Prayer a New Start

I took the weekend off from writing so I could focus on an issue that God has really hit me over the head with in the last week and that is one of prayer or my lack thereof. Now I know a lot of you are looking at that and wondering what I am talking about so let me explain. I pray like many of you I get a prayer request by e-mail or a text message I stop and pray, I pray as I study and prepare to teach and write these devotionals.  During my last week God really has brought to my attention that many times I pray the grocery list and go on. Not that any of this is bad but Prayer is our strongest weapon against the enemy and we often take it so very lightly no wonder we live defeated lives. So I will be focusing on prayer for a few days hope that is alright. When I was looking at God’s word he brought me to Mark 9:14-29(ESV),

14  And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. 15 And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him. 16 And he asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” 17 And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. 18 And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” 19 And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” 20 And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. 21 And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23 And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” 25 And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” 26 And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. 28 And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29 And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”

Now how many of us live a prayer life as if we don’t really believe what we pray for? Sometimes we must take action like the father and ask God to help us even in times that we don’t believe. Jesus was willing and able to do what the man asked. The question becomes did the father believe Jesus could do it. The focus of our prayer lives should be centered on the fact that God is able to do all things. He only asks that we trust and believe in Him. I pray that God blesses you today and he helps your unbelief change to belief I promise you he is more than able and willing to answer your prayers.

Discouragement Comes

Isaiah 42:1-4,

¹ “Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will bring justice to the nations.
² He will not shout or cry out,
or raise his voice in the streets.
³ A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
⁴ he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”

I am going to be honest with you right now I am feeling discouragement. Even as I attempt to walk in what God has called me to. After I taught last night I was honestly physically and emotionally spent. I can only begin to imagine what our Pastor has felt and wrestled with when he has taught on unpopular areas. Then more trials came this morning and sometimes it seems like it would be easier to quit. But as I was driving home I heard the story of Willy Mays on the radio. In his first season as a professional baseball player he struck out his first 37 times at bat. When he got his first hit it was another 39 times before he hit another one. He was standing in the locker-room debating on quitting because he did not believe he was good enough to be a professional player. When the team manager stepped in and said as long as he was the manager he was going to play baseball. Willy Mays went on to hit over 3,000 runs in his time in baseball. The discouraging start he had  could have stopped him but love and positive influence of someone else helped him to succeed. The scripture I shared is talking about the coming of Jesus and how he will not be discouraged or subdued by the world He will establish justice and set things right. I am going to accept the fact that He has called me and I am going to live under his word in Philippians1:6.” ⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” I pray each of us lives to encourage one another and to lift each of us up in prayer. You never know who you might be helping. God has only the best in store for us as we walk with Him. May God Bless you and Keep you as you go through your day.

Jesus: Friend or Acquaintance

Exodus 33:11, “¹¹ So the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.”

John 15:12-17, “¹² This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. ¹³ Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. ¹⁴ You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. ¹⁵ No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. ¹⁶ You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. ¹⁷ These things I command you, that you love one another.”

Do you have this relationship with God? Do you desire to serve Him as you would your dearest oldest friend? I guess the reason I ask that question is because to really live a life blessed by God we must have a relationship with him that is more than casual. You know I was told by my dad when I was a kid that if I had six friends that would carry me to my grave I would have really done something in my life. True friendships are hard to find and even harder to maintain. Friendships are more than knowing someone’s name or how many kids they have or what their favorite color is. Facebook is a great example of the idea we have today about what friendship is all about. You can look up a person in a matter of minutes and in most cases find out more than you ever wanted to know about them and we call them our friend. The really kicker is I got to looking at my list of friends on Facebook and most of them I have either not seen or spoken to in the past 25 years. To top that off I did not really talk to them 25 years ago either. We have allowed our understanding of what a friend really is to change and in doing so have corrupted our ability to have a friendship type relationship with God.

 The scripture shows that God desires to be a friend to each of us through His son Jesus. We have been chosen by Jesus to share in the knowledge of God. He tells us that when we love one another as a friend we share the details of plans we make and understanding we have of situations with our friends. Love is the key to a true friendship as Christians many times we tell people we love them one second and curse them the next. The real harm in this comes when those outside the church hear us behaving in this manner. Even those living in the world know that true friends do not do this. I challenge you to examine your relationships today do you have close personal friendships or are you living a life with lots of acquaintances. I know a lot of people but when I really need something there are only a few people I will call and ask for help. How about you? Is Jesus an acquaintance or a true friend you can count on? Is he there when no one else seems to understand and you feel alone? I promise you it will be the best friendship you make with anyone because He is able to meet needs that no other can. Have a blessed day.

Motivational Gifts

Romans 12:6-8, “⁶ In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. ⁷ If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. ⁸ If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.”

                I know some of you know and understand these gifts of motivation or service better than I do. There are so many people coming to the Lord that have never heard of them Ifeel called to let them to know more about how God works and what He calls us to. So please bear with me and allow God to led. You might be surprised like me what you might learn that you thought you knew. I seem to learn a little more about God everyday as I study so you might to.

Today when we think about the gift of teaching we often think of a person teaching Sunday school or some other class but the Gift of teaching is more about a person who asks why and seeks understanding of God’s Word so they can grow and in turn share that knowledge of the truth for the edification and uplifting of the body of Christ. This is an area that is critical to the health and development of the church. When believers are not trained they are easily led astray. Teaching is not preaching it is more of an instruction for edification than a call to repentance that you will see in preaching.

The gift of encouragement or exhortation is one of my favorite gifts to see at work within the body of believers and if there was ever a gift that each member of the body could or should desire it is this one. It is in the encouraging of one another that we grow and become who God has called us to be. Last night I was at the funeral home like many of you. The gift of encouragement was working well there last night it was a celebration of the passing of a wonderful Godly women and the family showed such peace and it was felt as soon as you walked into the building. It was not a sad time like so many can be but the encouragement that had been shown in the life we celebrated was given back in the love of the family it really emphasized the gift of encouragement. I aspire to have that effect on those I care about and so should each of us. But it requires we speak the truth in love and with the purpose to build one another up in the lord that is the gift of exhortation.

The gift of giving is not as simple as we make it out to be. We all automatically think those who have been financially blessed should give to the support of God’s church. It is important but it is also the gift or sacrifice of an individual’s time or other talents. If you have been given the gift of teaching are you using it? If you have been given the ability to minister through exhortation do you do it? Do you lead well? Does your kindness reach those around you or do you just not have time to be the person God has called you to be? The giving to meet financial needs is important to the church but so are the gifts God has placed on you for service. If God has blessed you with money give it abundantly and with a cheerful heart. He has also given every believer one of these seven gifts and desires you use it for the uplifting of the body.

Has God given you a desire to lead? Do you see something that needs to be done and you step up and take charge. Do it with an understanding of why you are leading if it is for personal recognition you might as well stop. God calls leaders to meet the needs of others and intern you should receive satisfaction from the fact you have led well. Leadership is not about position it is about the act of service. We must always remember Jesus instruction when we are in leadership, “the greatest of these is servant to all” never allow your title to determine who you are. Leadership is much more than a title and position it is about making tough choices that are going to benefit the body of believers and further God’s kingdom.

Last but not least mercy or kindness when I think about this gift I can tell you there are Christians who do not have this or even think about it as a gift. We can be the hardest of people and not willing to forgive of any people in the world. I honestly believe we have forgotten that if it was not for God’s mercy we would all be dying and going to hell. All Christians should have a certain level of mercy one towards another and even more towards the world around us that does not know Jesus. I realized some time ago except for the grace of God I could be in any number of situations that would seem terrible to me and my family. But in God’s mercy he has brought me through and out of those places. Showing mercy is required of every believer but some have abundance of this gift use it well.

I close by telling you if the body of Christ will allow these seven gifts to function in and outside of the church we would live in a different world. I challenge you to examine yourself and determine what gift God has placed upon you and start there use it and develop the others for the Glory of God. Have a blessed day.

Gifts for Service

Gifts for Service

Romans 12:6-8, “⁶ We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; ⁷ if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸ if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”

We need to look at these gifts a little closer so we can understand what they are and how God uses them in each of us to serve and strengthen the body of Christ. These are that are given not only to the preacher but to the individual members of the church to provide strength and growth within the body.

The first one listed is Prophecy and we look at that and think that is being able to foretell the future but that is not really what it is. A prophet is a discerner of truth. Through the revelation of God they are to discern the truth in and proclaim the truth now prophecy is an often misused gift in the church today and all prophets should be tested because the claims they make come from God when they are wrong they lead many astray and bring harm to the church. Prophets do still work within the church today but must be careful to be obedient to the Holy Spirit in there walk and conversations.

The next gift is service or ministry depending on the version of the bible version you are using. This area is one that each of us has some part in. It is the ability to see an area that can see a need and God has empowered the individual to perform that ministry. It is not just the pastor but any person who God burdens with trying to meet a need that is currently not being met within the church. This gift will show up as you serve others and provide support both physically and spiritually to others without being asked to do it.

These two gifts of the Spirit are available to any member of the body of believers and will be displayed as believers grow and feed the Holy Spirit through Bible study and prayer. We will look at some of the others tomorrow. If these are not the gift God has blessed you with it is alright. No one gift is more important than the others they are all required to have a healthy and growing church and as a body of believers they are all important and no one except Jesus has ever displayed all seven in one person. Have a blessed day and pray about what Spiritual Gift God has given you.

Gifts in the Body

When we have accepted and understood why God loves us we can begin to understand that everything we do in our lives has a direct effect on His kingdom and his plan of salvation he put into effect in Genesis when Adam and Eve were put out of Eden. But once we have accepted Jesus as Lord the Holy Spirit becomes present in our lives and indwells each believer. With this indwelling comes power and as we spend time in study and prayer we feed that side of our new nature and it will grow stronger. And in its fullness you will experience the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. In Romans 12 is a list of seven areas that the Holy Spirit works in; that a healthy church will have functioning within the body of believers.

Romans 12:6-8, “⁶ In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. ⁷ If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. ⁸ If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

The only person who was ever able to operate in all seven areas was Jesus. Now you may feel like you have more than one but one will always be the driving force in why you serve God. Once you understand which one is your core than you are able to focus on that. It does not mean you do not need to understand the others and allow for opportunities to use them when God presents them. But you will only truly have that one is your central driving force in ministry.

 The scripture goes on to explain some guidelines for the use of these gifts in Romans 12:9-16:

^“9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. ¹⁰ Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. ¹¹ Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. ¹² Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. ¹³ When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. ¹⁵ Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!”

Once you know what your gift is allow God to strengthen it for his glory feed it through prayer and Bible study. If you are not sure what your gift is ask God to reveal it to you. Inquiry of others that you trust what they believe your gift might be. Understanding what gift God has called you to work in gives you strength to do the work He has placed before you. It also allows you to help strengthen the Body of Christ as we must work together for the growth of the kingdom. Have a blessed day and may God Bless you in whatever gift he has empowered you with.  

Thirsty Lives

Isaiah 55:1,
¹ “Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.

John 7:37-38, ³⁷“On the last day of the great festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “ Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. ³⁸ Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them. ³⁹ By this He meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to this time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not been glorified.”

Do you ever just get thirsty and you can’t find anything that really satisfies you? We all do at times you just want something that is not readily available and you have to get up and go out and look for it. You jump in the car and drive down to the store and buy it. Well the same things happen in our walk through life we desire or thirst for more yet everything we try to do never really bring satisfaction. We try different jobs, new hobbies; try all sorts of different things. We all are just looking for whatever it is that seems to be missing that just keeps us from experiencing true happiness and personal worth. The truth is that the only way to true happiness and enjoyment in life will come when we have a right relationship with Jesus. It’s just the fact that we have to be willing to go to Him and take in what he is offering. We are told it is free that we can have it and all it requires is we accept it and partake in it. When you do finally accept what he is offering it will be so satisfying that you will desire it more and more each day.

Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” (John 4:11) That offer is there for us today if you are tired of living a dry life and want more out of it ask Jesus to give you a life that is full of the living water that comes in the Spirit. God will be glorified the question is will you be involved and have a new fullness in your life or will you continue to live that dry thirsty life? The choice is yours have a blessed day as you a walk through life.

By God's Grace

Titus 3:1-8, “¹ Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, ² to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. ³ For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. ⁴ But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, ⁵ not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
⁸ This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.”

AS Christians we have received grace and forgiveness, as Christian we should in turn show grace and forgiveness to all we meet. It’s easy to say that but we all find it harder to do than we might want to admit too. In receiving God’s grace we are set apart from the world and as we spend time separated from it we can sometimes place ourselves above those who are still living in the world. We lose our ability to relate to people who are lost and struggling with life without God. I have to remind myself everyday that except for the grace of God go I. have you ever wondered where you would be had God not  moved upon your heart and changed you leading you away from the destruction that comes to all who fail to believe in Him. Now works are not the way to salvation but they do present a right relationship with God. We should desire to serve God out of the abundance of love He has shown us through His Son Jesus. We should desire to show His love to the world and that is done through our living a healthy relationship with those who still need Him. Never allow yourself to look down on someone due to their current condition you could have been there in that place had God not saved you. Have a blessed day.  May God’s Love for everyone shine through you as you go about your day?

Our Worth

In recent days I really have been burdened about an issue that many people suffer with and I myself have at times. The issue is personal worth do you know someone who treats themselves poorly because they have a very low opinion of themselves or a poor self-image of who they are because of where they come from or who their parents are. It works in other ways to we can have a self-image that makes us believe we are more important than others. This issue reaches people at every stage of life and sometimes we argue over when people still have value. All I can tell you is God really has burdened me about the fact we are all important from the tiniest child to the oldest adult we all are created in His image. When we read scripture it is one of the first things we learn.

Genesis 1:27-28, “²⁷ So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. ²⁸ God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

When you look at the creation story you have to understand first God created us in His Image. What does that actually mean? Well in Chapter 2 of Genesis we get a more detailed description of what that happened.

Genesis 2;7 “⁷ Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”

Everything in creation up into this point was created just by God merely speaking it into existence. In the formation of man though He does something different, He himself forms man from the dust of the Earth. He goes a step further with this part of His creation He breathes life into man. No other part of creation received this direct blessing from God. So where does your worth come from? We have for so many years now allowed science to dictate what we believe about the human race. Darwinism and evolution tell us that we are just here by accident and that we really have no purpose it’s all just nature and only the strongest will survive. I once agreed with that idea and I even called myself a Christian when I was doing it. But God’s word tells us we all have value and a purpose. We are not mere accidents but each life is has worth because he created it with a purpose. Our worth is not based on the clothes wear or the friends we claim to have. It is based first and foremost on the fact that God took time to breathe life into Adam putting a piece of Himself in each of us. That is why we are important and should treat each other with that same value.

That is why when we read in John 3:16, “¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. When we read that it makes more sense if we are all accidents why would God give such a sacrifice for any of us. I challenge you today when you look in the mirror be sure to understand you are created in the image of God. Your worth is not determined by what others think of you but by the understanding that God created you out of love and he has a purpose for you. Have a blessed day.

The Blame Game

Proverbs 19:2-3, “² Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes.³ People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord.” (NLT)

                We all make choices in our lives about what we will do and how we will do something. And then we turn around when it does not workout and look for someone to blame for it. I would say it is human nature to do this because almost everyone I know has done it at least once in their lives. It is easy to place blame on others and make it look like they are the cause of all our problems. The truth is that if we had taken a little more time and gave it a little more thought would have avoided the problems we found ourselves in. In the end life is about choices. We must be willing to take responsibility for our actions. Responsibility as defined by Webster’s Dictionary is; the quality or state of being responsible: Moral, legal and mental accountability. I like this definition I heard this week responsibility is; how I respond to the situation I find myself in. Life is not fair but we are the ones who make the choices we must be willing to live with our choices. I hope you have a blessed day and you approach your choices with wisdom and prayer some choices can’t be undone. If you find yourself in a bad situation because of a choice God can still make something good out of it If you are willing to let Him. Have a Blessed day.

Why This, Why Now

1 Thessalonians 2:1-2, “¹ For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. ² But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.”

If you have ever wondered why this, why now welcome to the crowd; God’s word teaches in vs. 1 that everything that we do for God has a purpose and something will come out of it that we might not be around when it becomes what God intended but our part was just to be obedient and submit to God’s call on our lives. Everything we do for God advances the kingdom no matter how simple or insignificant we might believe it to be. It also tells of sufferings and trials that Paul and Silas suffered in order to share the gospel while in Philippi. You can read the whole account in Acts 16 but I have shared some of it here.

Acts 16:23-24, “²³ And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. ²⁴ Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.”

Paul and Silas have been thrown in Jail for casting a spirit out of a slave girl who could tell the future and it cost the owners a lot of money because she could no longer see the future. Scripture says Paul cast the spirit out because he became annoyed but God was still at work. God had a purpose and a place for them to be to perform another work of mercy and grace. That had they not cast out the spirit they would not have had this opportunity we read about in vs. 25-34.

Acts 16:25-34, “²⁵ But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. ²⁶ Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. ²⁷ And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. ²⁸ But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”
²⁹ Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. ³⁰ And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
³¹ So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” ³² Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. ³³ And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. ³⁴ Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.

God had a plan and it required Paul and Silas to be at the prison in their trial and suffering God had a plan for the salvation of the jailer. Had they not been going through that at that moment the man and his whole family might have been lost and on their way to hell. We may not understand why we have to go through the stuff we do but God has a reason and one day we might see the purpose in it in the mean time we must submit to His leadership in our lives. He desires only the best for us but sometimes we must endure hardships to be about his calling for our lives. Have a blessed day. Allow God to use you as you go about you lives today and when trials comes hold on to the fact that He knows exactly where you are and what you are having to go through. He just might have a purpose you did not think about.

Love and Secrecy

1 Peter 4:8, “⁸ And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of Sins”

Proverbs 16:28, “²⁸ A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends

Proverbs 17:9, “⁹ He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends.

When someone asks you what your definition of love what is your answer? Scripture talks about it in many different ways and as we look at the verses God led me to today I want to talk about love as the means of forgiveness and restoration. When we look at Proverbs you will see the wisdom of God in its simplest form. He gives us instruction through Solomon on how we are to love one another when it comes to issues of secrecy. Love provides us the answer. You say, “Secrecy and love?” Well when someone entrusts you with a secret they do it out of the love they have seen in their relationship with them. They feel secure enough and trust you enough to share their hopes, dreams and issues with them. Do not approach that lightly. It is an honor to be trusted and loved that much. The problem is too often we break those trusts because we are not as loyal to those we claim to love as they believe. We can very easily be caught up in the middle of something and have no way to resolve it except to love all those who are involved. As love is shared we allow forgiveness to grow and issues to be laid down and released. Remember that someone sharing a secret with you shows a level and trust that is hard to gain and even harder to restore when we fail to keep things secret that we have been entrusted with.

I do have to put a disclaimer here if the secret you have received involves illegal activity as a Christian we are subject to the laws and authorities that God has appointed over us. The trust that you have between individuals does not override that God has called us to live as a Holy People. There will be and are times we must do what is right in accordance with God’s will and the laws of our country if that requires you to reveal a secret to prevent harm from coming to someone you will need to take a stand. As a minister I am required by law to report certain things I am told even in confidence. Do not take who you entrust your secrets to lightly desire to seek out individuals who you have grown to love and love you equally and you will not have to worry about your secrets. Have a blessed day and may the Lord bless you in all you do.

Love and Motives

1 Thessalonians 2:5-8, “⁵ You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. ⁶ We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. ⁷ Instead, we were like young children among you just as a nursing mother cares for her children, ⁸ so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.”

We must be about God’s work with a humble spirit and a desire to see God’s will done Many times we are about what is in it for me. Ask yourself about your motives. But this verse also explains the type of Spirit we should have with others. We should be humble in spirit and attitude not lording over others a position in the church or even the authority given us by position or title. If Paul would refrain from it that are we to hold it over others we must always remember to live a life that shows the peace and love of Jesus to those we meet.  One more rabbit trail Galatians 5:22 we talk about the Holy Spirit bringing us gifts of the Spirit but I had this pointed out yesterday and had never seen it before but when we read the scripture it tells us: ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” There is but one fruit and the other eight listed are manifestations of the one we must Love one another without love none of the rest will ever be available to us. In verse eight what does it say that they loved them? Without the love of God we are not able to live uprightly. Be sure your motives are built around Love for one another as God first loved us.

Transforming or transactional

"24 When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. 25 And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither? 26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. 27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. 28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. "

John 6:24-29 (NKJV)


This morning I was wondering why and how you follow Jesus. These verses come the day after Jesus feeds the 5000 and works many miracles of healing but he knows why these people are there it's not because of a change that is in their lives but it's because the want a free meal. This might seem a little harsh but are you in that crowd? I once was but now I can tell you there is so much more to be gained if you seek afterJesus so he can change the all the junk in your life and provide purpose for you. To many of us have transactional relationship with Jesus and are content just with that. This relationship we have with Jesus is so much more than that. If you treated your spouse and children like we treat Jesus do you think they would want to spend time with you. And if you do than that might explain the problems in most of the homes today. We must take time to know Jesus on an intimate level just as we should know the others we love and care for each day. May your love for God and His Son be a changing force in your life. The more love you give to God the more love he returns to you and you will be able to share that with those around you. Stop treating Him like a bank and only dealing with Him when you are in need. He desires o much more than that for you.

Keeping Faith

Matthew 15:21-28, “ ²¹ Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. ²² A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”

²³ Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

²⁴ He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

²⁵ The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

²⁶ He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

²⁷ “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

²⁸ Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.”

This morning we look at a situation where Jesus had to make a choice. Do you realize His true mission was only to the lost people of Israeli; but when this gentile woman came and showed real faith Jesus chose to show mercy. You know the original promise of salvation was never intended for you and I. God expanded it to us when He sent Peter to Cornelius’ house in the book of Acts. That is why keeping the faith is so important. When we fail to keep faith with God He is not obligated to keep faith with us. It applies to our personal lives and interaction with others in our daily lives. Don’t you hate it when someone says I am here for you but when you actually need them you can’t find them anywhere? Now a person who holds faith will always be there no matter what the problem. That is the type of people we all want to call friend. We look for that when we deal with others; should they not see the same thing in us. When we learn to keep faith with God it is easier to keep faith with one another. The faith we show in God allows for Him to do great works through us and for us. When next time you find yourself seeking help ask yourself have I been faithful to those I am depending on or have I fallen away and been left them undeserving of their faithfulness. Her faith made her daughter well what God has done for one He will do for you. Keep faith with Him and those around you; because if you are not keeping faith with people around you, you can’t be keeping faith with God. Faith brings rewards for the one who holds it and the one that faith is held with will have a peace. God Bless You Today

Work of Righteousness

Daniel 12:3, ^“3 Those who are wise shall shine
Like the brightness of the firmament,
And those who turn many to righteousness
Like the stars forever and ever.”

Proverbs 11:30, ^“30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
And he who wins souls is wise.”

James 5:20, “²⁰ let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.”

The scriptures are very simple and straightforward we are taught that as a Christian we should desire to reach the lost for Jesus and by doing so save them from the punishment of Hell. But these three scriptures show us a how we are to do it and that it requires righteousness of the one who is leading the other out of that darkness. Many of us desire to see lost loved ones saved after we have been given our own salvation but it requires we stop living the life we had and begin a new one with God at the center of it. Each person you meet during your day is creates an impression of who you are. What sort of person are they seeing? Are you the same on Monday through Saturday as you are on Sunday or are these two different lives that never reach into one another. Being double minded only leads to confusion and in the end will lead to judgment of not only your soul but those you may have led astray because you were not faithful to God and righteousness was not found in you. Scripture tells us in James that you cannot get both fresh water and salt water from the same spring. Are you living your life that way? If so a pray God convicts you and guides you to a place of righteousness so He can begin to use you in a way that even you will be surprised by. For if you desire to serve God than you must begin to live for him, the old person you once where is now dead. Leave them behind and start a new walk in the blessings God has for you. Let us each be about leading souls that is to be our main purpose in our new lives. Have a blessed day in the Lord may His glory shine wherever you are today.

Truly Saved

Hebrews 10:26-31,

²⁶ For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ²⁷ but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. ²⁸ Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. ²⁹ Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? ³⁰ For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.  And again, “The LORD will judge His people.” ³¹ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

As new creations in Christ we must understand one thing. We will experience a change in our lives, for some it is instant and for others it takes a little time and a willingness to allow God to change our hearts. In my own life it was overtime as I had been taught different things from different denominations that confused me about what God’s word said and how it applied to my own life. The Holy Spirit and God’s word are the only true guides to sanctification for the believer. I read this verse this morning and was burdened to share it because in my own life I have not always lived worthy of the sacrifice of Jesus not that I was harming others but I was living outside the word  and will of God. The scripture states that two witnesses could lead you to death under the Law; if that is the case than what do you believe the judgment will be for those who continue in sin after professing Christ as lord. Throughout history we can see what kings have done to those who have become traitors to them or their country. The death of the traitor was almost always the end result. Once you call on the Lord you have become a citizen of His country when you turn your back on him and continue to live in the sin that only He is able to deliver you from; you will find yourself being testified against by the Holy Spirit and the Son of Man, and death will be your reward. We may fail in our life to uphold every standard that God’s word lays out but to blatantly continue to live in sin means you were never really saved. God allow this word to change a heart today and bring someone into a right relationship with You because the day of the Lord draws closer each day. Bless each of you in your walk today.

Promise of Peace

Isaiah 54:1,

“¹ “Sing, barren woman,
you who never bore a child;
burst into song, shout for joy,
you who were never in labor;
because more are the children of the desolate woman
than of her who has a husband,”
says the LORD.”

When I opened my bible this morning it landed on this verse and I could not stop reading it. So I am not sure who may read it today but I can tell you I had to write what the Lord impressed on me. Just from the very start there are families I am praying for that came to mind that desire to have a children  and I pray God blesses them with as many as they can handle. But this verse speaks to everyone male and female who has ever had a dream for the future; a vision of what God has called them too, and not seen it come to life yet. No matter what is occurring around us and if it seems we have no hope for the days to come. God has given us a promise that through His son Jesus Christ there are better days coming. This verse was from God, Isaiah spoke it to explain one day His blessings would cover all the unfulfilled dreams of the nation of Israeli. It is a promise of peace for those who believe in the Suffering Servant whom was promised to come. God desires to bring you only the best of what life offers. He has a plan for your life and in His time He will bring a peace to you about all the desires of your heart especially if your desire is founded on His calling for your life. Have a blessed day and remember He has promised Peace to those who trust and obey His Word.

God is on the Throne

Psalms 11

“¹ I trust in the Lord for protection.
So why do you say to me,
“Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety!
² The wicked are stringing their bows
and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings.
They shoot from the shadows
at those whose hearts are right.
³ The foundations of law and order have collapsed.
What can the righteous do?”

⁴ But the Lord is in his holy Temple;
the Lord still rules from heaven.
He watches everyone closely,
examining every person on earth.
⁵ The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked.
He hates those who love violence.
⁶ He will rain down blazing coals and burning sulfur on the wicked,
punishing them with scorching winds.
⁷ For the righteous Lord loves justice.
The virtuous will see his face.

Do you ever struggle with just not knowing why? I do and in many times I have just had to stop and say ok God I know that for some reason you have this all planned out and in control. I trust in You to lead me to what is best for my life and family. Last night I went with about ten other men and my son to see Courageous If you are a father or ever consider you might be oneday I recommend you take the time and go see it. It was hard for me given the story line but I can relate to it better than most I guess. But this morning as I was studying I was reminded in this verse that God is in whom I Trust. I am reassured as I read verse 4 knowing that God is still on His thrown and has His eyes on each and everyone of us. The promise that we must hold to is in verse 7. God loves Justice. Have a wonderful God filled day.

All Good Works

There is a story found in Luke 9 that tells of a man casting out Demons. Let us look at it:

Luke 9:49-50, “⁴⁹ Now John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us.” ⁵⁰ But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side.”

What James and John saw was someone in competition with them and what Jesus knew to be truth was that no one could do God’s work that was not called by Him. That very thing is still true for each of us today. When God calls us he equips us, the problem is to many pastors and church people believe they have the only answer. Not saying all the other religions in the world are right but that as Christians, if we hold to the truth found in the Bible and the understanding that we follow the one and only son of God we are all doing the work of God. There is a scene in one of C. S. Lewis books The Last Battle and it gives a great illustration of this in the world of Narnia there are two God’s Aslan the son of the King and a lion in form and Tash a usurper to the kingdom in form looks like a large buzzard. But a young Calormene who has served Tash all his life is thrown into the stable. Well the stable opens into a new world beyond the world of Narnia. As the story progresses He meets Aslan the true son of the king and Aslan tells him that all the good he did was not to honor Tash; but to Honor Him and His father. Because in Tash there was nothing good and all work that is done that is good can only come from the Father. Sounds familiar does it not. It is a lesson we must hold onto and understand the good we do is meant to glorify God not ourselves or our churches but the one true king and ruler of this world and the next. When we look at our Christian fellowship in a way that makes it the only one that Jesus can use; we cause a rift between us and other believers and non-believers. There will come a day when we will be held accountable for each and every word spoken and every life those words have affected God calls many people to His work each of us is wired for different callings so we can reach different groups that do not know him. The methods may not always look the same and they can’t because what I like and you like may not be the same. That does not mean God is not at work. The bible tells us, "His ways are not our ways"; so He will lead each of us when we trust Him to the work He has for us. I pray you are willing to open your heart and mind to what He is calling you to the days grow short and we all must be about His work.

Are you called?

Acts 8:26-31, “²⁶ Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” ²⁷ So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, ²⁸ and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. ²⁹ The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”

³⁰ Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.

³¹ “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.”

Do you believe that you are called? I know you are sitting there wondering if I am crazy you have no desire to be a pastor or preacher. But do you know that once you have accepted Jesus into your life you have the same responsibility as Phillip the Apostle. God has something for your life that will have an impact on His kingdom. We are not all called to preach but we are instructed in 1 Peter 3:15-16, “¹⁵ But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶ keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” Sometimes we are asked questions by those who do not believe or understand the gospel. We are all called to understand what we believe and why we believe it. We should be able to explain why we believe. When we have no answer for them we miss the opportunity to witness for Christ. It may make the difference between life and death for those who ask. Please take the time to understand your own testimony ask yourself why do you believe and be prepared for the next door God opens for you.  Be blessed in your life and be prepared.

Sacrifical Praise

Nehemiah 12:43, “⁴³ And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.”

Psalm 51:15-18,

“¹⁵ Open my lips, Lord,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
¹⁶ You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
¹⁷ My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart
you, God, will not despise.

¹⁸ May it please you to prosper Zion,
to build up the walls of Jerusalem.

This morning I woke up thinking about sacrifice and praise. Sacrifice means to offer; I like the definition from Webster’s Dictionary: the surrender or destruction of something prized or desirable for the sake of something considered as having a higher or more pressing claim. Then if you look at the word praise you see this definition. The offering of grateful homage in words or song, as an act of worship: a hymn of praise to God. Do you see what is in the definition of praise? Offering.  What does it mean to sacrifice something? Offering. These two words are the same and when you give sacrificial praise you are placing before God a double portion of the best you have to offer Him. The men who came back from Panama stated the church started at 7:30 and went till 1:00 pm when the people have nothing else to give God they can and will give Him praise. To do this it requires as David instructed a broken spirit and a contrite heart before God and I assure you if you seek Him with that attitude He will fulfill His promises to you. Just as He did for David and Nehemiah in both cases they were restored and made new before Him and the world. That is what we should desire. Look for time to give God sacrificial praise today during your time of fasting would be a great time to focus wholly on God. Have a blessed day and allow God to be God through you today.

Fasting for Today

 ⁶ “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? ⁷ Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? ⁸ Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. ⁹ Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, ¹⁰ and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. ¹¹ The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. ¹² Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

Isaiah 58:6-12 (NKJV)

I know this is a subject that is not common for most of us. It is not something that is talked about in most circles but this is what God has laid on me to share with you today. Do you ever feel like you have prayed all you can and you are not seeing the answers that you were expecting. I want to share that fasting might be the next step. It is not something to take lightly if you desire something from God fasting will open paths that you are not be able to open on your own. When we fast we give up something to spend time with God, traditionally its food. This is something that you will want pray about and be sure before you do. It requires that God call you to it He is the only one that can provide that strength. But in our rushed world where we are always connected and constantly under attack with information and all sorts of stuff that distracts us from what God has called us to. I would recommend in today’s world you start there. Cut off the cell phone, computer, IPod, or whatever piece of electronic media you are using for one hour just to start. It is in my own case one of the yokes that keeps me from being able to hear God and even prevents me from true service to Him. I have had to switch from looking at the Bible online back to my good old leather bound Bible. Once I turned on my computer I might not get done what I intended to do which was study and grow closer to God. Because the news might catch my interest I am a normal person if it pulls me I am sure it pulls on you. Take the time to dedicate yourself to God without all the distractions in our lives today. I pray that you consider fasting to get closer to God and see if He does not fulfill the promises He gave the prophet Isaiah in your own life. Have a blessed day.

Valley Vision

Isaiah 22:1-2, “The burden of the valley of vision. What aileth you now, that thou art wholly gone up to the housetops?”

I spent yesterday evening watching the sunset from the top of a mountain and this morning watching it rise again from another one 20 miles away. So I was wondering about that and what lesson there is for me in it. When I got up this morning I really did not have anything burning to write to you about but as I have thought about my day I can say God is always at work. The vision I had for my day yesterday did not become what I intended for it to be and as I drove home exhausted and tired ready to go to bed and stay there. This morning I drove up the other mountain and watched the sun break over the trees and fill that valley between the place I was and the place I was currently standing I understood one thing each day is made new. All the stuff I might experience between my mountaintops is still filled with the light of God. It’s just often not as easy to see when you are down there with it. But when he has lifted you above it you can see he was with you the whole time. May God Bless you and allow your vision to be clear to His purpose in your life.

Comfort and Peace

John14:26-27, “²⁶But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

²⁷Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. ^(KJV)

I woke up this morning thinking and praying for a dear friend who is sitting by the bed of a loved one waiting on God to call them home. I have experienced that and I have had one taken without warning and I have to tell you that neither of them are an easy way to say Goodbye. In my own life sometimes I wish things could have been different but we all must play the cards we are dealt. I assure you except the Lord sound the trumpet we will all experience death. But in the middle of that and any other part of life Jesus gave us a promise. There are days I really like; the King James Version of the Bible, it is the only version that calls the Holy Spirit by this title, “The Comforter.” I have read that so many times and each time it means more to me. When everything else in  our world looks bad I can hold to this promise that God has provided Peace to me through the Holy Spirit and Comfort for all of life’s experience can be found in that same Peace. I ask you to take time today to look for that peace and comfort that is available to you in whatever storm you are in. God has promised to be there for you. All it requires is that you trust in His Son Jesus and call on His name. He has done it for me and He can do it for you Have a blessed day in the Lord and may His light guide you and His spirit comfort you.

Are you troubled today?

Psalm 3

¹ LORD, how they have increased who trouble me!
Many are they who rise up against me.
² Many are they who say of me,
“There is no help for him in God.” Selah

³ But You, O LORD, are a shield for me,
My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
⁴ I cried to the LORD with my voice,
And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah

⁵ I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.
⁶ I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who have set themselves against me all around.

⁷ Arise, O LORD;
Save me, O my God!
For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone;
You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.
⁸ Salvation belongs to the LORD.
Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah

There are days I wake up feeling like the first part of this Psalm that everything and everyone is working against me. But I hold onto verse three I know that know trial has entered my life that God Has not already prepared a way of escape from. He is there to protect me as travel through those dark hours and I promise you He is there for you to. If you have chosen to believe on Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior you will never be alone even when all your BFF’s turn their backs and walk away cursing you. God has sustained you for a purpose. But only you can determine what it is. I pray God show you what He has for you today. Have a blessed day.