Philippians 2:20-22
For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.
Paul is giving a recommendation or reference letter to the church of Philippi about a young man of the Gospel called Timothy. Look closely at what Paul says about him...
"I have no man who is likeminded (shares the same goal and doctrine)"
"This man will naturally care for your state (because of Christ that dwells within, it will seem natural for him to be concerned about you and your family)"
"For all seek their own, not things which are Jesus Christ's (everyone is selfish and have their own agenda, but not Timothy)"
"as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the Gospel (I will vouch for him, a man of God)"
Did Timothy have such a great recommendation from Paul because he did everything Paul asked? Did Paul only love him because he did everything for Paul? No! It says it right there in the scriptures. Timothy didn't seek his own things, nor did he seek the things of Paul. Timothy sought after the things of Jesus Christ. His goal was to please Jesus. To serve, honor and worship Jesus Christ. To share the Gospel of Jesus.
Look at what happens when you aim to serve Jesus and look after the things which are Jesus Christ's. You become a servant in ministry with others. You join yourself to the mission of the church, pastor, deacons, membership and most importantly the ministry of the Gospel. You become likeminded or one with the body of Christ. You naturally care for the state of others and not just your own things. You become burdened for those in the body and those that are not a part of the body of Christ. You seek the agenda of God.
If you had to ask for references, what do you think they would say of you? What would your letter of recommendation say about your service for Jesus?
Thursday, July 19, 2018
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
Are You Thirsty Yet?
Revelation 21:6
And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
This is the story of the woman at the well. So much can be learned from this chapter of scripture. We can see how Christ comes to us. We can see how He meets us where we are. We see how Jesus addresses sin with truth and love, not overlooking it. We see how He took a direct interest in speaking to this woman. We see how He can change a life through His salvation and forever change a woman and city. Like I said, we can learn so much from this chapter.
I want to look at the situation of his woman and what Jesus was offering to her. Her situation is simple. She had looked and looked because she was thirsty. She drank from the fountain of the world and came up thirsty every time. I wonder how many times she thought, "This is the one, this is the man I have waited for! He is the one that will satisfy my every need"? Only to have the relationship to end in disaster. This scripture tells us that she was married five times and living with a man now. I don't believe that God gives us this scripture to condemn the life of this woman but rather show her life and heart condition.
Her condition was one of thirst. Some would say that she lusted over men, and you could be right because I'm not old enough to know this woman to have asked her. Some would say that she just had bad luck with men. Maybe that old country song was written about her... "Looking for love in all the wrong places..." We don't know. But what we do know is that Jesus didn't spend much time on what she was doing, but on why she was doing it. She's thirsty! And this worldly water, or worldly love was not going to satisfy it.
This woman searched for her thirst to be satisfied in the men she marrying and it could only be found in Jesus. While she was drawing water for her thirst, she was given the water of life! Our devotion scripture says that He will give this water to anyone who is thirsty. So I ask you today, are you thirsty yet?
And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
This is the story of the woman at the well. So much can be learned from this chapter of scripture. We can see how Christ comes to us. We can see how He meets us where we are. We see how Jesus addresses sin with truth and love, not overlooking it. We see how He took a direct interest in speaking to this woman. We see how He can change a life through His salvation and forever change a woman and city. Like I said, we can learn so much from this chapter.
I want to look at the situation of his woman and what Jesus was offering to her. Her situation is simple. She had looked and looked because she was thirsty. She drank from the fountain of the world and came up thirsty every time. I wonder how many times she thought, "This is the one, this is the man I have waited for! He is the one that will satisfy my every need"? Only to have the relationship to end in disaster. This scripture tells us that she was married five times and living with a man now. I don't believe that God gives us this scripture to condemn the life of this woman but rather show her life and heart condition.
Her condition was one of thirst. Some would say that she lusted over men, and you could be right because I'm not old enough to know this woman to have asked her. Some would say that she just had bad luck with men. Maybe that old country song was written about her... "Looking for love in all the wrong places..." We don't know. But what we do know is that Jesus didn't spend much time on what she was doing, but on why she was doing it. She's thirsty! And this worldly water, or worldly love was not going to satisfy it.
This woman searched for her thirst to be satisfied in the men she marrying and it could only be found in Jesus. While she was drawing water for her thirst, she was given the water of life! Our devotion scripture says that He will give this water to anyone who is thirsty. So I ask you today, are you thirsty yet?
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
Day Shift
John 9:4
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
Almost every morning my dad would come into my bedroom to wake me up. During my teenage years I struggled at getting up. He would be happy and loud. Did I mention that he would be loud? For as long as I have been on this earth my dad has been a morning person. Sunday's were the worst. That's when he had been up for a while reading his Bible and listening to gospel music. It was time to worship! He'd bust through my door and say, "Get up, get up. Oh, what a morning!"
I can understand his excitement on Sunday's, but he continued this routine every single day. One thing he changed though, he would say, "Get up, it's time to work. We must work while it is day for night cometh when no man can work." I hated when he would throw scripture on me. I would always come back with, "Jesus wasn't talking about cutting grass." He would come back with, "Oh yes He was."
As I look back this morning at those times I believe more and more that I was wrong and he was right. Jesus was talking about doing the will of the Father while it was day. Accomplishing the will of His Father while He could. Dad wanted me to cut the grass and as much as I would like to argue about it, I couldn't do that at night. (Push mowers didn't have headlights)
Today is the day the Lord has made right? So, get up and get busy! Work today in His field because night cometh when no man can work. Up, up, up! It's time to get up.
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
Almost every morning my dad would come into my bedroom to wake me up. During my teenage years I struggled at getting up. He would be happy and loud. Did I mention that he would be loud? For as long as I have been on this earth my dad has been a morning person. Sunday's were the worst. That's when he had been up for a while reading his Bible and listening to gospel music. It was time to worship! He'd bust through my door and say, "Get up, get up. Oh, what a morning!"
I can understand his excitement on Sunday's, but he continued this routine every single day. One thing he changed though, he would say, "Get up, it's time to work. We must work while it is day for night cometh when no man can work." I hated when he would throw scripture on me. I would always come back with, "Jesus wasn't talking about cutting grass." He would come back with, "Oh yes He was."
As I look back this morning at those times I believe more and more that I was wrong and he was right. Jesus was talking about doing the will of the Father while it was day. Accomplishing the will of His Father while He could. Dad wanted me to cut the grass and as much as I would like to argue about it, I couldn't do that at night. (Push mowers didn't have headlights)
Today is the day the Lord has made right? So, get up and get busy! Work today in His field because night cometh when no man can work. Up, up, up! It's time to get up.
Monday, July 16, 2018
A Door of Hope
Hosea 2:15
And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.
If you've never read the book of Hosea I suggest that you do. This book is a story of love, true love. Not the soap opera or storybook love, but absolute true, forgiving love. God uses the story of Hosea and Gomer, no laughing... I wouldn't have married a woman named Gomer either, to set up an illustration of what happened between God and Israel. Gomer had left Hosea to live an adulterous lifestyle with men and money. She left her children and husband to pursue the selfish sins of her desire. But Hosea wasn't satisfied with letting her go. He redeemed her. He actually sent out the children to find her and plead with her. After she was found, he bought her out of her sinful lifestyle. What love! What forgiveness! What a Pursuer!
God stated that He wanted to do the exact same thing with Israel. He wanted them to return. He made this statement about the "door of hope" we see in our scripture. You may think that this is small or meaningless but you're missing it. God said He would give a door of hope in the valley of Achor. This valley was not known for hope. No, it was known for sin, death and judgment. It was in this valley that Joshua was commanded by God to take Achan and his family there for stoning. It was a valley of judgment, but God says I will give it to you for a "door of HOPE".
Praise God for the door of hope! God is extending His grace unto us this morning. There is a door before you. Today it is the door of hope, but if He comes and puts an end to this time and place then it will be a door of judgment. Open the door, He is standing at it knocking. (Revelation 3:20)
And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.
If you've never read the book of Hosea I suggest that you do. This book is a story of love, true love. Not the soap opera or storybook love, but absolute true, forgiving love. God uses the story of Hosea and Gomer, no laughing... I wouldn't have married a woman named Gomer either, to set up an illustration of what happened between God and Israel. Gomer had left Hosea to live an adulterous lifestyle with men and money. She left her children and husband to pursue the selfish sins of her desire. But Hosea wasn't satisfied with letting her go. He redeemed her. He actually sent out the children to find her and plead with her. After she was found, he bought her out of her sinful lifestyle. What love! What forgiveness! What a Pursuer!
God stated that He wanted to do the exact same thing with Israel. He wanted them to return. He made this statement about the "door of hope" we see in our scripture. You may think that this is small or meaningless but you're missing it. God said He would give a door of hope in the valley of Achor. This valley was not known for hope. No, it was known for sin, death and judgment. It was in this valley that Joshua was commanded by God to take Achan and his family there for stoning. It was a valley of judgment, but God says I will give it to you for a "door of HOPE".
Praise God for the door of hope! God is extending His grace unto us this morning. There is a door before you. Today it is the door of hope, but if He comes and puts an end to this time and place then it will be a door of judgment. Open the door, He is standing at it knocking. (Revelation 3:20)
Friday, July 13, 2018
The Crosshairs of Death
2 Corinthians 9:15
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
Let me share a story of a Medal of Honor recipient by the name of Sgt. John Hawk. He was an Army soldier during WW2. He was stationed in France and his mission was to guard the Falaise pocket. When enemy tanks approached, the American tank destroyers couldn't target them because of the elevation problem. They tank destroyers couldn't see over the ridge. Hawk used his body to line up the crosshairs and targets. Through shots and shrapnel, he told the tank men to place the crosshairs upon him. He used his body to identify the enemies position and destroy the tanks. He received the "Medal of Honor" for this. He also earned 4 Purple Hearts while serving. This man allowed the crosshairs to be aligned on his body!
Just as this man, and so much the more, Jesus Christ allowed his life to be placed into the crosshairs of sin for us. You see, sin would have been dealt with. You would have died because the crosshairs of sin were placed upon you! Satan had you in his sights, but Jesus stepped in and placed them upon himself.
What a glorious crown of glory he will receive when we gather into His gates. I just want to say thank you today. Thank you to all who set the mark of freedom upon their lives! Thank you most of all to Jesus for your unspeakable gift!
Thursday, July 12, 2018
I Was Thinking The Same Thing
Philippians 2:5
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
One of the greatest things that I love about being married is the similarities in our thoughts. Someone could be speaking and my wife and I can look at each other with the same facial expressions and know what the other is thinking. It could be a raised eyebrow or a smirky smile and we know exactly what the other one would say. At times we could be driving down the road and begin to speak the exact same words. Some of you would call this a coincident but it happens all to frequent.
This has not always been the case. But the more time we spend together, the more often we think alike. We have been married now for eighteen years. We have two children that are teenagers. We've spent a lot of time together! Whether it be fishing, church, playing ball, coaching our children or singing together, we've been together a lot. I can only imagine what our thought process and similarities will be like when we've gotten thirty to forty years into our marriage.
Over and over in scripture our relationship with Christ is presented as a marriage. The more time we spend with Jesus, the more we should think and sound alike. Our hearts and minds should be connected. The only way this could happen is to spend more time with Jesus. When we go fishing, take Jesus with us. When we play ball, take Jesus with us. When we sing, invite Jesus into the worship. Before long, you'll be sounding just like your other half. Your judgment of things will be similar. Your love for people will be the same. Your walk will be in the same steps as His.
Let His mind be yours today and everyday. Wouldn't it be great if someone approached you today and said, "You remind me so much of Jesus". WOW!
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
Sing It With Me!
James 5:13
Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
When our boys were very young I can remember them being in their rooms all alone and playing. My wife and I would be sitting in the living room reading or relaxing and we could hear them playing in their rooms with their toys. Some of my greatest memories is of them being alone and no one paying attention to their playing. They would sing so loud and would just be having the time of their lives. We would sneak in the hallway and listen. I even remember them doing this when they couldn't even talk right and the words of their made up songs would be so crazy. But yet they just kept on singing. Still today we will sit and listen to them as they play throughout the house. Whistling seems to be the number one thing to do around here!
I love how God's word shows us that things can change so quickly. One moment we could be singing and the next we could be praying over our sickness. Or one moment we could be sick and the next we could be singing. So if life is moment to moment and filled with ups and downs, then we must sing while we can.
Remember the old song... If you're happy and you know it...clap your hands! See, if we are happy (merry) then we should show it. If you're excited about Jesus and what He has done for you then show it. If your happy with what The Lord has blessed you with then show it. Sing, sing, sing!
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
A Call to Prayer
1 Thessalonians 5:25
Brethren, pray for us.
Simple! That's what I love about God's Word. It is simple, direct and straight. This is not a question of if we should pray for one another. No, it is a command. It is a statement of what we should be doing. Pray! I love an old song that says..
Brethren, we have met to worship, and adore the Lord our God;
Will you pray with all your power, while we try to preach the word?
All is vain, unless the Spirit of the Holy One comes down;
Brethren, pray, and holy manna will be showered all around.
Church, pray. We need to stop aiming our talks toward government or holding prayer meetings with juicy gossip request and get serious in prayer with the Almighty God that we serve. We need to fall upon our faces about the spiritual condition of our churches instead of the bunions on our feet. Get rid of the cold and careless prayers for money and prosperity and turn up the heat until it is a fervent, boiling over prayer for the lost souls around us. Brethren...pray! Sisters...pray! Children...pray! Church...PRAY!!!
Brethren, see poor sinners round you, slumbering on the brink of woe;
Death is coming, hell is moving; Can you bear to let them go?
See our fathers and our mothers, and our children sinking down;
Brethren, pray, and holy manna will be showered all around.
Brethren, pray for us.
Simple! That's what I love about God's Word. It is simple, direct and straight. This is not a question of if we should pray for one another. No, it is a command. It is a statement of what we should be doing. Pray! I love an old song that says..
Brethren, we have met to worship, and adore the Lord our God;
Will you pray with all your power, while we try to preach the word?
All is vain, unless the Spirit of the Holy One comes down;
Brethren, pray, and holy manna will be showered all around.
Church, pray. We need to stop aiming our talks toward government or holding prayer meetings with juicy gossip request and get serious in prayer with the Almighty God that we serve. We need to fall upon our faces about the spiritual condition of our churches instead of the bunions on our feet. Get rid of the cold and careless prayers for money and prosperity and turn up the heat until it is a fervent, boiling over prayer for the lost souls around us. Brethren...pray! Sisters...pray! Children...pray! Church...PRAY!!!
Brethren, see poor sinners round you, slumbering on the brink of woe;
Death is coming, hell is moving; Can you bear to let them go?
See our fathers and our mothers, and our children sinking down;
Brethren, pray, and holy manna will be showered all around.
Monday, July 9, 2018
What Are You Waiting For?
John 5:2-3
Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
God's Word tells us that this certain man laid here waiting for the moving of the water. Year after year he would wait for the stirring of the water. Every single time someone would beat him into the water and it would leave him to wait on one more year. All of that changed when Jesus passed by. Once this man met Jesus he didn't wait for the stirring of the water anymore.
So let me ask you this... What are you waiting for? Are you waiting for the "right time"? Are you searching for the "right service" that just feels good before you get come to Christ? Christian, are you waiting on a series of meetings before you experience revival? Are you storing up all of your righteousness, prayers, seeking of God for a specific time? What are you waiting for?
Can I tell you something? Stop waiting! He wants to heal you now! He wants to save you now! He wants to give you revival now! He wants to move in your life, that's right you guessed it, now! Now! Now! Now! No more waiting call on Him now!
Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
God's Word tells us that this certain man laid here waiting for the moving of the water. Year after year he would wait for the stirring of the water. Every single time someone would beat him into the water and it would leave him to wait on one more year. All of that changed when Jesus passed by. Once this man met Jesus he didn't wait for the stirring of the water anymore.
So let me ask you this... What are you waiting for? Are you waiting for the "right time"? Are you searching for the "right service" that just feels good before you get come to Christ? Christian, are you waiting on a series of meetings before you experience revival? Are you storing up all of your righteousness, prayers, seeking of God for a specific time? What are you waiting for?
Can I tell you something? Stop waiting! He wants to heal you now! He wants to save you now! He wants to give you revival now! He wants to move in your life, that's right you guessed it, now! Now! Now! Now! No more waiting call on Him now!
Friday, June 29, 2018
One Big Happy Baby!
Luke 10:21
In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
Have you seen the some of the videos on the Internet of these beautiful babies laughing? Why is it that we could be in the middle of the worst day ever but see this and smile or even laugh aloud with them? It must be something about the innocence or purity of their laugh. The smile of a baby can drive out the darkest of depression. It's just amazing.
This morning I am rejoicing along with Jesus. The scripture tells us that Jesus rejoiced in the spirit. I wish I could have been there to see my Savior smile and rejoice. To hear Him laugh from the belly. You know what I'm talking about? Someone who rejoices does it with every ounce of energy. I would have loved to see Jesus rejoicing.
But something greater than that causes me to rejoice this morning. It's the reason that Jesus rejoiced. He said that His Father didn't reveal Himself to the wise and prudent, but unto babes. It wasn't that God didn't reveal Himself to those who were learned and educated, it was that they couldn't see Him because of their self-righteous wisdom. But the babes, they saw Him. We saw Him! We see Him!
Most babies at Christmas will play with the wrapping paper and boxes more that the toy. You see those wise and prudent men looked for someone wrapped in gold and who would be carrying a sceptre. But I rejoice today because my Savior was wrapped in a sinful, shameful robe carrying a cross! They looked for someone to tell them a way out, but Jesus showed me the way up! I feel like One Big Happy Baby!
In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
Have you seen the some of the videos on the Internet of these beautiful babies laughing? Why is it that we could be in the middle of the worst day ever but see this and smile or even laugh aloud with them? It must be something about the innocence or purity of their laugh. The smile of a baby can drive out the darkest of depression. It's just amazing.
This morning I am rejoicing along with Jesus. The scripture tells us that Jesus rejoiced in the spirit. I wish I could have been there to see my Savior smile and rejoice. To hear Him laugh from the belly. You know what I'm talking about? Someone who rejoices does it with every ounce of energy. I would have loved to see Jesus rejoicing.
But something greater than that causes me to rejoice this morning. It's the reason that Jesus rejoiced. He said that His Father didn't reveal Himself to the wise and prudent, but unto babes. It wasn't that God didn't reveal Himself to those who were learned and educated, it was that they couldn't see Him because of their self-righteous wisdom. But the babes, they saw Him. We saw Him! We see Him!
Most babies at Christmas will play with the wrapping paper and boxes more that the toy. You see those wise and prudent men looked for someone wrapped in gold and who would be carrying a sceptre. But I rejoice today because my Savior was wrapped in a sinful, shameful robe carrying a cross! They looked for someone to tell them a way out, but Jesus showed me the way up! I feel like One Big Happy Baby!
Thursday, June 28, 2018
Clay Jars
2 Corinthians 4:6-7
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
What a privilege! What an honor! God, who is greater than the greatest. God, who is higher than the highest. He has chosen to shine the light of the glorious gospel into our hearts. He has chosen to speak His words of life into our sinful lives. He has chosen to place His glorious Gospel light in us. Did you hear that? God has put His prized possession of the Gospel inside of us.
Who are we? Who are we that God would think of us? Much more than that, who are we that we could house this glorious light? We are an earthen, fragile, clay vessel. I understand that we keep gold bars in Fort Knox. I understand that we keep our valuables locked up in a safe where thieves cannot steal them. But I sometimes struggle with the understanding of God putting a valuable treasure such as the Gospel inside of clay jars. Not to mention weak, clay jars.
But then we see it... "The excellency of the power may be of God, and not us." God's Gospel will never be about us. The treasure isn't a treasure because of what it is kept it. It's a treasure because of the value of the treasure itself.
God, thank you for placing your glorious light in me. I am so humbled that you would allow me to carry the Gospel light. Help me to reach others every day. May they find in an old clay vessel the treasure of Your Son, Jesus Christ.
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
What a privilege! What an honor! God, who is greater than the greatest. God, who is higher than the highest. He has chosen to shine the light of the glorious gospel into our hearts. He has chosen to speak His words of life into our sinful lives. He has chosen to place His glorious Gospel light in us. Did you hear that? God has put His prized possession of the Gospel inside of us.
Who are we? Who are we that God would think of us? Much more than that, who are we that we could house this glorious light? We are an earthen, fragile, clay vessel. I understand that we keep gold bars in Fort Knox. I understand that we keep our valuables locked up in a safe where thieves cannot steal them. But I sometimes struggle with the understanding of God putting a valuable treasure such as the Gospel inside of clay jars. Not to mention weak, clay jars.
But then we see it... "The excellency of the power may be of God, and not us." God's Gospel will never be about us. The treasure isn't a treasure because of what it is kept it. It's a treasure because of the value of the treasure itself.
God, thank you for placing your glorious light in me. I am so humbled that you would allow me to carry the Gospel light. Help me to reach others every day. May they find in an old clay vessel the treasure of Your Son, Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, June 27, 2018
Dancing in the Rain
Psalms 16:11
Thou wilt shew me the path of life:
in thy presence is fulness of joy;
at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
What would it be like to be in the very presence of God? Have you ever given thought to this? I have most everyday of my life. It seems that my prayer every morning is to be in the presence of God. I long so much to feel the Lord in every area of my life. My prayer many times is... "Lord I want to be so close to you today that I can feel your breath upon my neck as you speak to me."
If I can be honest with you this morning, not everyday is like this. Some days I wake up and feel as if God is miles and miles away from me. I feel like there is a wall between our communication and sometimes there is, but it's always on my end of the line so I deal with confession. But then there are other days that I believe I have everything confessed. I trust that I am seeking Him and walking after Him and the closeness I desire still seems distant. Then I'm reminded that Paul tells us we must walk by faith and not by sight. On these days I trust that He is there even though I may not feel Him through emotions of certain ways that I have in the past days. I still just trust He is there.
Do you understand what I'm saying this morning? Some days I want the sunshine and all I get is rain, but that doesn't take away from God still being God or my desire to be in His presence. When my days are cloudy I try my best to ask God for His presence to be strong in my life. Then through His Word He gives me the strength that I need.
Our scripture this morning says there is joy in the presence of the Lord. God said He would never leave us nor forsake us. He would be there to see us through. When Jesus ascended to Heaven He gave us the Holy Spirit so we would never be without His presence. This is where my joy comes from.
So if it's raining outside and I can't see the sun, I'll just dance in the rain and know that His presence is with me even when I can't see or feel Him. That's faith!
Thou wilt shew me the path of life:
in thy presence is fulness of joy;
at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
What would it be like to be in the very presence of God? Have you ever given thought to this? I have most everyday of my life. It seems that my prayer every morning is to be in the presence of God. I long so much to feel the Lord in every area of my life. My prayer many times is... "Lord I want to be so close to you today that I can feel your breath upon my neck as you speak to me."
If I can be honest with you this morning, not everyday is like this. Some days I wake up and feel as if God is miles and miles away from me. I feel like there is a wall between our communication and sometimes there is, but it's always on my end of the line so I deal with confession. But then there are other days that I believe I have everything confessed. I trust that I am seeking Him and walking after Him and the closeness I desire still seems distant. Then I'm reminded that Paul tells us we must walk by faith and not by sight. On these days I trust that He is there even though I may not feel Him through emotions of certain ways that I have in the past days. I still just trust He is there.
Do you understand what I'm saying this morning? Some days I want the sunshine and all I get is rain, but that doesn't take away from God still being God or my desire to be in His presence. When my days are cloudy I try my best to ask God for His presence to be strong in my life. Then through His Word He gives me the strength that I need.
Our scripture this morning says there is joy in the presence of the Lord. God said He would never leave us nor forsake us. He would be there to see us through. When Jesus ascended to Heaven He gave us the Holy Spirit so we would never be without His presence. This is where my joy comes from.
So if it's raining outside and I can't see the sun, I'll just dance in the rain and know that His presence is with me even when I can't see or feel Him. That's faith!
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Stick Out Your Tongue
Proverbs 18:12
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty,
and before honour is humility.
I do not like to be sick. Why? Because that means there is a doctors visit in my near future. You walk into the waiting room and enjoy your two hours of reading magazines that are at the latest four years out of date. Finally your name is called and you jump up with excitement and rush in. The nurse greets you, weighs you, gets a blood pressure and temperature reading and then tells you the good news once more... "Wait here, the doctor will see you soon."
The door knob rattles and all of the sudden there stands the doctor. White coat, stethoscope and a notepad or tablet. The general questions ensue and then the doctor reaches for the old trusty popsicle stick. Walks toward you and says, "Stick out your tongue." Doc looks around in there while you spew an "aaaaaaaahhh" at them. They take a super sized q-tip and touch the bottom of your stomach with it then rub it on a drink coaster. "I'll be right back with the results" they say.
Isn't it amazing that a doctor can understand what is going on inside the body by looking at the tongue or checking your throat? Well if you think that's something, look at what God said in His word. A haughty heart is a sure sign of destruction. When people are infected with pride it is clear that destruction will be their diagnosis. But what about those who are infected with humility? God says that honor is their diagnosis. We must be humble in our lives if we want God to move and use us.
Stick out your tongue and say, "Aaaaahhhh O Lord"
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty,
and before honour is humility.
I do not like to be sick. Why? Because that means there is a doctors visit in my near future. You walk into the waiting room and enjoy your two hours of reading magazines that are at the latest four years out of date. Finally your name is called and you jump up with excitement and rush in. The nurse greets you, weighs you, gets a blood pressure and temperature reading and then tells you the good news once more... "Wait here, the doctor will see you soon."
The door knob rattles and all of the sudden there stands the doctor. White coat, stethoscope and a notepad or tablet. The general questions ensue and then the doctor reaches for the old trusty popsicle stick. Walks toward you and says, "Stick out your tongue." Doc looks around in there while you spew an "aaaaaaaahhh" at them. They take a super sized q-tip and touch the bottom of your stomach with it then rub it on a drink coaster. "I'll be right back with the results" they say.
Isn't it amazing that a doctor can understand what is going on inside the body by looking at the tongue or checking your throat? Well if you think that's something, look at what God said in His word. A haughty heart is a sure sign of destruction. When people are infected with pride it is clear that destruction will be their diagnosis. But what about those who are infected with humility? God says that honor is their diagnosis. We must be humble in our lives if we want God to move and use us.
Stick out your tongue and say, "Aaaaahhhh O Lord"
Monday, June 25, 2018
While There Is Hope
Proverbs 19:18
Chasten thy son while there is hope,
and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
As a dad, some of the most unpleasant and difficult moments are when I've had to discipline my children. To punish them for their disobedience is needed and although I know that God has given us this duty, it still hurts me. I suppose it hurts because of the disappointment of their choice. I still can't handle the tears because of the punishment.
When I think of sparing them or being lenient, my own dad comes to mind. I can remember as a child being punished (for something that I deserved to be punished for) and thinking... "Why aren't you whooping them? Why aren't you whooping my friends?" My dad would say, "They don't belong to me".
Remember Peter walking with Jesus on the shore of Galilee after his resurrection? Jesus was correcting him and bringing him back to the fold. Peter asked Jesus about what would happen with John and Jesus answered with, "You follow me". Did you know that shepherds will break the legs of wondering sheep in order to keep them from going astray? Well, God has told us that if we love our children then we will discipline them. We will chastise them for their wrongs. (Please don't break legs, that's abuse not discipline)
Our scripture tells us that we should do it while there is hope. By being a dad or mom who corrects their children that they love, we are giving them hope. I have heard many parents say that there is no more hope for their children. They are too old to discipline. I wish we could do it all over. My answer is always, we can't go back. We can only go forward.
Although I may be the one who goes into another room after I discipline my boys and cry, I can't let their tears deter me from disciplining them. Just as my earthly dad and Heavenly Father disciplines me, because I belong to them, I must never forget to do the same. Just as my dad loved me very, very much (haha) I love my boys the same.
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not...
Jeremiah 31:3
The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying,
Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love:
therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
He loves me, he loves me not, he loves me, he loves me not.... He loves me! Did anyone do this when you were young? We depended on daisies to tell us our fate in the love category. Something that is funny to me is young children today. They have invented these paper fortune tellers. They write girls or boys names underneath these little flaps and turn it in and out by counting numbers. And then the flap is lifted with their loves name on it. They giggle and shout sometimes. At times they don't get the person they wanted and feel down about it. Isn't that funny?
We all at times feel unloved. We look at how people treat us and evaluate their love for us. We count all the things that people have given us and talley up their love for us. We say, "They love us, they love us not..." Some even feel that God has changed His love for us. They sometimes feel unloved because of suffering and trials but the love of our God is not dependent upon what we have or don't have. It's not given because we have deserved it or earned it. He loves us, and that's all.
Maybe you're thinking, "He loves me, He loves me not..." But let me tell you this! "He loves you, He loves you, He loves you, HE LOVES YOU!"
1 John 4:19
We love him, because he first loved us.
Monday, June 18, 2018
Crackers in the Meatloaf
Luke 9:13-17
But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people. For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company. And they did so, and made them all sit down. Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.
With God, there is always enough! Sometimes there is more than enough, but all the time there is enough. As I think back upon my life this morning and take inventory, I recall the sufficiency of God. Even as I recall my childhood, God was always sufficient.
I remember this one time my dad bragging on my great-grandmothers hamburgers. I suppose I remember it well because of the argument that it started. My mom made hamburgers and dad begin to recall his grandmothers style of burger. Then the statement came out... "Boy Granny-Clay sure could make a good hamburger". (From dad of course) Then my mom told him to just go on over there and let his granny make him a burger if they were so good. (it wasn't intense, just picking at each other). Well somehow we got on the subject of how moist and tender Granny-Clay's burgers were. And then I heard it. Mom said, "She puts crackers or old bread crumbs into her burgers and meatloaf". I said, "What? Why would someone put crackers in the meatloaf?" My mother then begin to explain of hard times. She said they would do this in order to stretch out the meat. They didn't have much meat at times to feed everyone so they would put the crackers in the meat to stretch it out.
In our scripture today, God takes a little boys lunch and turns it into an "All You Can Eat Buffet". Remember little is much when God is in it.
As you take inventory this morning on how blessed you are, I'm sure there were times that you've had plenty. Blessed more that the freezer could hold. Other times you probably think that you were not blessed as much. But if you will stop and think about it those could have been the blessed times that God was, and is, being sufficient. You look at your five loaves and two fish and believe it's not enough. It's because it is in your hands. Put it into the hands of Jesus.
Maybe there are crackers in your meatloaf or hamburgers, but "Boy they sure are good". AND ALWAYS ENOUGH!
Thursday, June 14, 2018
Everything That Glitters Ain’t Gold
Acts 17:19-20
Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
When I was younger my mother would always tell me, "Everything that glitters ain't gold son". She would always say this to me when I was dating a girl. I would come home talking about how pretty they were and how popular they were. Most every time it would end with her making this statement. It wasn't that she didn't like these girls, she didn't even know many of them. It was they way I spoke of them and what attracted me to them.
I really never understood what she was trying to teach me by always telling me this statement until I grew older. You see I always saw the face, the features and sometimes even the status of a girl. My attraction was just skin deep. I'm almost certain that I wasn't alone in this battle. Boys always wanted the pretty girls and girls always wanted the good-looking guys. It's our youthfulness. What is funny is how my mom would say it. Her eyebrows would raise and give me that look of, "Be careful son... Remember, everything that glitters ain't gold".
Can I tell you that we live in a world today that will tell you that all is well. Everything is okay if you are enjoying it. "Do what makes you happy" is the motto of America. But always remember this, "Everything that glitters ain't gold". It's sad to say, but even in our churches this attitude has flooded our pulpits. The lack of conviction, preaching and repentance is prevalent. The scriptures say that God once winked at ignorance but now commands that everyone should repent. Repent means to feel sorry, or convicted for your sin to the point that you confess it and TURN from it. Feeling bad or sorry about sin isn't repentance, turning from it is. Repentance is like gold because of its worth.
Thank you Lord for giving me an opportunity to repent. Thank you for showing me that repentance isn't just skin or statement deep. It goes to the point of turning from sin and turning toward you. Please help all today that are at this point right now. Help them to see the golden opportunity and not just fool's gold of feeling sorry.
Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
When I was younger my mother would always tell me, "Everything that glitters ain't gold son". She would always say this to me when I was dating a girl. I would come home talking about how pretty they were and how popular they were. Most every time it would end with her making this statement. It wasn't that she didn't like these girls, she didn't even know many of them. It was they way I spoke of them and what attracted me to them.
I really never understood what she was trying to teach me by always telling me this statement until I grew older. You see I always saw the face, the features and sometimes even the status of a girl. My attraction was just skin deep. I'm almost certain that I wasn't alone in this battle. Boys always wanted the pretty girls and girls always wanted the good-looking guys. It's our youthfulness. What is funny is how my mom would say it. Her eyebrows would raise and give me that look of, "Be careful son... Remember, everything that glitters ain't gold".
Can I tell you that we live in a world today that will tell you that all is well. Everything is okay if you are enjoying it. "Do what makes you happy" is the motto of America. But always remember this, "Everything that glitters ain't gold". It's sad to say, but even in our churches this attitude has flooded our pulpits. The lack of conviction, preaching and repentance is prevalent. The scriptures say that God once winked at ignorance but now commands that everyone should repent. Repent means to feel sorry, or convicted for your sin to the point that you confess it and TURN from it. Feeling bad or sorry about sin isn't repentance, turning from it is. Repentance is like gold because of its worth.
Thank you Lord for giving me an opportunity to repent. Thank you for showing me that repentance isn't just skin or statement deep. It goes to the point of turning from sin and turning toward you. Please help all today that are at this point right now. Help them to see the golden opportunity and not just fool's gold of feeling sorry.
Wednesday, June 13, 2018
Beating Out Of My Chest
Job 37:1
At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place.
Job's friend, Elihu, is telling Job of how great God is. If you could take the time this morning, go back and read Job chapters 36 and 37. It tells of how awesome are the works of God. He is above all things. Our God is perfect in knowledge. He is mighty in strength and wisdom. Our God is a preserver of life to the righteous. He is a provider and blessing to those who keep His commands. It also tells of how great God is in His justice and judgment. If we will keep His words and commands, He will establish us and bless us. If we choose to disobey Him then He will have perfect judgment.
Elihu goes on to ask Job, "Who can teach God?" He says that God is great and no man can number His years. He is found in the light. He shines always, even above all the clouds of doubt and sin. He sends His wind (Holy Spirit) to remove those clouds so that His light can shine through. He is God!
While talking about God and His greatness he confesses, "My heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place." He was saying that when he thought about God and His greatness that it felt as if his heart was going to beat out of his chest.
How do you feel when you think about your God? Let me try to explain the way I feel. When I saw my wife coming down the aisle of the church as my bride eighteen years ago, I felt like my heart was in my throat. It was pumping so fast that I thought I was going to spit it up right there in front of everyone. I was so overwhelmed with love that I though my heart would escape my chest. I still feel the same way about her. Well, when I think of God and what His Son did for me... It's magnified!
I need to go check my blood pressure now...
At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place.
Job's friend, Elihu, is telling Job of how great God is. If you could take the time this morning, go back and read Job chapters 36 and 37. It tells of how awesome are the works of God. He is above all things. Our God is perfect in knowledge. He is mighty in strength and wisdom. Our God is a preserver of life to the righteous. He is a provider and blessing to those who keep His commands. It also tells of how great God is in His justice and judgment. If we will keep His words and commands, He will establish us and bless us. If we choose to disobey Him then He will have perfect judgment.
Elihu goes on to ask Job, "Who can teach God?" He says that God is great and no man can number His years. He is found in the light. He shines always, even above all the clouds of doubt and sin. He sends His wind (Holy Spirit) to remove those clouds so that His light can shine through. He is God!
While talking about God and His greatness he confesses, "My heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place." He was saying that when he thought about God and His greatness that it felt as if his heart was going to beat out of his chest.
How do you feel when you think about your God? Let me try to explain the way I feel. When I saw my wife coming down the aisle of the church as my bride eighteen years ago, I felt like my heart was in my throat. It was pumping so fast that I thought I was going to spit it up right there in front of everyone. I was so overwhelmed with love that I though my heart would escape my chest. I still feel the same way about her. Well, when I think of God and what His Son did for me... It's magnified!
I need to go check my blood pressure now...
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
What Are You Talking Aboout?
Acts 8:35
Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
Our scripture tells us about a man of God named Phillip. He was preaching a meeting where hundreds were being saved and God told him to leave and go down to Gaza. God had someone there for Phillip to witness to. He found this man riding along and reading the word of God. Phillip asked him if he understood it and he answered by saying, "How can I, except some man explain it to me."
So Phillip opened his mouth at the same scripture and preached Jesus unto him. He shared with him how Jesus fulfilled the words of God that he was reading. Jesus was the sacrifice that Isaiah was speaking of in those scriptures. In short, Phillip's message was Jesus Christ!
Paul said that he only knows the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. What more do we need? Why do we feel that stories, jokes or flare is needed for people to understand the Gospel. I understand that each person is different and is used greatly by God because of their character. My point is when will we realize that the message is simple. It is plain. It is truth and it is powerful. It's Jesus! Give people less of you and more of Jesus.
God help me always to know that people will still die and enter Hell if they know me, but can have salvation eternally if they surrender to you.
So let me ask you, what are you talking about? Or better yet, who are you talking about?
Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
Our scripture tells us about a man of God named Phillip. He was preaching a meeting where hundreds were being saved and God told him to leave and go down to Gaza. God had someone there for Phillip to witness to. He found this man riding along and reading the word of God. Phillip asked him if he understood it and he answered by saying, "How can I, except some man explain it to me."
So Phillip opened his mouth at the same scripture and preached Jesus unto him. He shared with him how Jesus fulfilled the words of God that he was reading. Jesus was the sacrifice that Isaiah was speaking of in those scriptures. In short, Phillip's message was Jesus Christ!
Paul said that he only knows the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. What more do we need? Why do we feel that stories, jokes or flare is needed for people to understand the Gospel. I understand that each person is different and is used greatly by God because of their character. My point is when will we realize that the message is simple. It is plain. It is truth and it is powerful. It's Jesus! Give people less of you and more of Jesus.
God help me always to know that people will still die and enter Hell if they know me, but can have salvation eternally if they surrender to you.
So let me ask you, what are you talking about? Or better yet, who are you talking about?
Monday, June 11, 2018
The Benefits of Godliness
1 Timothy 4:8
For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
What are the benefits of bodily exercise? Well for me personally it is...better shape of the body (less round), no medication to help with my blood pressure or diabetes, a better feeling of energy and accomplishment. The benefits of exercise can be awesome! I never, in my whole life, thought I would say that I like to run and exercise but I do. The stress that comes off of me while listening to my Christian music and running is just so crazy. But what is cool is that not only do I benefit from it, but my wife and boys benefit from it as well. I hope I'm a better husband and daddy because of the benefits of a healthy body.
But notice what the scriptures say, "Bodily exercise profiteth little:". God did not say that exercise wasn't good for you. You know what is so funny? I've heard people use this scripture to teach exercising does you no good. That's not what God is teaching here. He is saying... Compared to Godliness, that profits unto ALL things, the benefits of bodily exercise is little. You see, bodily exercise benefits for years, but Godliness benefits for eternity! Bodily exercise benefits here on earth, but Godliness benefits in this life and our life of eternity which is to come. What is really cool is that not only do we benefit from exercising Godliness, but our spouses will, our children will, our churches will, our employers will, our friends will, our neighbors will. Can't you see how much greater it is?
So while we exercise our bodies, never forget to exercise our spirit in Christ Jesus, because that's what will profit the most in the end.
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