Psalms 52:1
Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man?
the goodness of God endureth continually.
When I was growing up as a teenager I remember the "locker room" talk. Guys would be together competing over one another's weekend stories. One would tell what they did that weekend and the other would chime in and boast of his being greater. Story after story and boasting upon boasting would take place. I remember some of those very talks. Like the one about.... Hahaha nope, I ain't telling that junk.
I still see this happening today. The locker room talk among the people. Why do we do this? Why are we so tempted to boast about mischief? Makes us look tough doesn't it? Let me say also, it's not just the men. No, no, no it's the women also. Tale after tale and mostly lie after lie come from these conversations. Making themselves look great and mighty.
What is the fruit of it all? Boasting in mischief or sin will lead to disappointment and discouragement. There is an old song that I love and the words go something like this...
I thought number one would surely be me,
I thought I would be what I wanted to be.
I thought of myself as a mighty big man,
But I can't even walk without you holding my hand.
Monday, July 17, 2017
Friday, July 14, 2017
Put Me In, I'm Ready!
1 Peter 3:15
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
One of the things that I love the most about being a Pastor is my fellowship with the children. I love them and love being around them. Whether at church or at my house, we always have a great time. My favorite thing about them is their desire for conversation. Many times I don't have to say a word, or maybe it's that I can't get a word in, I'm not sure.
One of my favorite conversations recently was with my nine year old buddy. We were watching a basketball game and he began to be pumped up. He said, "If I was down there, and the coach put me in, I would be scoring on them all day!" Then he said it, the funniest thing I've heard in a while. He said, "I've been playing Dude Perfect on my tablet and I've got some mad skills now". I didn't laugh out loud but I wanted to. He thought because he was awesome with his jump shot on a game that it obviously had to pass unto his natural abilities on the court, right?
Isn't that the way the mind of a child is? Well just like the thinking of my friend, Christians have somehow thought that their presence and practice of church attendance will in some way give them the only skills they need on the court. Coming to church is right. It is holy! But just attending church out of habit or going through the emotions will never give you the skills you need. No, you must pray, worship, read and put into practice the things you do read in order to have the skills on the court. Just like a pattern of thumb and finger moves on a tablet will not help on the court, neither will a series of Sunday morning attendances, because it's just the thing to do, will help you in this world.
Are you asking God to put you in and you aren't even ready? Are you holding on to your Dude Perfect or Christian Perfect skills to get the job done on the court? Practice! That is what Christians need today, practice! Practice in prayer, practice in studying the Word, and definitely practice in worshiping Him with the local body.
Lastly, my little buddy wasn't wrong for his excitement about the game and wanting to be on the court, but if we would have put him in he would have been left behind by the others because they were ready and conditioned to play basketball. What about you?
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
One of the things that I love the most about being a Pastor is my fellowship with the children. I love them and love being around them. Whether at church or at my house, we always have a great time. My favorite thing about them is their desire for conversation. Many times I don't have to say a word, or maybe it's that I can't get a word in, I'm not sure.
One of my favorite conversations recently was with my nine year old buddy. We were watching a basketball game and he began to be pumped up. He said, "If I was down there, and the coach put me in, I would be scoring on them all day!" Then he said it, the funniest thing I've heard in a while. He said, "I've been playing Dude Perfect on my tablet and I've got some mad skills now". I didn't laugh out loud but I wanted to. He thought because he was awesome with his jump shot on a game that it obviously had to pass unto his natural abilities on the court, right?
Isn't that the way the mind of a child is? Well just like the thinking of my friend, Christians have somehow thought that their presence and practice of church attendance will in some way give them the only skills they need on the court. Coming to church is right. It is holy! But just attending church out of habit or going through the emotions will never give you the skills you need. No, you must pray, worship, read and put into practice the things you do read in order to have the skills on the court. Just like a pattern of thumb and finger moves on a tablet will not help on the court, neither will a series of Sunday morning attendances, because it's just the thing to do, will help you in this world.
Are you asking God to put you in and you aren't even ready? Are you holding on to your Dude Perfect or Christian Perfect skills to get the job done on the court? Practice! That is what Christians need today, practice! Practice in prayer, practice in studying the Word, and definitely practice in worshiping Him with the local body.
Lastly, my little buddy wasn't wrong for his excitement about the game and wanting to be on the court, but if we would have put him in he would have been left behind by the others because they were ready and conditioned to play basketball. What about you?
Thursday, July 13, 2017
I'm Tha' Man!
2 Samuel 12:7-14
And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun. And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.
I know that this scripture for our devotion is longer today than normal but please take the time to read it entirely. It is the most important thing that you read in these Daybreak Discoveries every day.
"I'm da man! I'm da wo-man!" Have you ever heard someone say this before? Usually this phrase is tied to some kind of pride issue in the life of that individual. Most times there is something boastful said or done and this phrase follows it up. We want to be "the man" or "the woman" at times don't we? (and for all of you that think I'm being politically correct because of "the woman" added to this devotion, evidently you haven't been around many women lately...haha) There is nothing wrong with being "the man", but it's what kind of man or woman you desire to be.
David in our scripture today found out that he really was "the man". I'm sure he convinced Bathsheba that he was "the man" when he invited her to his house for possible dinner and adultery. But that was prideful David, now we are seeing humble David. We see a repentant David who has sinned against the Lord. But I want you to notice something important this morning. Because of David acting like the prideful man and allowing his sin of pride to lead him down a destructive road of more sin and more sin, look at what happened. God said that he has now given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme.
When we play "the man" or "the wo-man", we not only bring ourselves into sin, but others around as and even give reason for those who are lost to blaspheme (reject) God. But when we confess... The Lord will put away our sin. Our testimonies can be restored again. Our ruined walls can be rebuilt again. But only if we are willing to say, "I am the man". Let me say this... I have always been "the man" and God has always forgiven me and cleansed me of my sin. Who are you? Say it out loud this morning...... I'm the man! I'm the woman!
And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun. And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.
I know that this scripture for our devotion is longer today than normal but please take the time to read it entirely. It is the most important thing that you read in these Daybreak Discoveries every day.
"I'm da man! I'm da wo-man!" Have you ever heard someone say this before? Usually this phrase is tied to some kind of pride issue in the life of that individual. Most times there is something boastful said or done and this phrase follows it up. We want to be "the man" or "the woman" at times don't we? (and for all of you that think I'm being politically correct because of "the woman" added to this devotion, evidently you haven't been around many women lately...haha) There is nothing wrong with being "the man", but it's what kind of man or woman you desire to be.
David in our scripture today found out that he really was "the man". I'm sure he convinced Bathsheba that he was "the man" when he invited her to his house for possible dinner and adultery. But that was prideful David, now we are seeing humble David. We see a repentant David who has sinned against the Lord. But I want you to notice something important this morning. Because of David acting like the prideful man and allowing his sin of pride to lead him down a destructive road of more sin and more sin, look at what happened. God said that he has now given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme.
When we play "the man" or "the wo-man", we not only bring ourselves into sin, but others around as and even give reason for those who are lost to blaspheme (reject) God. But when we confess... The Lord will put away our sin. Our testimonies can be restored again. Our ruined walls can be rebuilt again. But only if we are willing to say, "I am the man". Let me say this... I have always been "the man" and God has always forgiven me and cleansed me of my sin. Who are you? Say it out loud this morning...... I'm the man! I'm the woman!
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
Finding What He's Looking For
Luke 18:8
I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
The scripture is very simple this morning isn't it? Will the Lord Jesus find faith on the earth when He comes? Before that ever happens can I ask you this question... Is He finding faith in you now?
The Bible defines faith as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Faith is our trust in Jesus Christ as our Savior, friend, and most importantly Lord. Our faith is believing that He will always be there even when we can't see how. Trust is our total dependence upon Him. Knowing that there is absolutely nothing we can do apart from Him. Is this kind of faith found in us? The same faith that can tear down walls of fear as well as build up walls of hope.
Have you ever stopped to think of how God is always searching? In the beginning he searched for Adam and called out to him, "Where art thou?" Even though God knew where Adam was, the scriptures show us that He still searched. Then a little further into scriptures He is searching again. The world is evil and full of wickedness but there is God searching again. His eyes are scanning over it all and He is looking with Grace glasses on. Noah is looking up unto God and finds grace in the eyes of the Lord. Then we fast forward to Isaiah and see that God is still searching. "Seek him while he may be found..." the scriptures say. God is always searching and we should be seeking Him. Finally we see that Jesus is continuing the search, and still does even today.
What if, just if... the Lord returned right this moment. Would He find faith? Faith in the earth? If we are honest it would be very difficult to find faith in society, but what about you? Will the Lord find faith, trust, obedience, love, honor, devotion, dependence upon Him in you? Pray like David did this morning... "Lord search me and try me..."
I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
The scripture is very simple this morning isn't it? Will the Lord Jesus find faith on the earth when He comes? Before that ever happens can I ask you this question... Is He finding faith in you now?
The Bible defines faith as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Faith is our trust in Jesus Christ as our Savior, friend, and most importantly Lord. Our faith is believing that He will always be there even when we can't see how. Trust is our total dependence upon Him. Knowing that there is absolutely nothing we can do apart from Him. Is this kind of faith found in us? The same faith that can tear down walls of fear as well as build up walls of hope.
Have you ever stopped to think of how God is always searching? In the beginning he searched for Adam and called out to him, "Where art thou?" Even though God knew where Adam was, the scriptures show us that He still searched. Then a little further into scriptures He is searching again. The world is evil and full of wickedness but there is God searching again. His eyes are scanning over it all and He is looking with Grace glasses on. Noah is looking up unto God and finds grace in the eyes of the Lord. Then we fast forward to Isaiah and see that God is still searching. "Seek him while he may be found..." the scriptures say. God is always searching and we should be seeking Him. Finally we see that Jesus is continuing the search, and still does even today.
What if, just if... the Lord returned right this moment. Would He find faith? Faith in the earth? If we are honest it would be very difficult to find faith in society, but what about you? Will the Lord find faith, trust, obedience, love, honor, devotion, dependence upon Him in you? Pray like David did this morning... "Lord search me and try me..."
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
Where are the Nine?
Luke 17:17
And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
This morning Jesus had healed ten lepers from their horrible disease. Ten of them... But only one turned back to thank Jesus for the healing that had taken place in his life. He was one that saw God move in such a great way and appreciated the work that He had done in his life. So without hesitation, this leper turned back and gave glory unto God. Then Jesus answered and said, "Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?" He asked about the others that experienced His grace and healing.
I see it daily. People will walk pass paper on the floor of a restaurant or building and look straight at it and never pick it up. But if it effected their bill at the restaurant would they do it? In other words what if that restaurant said they would give you a discount of 20% every time you come eat and are respectful enough to keep their establishment clean, would you do it? Yes you would for prosperity. What if it was an bank that you were in and you saw the deposit slips had fallen off the counter and needed to be picked up, would you do it? What if you did that the bank owner saw that servants heart and walked out of their office with a $250 gift card? Yes you would pick them up. What if you saw the copy machine without paper and you knew that the boss was standing behind you and was watching every move you made, would you do it? Sure you would and you would also make sure to throw the outside wrapper away by the closest garbage can to them. Because we love to hear the praise of men and impress them with our great feats of labor. (that wrapper is heavy and troublesome)
Isn't it funny that we will do everything in this world to receive prosperity and praise of men. If we know they are looking and we could get a "that'a boy" out of them, most times we do it. We love the praise, and we love the prize. Well this one man loved the healing and he loved Jesus. No matter what the other nine did he went back and thanked Jesus for the healing. Some teach that he received a greater blessing than the others also, but no matter if he did or not this wasn't the reason he returned. He went back because he was thankful, not to receive something else.
This morning, tell Jesus how thankful that you are. Are you one of the unthankful nine? Or are you the one who is appreciative? Thank you Jesus for healing my heart.
And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
This morning Jesus had healed ten lepers from their horrible disease. Ten of them... But only one turned back to thank Jesus for the healing that had taken place in his life. He was one that saw God move in such a great way and appreciated the work that He had done in his life. So without hesitation, this leper turned back and gave glory unto God. Then Jesus answered and said, "Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?" He asked about the others that experienced His grace and healing.
I see it daily. People will walk pass paper on the floor of a restaurant or building and look straight at it and never pick it up. But if it effected their bill at the restaurant would they do it? In other words what if that restaurant said they would give you a discount of 20% every time you come eat and are respectful enough to keep their establishment clean, would you do it? Yes you would for prosperity. What if it was an bank that you were in and you saw the deposit slips had fallen off the counter and needed to be picked up, would you do it? What if you did that the bank owner saw that servants heart and walked out of their office with a $250 gift card? Yes you would pick them up. What if you saw the copy machine without paper and you knew that the boss was standing behind you and was watching every move you made, would you do it? Sure you would and you would also make sure to throw the outside wrapper away by the closest garbage can to them. Because we love to hear the praise of men and impress them with our great feats of labor. (that wrapper is heavy and troublesome)
Isn't it funny that we will do everything in this world to receive prosperity and praise of men. If we know they are looking and we could get a "that'a boy" out of them, most times we do it. We love the praise, and we love the prize. Well this one man loved the healing and he loved Jesus. No matter what the other nine did he went back and thanked Jesus for the healing. Some teach that he received a greater blessing than the others also, but no matter if he did or not this wasn't the reason he returned. He went back because he was thankful, not to receive something else.
This morning, tell Jesus how thankful that you are. Are you one of the unthankful nine? Or are you the one who is appreciative? Thank you Jesus for healing my heart.
Monday, July 10, 2017
The Rainbow of Mercy
Luke 18:10-14
Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Let me ask you a very sincere question. Have you honestly, fervently prayed about the condition of the USA before this past ruling of the court system? I mean a daily prayer for our nation and each leader. The kind of prayers where you were constantly seeking God and asking Him for guidance in our leaders? Or did you pray every now and then? When it came across your mind? Or when the decision of our society effected you? If you haven't then you have every right to be upset about what is happening, but you have no right to be mad about it.
I see a sin in our Christians today. We have allowed the sin of the world to anger us and place ourselves above the sinner. Look at our scripture this morning. This Pharisee said he was so much greater than the publican. He boasted of everything he did and was above this lowly sinner. Much like now, many are boasting about how great they have been in their Chrisitan walk. You can almost hear them sing, "How Great I Am".
But the sinful publican couldn't even lift his head. He pleaded for the mercy of God! The most exciting thing that I notice about this scripture is the fact that this man went home justified while the other one went home just the same.
Church, Christians... You'll never be justified bragging on how great you are. You'll never be able to reach that lost and sinful person with your foot on top of their head. Ask God for His true mercy. Maybe, just maybe we should reevaluate the use of this rainbow that we are all seeing. We know that it doesn't stand for fornication, but rather mercy. Let's ask God for just that today... God, will you please be merciful unto us and forgive our sins? Please be merciful unto those who have pushed our country toward this slippery slope of sin. Reach down and pull us from this miry pit Lord God Almighty.
Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Let me ask you a very sincere question. Have you honestly, fervently prayed about the condition of the USA before this past ruling of the court system? I mean a daily prayer for our nation and each leader. The kind of prayers where you were constantly seeking God and asking Him for guidance in our leaders? Or did you pray every now and then? When it came across your mind? Or when the decision of our society effected you? If you haven't then you have every right to be upset about what is happening, but you have no right to be mad about it.
I see a sin in our Christians today. We have allowed the sin of the world to anger us and place ourselves above the sinner. Look at our scripture this morning. This Pharisee said he was so much greater than the publican. He boasted of everything he did and was above this lowly sinner. Much like now, many are boasting about how great they have been in their Chrisitan walk. You can almost hear them sing, "How Great I Am".
But the sinful publican couldn't even lift his head. He pleaded for the mercy of God! The most exciting thing that I notice about this scripture is the fact that this man went home justified while the other one went home just the same.
Church, Christians... You'll never be justified bragging on how great you are. You'll never be able to reach that lost and sinful person with your foot on top of their head. Ask God for His true mercy. Maybe, just maybe we should reevaluate the use of this rainbow that we are all seeing. We know that it doesn't stand for fornication, but rather mercy. Let's ask God for just that today... God, will you please be merciful unto us and forgive our sins? Please be merciful unto those who have pushed our country toward this slippery slope of sin. Reach down and pull us from this miry pit Lord God Almighty.
Friday, July 7, 2017
An Attack from Behind!
Deuteronomy 25:17-18
Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt; How he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary; and he feared not God.
What happens when a leader, soldier, dad, pastor or president begins to coast in their lives because they are tired? Slowly and steadily the weaker ones are picked off by the enemy. Leaders who become stale, stagnate, cold and weary most times begin to slack off. Those who once charged the front lines or the gates of hell with the Gospel message are now sitting on the sidelines.
Their excuses? I'm tired. I've been doing this a long time. It's time for someone else to stand up. I get tired of disciplining my children. I don't have any help. Too many soldiers are falling beside me. Over and over there are excuses for our exhaustion. God's Word tells us that we should not be weary in well doing. Don't give up! Don't give in! Don't give out! Keep pressing forward soldier, leader, dad, pastor or president. Keep leading by example. When you are weak, pray for strength from Christ Jesus. When you feel like you can coast because things are okay or settled down... Keep guard and press in because the enemy is right behind you.
In our scripture this morning, God reflects back to how the Amalekites deceitfully attacked Israel. Notice that they were waiting in the way and picked off the weak and feeble that were at the back of the line when you were weary and tired. You would think that Satan would attack from the front lines but that's mostly not the case. No, he attacks from the rear and upon the weakest member. It could be a church member. It could be a wounded soldier. It could also be a son or daughter moms and dads. There is no time to coast! Pray for strength today, right now this morning. Lord, help our leaders, soldiers, parents, pastors and president. Turn around and look!!!! It's happening right behind you.
Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt; How he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary; and he feared not God.
What happens when a leader, soldier, dad, pastor or president begins to coast in their lives because they are tired? Slowly and steadily the weaker ones are picked off by the enemy. Leaders who become stale, stagnate, cold and weary most times begin to slack off. Those who once charged the front lines or the gates of hell with the Gospel message are now sitting on the sidelines.
Their excuses? I'm tired. I've been doing this a long time. It's time for someone else to stand up. I get tired of disciplining my children. I don't have any help. Too many soldiers are falling beside me. Over and over there are excuses for our exhaustion. God's Word tells us that we should not be weary in well doing. Don't give up! Don't give in! Don't give out! Keep pressing forward soldier, leader, dad, pastor or president. Keep leading by example. When you are weak, pray for strength from Christ Jesus. When you feel like you can coast because things are okay or settled down... Keep guard and press in because the enemy is right behind you.
In our scripture this morning, God reflects back to how the Amalekites deceitfully attacked Israel. Notice that they were waiting in the way and picked off the weak and feeble that were at the back of the line when you were weary and tired. You would think that Satan would attack from the front lines but that's mostly not the case. No, he attacks from the rear and upon the weakest member. It could be a church member. It could be a wounded soldier. It could also be a son or daughter moms and dads. There is no time to coast! Pray for strength today, right now this morning. Lord, help our leaders, soldiers, parents, pastors and president. Turn around and look!!!! It's happening right behind you.
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