Transformational Thought
Trick or Treat? What does that mean? As a kid, I never really understood what that actually meant. I was the one saying “trick or treat”, but was I asking them whether they wanted a trick or a treat from me? Was I asking the house owner to choose whether they would trick me or give me candy? Was I offering to perform a trick for them so they would give me candy based on how good my trick was? Was I to do a trick for my treat, like a dog? Who really was supposed to be doing the trick? Was I supposed to give them a treat from my bag if they didn’t like my trick? I hoped I was the one getting a treat, but why was I asking the adult, “Trick or Treat?”
As I went from house to house, in my pursuit of the perfect blend of Reese’s, Sweet-Tarts, real coins, a big candy bar, or the grandest house of them all, put in my hand and choose for myself, were they giving me a choice to accept a trick or treat from them? Nobody could ever explain it to me. It seemed like the person answering the door was giving me a treat and no tricks were happening. Confusing!
Halloween is about pretending to be someone you’re not. Then a stranger gives you a small “fun” size treat, a cheap imitation of the real king size candy bar you are longing for. Or like Charlie Brown’s letdown when he realizes, “I got a rock.” Isn’t this just like Satan’s plan? In the real story, God wants us to come with no costume, no hiding behind a mask, just baring our soul to Him. We don’t have to be nervous about a trick or treat, or who is doing which one. We don’t need to be frightened as we approach His door. In fact, He comes to our door. God isn’t a stranger we only see once a year, but our loving and dear Father and friend who loves us more than anything. He has all the treats, and we don’t need to perform any tricks, other than accepting His son’s sacrifice for all our sins.
Best of all, our hearts aren’t filled with cheap imitations of the real treat. We are getting the King of Kings to come into our heart, our lives, and sharing His royal inheritance. All He has is ours. The best thing is the cost … it requires no trick from us. In fact, Jesus did the trick. He died on the cross so you can enjoy all the treats His Father, your Father, can infinitely give you above and beyond your heart’s desires.
Today, Halloween is controversial. But as you think back on past Halloweens, or take your kids around for fun and candy, or give out candy to other excited kids, be thankful for the treat your Father gave you. Express some real gratitude to God and be gleeful, just like a child finding a dream candy bar in the bag. Also, take time to think of who needs this treat and show them how to go “trick or treating” for all the marbles.
Prayer
Dear Father God, you are so amazing. I am so glad I don’t have to pretend to be someone else with you. Just as I am you shower me with so many treats. Help me see and appreciate the many treats you bring into my life everyday, treats that I often overlook, take for granted, or feel entitled to. Give me courage to share with others the treats you have for them too. I pray in the name of the grandest gift, Christ Jesus, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.
Micah 7:19
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1
Showing posts with label Mercy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mercy. Show all posts
Monday, October 31, 2011
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Stepping Stones: Trick Or Treat For All The Marbles
Transformational Thought
Trick or Treat. As a kid, I never really understood what that actually meant. I was the one saying “trick or treat”, but was I asking them whether they wanted a trick or a treat from me? Was I asking the house owner to choose whether they would trick me or give me a candy? Was I offering to perform a trick for them so they would give me a candy based on how good my trick is? Was I to do a trick for my treat, like a dog? Who really was supposed to be doing the trick? Was I supposed to give them a treat from my bag if they didn’t like my trick? I hoped I was the one getting a treat, but why was I asking the adult?
As I went from house to house, in my pursuit of the perfect blend of Reese’s, Sweet-Tarts, coins, a big candy bar, or the grandest of them all, put in my hand and choose for myself, were they giving me a choice to accept a trick or treat from them? Nobody could ever explain it to me. It seemed like the person answering the door was giving me a treat and no tricks were happening. Confusing!
Halloween is about pretending to be someone you’re not. Then a stranger gives you a small “fun” size treat, a cheap imitation of the real king size candy bar, the jackpot of all jackpots you are hoping for. In the real story, God wants us to come with no costume, not hiding, just baring our soul to Him.
We don’t need to be nervous or frightened as we approach His door. In fact, He comes to our door. God isn’t a stranger we only see once a year, but our loving and dear Father and friend who loves us more than anything. Best of all, our hearts aren’t filled with cheap imitations of the real treat. We are getting the King of Kings, and sharing His royal inheritance. All He has is ours. The best thing is the cost…it requires no trick from us. In fact, Jesus did the trick. He died on the cross so I can enjoy all the treats His Father, my Father, can infinitely give me above and beyond my heart’s desires.
Today, as you think back on past Halloweens, take your kids around for fun and candy, or give out candy to other excited kids, be thankful for the treat your Father gave you. Also, take time to think of who needs this treat and show them how to go “trick or treating” for all the marbles.
Prayer
Dear Father God, you are so amazing. I am so glad I don’t have to pretend to be someone else with you and you will still shower me with so many treats. Help me see and appreciate the many treats you bring into my life everyday, treats that I often overlook, take for granted, or feel entitled to. Give me courage to share with others the treats you have for them too. I pray in the name of the grandest gift, Christ Jesus, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.
Micah 7:19
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1
Trick or Treat. As a kid, I never really understood what that actually meant. I was the one saying “trick or treat”, but was I asking them whether they wanted a trick or a treat from me? Was I asking the house owner to choose whether they would trick me or give me a candy? Was I offering to perform a trick for them so they would give me a candy based on how good my trick is? Was I to do a trick for my treat, like a dog? Who really was supposed to be doing the trick? Was I supposed to give them a treat from my bag if they didn’t like my trick? I hoped I was the one getting a treat, but why was I asking the adult?
As I went from house to house, in my pursuit of the perfect blend of Reese’s, Sweet-Tarts, coins, a big candy bar, or the grandest of them all, put in my hand and choose for myself, were they giving me a choice to accept a trick or treat from them? Nobody could ever explain it to me. It seemed like the person answering the door was giving me a treat and no tricks were happening. Confusing!
Halloween is about pretending to be someone you’re not. Then a stranger gives you a small “fun” size treat, a cheap imitation of the real king size candy bar, the jackpot of all jackpots you are hoping for. In the real story, God wants us to come with no costume, not hiding, just baring our soul to Him.
We don’t need to be nervous or frightened as we approach His door. In fact, He comes to our door. God isn’t a stranger we only see once a year, but our loving and dear Father and friend who loves us more than anything. Best of all, our hearts aren’t filled with cheap imitations of the real treat. We are getting the King of Kings, and sharing His royal inheritance. All He has is ours. The best thing is the cost…it requires no trick from us. In fact, Jesus did the trick. He died on the cross so I can enjoy all the treats His Father, my Father, can infinitely give me above and beyond my heart’s desires.
Today, as you think back on past Halloweens, take your kids around for fun and candy, or give out candy to other excited kids, be thankful for the treat your Father gave you. Also, take time to think of who needs this treat and show them how to go “trick or treating” for all the marbles.
Prayer
Dear Father God, you are so amazing. I am so glad I don’t have to pretend to be someone else with you and you will still shower me with so many treats. Help me see and appreciate the many treats you bring into my life everyday, treats that I often overlook, take for granted, or feel entitled to. Give me courage to share with others the treats you have for them too. I pray in the name of the grandest gift, Christ Jesus, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!
The Truth
He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.
Micah 7:19
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Stepping Stones: Have Bold Expectations!
Transformational Tip
There was this quarry in the middle of a city park in the town where I grew up. There was a fence that separated the people from the water…along the fence, signs were clearly posted – “No Fishing”. Because there was no fishing the lake was full of fish…big fish. When we would walk up to that fence, the fish would come swarming toward us; a real temptation for me and my older brother Jamie, who spent long hours at that park. I must confess we did jump that fence on occasion and fish for a few minutes. We didn’t even have to bait the hook. The fish came expecting food…they certainly had bold expectations.
So, why did the fish come immediately flapping their fins? Because our mere presence set off a conditioned response in their tiny fish brains that told them we had something special to give them. Wow, what if we always had this awesome response to God and as He desires to give us good gifts—a response based on our past experience with Him that flows from a deep-seated knowledge of His character. Especially His love that gave us the greatest gift of all…Jesus…to die for us and buy our freedom from sin and eternal salvation.
Today, swim and swarm toward God with bold expectations. Expect great things from Him. Pray with bold expectancy; for prayer without expectation is unbelief in disguise. Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community your thoughts on having bold expectations.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I confess that I come to You at times with minimal expectation. At times, I even come to You because I am forced…or because I would feel guilty if I didn’t. Like those fish, let me come to you with bold expectations…to get heaping portions of Your mercy and grace. I know Father that You have all that I need. I pray in the name of Your greatest gift, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children said - AMEN!
The Truth
For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
Matthew 7:8-11
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16
There was this quarry in the middle of a city park in the town where I grew up. There was a fence that separated the people from the water…along the fence, signs were clearly posted – “No Fishing”. Because there was no fishing the lake was full of fish…big fish. When we would walk up to that fence, the fish would come swarming toward us; a real temptation for me and my older brother Jamie, who spent long hours at that park. I must confess we did jump that fence on occasion and fish for a few minutes. We didn’t even have to bait the hook. The fish came expecting food…they certainly had bold expectations.
So, why did the fish come immediately flapping their fins? Because our mere presence set off a conditioned response in their tiny fish brains that told them we had something special to give them. Wow, what if we always had this awesome response to God and as He desires to give us good gifts—a response based on our past experience with Him that flows from a deep-seated knowledge of His character. Especially His love that gave us the greatest gift of all…Jesus…to die for us and buy our freedom from sin and eternal salvation.
Today, swim and swarm toward God with bold expectations. Expect great things from Him. Pray with bold expectancy; for prayer without expectation is unbelief in disguise. Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community your thoughts on having bold expectations.
Prayer
Dear Father God, I confess that I come to You at times with minimal expectation. At times, I even come to You because I am forced…or because I would feel guilty if I didn’t. Like those fish, let me come to you with bold expectations…to get heaping portions of Your mercy and grace. I know Father that You have all that I need. I pray in the name of Your greatest gift, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children said - AMEN!
The Truth
For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
Matthew 7:8-11
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16
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