Ephesians 6:19-20
And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel. For which I am an ambassador in bonds that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
As I was preparing to preach one Sunday morning, I placed my bible upon the pulpit and the front cover opened up. Inside the front cover, on a sticky note, was this scripture. It was written by my wife. I can't begin to tell you of all the times I have found a sticky note of encouragement from her. Some that say, "I Love You" or "You are so good looking". Maybe not as many of that last one that I would like to have, but nonetheless she has always found some way of encouraging me.
When I read the words of this scripture I was overwhelmed. God began to speak to my heart so clearly. You see, Paul was speaking about prayer for all the saints of God when he came to this portion and said, "And for me..." He was saying, "If you would offer prayers for me let them be that I would be filled with the utterance of the Spirit." "If you choose to pray for me, then pray that I will open my mouth boldly as I preach the Gospel of Jesus."
My wife was telling me that she was praying for me. Her prayer was that I would be filled with the Holy Spirit while I preach the Gospel of Jesus boldly. Oh, you have no idea! You don't know what that means to me as a husband. But let me tell you something greater. She wasn't just praying for her husband, she was praying for her Pastor.
Instead of picking your Pastor or the preacher apart how much do you pray for him? Would you like to know what every true, God-called preacher would want you to pray for them? Ephesians 6:19-20
I thank God for all of the prayers that have been prayed for me as a preacher of the Gospel. Without your intercession and prayers for the Spirit to fill me I wonder what kind of minister would I be?
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
He Is...
Deuteronomy 32:4
He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
Our God! Our Lord! Our Rock! When you read about Him this morning doesn't it stir your soul? Let's take some time today to think of who our God really is.
First let's look at what Moses thought about his God. He started by saying that He is the Rock. Moses is saying that God is unmovable and unshakable. Of all the Egyptian gods that Moses has known in his life, there has been none like his God. They are all trophies of wood and stone in a sinking world, but not God Jehovah. Not his Rock! Moses says that God's work is perfect. His judgment is pure, truthful and without iniquity. After everything that Moses had gone through with Egypt and the children of Israel he says that God's leading is perfect. He closes out this line of scripture with knowing that God is just and right.
Now you take the rest of your time with God right now and think of one characteristic about Him. What would it be? If I could only choose one characteristic of my Lord today I would choose to praise Him for He is Holy! He is worthy of all our praise because of His holiness. It's His holiness that makes Him all-sufficient for me and anyone else who will trust Him.
So what would it be? My God is... He is... ? ? ?
He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
Our God! Our Lord! Our Rock! When you read about Him this morning doesn't it stir your soul? Let's take some time today to think of who our God really is.
First let's look at what Moses thought about his God. He started by saying that He is the Rock. Moses is saying that God is unmovable and unshakable. Of all the Egyptian gods that Moses has known in his life, there has been none like his God. They are all trophies of wood and stone in a sinking world, but not God Jehovah. Not his Rock! Moses says that God's work is perfect. His judgment is pure, truthful and without iniquity. After everything that Moses had gone through with Egypt and the children of Israel he says that God's leading is perfect. He closes out this line of scripture with knowing that God is just and right.
Now you take the rest of your time with God right now and think of one characteristic about Him. What would it be? If I could only choose one characteristic of my Lord today I would choose to praise Him for He is Holy! He is worthy of all our praise because of His holiness. It's His holiness that makes Him all-sufficient for me and anyone else who will trust Him.
So what would it be? My God is... He is... ? ? ?
Monday, April 16, 2018
He Saved Others
Matthew 27:42
He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
Have you ever said something that you really didn't know what you were talking about? Nah, not you right? I know that I have commented on things that I had no clue about. Sometimes the things I said were accurate even though I didn't know what I was talking about. Why is it that we feel that we need to speak on subjects that we have no understanding on? The person in this scripture today is no different.
It could have been an emotional comment from this person, well, I'm pretty sure it was. Anger drove this person to comment on the crucifixion of Jesus. Lashing out, the words are heard, "He saved others..." How did this person know that Jesus had saved others? Could it be because they viewed it? This first statement is no doubt the absolute truth! Jesus saved others. As a matter of fact, He saves-s-s-s others.
Now look at the latter part that says, "himself he cannot save". Did you know that this is also truth? On the cross of Calvary Jesus could have called for help or salvation from the pain and death but he couldn't save himself. Why? Because he had surrendered to the plan of the Father. He didn't come to earth, be born of fleshly woman, suffer a beating by Romans and hang on a cross to save himself.
No, he did all of that to save YOU! Now you may not believe this but the person that said something that they had no clue about actually told the truth. He was willing to take the beating. Hang on a cross condemned to die. Be mocked, ridiculed and shamed. Why? To save others and not himself.
He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
Have you ever said something that you really didn't know what you were talking about? Nah, not you right? I know that I have commented on things that I had no clue about. Sometimes the things I said were accurate even though I didn't know what I was talking about. Why is it that we feel that we need to speak on subjects that we have no understanding on? The person in this scripture today is no different.
It could have been an emotional comment from this person, well, I'm pretty sure it was. Anger drove this person to comment on the crucifixion of Jesus. Lashing out, the words are heard, "He saved others..." How did this person know that Jesus had saved others? Could it be because they viewed it? This first statement is no doubt the absolute truth! Jesus saved others. As a matter of fact, He saves-s-s-s others.
Now look at the latter part that says, "himself he cannot save". Did you know that this is also truth? On the cross of Calvary Jesus could have called for help or salvation from the pain and death but he couldn't save himself. Why? Because he had surrendered to the plan of the Father. He didn't come to earth, be born of fleshly woman, suffer a beating by Romans and hang on a cross to save himself.
No, he did all of that to save YOU! Now you may not believe this but the person that said something that they had no clue about actually told the truth. He was willing to take the beating. Hang on a cross condemned to die. Be mocked, ridiculed and shamed. Why? To save others and not himself.
Friday, April 13, 2018
Bibles and Butterflies
John 17:17
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
How important is the Word of God in your life? As a Christian, if your answer is not top priority then I'm sure your life lacks the Spiritual power and peace that Christ wants you to have. If you choose not to eat, what would your level of strength be? Very weak, very weak.
While Jesus is praying for us in this scripture we hear Him say, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." He tells us that His word is the truth that we need. We need it for direction. We need it for nourishment. We need it for wisdom, peace and to understand the greatest love we could ever hope to have. Doesn't that make you excited? It gets me emotional and feel the butterflies in my stomach.
Sometimes we are tempted to live more on that excitement than the Word. We love the butterflies in our stomach and follow them everywhere they flutter. We want more emotions and more feelings. We want the warm feelings that comes with excitement about God and His Son. We have traded our Bibles for butterflies.
The Word! It's the Word! The Word sanctifies. The Word teaches. The Word of God instructs. It is the Word of God that causes our excitement. Stop playing with the emotional butterflies and dive into the Word of God. You know what is awesome? When you run through a field, butterflies fly upward and refresh your spirit. Well when you search through the Word of God the truth flies up, up, up. When I read it my emotions are stirred and my heart flies upward.
It ain't about the butterflies, it's about the Word of God that gives me the butterflies. I love it!
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
How important is the Word of God in your life? As a Christian, if your answer is not top priority then I'm sure your life lacks the Spiritual power and peace that Christ wants you to have. If you choose not to eat, what would your level of strength be? Very weak, very weak.
While Jesus is praying for us in this scripture we hear Him say, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." He tells us that His word is the truth that we need. We need it for direction. We need it for nourishment. We need it for wisdom, peace and to understand the greatest love we could ever hope to have. Doesn't that make you excited? It gets me emotional and feel the butterflies in my stomach.
Sometimes we are tempted to live more on that excitement than the Word. We love the butterflies in our stomach and follow them everywhere they flutter. We want more emotions and more feelings. We want the warm feelings that comes with excitement about God and His Son. We have traded our Bibles for butterflies.
The Word! It's the Word! The Word sanctifies. The Word teaches. The Word of God instructs. It is the Word of God that causes our excitement. Stop playing with the emotional butterflies and dive into the Word of God. You know what is awesome? When you run through a field, butterflies fly upward and refresh your spirit. Well when you search through the Word of God the truth flies up, up, up. When I read it my emotions are stirred and my heart flies upward.
It ain't about the butterflies, it's about the Word of God that gives me the butterflies. I love it!
Thursday, April 12, 2018
Nothing Better, Nothing!
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
What more do we need? There is an attitude, even among the church, of needing something more or something new. Preachers ask for more understanding. Congregations ask for more stories and humor. May I be honest? We need nothing more to accomplish what God has commissioned us to do.
We need no more tools. We need no more words. We just need to trust in the message of the Cross. We need to rely on the message of God's love for the world. We need to sink our teeth into the meat of God's Word that says, "God loved us so much that he gave His only begotten Son".
Stop asking people to join your movement. Stop trying to change people through a philosophy or a step program and preach the blessed Gospel of Jesus Christ found in this great text. This scripture has found itself on billboards. Found its way in the end zone of a football game. But when it invades our pulpits and our witness. Oh, I can't even imagine what could be done for the Gospel.
This morning please understand that it is still the old love story that saves lives. It's still the message of the cross that reaches the vilest sinner. It's still the love of God that changes hearts. Stop looking for something else or something new for you will never find anything better!
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
What more do we need? There is an attitude, even among the church, of needing something more or something new. Preachers ask for more understanding. Congregations ask for more stories and humor. May I be honest? We need nothing more to accomplish what God has commissioned us to do.
We need no more tools. We need no more words. We just need to trust in the message of the Cross. We need to rely on the message of God's love for the world. We need to sink our teeth into the meat of God's Word that says, "God loved us so much that he gave His only begotten Son".
Stop asking people to join your movement. Stop trying to change people through a philosophy or a step program and preach the blessed Gospel of Jesus Christ found in this great text. This scripture has found itself on billboards. Found its way in the end zone of a football game. But when it invades our pulpits and our witness. Oh, I can't even imagine what could be done for the Gospel.
This morning please understand that it is still the old love story that saves lives. It's still the message of the cross that reaches the vilest sinner. It's still the love of God that changes hearts. Stop looking for something else or something new for you will never find anything better!
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
Money In The Attic
1 Timothy 6:7-8
For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
Have you ever heard the story of the man who wanted his wife to put his money in a jar when he dies? He gave her detailed instructions to put all his money in a jar and then to place it in the attic. This way when he dies, on his way up he would grab it and take it to heaven with him. Because he didn't want anyone else to have it. Well after a few weeks she begin to wonder about the money. So she climbed up the attic stairs and saw the money sitting in the same place she left it. She thought for a moment and then said, "Well I guess I should have put it in the basement."
The scriptures tell us that whatever we have in our lives it is certain that we can't carry it with us. This is speaking of materialistic things and riches. Why is it that we would even want to carry anything with us? Think of the greatest materialistic possession that you have on this earth. Now think of what God has waiting for you. Is there really any comparison? Of course not!
We should be content with what we have. We should be satisfied with the blessings that God has blessed us with. An old song could explain it a little better...
There's a roof up above me and I've a good place to sleep
There's food on my table and shoea on my feet
You gave me your love Lord and a fine family
So thank you Lord for your blessings on me
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Acceptance
Proverbs 18:5
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
In 2016, there seems to be a running theme of praising those who live wickedly and condemning those who uphold righteousness. I have news for you, it's not the first time this theme has found its way into society. During the Reformation period this theme was headline news as well. We have found our way back to the days where right is wrong and wrong is now right. We have moved away from God and His Word, we cannot tell the right hand from the left. Sin is glorified and sanctification is ridiculed.
In those days of Reformation, there was a man named Jan (John) Hus. Hus was a fellow friend of John Wycliffe, the writer of the first English translation of scriptures. Wycliffe died and was buried and the Roman church thought that the end of this movement was over. They were wrong. Hus began to teach that scripture is priority. Understanding the translation of scripture and interpretation was no longer going to be misconstrued by those who wanted to make money or live wickedly. As you may know, this didn't turn out well for Hus.
The Roman church lured him in for a "counsel" at the Council of Constance. When Hus arrived into the city he was arrested and charged with recanting his heretic teachings. Hus would not recant Praise the Lord! Many of those who stood by turned their heads and covered their ears as Hus' writings were burned. He was burned at the stake and they so called committed his soul to the "infernal demons of hell".
The people, probably good, saved, spiritual people of the church, stood by and accepted it. You ask how they accepted it? According to our scripture this morning. Do you accept it? Maybe it will help you if you understood what "accept" means. To receive, take, consent, acknowledge and one of the greatest definitions is "understand".
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
In 2016, there seems to be a running theme of praising those who live wickedly and condemning those who uphold righteousness. I have news for you, it's not the first time this theme has found its way into society. During the Reformation period this theme was headline news as well. We have found our way back to the days where right is wrong and wrong is now right. We have moved away from God and His Word, we cannot tell the right hand from the left. Sin is glorified and sanctification is ridiculed.
In those days of Reformation, there was a man named Jan (John) Hus. Hus was a fellow friend of John Wycliffe, the writer of the first English translation of scriptures. Wycliffe died and was buried and the Roman church thought that the end of this movement was over. They were wrong. Hus began to teach that scripture is priority. Understanding the translation of scripture and interpretation was no longer going to be misconstrued by those who wanted to make money or live wickedly. As you may know, this didn't turn out well for Hus.
The Roman church lured him in for a "counsel" at the Council of Constance. When Hus arrived into the city he was arrested and charged with recanting his heretic teachings. Hus would not recant Praise the Lord! Many of those who stood by turned their heads and covered their ears as Hus' writings were burned. He was burned at the stake and they so called committed his soul to the "infernal demons of hell".
The people, probably good, saved, spiritual people of the church, stood by and accepted it. You ask how they accepted it? According to our scripture this morning. Do you accept it? Maybe it will help you if you understood what "accept" means. To receive, take, consent, acknowledge and one of the greatest definitions is "understand".
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