Spiritually speaking , most of us would relate to that and we would understand what it means to be in those dry places in our lives. We were doing so well and then the drought came. Life became hard. Decisions became more difficult and relationships became very strained. We wondered and questioned God’s care over us. We had doubts about our faith – ‘is it worth the time and energy to keep moving forward.’ At our wits end we cry out to God. And. . . in His timetable, not mine – He shows up. Slowly, steadily He begins to pour the rain of His Spirit back into our being. Over time our lives begin to feel re-vitalized and our soul begins to feel replenished. Hope begins to swell within us and we begin to see the bigger picture – that our trials and tears had a purpose – God’s plan begins to be revealed. We wept during the difficulty but now that we’ve seen the harvest and the fruit we now sing – “God is good. God is good. Thank you Lord for all the amazing things You have done for me.”

Haggai 2:7, 9 NLT – I will fill this place with glory, says the LORD Almighty. … The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the LORD Almighty. And in this place I will bring peace. I, the LORD Almighty, have spoken!”

There are two types of people in life – those who are looking for the other shoe to fall in life and those who are looking for the blessings of God to come in a new and fresh way. I’m the latter. I’m the one who has experienced so many blessings in my life and can’t wait to see what my heavenly father has in store for me in the future. I believe this for my family, for the church I serve and for the High Desert in which I live in. I know things are difficult right now and the economy is not doing very well. These things are important and we know God takes care of our needs but there are so many other areas that God blesses us with. Every day I thank the Lord for peace of mind, my health, protection to and from work. I also give thanks for my family who are all walking with God and for the wonderful church that God has allowed me the privilege of loving and pastoring. I thank Him for the home I live in and I thank Him for the many people that come into my life on a day by day basis that I get to show the love of God to. I am so blessed and thankful in my heart today. God has so much He wants to share with me and with you. There is so much more that God wants to give to you and so much He wants to give to me today. I am looking for His glory to fill my life – even in a greater way then He has ever done before. There is so much more ahead. I’m so excited. Bring it on Lord!

Luke 12:32 NLT – “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.

Psalms 84:6 NLT – When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs, where pools of blessing collect after the rains!

The Children Of Israel would often make a journey to Jerusalem to worship God. It was a steep mountainous area that went through many valley’s. The author describes one of those valley’s as the Valley of Baca or the Valley of weeping. Although, we don’t know exactly where that valley is – it is symbolic of the valley’s each of us must go through in our own journey to be in the presence of God. Growing strong in God’s presence is often preceded by a journey through barren places in our lives. The person who loves to be with God will see his/her difficulty and trial as part of the journey that will draw us closer to Christ. It is those dark places that draw us closer to God and His presence. It’s during those times that we find ourselves calling out to God for His help. The valley of Baca became a place where the autumn rains would collect and become an oasis to those who travel through it. God sees ever tear you shed and every piece of brokenness that you bear. Your tears have been caught by God and He will not forget you. Your place of hardship will become your place of blessing. Wait for it. Don’t give up. God is with you today.

Daniel 11:32 ESV – …The people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.

There are all sorts of Christians today from the very immature to the very strong and powerful. I think, for the most part in America, most people would profess that they are a Christian but few even darken the church doors to deepen their faith in Christ. They identify the fact that they are Christian but their lives prove otherwise. On the other hand, there are those who are so devoted to God and spend time with Him on a daily basis – and it is seen and noticed in the way that they live their lives. Daniel, in this passage explains to us how to become a strong and powerful Christian – it is by getting to “know” God. In order for us to understand this – we need to break this word down and find its deeper meaning. The word “know” is the Hebrew word “Yada” which could be defined as “intimacy” in the Bible. Genesis 4:1 tells us that “Adam “knew” (yada) Eve and she conceived. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what “yada” meant to this couple. They we’re intimate which produced children. It’s the same with us – as we come to “know” (yada) with God – as we are intimate with Him then we will be strong and be able to take action against the enemy of our souls. When Jesus was on the earth the Bible says that He spoke with authority and power (vastly different then the way the Pharisees spoke). To obtain that power He did what each of us should do every day – spend quality time with our Heavenly Father – getting to know Him and be known by Him. As we do that, the Bible says that we will be endued with power from on high and will be filled with the Holy Spirit enabling us to deal with Satan and his cohorts. “We are more than conquerors.” “He that is in me (Jesus) is greater then he that is in the world.” As we begin to spend time with our Heavenly Father on a daily basis – God will do mighty things in our lives.

Daniel 10:19 NLT – “Don’t be afraid,” he said, “for you are deeply loved by God. Be at peace; take heart and be strong!” As he spoke these words, I suddenly felt stronger and said to him, “Now you may speak, my lord, for you have strengthened me.”

The other day I was praying with someone when the Lord impressed me to tell them that they were “so loved by God.” As I began to open my mouth to speak those words God impressed me to add the words, “you are so DEEPLY loved by God.” Instantly this person began to weep with great sobs and tears because of the void within their own lives that any one, especially God, would even care or love them. Other translations use the phrase “you are precious” or “esteemed” to define this deep love that God has for us. When you think and ponder about this – it is an amazing thing – the deep love of God for each and every one of us. This world that we live in can, at times, be very harsh and cruel by non-Christians and by Christians alike. Love is sometimes non-existent.  I’m always amazed that in the midst of all hurt and pain – God’s love shows up in the most unusual places – a feeling, a thought, through another person, a blessing in the mail, a kind word, etc. God does DEEPLY love each of us and if we look we will see His hand reaching out to us, reminding each of us again, “I haven’t forgot you. I know what’s best for you. I’m here for you. Here… take my hand and I will walk with you because you are so DEEPLY loved by me. You are my child and I am your God. I have a plan for you and it is good. Be still and know that I am God. Trust me today and I will take care of every need you might have.”

Luke 4:1, 14, 18 NLT – Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit to go out into the wilderness, … Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Soon he became well known throughout the surrounding country. … “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the downtrodden will be freed from their oppressors,

Three times in this passage we see that Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit or that the Holy Spirit rested upon Him. It’s interesting… here is Jesus, God’s son, in need of the Holy Spirit in His life. The reason: He was just a man living and walking on earth. He needed the same help and the same power that you and I need every day. When He came to earth from Heaven – He laid His God attributes down that He might experience what you and I go through – temptations, trials, difficulties, and the list could go on and on. To deal with each of those issues – Jesus needed the Holy Spirit every day of his life. He had to plug into this power just like you and I do every day in prayer and in meditation. Often, the Bible shows how He would slip away to a quiet place to pray. He, the man, had to fill His tank and had to hear from God. It is no different with you and I today. We must be filled with the Holy Spirit in our lives in order to make it through this day. I want it said of me today that Bill Burnett left his house full of the Holy Spirit and with power and that God used him in a special way to touch the people of the High Desert.

Psalms 130:3-4 NLT - LORD, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you.

Just who is God? What is His nature? Is He some God in the heavens just waiting to hit us with a lightning bolt every time we sin or is He a loving God who embraces and loves us and nurtures us along. Many people have it in their mind that He is the harsh judgmental God whose nature it is to punish each and every one of us – but that is not the picture I see. Yes… we will be judged for our wrongs and our sins. God wouldn’t be God without that being part of His nature. But God is more than that. He is filled with kindness and love and mercy. He doesn’t hold our past against us. He’s not looking for ways to make our lives full of pain and suffering. In fact, He’s just the opposite. He seeks a relationship with us. He wants to be our friend. He was willing to do anything in order to reach us, even allowing the death of His son – Jesus. I am a product of God’s love and mercy. He has reached down and picked me up and set me upon a rock. I was so broken and hurt and filled with so much pain but God lifted me up and gave me a new purpose in life. He has revitalized me and has given me a second chance. I am so glad that He hasn’t held my ugly past against me and has loved and restored me from sinful ways. God is so good. I am so blessed to have Him as my God!

Luke 1:26-38 NLT – In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you! ” Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be frightened, Mary,” the angel told her, “for God has decided to bless you! You will become pregnant and have a son, and you are to name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” Mary asked the angel, “But how can I have a baby? I am a virgin.” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby born to you will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she’s already in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.” Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to accept whatever he wants. May everything you have said come true.” And then the angel left.

I never get tired of reading this story. Can you imagine what Mary was feeling? She is going about life as a teenager in the village of Nazareth and all of a sudden an angel shows up and says he has a message from God for her. The scriptures say she was confused and disturbed. I think I would feel the same way. After reassuring her and telling her not to be afraid – the angel continues with the word from God that she had been chosen to impregnate her with the coming Messiah. I love her response… “I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to accept whatever he wants. May everything you have said come true.” A simple statement filled with so much truth. As I read and re-read this story today I pondered on these words of Mary. They are filled with so much trust and faith in God and His promise to her. They are the words that should grace each of our hearts today. They are the words that should be our daily prayer – “I am willing to accept whatever he wants…” Many people I talk to say they had some experience like this as a child or as a teenager. It was a time when God called them and spoke destiny to their hearts. But… as they grew older they walked away from what was said over them. It is my prayer today that all of us would look back at the place where God challenged us and where God spoke direction to our lives. I want to be like Mary today with attitude of saying “God, I’ll do whatever you want.” I pray that type of obedience will be upon us all today.