Promise or Provision?

Growing up I always had a roof over my head, food to eat, and a bed to sleep in. My parents didn't ever have to promise me the basics of life; they had already provided them. It was then up to me to go inside, eat what was set before me, and sleep in the bed provided me. My parents, like so many others, made promises to me. If I did what they asked, certain things they promised came to pass in my life. Picking dandelions, for instance, resulted in a promised nickel. With so many dandelions to pick, hard work resulted in the promised coins coming to pass in my hands, once my hands were clean after digging up those pesky dandelions.

God has promises and provision for all, regardless of age, gender, or ethnic background. As with both illustrations given, there's a difference between a promise and a provision. Let's take a look at each, starting with a provision.

God's provision is something already made available, such as salvation. When a person desires to become saved, a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), Jesus doesn't die, again, on the Cross. No God's part, through Jesus, is done. Provision has made for every person-past, present, and future-to be saved, to become a child of God. It's a matter of believing what God has done and declaring it to be true in that person's life.

God also makes promises. Example: God promises to bless those who'll honor Him with their finances, by tithing (Malachi 3:10). Those who give above and beyond the tithe have a promise of a return on their giving (Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:6-10).  Unlike His provision,  however, God's promises are conditional. In this case, God's part takes place once ours is done. With tithing,  God's blessing occurs after we tithe. Every time.

It would be sad, actually, if food was placed before a hungry boy who then asked his mother for something to eat. Here, provision has been made; all the child needs to do is  use his fork to receive the food, and eat it. Even if it's broccoli. Provision, not promise.

On the other hand, a person wanting income needs to first work before getting paid. The employer promises to pay the worker after the condition of so many hours of work has been met. No work, no pay. That's a promise, not a provision.

A lot things well-intended Christians are asking God for have already  been provided. Things like love (Romans 5:5), power (2 Timothy 1:7), and strength (Psalm 27:1; Ephesians 6:10)  have already been provided to every Christian. On the other hand, wisdom is something to ask for (James 1:5).

As you can readily see, there's a difference between God's provision and His promises. God's promises are always conditional; His provision is unconditional. Understanding whether something from God is a promise or provision is making a difference in my life. If not already, I know it can make one in yours as well.

Secret Passages You'll Love

Secret passages have been around for years. Medieval castles often had (some still do) secret passages which the owner(s) used for their own purposes, such as a way of escape from intruders. The fictional hero Zorro used a secret passage to get from his fireplace to a cave where Toronado, his trusted horse, waited. Then, on to set the captives free. So far, no secret passages have been found in our home.

Secret passages have been used to lead people to hidden treasures in caves, for instance. History gives us story after story of secret passages to pirate treasure around the world.

The Bible references things which are hidden; truths which are there for those willing to go exploring. Not with the latest technology, but with their spirits. Yes, God has priceless treasures waiting for those willing to search for them.

Proverbs 2 refers to wisdom as a hidden treasure, waiting to found by those willing to search for it as they would silver or gold. Like gold, this treasure is often beneath the surface, so to speak. It takes dedication, persistence, and patience to find real Bible wisdom. While yes, there's a price to find this treasure, it is one well worth paying.

In Bible school one professor said that the things of God are like a treasure map: God tells you where the treasure is, but it'll take some digging on your part to find it. In life, searching for God's wisdom starts with the Bible, God's Word-the original Book of Wisdom. Finding God's wisdom takes searching certain passages of Scripture. These passages are a secret, hidden TO-not from-those who have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Here's a secret passage you'll love: Colossians 1:26,27: "the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but now is disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Christ IN you, not just with and for you. In you. That's a mystery to the mind, a mystery that most Christians haven't found out, yet. Understanding the reality of this passage will absolutely change the way you live. Other secret passages you'll love: Ephesians 2:5,6; 2 Timothy 1:7; First John 4:4.

The above passage is one of so many in the Epistles, letters written to Christians, including you and me. Secret passages just waiting to be found, revealed, and imparted to others who desperately desire to live free from satan's tyranny.

Now, on with your search. Move over, Zorro.

© Hubert Gardner Ministries 2016-2024

Hank Potter and You

Colonel Henry (Hank) Potter served our country during WWll, as did thousands of other soldiers. What made Colonel Potter famous was him being the navigator for the lead bomber of Doolittle's Raiders, 16 bombers which bombed Tokyo, Japan, in April, 1942. The success of the mission proved that America could prevail against Japan's Imperial forces. As navigator, Col. Potter's job  "..was to plot a course and to give corrections to that course to the pilot during the flight and to keep account of time and distance and wind drift corrections as best he could.'', the standard description for all navigators at the time.

Hank Potter's job was to keep that lead B-25 bomber, piloted by James Doolittle, on its designed course, making necessary adjustments along the way. Without Col. Potter's expertise, the mission would have likely failed. Thank God for good navigators. In 2000, our youngest son, Jonathan, got to meet Col. Potter, then 82. What a treat when Jonathan was able to get his picture taken with this WWII hero. Col. Potter died in 2002.

Having the right navigator in life is of utmost importance. One who knows the way to your destination; one who can be counted on to make course corrections, as needed. I have found life's best navigator to be God Himself, in the Person of the Holy Spirit. Only He knows which way I should go (Isaiah 48:17), as well as how to navigate my life as I go.

A lot of people apparently have the idea that becoming a Christian means giving up control of our life; everything's up to God. We're nothing more than righteous robots.

Righteous, yes; robots, no. Everyone, Christians included, has a choice. We can choose to live our lives our way; we can be the navigator of our own destiny. Some choose to do their own navigating when things are going well; crying out for guidance when things get rough. Some of us, though, have chosen the Holy Spirit to be our Navigator, in every situation.

God, through the Holy Spirit, wants to be our navigator each step of every day. God has a plan for each of our lives and, to be quite frank, is the only one who knows how to fulfill that plan. Only God knows where the bumps, turbulence, and other dangers are. But God's also a gentleman; He won't make us go somewhere or do something we don't want to do.

Those 80 men on that daring raid over Tokyo put a lot of trust in the hands of Colonel Hank Potter, trust that proved to be justified. How can we, as individuals, do any less in putting complete trust in the Navigator for each of our lives? God, in the Person of the Holy Spirit, won't let us down; He won't lead us astray. He'll nudge us when it's time for "course" corrections. He won't fail us; He'll be our safe Guide in and through every storm.

If only we'll let Him.

As a Christian is God, in the Person of the Holy Spirit, your Navigator? Is He the One Who both "plotted" the right course for you, and is being allowed to lead you to its destination?

If not, what's keeping you from saying, "Holy Spirit, You're my Navigator. I yield to Your guidance." If the Holy Spirit is your Navigator, how beneficial is that guidance?

 © Hubert Gardner Ministries 2016-2024

Signs, Signs, Everywhere Signs

In just a few days it will be Election Day in the United States. Proof abounds as signs, promoting candidate after candidate, dot the landscape, particularly around voting precincts. Regardless of one's favorite candidate, it's obvious that something's in the process of happening; changes are coming. Playing baseball as a teenager, signs of a different sort were used. Signs were flashed from catcher to pitcher, indicating what pitch should be thrown. At times, a hitter would up at second base.  From there, a smart runner would attempt to figure out what the opposing catcher's signs were. The baserunner would then yell out a warning to his teammate at home plate who, hopefully knowing what pitch was coming, would be better prepared to hit the ball.

As Christians we live in a time where signs are all around us; they're everywhere. Using the Bible as our guide, we are seeing signs pointing to what's coming. Not a political candidate or a pitch, but the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In Matthew 24:3-14, Jesus gives us signs-advance indicators-of how things will be. When? At the time of His return to take believers (those who are looking for His appearing) to Heaven with Him. Some of the signs are wars, rumors of wars, famines, and earthquakes in different places. Those are signs of potential destruction. A good sign is the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ being preached in all the world. With television, satellites, and the internet, we are seeing the reality of this taking place around the world.

Knowing that signs point to a future event, how should Christians respond to the signs just mentioned? Should we live in fear, hoping to be rescued-the sooner the better? Should we, as some have, purposefully take out mortgages and loans and live it up? After all, when Jesus returns, no more bills, right?

Wrong. Yes, Jesus is coming soon. Yes, once He returns for us, no more natural obligations. But here's the truth: no one, including Jesus, knows when He's coming back. He passed on to His disciples everything God told Him. (John 15:15). Jesus also said no man knows the day or the hour of His coming (Matthew 25:13). To even attempt to guess an exact date is unscriptural, dangerous, and, to be blunt, just plain stupid.

But even though we don't know the exact moment Jesus is returning, the signs of the season of His return are unmistakable. Look around; see the rise of terrorism, the increased persecution of Christians around the world.  Schools allowing satanic bible clubs, while working hard to suppress Bible clubs for Christians. At the same time, the Gospel is going forward; people are coming into the Kingdom of God by the thousands. God's Church, the Body of Christ, is acting more and more like Jesus, enforcing satan's defeat on the earth. Miracles, signs, and wonders (Hebrews 2:4) are being wrought around the world, including the United States. Young men and women, including children, are seeing the power of God like never before (for them). Blind eyes and deaf ears are being opened; limbs are being restored. These are signs of good things to come; indicators of something big about to happen. Yes, the times they are a changing.  Clearly, we are in the season of His return.

Yes, signs are everywhere. But are we recognizing them? And, more importantly, what is our response? Personally, I "vote" to let God use me more and more. Like a good pitcher, I purpose to recognize God's signs being given to me. I purpose to do a better job at understanding the season in which we're in, the season of Christ's return, as well as my part in what God is doing through His Church.

What signs are you seeing? How are you choosing to respond to what you're seeing?

The Value of Your Testimony

Not every Christian is called to preach from a platform, to children or youth, or on the mission field. Not everyone is gifted to regularly speak in front of groups of people. Every Christian, however, has something so valuable, yet often overlooked: their personal testimony of what God did for them to bring them to a saving knowledge of Christ. Since no two testimonies are alike, what you have to share will vary, in some measure, from what others have to say.

What is a testimony? A testimony is testifying (telling) to what God has done in someone's life. It usually includes sharing how that person came into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. It can include what God is now doing in that person's life, as well as what differences God has made, since becoming that person's Heavenly Father.

Everyone Christian has a testimony, whether it has ever been shared with someone or not. Everyone who values his/her salvation experience has a testimony worth sharing. Everyone includes you, whether you think it's valuable or not.

What God has done in your life is valuable to God and, hopefully, to you. Jesus paid the ultimate price for your salvation (with His Blood). Now that's something worth sharing.

I was part of the so-called Jesus Movement, that started in the late 1960s. Even though I never killed killed anyone, never spent time in jail (by the grace of God), took drugs, or engaged in premarital sex, I was still a sinner in need of a Savior. Once saved, I got around other Christians, some who had been through some "stuff." While attending a Christian school, I heard numerous students tell of how God delivered them out of this or that lifestyle. What a thrill to see a life redeemed from sin and washed clean for Jesus.

Unfortunately, there was a tendency to "rate" testimonies: the darker the other life, the more glorious the testimony. Delivered from drugs, promiscuity, and satanic worship? Praise God. Been a Christian since as far back as you can remember? That's nice. Ho hum.

Regardless of that former life, your testimony is valuable to more people than you think. Someone is waiting to hear what God has done in your life. Your personal testimony is often more easily related to than many sermons and is, hopefully, shorter.

So, what's your testimony? What has God, through Jesus Christ, done for you? Are you willing, as opportunity arises, to share your (brief) testimony? Then ask God for opportunities, and always be ready to tell what the Lord has done for you.

Sharing your testimony with this ministry might be a way to get started. You can share your testimony with us at: info@hubertgardner.org. I'd certainly like to read yours.

My Aunt Marge and Vin Scully

For those who follow sports, particularly baseball, Vin Scully is a household name. Having retired a just a few weeks ago, Vin was the radio voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team for the last 67 years, dating back to their days as the Brooklyn Dodgers. My great aunt, Margaret Gardner, was a well known artist in the Chicago area for many years. hundreds-if not thousands-of aspiring painters were students at her art school. For years Aunt Marge also went to go to Chicago-area elementary schools, giving chalk talks to countless boys and girls.  Her works were displayed in such places as the Chicago Art Institute.

Although Aunt Marge and Vin Scully never met both were gifted, artistically speaking. Both were painters, with astonishing results. yet only my Aunt Marge used paint.

What's my point? My point is that both possessed the ability to create recognizable pictures: Aunt Marge with paint, pencil, chalk, and charcoal; Vin with words. One created a picture onto a blank canvas or piece of paper; the other created a picture for his audience, using simple, illustrative words. Using words, Vin could give you the impression that you were at the ball park, able to watch the action unfold before you. You "saw" the game through Vin's words. With Aunt Marge you saw on canvas what she saw when it was blank.

So it is with some of us. I'd love to be able to draw like an artist, but that's not my gift. The last time I saw Aunt Marge, my attempt to draw a horse resulted in a new species of dog. Her horse was drawn in about 10 seconds.

You may not be an Aunt Marge but you're creating pictures with your words, everyday. You may not be a Vin Scully, but people are being drawn to or repelled by your words, everyday.Through words, God has given you the ability to create an atmosphere of faith, love, healing, and encouragement around you, even to the point of affecting others. You can choose to speak positive words, as found in God's Word, or pollute your life with words of doubt, fear, strife, and unforgiveness.

I've purposed to do better with my tongue-my paintbrush if you will-in speaking words of life, healing, and forgiveness. It's an ongoing commitment, one I believe is well worth it.

Who'll join me?

© Hubert Gardner Ministries 2016-2024

Your Mouth is a Dispenser

Back in the 1950s candy dispensers were popular with children, myself included. One would load the dispenser with rectangular pieces of candy, pull back on the head (often a cartoon character), and eat what the head dispensed. All that for a piece of flavored sugar. In a very real sense, our mouths are dispensers: dispensers of love, joy, and faith, or fear, doubt, and negativity. Instead of candy, however, our mouths are dispensing words. Those words are releasing sounds into the atmosphere, sounds which are being heard by those around us, as well as ourselves.

What kind of words are our mouths "dispensing" on an everyday basis? When a challenge presents itself how are we responding-or reacting-to the challenge? Are we dispensing words of "I don't know what to do", "Why is this happening to me?", or "This is __________fault." Or, are we training ourselves to respond with God's Words, such as "Greater is He Who's in me (First John 4:4) than this challenge (i.e.doctor's report, unexpected bill, loss of job) before me;" "God always causes me to triumph in Christ  (2 Corinthians 2:14);" "I'm more than a conqueror, through Christ (Romans 8:37)?"

The truth is our mouths are dispensing words of life or death (Proverbs 18:21). Every day our mouths are filling the atmosphere around us with what we say, either positive or negative; sometimes both. What's so interesting is that we choose what we say in everyday conversation. We are controlling the dispensing of words out of our mouths.

I think everyone wants to say right words; few are bent on being verbal "cesspools." For those of us who want to say the right words, it's a matter of guarding our words, making sure that our mouths are dispensing life, encouragement, blessing, and healing.

Your mouth is a dispenser, as is mine. I'm working on dispensing  God's Word out of the abundance of my heart, eliminating the negative being spoken out of my mouth. I invite you to join me in this profitable journey, for life.

What are some practical ways you're finding/have found to control the words being dispensed out of your mouth? What has been the result of the changes in your life?

LifeChange, Episode Eighty Four

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