An Impact Player

Jude 1:22

And of some have compassion, making a difference:

At our home we play video games together. We love to play sport games against each other and get our favorite teams and players (Roll Tide). Well now our games have these indicators for certain players. It could be a white star or a something similar. This is an indicator of a players strength or abilities. Impact players are huge game changers. 

The word of God teaches us that there is nothing greater than love, grace and mercy. In this scripture we see that compassion (mercy) on people who are struggling can make a difference. This could be game changing for them. Mercy and compassion could give great victories for you and the receiver. 

So put on your suit of compassion. Your helmet of salvation. Your pads of Grace. Be a game changer today. Be an impact player!

I remember a story about a young boy throwing starfish back into the sea. An old man asked him if he thought he was making a difference. There're were thousands of starfish on the shore. He picked up another one. Tossed it into the sea and said, "Made a difference to that one". 

Ringing From My Heart

1 Corinthians 6:15-17

Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 

Before we continue in the devotion this morning please understand that the sciptures are dealing with those who have confessed Jesus as their Savior.  He is dealing with Christians, or those who claim to be.

God teaches us today that if we say we are a part of the body of Christ, then we are one body together.  Just as the marriage illustrates and other scriptures define. The two have now become one.  Have you ever noticed that God asks us questions at times through the scriptures in order to turn the cogs in our minds and hearts?  He knew the answer to this question.  He knew where Adam was before He ever asked where he was.  He knew what Cain had done before he ever asked where Abel his brother was.  He wants you to think on these things. He desires that you come to the conclusion of your need, sin, or wisdom.  God is not a force-feeder but He leads you to the banquet.

Don't you just love the last part of our scripture today? "But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit." When we receive Christ as our Lord, we are no longer an individual.  No, we are now joined unto Jesus.  Wherever we go, whatever we say, whatever we do, we carry Jesus with us.  We should not be guilty of joining ourselves to any other.  

You know what? My wedding band is an inanimate object.  It can't guide me or give me directions (at least not until the iRing is invented). But it can speak to me and for me.  Now listen to me before you hang up and think I've lost it.  The ring on my finger speaks to me of my covenant/promise to my wife.  It speaks to me about the love and oneness I share with her and only her.  We are joined together!  Did you know she also wears a ring just like mine on her finger? (just a bit smaller in size)  Her ring speak as well.  Also these rings speak to others.  It says, "Back off, I'm taken! My heart and life belongs to another."  

If I never had a ring... I have a promise to her and myself.  The ring just signifies the promise made.  Just like your actions signify your oneness with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  You may not have a "Christian Ring" on today, but your actions should be ringing out.  Loud and clear from your heart people should hear, "I'm joined to Christ!  He is my one and only! I LOVE HIM!"

Always On

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

The running joke at our house is about a commercial.  Whenever the power goes out we always mention this commercial.  It's an Alabama Power commercial.  The ending is always the same. It says, "Alabama Power... Always On".  Well when the power goes off I always say, "Always On, Huh?"  As long as there are storms, snow and accidents it can never be always on.  Sometimes the power goes out and there you are.  I even asked the boys the other night where they were when the power went out.  One said, "In my bedroom".  The other said, "I was standing next to you dad".  Then I replied, "Nope, you were in the dark".

If your home is like ours when the power goes out it is a time of mourning.  The boys tell of how quiet it is and how it is soooooo boring.  There's no wifi, there's no phone charger, there's no light in the bathroom, there's no fan noise to sleep by.  Oh the suffering, the torment! Then the conversations begin to roll out.  "I wonder what they did in the old days when they had no power?" "What would they do at night?"  I said, "They would go to bed".  

Since the invention of power so much has come about in our world.  The things we are able to do because of power.  My wife's grandad, Pop, has always said he will gladly pay the power bill no matter the cost.  You know why?  He lived when there was no powered air conditioning.  He says he will pay for that cool air any day.  

Think about this today... Are you trying to live in your own power?  As a Christian we shouldn't attempt to live through our own power, but through the power of the Gospel. Through the power of the Holy Ghost of God.  There are even some today trying to become a Christian (be saved) through their own works or power.  Our scripture this morning says that the power of salvation is in the Gospel!  It's in Jesus!  Stop depending on your strength to make it.  Stop trusting in your power, because it will never be "Always On".  No, only the power of Christ is "Always On". What a difference the power can make.  Light can shine in the darkest of places because of the power.

Don't Tell Me What You Are

Psalms 19:1
The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

This morning as you head out for the day take the time to look around. Look at the trees, sky, birds, cows, chickens and all of God's creation. Take the time to look up into that beautiful blue sky or those rolling clouds filled with rain. Isn't God awesome? I think about being on the lake and seeing the beautiful and glistening water or the mountains seeing the rolling green grass and hills. God's creation is so amazing.  It all brings praise unto Him.

Everything that God touches He made into something beautiful and great. When I see those green trees I can't help but thank God for the shade. When I see the rivers, streams and lakes I can't help but thank God for water that satisfies my thirst (and fish, don't forget fish). When I see the mountains I can't help but thank God for their beauty.

Well what about you? You are a creation of God. Some of you are now a brand new, "born-again" child of God. Do you declare the workmanship of Christ? When people see you what do they thank God for? Some people would probably thank God when we are quiet or away, hahaha.

A tree has never had to speak to me and convince me of what it is. I can tell. I can tell the differences between trees also just by looking at them. Oaks are different. They have different bark and even different grain patterns in the wood. Pines are different from oaks. Each one has some similarities but all are different.

So, so many are trying tell people what they are. "I'm a Christian" they say but then act totally different. Let me ask you this... What if you couldn't talk, would people be able to tell that you are the handywork of God? Would they see the great salvation of our Lord in your life? Don't tell me what you are, show me. Better yet, don't show me, show others.

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah

Genesis 6:22
Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.

Imagine being on the earth during the days of Noah. Come on now, it's not that hard. It is very similar to our days that we live in. More than the waters that were about to come, sin had flooded the earth like never before. Men and women were evil. So much that their thoughts were continually upon evil.

While God still searched the earth with his eyes of grace, they landed upon Noah. Then it happened, Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. God told Noah that He was going to put an end to this evil world with a flood. He told Noah to build an ark. God left no detail up for question. He gave specific instructions and dimensions. He even told what type of wood to use and how to finish it with pitch.

What if Noah would have said, "God, this is crazy and way to hard"? If Noah would have rejected the word of God not only would he have died but he would have taken his whole family with him. No, Noah determined in his heart that God was right. He surrendered to God's plan and built the ark exactly how he was told. "Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he."

God is speaking to you right now. He gives you specific instructions for your life. It's called His Will. It's His plan for you. Are you listening to God? Many of us would answer yes to that question. We all say we are listening to God. What if Noah only listened? "Yeah, yeah, yeah, I hear you.... Make it so big...make it so long...I'll get to it."

By FAITH Noah built the ark. He did everything God commanded him to do. I love how it emphasized it twice. "Thus did Noah;...so did he." Are you doing everything God has told you? Are you surrendered to His plan for your life? Or do you find yourself saying, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'll get to it"?

Our Faithful God

Deuteronomy 7:9

Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

A couple of years back I attended and led a marriage conference. What an amazing time we had!  God moved so greatly and effectively. Walls of division were torn down and a unity seemed to flood every one of our sessions. To get these sessions in a lot of work had to be done. My wife and I studied for hours about what to say. Our couples prayed hard about what God would do with their marriage. Our hosts, Jae and Amy Thomas' family with the Big Oak Ranch, prepared a menu, cooked and served every meal. Much labor had to be done in order for these walls to be torn down. A lot of faithfulness to the work of saving marriages was done for these meetings. 

Although it was a sixty hour weekend conference, counting sessions, sleeping, dinner and activities, much more time and faithfulness was put into it. Taking off work, people keeping children, packing and preparing... So much faithfulness was put into these marriages.

But more than our faithfulness, look at God's faithfulness. I want you to know The Lord God, He is God. The Faithful God!  He will never fail. He will never leave. He supplies all things. When I forget things, He remembers them. He is so faithful to remind me. He keeps His covenant with us through His mercy and love all the way through thousands of generations. Forever!  

At this conference, a reminder that marriage is a covenant and not a contract was mentioned. A contract is a legalistic agreement that has terms and conditions in which it can be broken. But a covenant is a promise of God's love to us. A covenant is a promise that is kept!  We keep His commands not because we have to, but because we are in love with Him and want to. We obey Him and submit to Him because of His love for us. 

But you know something? Even when I fail at following and submitting, HE IS FAITHFUL!  God is so faithful to me and no one can take the place of Him!  Thank you Lord, the Faithful God, for loving me faithful for a thousand generations to eternity. 

Judging God

Hebrews 11:11

Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

At ninety years of age, Sara was told she would have a baby boy. Can you imagine the thoughts rushing through her mind?  Most of the time the thoughts of an expecting mother are... What will my baby look like? Will he/she come early or late? I don't care, just as long as they are healthy. Speaking of they, I wonder if it will be twins. The thoughts just keep coming. 

Although I'm sure at sometime or another Sara thought about these same questions, she probably gave more attention upon one of them. How in this world can I conceive a child when I'm so old. Most of us would say there is no way this could happen. Even Sara laughed about what God said while she was inside of her tent. 

But then Sara judged God. She came to a conclusion about her God. She said, "He is faithful!"  If God has promised her a son, then He will preform the miracle to get him here. 

How do you judge God this morning?  What do you say about Him? With the world always telling everyone not to judge, I say how do you judge God?  He can do great miracles. Sara knows!  She judged him faithful who had promised. Thank you Lord for your promises.