I heard about a man who loved dogs. One day he decided to pour a new sidewalk in front of his house. His neighbor watched from his window as he smoothed out the last bit of cement. Just then, a large dog appeared and walked through the fresh cement, leaving paw prints behind. The man muttered something under his breath while smoothing over the damage in the concrete. He went into his garage to get some twine so he could put up a fence around the sidewalk. When he got back outside he found more dog tracks in the cement. Again, he smoothed out the cement for a second time and put up the fence. He then went into the house to get something to drink. Thirty minutes later he looked outside and the dog was back at it. He got out his trowel and smoothed the cement once more. This time he waited on his porch for the dog to reappear and sure enough he did. The dog sat down on his newly poured sidewalk. The man went inside, grabbed a can of pepper spray and sprayed the dog. The neighbor rushed over and asked, “Why did you do that? I thought you loved dogs.” The man said, “I like dogs, but in the abstract. I don’t like dogs in the concrete.” We are sort of like that with the idea of forgiveness. When it comes to forgiving others, we must get beyond forgiving others in the abstract (See Ephesians 4:31-32).

Clark Tatum

The teaching of Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.” Following the world’s values and philosophies does not work!  Jesus knew what we needed and He gave us words that would guide our minds to be reoriented to a new way of thinking and a new way of living! Jesus and His teachings is the reference point that can create an upside down world, right.
 
When you’re out in the woods, your reference point may be nothing more than a little red arrow that points north! When you are lost, it does not matter if you do not feel lost – you are still lost. It does not matter if you feel like you are heading back to the ranger station where you parked your vehicle, if that little red needle on the compass says you are not going right, you better believe it because that compass will keep you upright and oriented. You might not be all that far from your vehicle, but if you are going in the wrong direction you are just going to get farther away.
 
Jesus said, “I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Jesus came to show us the way to Heaven and to show us up from down, right from wrong. The world says blessed are the wealthy in spirit. Jesus way is the only right way.

Clark Tatum

Scripture reads in (Matthew 9:35-37) "Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.  When Jesus saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Then He said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.'”  When Jesus saw people struggling and people in pain He was moved with compassion. The word passion is the power that puts energy in the word compassion. Jesus had a passion that so filled his heart it moved him to action. Jesus’ passion so filled his heart that it moved Him to help the distressed, the discouraged, the helpless and the harassed.

​When Jesus saw people drifting aimlessly without a shepherd and how Satan was quenching people’s passion for God He tried to renew their zeal. Romans 12:11, commands us to “Never be lacking in zeal…”. When Spiritual Passion overflows into your life you begin to see: 1. how God sees people; 2. how much God wants to be in relationship with people; 3. how much He wants people to be co-laborers with Him in His Kingdom. If we don’t see how Satan is leading lost souls away from God and tries to quench even our own passion we are in trouble.

Clark Tatum

How is your “Spiritual Passion” for God? Are you making a passionate pursuit for the things of God? The answer to these questions will largely be determined by how you might answer this question: How’s my spiritual appetite? The Bible is clear that God feeds hungry people, but only hungry people.

The Old Testament David was doing his very best from a spiritual standpoint when he was able to say “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.  {2} My soul thirsts for God, for the living God” (Psalm 42:1-2). Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied" (Matthew 5:6). Our being filled by God is not limited by my appetite. God is able to make our cups overflow.

​It can be helpful for us to reflect on our personal appetite for God and His Word. One way a doctor can determine the health of an individual is related to one’s appetite. The loss of a desire for food is a definite indication that something deeper is wrong. When you lose your spiritual appetite, something inside isn't working properly, because hunger is a natural part of a proper functioning life. Let’s help one another not only to love the Lord, but to develop more of a hunger for spiritual things.

Clark Tatum