Proverbs 3:9-13

Proverbs 3:9-13

⁹ Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;
¹⁰ then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
    and your vats will brim over with new wine.

¹¹ My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke,
¹² because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

¹³ Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding,

I remember my dad disciplining me and it never was a great thing at the moment.  I even remember him quoting this verse as he would do it and I am pretty sure I never thought well then go ahead and have at it.  Discipline is never fun, not for the one being disciplined or the one giving out the discipline.

But it is for our good!  It is for our benefit! Notice verse 12 and the words love and delight this describes God's view of us.  He loves us and He delights in us.  We must never forget that when we face discipline in our lives.  We must never forget that God wants us to find wisdom and gain understanding and I believe that comes through discipline (correction).  

Revelation 3:14-16

Revelation 3:14-16

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. ¹⁵ I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

The church of Laodecia was a church that settled in nicely in the Roman Empire.  It was a church that was surrounded by all kinds of worldly distraction that were typical of the Roman culture.  It was also very well aware of the word picture in this passage because it water system was lukewarm and very bitter and was not pleasant to drink.  Actually it would make you want to spit it out of your mouth, it was that bad.  The church was full of compromise, apathy and lacked vision.  All of which led it to being lukewarm.

Sadly like this church many churches are heading down the same road.  However I also see many churches that are striving to be hot.  To be about doing the things that God has called us to do.  Striving to take the Glory of God to the ends of the earth.  

But just as the church in Laodecia was full of individuals so our churches are full of individuals.  Individuals making decisions on a daily basis of whether to be hot, cold or lukewarm.  I wonder today which will I strive for in my daily living?  If the church in America wants to be hot, then each person who is a member or attender must be hot.  

Psalm 32:7-8

Psalm 32:7-8

7  You are my hiding place;    you will protect me from trouble   and surround me with songs of deliverance. 8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;   I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

Psalm 56:3-4 3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 4    In God, whose word I praise in God I trust and am not afraid.    What can mere mortals do to me?

One particular phrase jumped out at me this morning, "I will counsel you with my loving eye on you."  Wow what an amazing truth about the character and activity of God.  God is..our counselor through the Holy Spirit in our lives.  He directs us through His word and He confirms it with His Spirit.  As the rest of the passage says we do not be afraid.  God is in control and "His loving eye is on us."  He is always aware of our circumstances and promises to never leave us nor forsake us.  Today lets rest and trust in Him.

Transform Christmas Honduras 2012

Hello to anyone who might read this blog: This year I have the privilege of being a part of a team that will be going to Honduras. We will be leaving December 15 and returning December 22.

 During that time we will be staying in a very small village called Las Brisas. This will be our central hub from where we will be working. The village is set back in the mountains of Honduras and sits right along the edge of the rain forest.

 We will be during that week going from village to village distributing food and toys to families throughout the area. Our goal is to reach 300 families and give them a weeks worth of food and a toy for each of their children. But most importantly we want to show them the true meaning of Christmas that being Jesus Christ.

 Obviously the food and toys do not just appear out of thin air and must come from somewhere. In order to get these items it will cost $35 per family. Below is a link that you can follow and give whatever amount you can in order to see families that otherwise would not be able to experience Christmas and hear about the true meaning of Christmas perhaps for the very first time.

 The link is a paypal link:      Donate

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. 17 But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, 18 I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. 19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

1 Peter 2:21-24

1 Peter 2:21-24 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22 “He committed no sin,and no deceit was found in his mouth.” 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” "He entrusted himself to him who judges justly" leaped off the page at me this morning. Jesus suffered, was insulted, died on the cross and so much more so that we can like Him entrust our lives to the Father. So we can have a relationship with the Father though Christ. That blows me away this morning as I am reminded of that great promise. But Peter takes it a step further and says "that we might die to sins and live for righteousness." Not only can we have a relationship with God the Father but we can through Christ's strength live for Him as well. Father thank you for sending and giving your son to be a sacrifice for my sin. Thank you that because of His death I can have freedom from sin's curse and have live in such a way to pursue righteousness in my everyday life. Give me the strength today to live like that in order that the Glory of God would be revealed in all nations.

Sign Like a Star

Philippians 2:13-16 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. Have I ever had to do something that I did not want to do? Of course who hasn't? Did I do it without grumbling (complaining)? Nope Often my heart attitude toward such tasks is at best willing but full of complaining! If I read this right then those very tasks that I do not like or circumstances that wish could just go away actually may be a part of God working in and through me to fulfill His good purpose. I know often I talk with my kids about not having the right heart attitude about doing something, but I wonder where they get that from??? Yeah don't have to look very far (as I wave my hand in the air and point at my head, saying "It's me, It's me). The key is found in verse 16 "hold firmly to the word of life" which is the Word of God. Hold firmly means "to observe" or obey, what Paul is exhorting us to do is to obey the Word of God. Imagine that O_B_E_D_I_E_N_C_E is the very best way to show that you believe.

The Global Glory of God

Revelation 5:9 9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals,because you were slain,and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. Revelation 7:9-10 9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” Often I think about how God has been opening my eyes to seeing how He is at work Globally and not just locally. For much of my ministry I have been focused on locally and really not thinking Globally. Oh I always think that I recognized that Gods desire is that all men know Him and respond to the Gospel. But not sure that I felt an urgency to join Him in seeing that happen. If you look at these verses it is obvious that people will be represented from every tribe, language, people and nation. So that tells me we have work to do. I know that over the last 3 years God has been opening my eyes to see this need and for now my focus is enable locally to send Globally. I want to help others to see the need, I want to equip others to go, and I want to help make opportunities available for God's people to get out of their context and into another one even if its for a short time, because I believe if that happens God will change their heart and open their eyes to some amazing work that He is already doing and they will want to join Him. I am thankful again this morning for this reminder of what God is doing and ultimately what will happen when the end has come.

Wisdom

Proverbs 2:1-9 2 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding— 3 indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, 8 for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. 9 Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. Reading that who would want to ignore the wisdom that God gives? Yet so many do!!! Yet often I do!!!! It amazes me that as I read about the promises attached to getting wisdom from God that I would ever turn away from it and seek my own understanding. It reminds me of another passage in Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge God and He will direct your paths." That is the struggle that I have between to "Trust" in the Lord with "ALL" my heart and "Lean not on my own understanding". To trust the Lord is all of the spirit to lean on my own understanding is of the flesh. The flesh gets attacked by Satan repeatedly and my spirit sometimes get neglected by own lack of self control and discipline to nourish and care for it. Often the balance of getting attacked and caring for my spirit are completely out of whack. Thus the need as it says in verse 4 look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure. I believe that if I would look at wisdom and nourishing of my spirit with that wisdom which comes from God's Word the Bible I would struggle less with the attacks and be able to walk the path that God has laid out for me to walk.

The Bible

2 Timothy 3:14-17 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. It's amazing the Bible the only book that was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (God breathed) actually written by God through individuals. Is perhaps the one book I struggle to read everyday. When I say struggle I mean I have to choose to get into it everyday. Satan's ways of trying to get me not to spend time in it gives validity to this passage. Satan must know that the Bible is good for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training and so longs to keep it out of our hands and away from our minds. Then when you think about how much opposition that the Bible gets from the world and from several different places again it just validates it to me that what the Bible says is true. Otherwise why all the fuss, otherwise why all the debate, otherwise why such rejection if it were not true??????

Going for Gold

2 Timothy 2:14-26 14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” 20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. 21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. 22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. There is a a story told about a man who some time ago was competing in the Olympics. He was a runner and was set to win the Gold on the track. The runners got to their starting blocks and the gun sounded and they were off. The race was going well and this man was in position to win the Gold when out of no where he fell to the ground. His ankle broken he was balled up in pain. Seeing what was going on his father came out of the stands and came to his side. The man was determined to win gold and finish the race. His father picked him up and they hobbled to the finish line. The man did not win the gold or did he? This passage talks about pursuing things that are gold (eternal). In the worlds eyes (spectators) these things are good but not great. But to the greatest spectator and our father that comes to help us they are of utmost value. Which of these things will I pursue today?

The Words of God

Isaiah 55:10-11 10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. I was thinking about the comparison of God's words to snow and rain. God sends snow and rain as Isaiah has said to water the earth and to cause things to grow. So it is with God's words that he gives us to compel us to grow and to nourish our soul. However in thinking about rain and snow it is interesting that with rain often the growth you see or the nourishment you see is almost immediate. Often if it rains the very next morning or evening within a short amount of time you see flowers blossom or grass get greener. But with the snow it's effect is not immediate. Rather you don't see the effects till a season later. Oh how true with the words of God. I have seen in my own life when I read something or hear a passage of scripture taught or preached it has an immediate effect on me. At other times I have heard a passage of scripture or heard one taught or preached and did not really take effect till sometime later. Again all this to say God's word always accomplishes what it sets out to accomplish and as Isaiah said it will not return empty. How awesome is the words of God. How much should it cause us to rely on them and to build our faith upon them and trust that God is in control and will do what He says He will do.

Holding Loosely

Philippians 3:8-14 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Wow what powerful words! Paul writes that everything in this life is not worth knowing Jesus, he even calls it a loss. He then writes that he has lost everything in order to know Christ. I truly have no idea what that is like. To lose everything for the sake of Christ. Oh I know what its like to no longer want to pursue the things of this world that I once had a desire to pursue. But to lose everything for Christ sake, no idea! To be honest I am not really sure I want to! However, in my spirit I would hope that unlike the rich man who was willing to part with this fortune in order to follow Christ that I would be willing to lay down those things and do what it takes to follow. Paul even calls them garbage, or in another translation dung, poop! I am not sure that Christ will call me to lose everything to follow Him, but I am sure that He calls me to hold loosely to everything in order to follow Him. Father today would you reveal anything to me that I am holding to tightly. Would you show me that I need to let go so that I can follow you so that I can like Paul press on toward the prize. Then give me strength to let go and follow you.

Run the Race

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. Life is a race that everyone must run and does run. The difference is that many have a different finish line. One finish line is worth the run, the other finish line while seemingly valuable here on earth really is worthless. Oh one may run it and gain all that this life has to offer but as Jesus said, "What good is to gain and the whole world and lose your soul." Sadly though many Christians run the race of life as Paul describes, like someone running without aim or a boxer who simply beats the air and yes they make finish line but barely. I want to hit the tape accelerating. The only way I will do that is if like Paul I discipline my self and surrender myself to ultimate trainer, Jesus Christ. So the greatest race that I can run is a race towards a relationship with Christ the rest of life will take care of itself and I have nothing to fear because He will guide me on the course.

Houses

2 Corinthians 5:1-8 5 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. At first glance of this passage one might be left scratching their head in wonder. Our "earthly tent" is our body of flesh and bone that is able to be destroyed. I know that if I die heaven will be my home and I will receive a new glorified body that cannot be destroyed. This part of the passage I understand. As I look at the rest of the passage as Paul is writing to the church in Corinth I hear his heart that longs to be with the Lord. What I keep asking myself is, "Is this true of me? Do I feel the same as Paul?" In this life we will have trouble the Bible tells us and so like Paul our earthly body does get sick, worn down, tired, sore, bruised, cut and hurt. But even in the midst of physical struggles am I looking forward to the day when I will be given a heavenly dwelling and so overcome with that in mind that the struggles of this life are "swallowed up by life"? I would like to think that verses 6 & 7 are true in my life and at times I believe they are, but often they are not. Why? Because its so easy to get focused on the trials, struggles and things of this life, that I lose sight of what is yet to come. I want to live by faith and not by sight. Father I need your strength, I need your gentle reminders of what is to come, I need you to remind me daily of your promises. So that while in this life I can rest in you and look forward to the day of being with you.

Intentional Obedience

Deuteronomy 5:32-33 32 So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. 33 Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess. Being careful means being intentional and being intentional means that I purposefully set out to obey God. Do not turn again to me shouts be intentional, purposefully keep your eyes fixed on what is in front of you. Walk in obedience screams intentional, purposeful maybe it will sink in this time of what I am to be doing. For Moses writing this the commands of God were fairly fresh it wasn't long before this that he had been given the commandments. Often Moses with pray to the God and God would speak with him and tell him what He wanted him to do. But like all of us Moses had the ability to choose what he would do or not do. For the most part Moses obeyed sadly though one choice kept him from entering the promise land. That choice not only effected Him but many others as well. I feel that weight of that in my life as I realize the choices I make will and have effected the lives of others especially my family. I want to follow after God and do his will but I must stay close to Him through prayer and studying His word. Then I will be able to know what God's commands are and will know what to obey. God is good and I am amazed that he would even know my name let alone let me serve Him. Father help me to serve you with all my heart and to intentional obey you with each moment that I have in order to honor and glorify you.

Hearing God's Voice

1 Samuel 3:1-10 3 The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 5 And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. 6 Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 8 A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” One of the greatest joys I have as a Pastor and a father is to help others to understand that voice of the Lord in their lives. Samuel had not yet heard the voice of the Lord and was not sure who was calling him so he went the person who most sounded like the one calling him, Eli. Eli was his mentor, his guide and a voice that must have sounded much like the voice that was calling. Eli's voice sounded much like the voice of the Lord. To me that is awesome and Eli finally recognized what was going on and directed Samuel to the one true Lord. What an amazing opportunity and what an amazing role to play in someones life. Helping direct others to hear the voice of the Lord. Being able to do this means that I have to be in tune with the Lords voice. It means that I need to be spending time in prayer and studying God's Word so that I understand when He speaks. This is the greatest privilege I have as a parent is to help my kids hear the voice and God and then be willing to listen and obey. If my children are able to hear the voice of God and are willing to listen then their lives will be directed in a way that honors God and strikes a blow to sin and makes an impact in this world for Christ.

Trapped by 10%

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Giving is a vital part of our lives as those who follow Christ. There is without any question whether or not the Bible teaches on giving financially to the church, the poor, and to wherever God leads your heart to give. Sadly statistics tell us that 6% of Christians give and of that six percent of the majority give 2% of their income or less. In the church we always talk about giving 10%. Which I understand was the minimum requirement for the Jews of the Old Testament. But we fail to talk about the feast offerings or the Year of Jubilee offering where God required up to 75% of ones income. 10% is great a starting place but for some many and maybe part of the reason people don't give is that I believe 10% can become a trap that keeps us from obeying God and enjoying His blessings. The verse says that we should give what you have decided in your heart. Obviously that is a heart that is directed by God because later in the verse Paul tells us that God loves a cheerful giver. Is it possible that on any given week God may ask you to give 20% or 30% or even your whole paycheck? Is God big enough to meet our needs? Is God able to be trusted that if we give from our heart that he can supply? Maybe the problem isn't that we don't have money, maybe it's that we don't have faith????? Faith in a God who has given us what we need in the first place....

When Bad Things Happen to Good People

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. "Bad things happen to good people" that is a statement I have heard often usually attached is the word why. I guess it leaves one to wonder should bad things not happen to good people? What makes us think that we are exempt from sin and the effects of sin upon this world. The fact of the matter is that sin has effected the good and bad, sin effects us all. It is inevitable that bad things are going to happen. Even Jesus said it Himself, "In this life you will have struggles". The question shouldn't be why, rather, what or how, what will I do when bad things happen, how will I respond when trails come my way. According to this passage we should turn to the God of all comfort not away from Him. We cannot blame God for the bad that comes, that happened as a result of man's choice not His. We should turn to God who is the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. Then as we move beyond any trial God expects us to be a agent of comfort to those who need it. It has blown me away how many times I have had the opportunity to share my brothers testimony and how that has been a comfort toward others. My brother had leukemia for nine years he struggled with it and then lost the war on Christmas Eve of 1993. That was a long trial and a very difficult one but God was glorified and many came to know Christ and still are coming to know Christ through the testimony of my brother and family. I praise God for the trial because it was through this trial that God called me into ministry and now am able to live out this passage day in and day out. Yes bad things will happen to good people but the key is how you respond to the trial.

Psalm 103:1-6

Psalm 103:1-6 1 Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 6 The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. I have been reminded the last few days of the sacrifice that Jesus paid for me. I have been reminded of the goodness of our God and His love that He shows toward me everyday. This passage again is a reminder of that love and of the work that only God can do in my life. I am so thankful for the work He has done in my life and continues to do year after year. It is hard for me to believe that I am almost 40 and have been in ministry for almost 17 years. The time has flown by and I have no idea what the next season of my life will be like but one thing I do know is that I want to strive to live for Christ. I want to strike a blow toward evil and make a dent in this world. I am so thankful that God opened my eyes to this truth and to the need of the world around me. My hearts desire is to enable as many people to join me in this journey as possible especially my family. I love what I recently heard about our kids that they are like arrows. Psalm 127:4 "Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth." I have a quiver of 5 arrows. My prayer for them is that God would give me the wisdom to point them at the right target and the ability to release them at the precise moment. If I read this passage correctly then my God is fully capable of doing just that but I must rely on Him and not myself.

Nothing to Be Said

Isaiah 53:3-11 3 He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. 4 Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished. 9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. 11 After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.

Eternal before Temporal Part 2

1 Timothy 4:8 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. There is little question that temporal things like sports, exercise and many of things that this life has to offer are of value. I know that for me personally I have to exercise in order to be healthy. I know that doing these things is not wrong. The problem is that to often we get this verse backwards. For many it reads, "For godliness is of some value, but physical training (temporal) has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." We live in a day and time where there is so much emphasis put on the temporal that for many families, individuals they have very little time to focus on the eternal and instead of the verse from Timothy becoming a reality the Borton paraphrase is lived out. Notice what Paul said to Timothy about "godliness (eternal)" that it has value for this life and the life to come. Please understand that temporal things in and of themselves have no value for the life to come (eternal). Regardless of how wealthy, well rounded, physically in shape you are you are going to die and none of those things will matter when you stand before God. Now in saying that I also believe that in those temporal things you can do great eternal value. I have seen many students take the talents that they have and use them to glorify God has they stood for godliness with their peers, teammates, coaches. I have seen students focus on the eternal and use the temporal as a means to glorify Jesus and proclaim his name. But for the majority of those students is was because it started at home. I have had some ask what would you suggest for us practically in order to put the eternal before the temporal. First understand there is no magic formula or set way of doing things. Second you have to be obedient to how God leads you as an individual and family. With that said I do believe the Bible gives us some help. Enter Deuteronomy 6:4-8 4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[a] 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. For our family here is how that translates practically. We use "Keys for Kids" (www.cbhministries.org (Google it) as a resource to help us. In the morning we gather as a family and read the passage of scripture that "Keys" suggests for reading that day. We then discuss the passage together as a family. We then spend time praying for the day, for each other and also pray for a country of the day provided by another resource Operation World (www.operationworld.org). Both of these resources will send you a daily email. Then at dinner and yes we eat dinner most every night and do our devotional from (Keys for Kids). Then just before bed we gather everyone again in the living room and pray together as a family typically having two of our kids pray and then my wife and I will alternate nights and close in prayer. Again this is what works for us and may not work for you. But to do something is better than to do nothing. Also please understand that we know that even though we are doing everything we can to create an atmosphere for the eternal that ultimately our kids have to choose and by the way we have to choose to put the eternal first. I hope and pray that this will help you as you strive to draw closer in your relationship with Christ.

What If Your Name Was in the Bible?

Acts 9:36-43 36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!” 39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. 40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon. I realize that what I am about to write is not the main point of this passage. But check out what Luke writes about Tabitha: She was always doing good and helping the poor. As I read that this morning I thought to myself wow this lady I do not believe is mentioned anywhere else in scripture, but what is said about her, makes me wonder if somehow my name was mentioned in the Bible what description would follow. All through scripture we see names of people, with a description attached. If Luke had known me what would God have inspired him to write about me? I know maybe it sounds selfish but it just really got me to thinking about my life and what is my life all about?

Eternal Before Temporal

2 Timothy 3:14-17 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. As I think about this passage I reminded of the value of living Duet. 6 out in my family. That the greatest investment in my children's lives is eternal not temporal. That the time we spend in reading scripture, praying, having family devotions is far more important than the time we invest in their education, recreation. Our society has placed so much emphasis on the temporal that there is very little time left for the eternal. But for us as Christ followers this cannot be the norm. If we put the temporal over the eternal our kids will not be "thoroughly equipped" for whatever God capacity God calls in their lives. We cannot buy into a system that frankly is failing. We cannot buy into the trap that our kids must have these temporal things in order to be successful in life and forsake the eternal. The eternal according to verse 17 will lead them to be "thoroughly equipped for EVERY good work." Too often I have seen family after family choose the temporal over the eternal to what end. Their kids graduate from high school and graduate from their faith. However I have also seen those families that have put the eternal before the temporal and have watched their kids graduate from high school and continue to grow in their relationship with Jesus. And of course have seen exceptions to both because regardless of how much one focuses on the eternal we as parents cannot change a heart and each of our children will choose for themselves which direction to go. But honestly that is not what God will hold us accountable for, where we will stand accountable is whether or not we were faithful in doing our part. Please do not get me wrong I am not saying that our children's education, recreation are not important but they pale in comparison to the value and importance of the eternal. Do we want kids who love and want to serve Jesus? Which emphasis is more likely to help them choose Christ, temporal or eternal?

You Are My Witnesses

Isaiah 43:10-13 10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. 11 I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior. 12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “that I am God. 13 Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?” "You are my witnesses" and again the Lord says "you are my witnesses." I have often heard it said that when something is repeated in the Word of God especially something directly said by God that this means its really, really, really important. "You are my witnesses" of what? As I look at this passage, witnesses of his deity, his power to deliver, his sovereignty and supremacy as the only true God. I wonder does my life give testimony of those things? Do others see in my and in my ministry those things? Today may I just reflect on my witness, today may I find myself intentionally thinking about God and about his power at work in my life.

Make Every Effort

2 Peter 1:5-9 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. Wow what a great passage! However sometimes a very difficult to practice. Two key phrases leap out of this passage: 1. Make every effort and 2. Possess these qualities in increasing measure. Make every effort means intentional, means work, means I have to make a decision to do something about it, means I cant just sit back and hope I will. Make every effort means I need to do whatever is necessary to add to my life spiritual qualities listed here in this passage. Possess in increasing measure means not only do I need to be intentional, work, choose and not be lazy about it but I need to be increasingly doing these things. Why? Two reasons, first because then they will keep me from being ineffective and unproductive in my relationship with Christ. What is is that causes us to be ineffective and unproductive, it's sin. Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against you. These qualities are qualities that do not just come naturally but supernaturally. These are qualities that the Bible makes clear will help us in our relationship with Christ. Second if we dont is nearsighted and blind, another words unable to see the God given Passion that he desires for us to follow, the path will become extremely difficult to follow. Your Word is lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. We ignore the relationship we will be unable to discern the path of God in our life. What a scary place to be, depending on ourselves to direct our lives. UGHHH!

Why Worry

Matthew 6:25-34 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. I love it when I read a passage of scripture, while I am facing a roadblock in my path that potentially I think could keep me from doing what God is calling me to, and that passage like the one above dismantles that roadblock. It's so easy to get our focus on all things around us instead of the one who can meet all of our needs. It's so easy to get our focus on the why, whats, when's and how's that we lose focus of the one who can answer all of our questions. It's so easy to forget that God never forgets and that He knows my needs really even before I do. Thank you God for the reminder this morning that you know all my needs, that you are in control and that I have nothing to worry about it in my life. I must learn to seek first your kingdom and your righteousness and as I do you have promised to meet all of my needs. May I rest in you today knowing full well that these verses are true and point me to the one who is all truth.

2 Chronicles 20:1-30 Part 4

Today we conclude our story of King J. In verses 24-30 we find what happens to the armies that are coming to attack. The Bible says all were dead not one escaped. Then the people began to take their plunder from the armies. This was what happened after and army defeated another they would take their gold, and weapons and horses, whatever was left over. The Bible says that there was so much it took three days to remove it all. After that the people rejoiced and spent time praising and thanking God. Wow what an incredible story of a man who relied on God, God spoke, King J listened and obeyed and God blessed them far beyond what they ever expected. God will do the same for you. But the catch is that we listen and obey God. As we do God pours out His blessing upon us. Today are experiencing God’s blessing or not?

Father I want follow after you. I admit that at times it is difficult. The pull of this world upon me is great. The pull of my own human weaknesses is greater. I praise you because you are greater than both. Give me the strength to obey and the determination to follow no matter the outcome.

1 Samuel 17 Part 3

Today as we conclude this week on David and Goliath we also conclude our month of looking at God’s character. Today look specifically at verses 49-58. God comes through just as David said. God delivered Goliath into the hands of this young man. God always comes through no matter the circumstance or issue. God always prevails, always comes through just in time. You may say why does this matter in my pursuit of Godliness? Understand if you pursue Godliness, if you pursue God He will come and meet with you. When we pursue Godliness in our life God will always work all things to good. That what Romans 8:28 if all about. God works all things to the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Just as David pursued God and trusted God to do as He said. We also can trust God that as we pursue Him, He will come through for us. Just remember that sometimes we limit the good He promises to only things that make me feel good or seem to better me in some way. Don’t forget God’s ways are not ours nor His thoughts my own. Example my brother Nathan that passed away from cancer. We had prayed for years that he would get better, and then he died. Some said that God did not answer our prayer. In some ways they were right, he did not answer it the way we wanted it answered. In some ways they were dead wrong. When my brother died he was completely healed of cancer. Sure I miss him, but God’s plan was different from mine and yet it turned out to the good.

Father help me to keep your will in mind as I seek you. Thank you that you promise that if we will pursue you, you will work all things out to the good. Help me to see the good you have for my life and not limit you to the good I only think is possible.

The Path to Truth

Proverbs 1:1-5 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance. I asked my kids yesterday as we were discussing an issue how they knew what they were saying to be true, they replied with various answers, but it led to a discussion about how we can know what is true. The above verses Solomon exhorts his readers that Proverbs is for gaining wisdom and instruction and so on. The Word of God is truth without any error and what it says we can trust. Another words for me if God's Word says it then that settles it and what I need to do is align my thinking with God's Word not the other way around. Today in our culture the later part of what I just said is becoming more and more true. Its sad but instead of leading to the above things that Solomon said this kind of practice is leading to foolishness, lack of understanding. I love how one of the mantra's of being PC is unity, peace and harmony. However what I see is completely opposite of that, why because the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, so I believe its safe to say that disregard of God is the beginning of foolishness. If we think we can have love, peace, unity apart from God then we are sadly mistaken. Why? Because God is love, God is peace, God is unity and to experience these we must experience God. Father help me to pursue you today, help me to be an expression of your love today so that others might see you in me.

The Spiritual Body

1 Corinthians 12:12-22 12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by[a] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. Think about that God himself placed the parts of the body. As I think about my own body it causes me to praise Him because even though I do not understand fully how my body works, I know that it does. Even though I cannot see how all the parts are working together, I know that they must be. Each part doing its part to complete a given task, working together in just their God given capacity to accomplish a bigger goal. As a follower of Christ this passage gives me great encouragement especially this verse as I know that God has gifted me and has purposefully placed me in the body in order to function as a part of the Body of Christ to complete a much bigger goal than just what I can do. I am so thankful to be a part of a local body that is allowing God to use each one of us to accomplish his mission. Give me strength and help me to function properly so that the body may succeed. Father thank you for placing me in the Body just where I need to be and doing just what I need to do in order to accomplish your goal. Give me the strength to each day serve you and allow you to work through me!

You Are Gifted

1 Peter 4:10-11 New International Version (NIV) 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. This verse is my greatest desire for my children, myself, my family, my friends and all those who call Jesus as brother. Some may say well shouldn't your desire be for them to fulfill the "Great Commandment" or the "Great Commission". Think about this passage if you and I were to use the spiritual gifts that God has given us, if we were to use those natural talents that God has given us to serve others, to speak the very words of God, wouldn't those to calls on our life be fulfilled. My greatest desire is to see the people of God use the gifts of God to bring Glory to God. I believe if every Christian would allow God to work in and through their lives then the "Great Commandment" and the "Great Commission" would be realized and fulfilled. God has given each of us certain spiritual gifts and natural talents weaved together with experiences, our temperament to shape us into a tool to be used by Him to make His Glory known all around us. You may say I'm not gifted, I do not have any talents and to that I say not true. According to the Word of God even in the verse above you are gifted and God's intention is that you use that gift to Glorify Him. You may not know what it is or how to find it, but it's there and ready to be used. I want to suggest something to you, get involved in ministry(serving). Get involved in a ministry at the church, go on a mission trip, begin looking at wherever you are at as an opportunity to serve, to Glorify God. Over time and effort you will discover how God has gifted you and how that gifting can best be used to glorify Him. The question is not whether or not you are gifted the question is to you want to put it into practice. Father help us to recognize that you have gifted us for serving you, help us to take that gift that you have given and glorify you with it. May you give us understanding to discover it, and strength to practice it and the desire to glorify you with it.

Never Changes

And behold, the Lord stood above it and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” —Genesis 28:13-15 God is speaking to Jacob in this passage and what he says to him is the same promise that God gave to Abraham. He assures Jacob that He is with him wherever and whatever he does. He promises to never leave Him. For me this is huge because so often like Jacob I "go places" that seem to take me away from God. Not true, while in my heart I may be far from Him, God is right there holding me up and calling me back to Himself. He has never left me, though I have left Him, though I have made decisions from time to time that would indicate my lack of faithfulness, God never has, not even once. God never changes and for me that brings great assurance, peace and hope. It also challenges me to live in such a way that the number of times I walk away is reduced. That the things I do would draw me nearer to God not pull me away from Him. Father thank you for always being there for me. Thank you for you faithfulness, love and forgiveness. Thank you that you are always there for me. Help me to live a life that brings you honor and glory. Help me to live in such a way that I drawer nearer to you each day.

Why Worry?

It is so easy to say it but so hard to live that out, "Why Worry?" I know that God can handle whatever comes my way, I know that He knows my future. I know that He has a plan for my life. Yet I find myself getting bogged down in "worry". What is worry? Worry is not trusting God in short. Saying to God, maybe not directly, I don't trust you, I don't want to let go and let you take whatever is creating anxiety in me today. I am pretty sure God has never held back on His promises, never withheld His grace and mercy toward me. So "Why Worry?" Because as long as I am in this mortal body I will worry, however, I can learn to trust Him, I can learn to let go. I am pretty sure the only way that will happen is if I draw nearer to Him in a relationship that is constant, intentional and full of passion. As I passionately pursue Him the worries of this day fade in the light of His grace and I am able to stand.

Father today help me to passionately pursue you so that when the worries rear their ugly head I will not fret but will trust.