Tell Me Who

3 I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One. 4 Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son’s name? Surely you know!

Proverbs 30:3-4 (ESV)

As I was looking at these verses of scripture it struck me that as Agur son of Jakeh was writing this he would not know or understand much more than you or me about God than what had been shown or taught him by the scriptures of the Old Testament. He would have seen God portrayed by many names;

Yahweh meaning The Lord or Creator

Jehovah also meaning The Lord

Jehovah-Elohim meaning the Lord is God

Jehovah -Elyon meaning The Lord God Most High

Jehovah-Jireh meaning The Lord Will Provide

Jehovah-Repheka meaning The Lord is My Healer

Jehovah-Tsidqenu meaning The Lord is Our Righteousness

Jehovah-Tsebaoth meaning The Lord of Hosts

Jehovah-Nissi meaning the Lord is Conqueror

Jehovah-Shalom meaning The Lord is Peace

Jehovah-Shamah meaning The Lord is There

Just to name a few of the names God is known by each of these names brings into focus a certain characteristic of God’s personal nature. When we know and understand this we better understand what He is capable of in our life. When we pray we need to understand and believe that he is able to do what we are calling on him for. Often this is why are prayers are ineffective and seem to go nowhere because we truly do not understand the power He possess. In our life today as Christians we are called to pray in only one name and that name is above all names being equal with God; Jesus Christ, has the authority of all these names in His one name but if we do not understand the character of God than we will not understand the power in Jesus’ name.

9  Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:8-11 (ESV)

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Matt 28:18 (ESV)

The wonderful part of this is we know the name of the Son and the name of Father just as Agur asked in the proverb He desired to know and he has opened our minds to that same desire. I want to leave you with a quote from the GI Joe cartoon series from the 1980’s and it is simply “Knowing is half of the battle” as we grow to understand the character of God we will better understand the power found in the name of Jesus Christ and in this we will find assurance when we pray in His name for our needs and those around us. Have a blessed day as we walk in the light of God’s Word.

Serving Under Authority

4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.

Romans 13:4-5 (NLT)

7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to who taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to who respect is owed, honor to who honor is owed.

Romans 13:7 (ESV)

I was studying this morning about the life of Paul and reading a book by F.F. Bruce entitled; Paul Apostle of the Heart Set Free, it is a very in-depth study of the person and role of Paul in the early church and how his ministry affected each individual church. It highlights each of his writings and breaks down a very plausible line of how things occurred in His ministry. If you ever desire to know more about Him I would recommend you read it. But as I was reading about his interactions with the Corinthians it highlights one of the greatest problems he faced in witnessing to them and providing council; that was a lack of respect for his authority as an apostle. As I began thinking about that I began to wonder about our understanding of authority both outside and inside the church. I used the verses from Romans to highlight the main issue we are to give honor were honor is due. Not because of who the person is but because God has appointed them for this particular time and place. You see God can see all of it not just the small picture that surrounds us each day. We have a limited idea of His plan for not only our lives but for the coming kingdom.

You might ask how this affects the church; well often we as church members will see things going on around us that we may not understand or even agree with. In such cases we do have the right to turn around and walk away from it. To many times though we instead choose to stay where we are and become a hindrance to the work of those who are appointed by God to lead. In doing this we often find ourselves unsatisfied and miserable in the process making everyone else just as miserable and undermining God’s work. Not a place you really want to find yourself I can assure you it will be something you will one day answer to God for. I have some advice and you can take it or leave it if you have found yourself living in contradiction to the pastor and staff of the church you attend it’s time to move on or get right. I would choose get right because wherever you go you will continue to find reason to complain. Now you should never be asked to do anything that is directly contradictory to scripture; that is where knowing what they Bible teaches and applying it to your life comes in. To many times we can be lead astray because we are not grounded in His word well enough to defend ourselves. For those in leadership one last thought, "If you are a leader and no one is following you; your just taking a walk." (John Maxwell) Be sure everyone knows and understands the plan and vision you have it helps to build cohesion and move the vision forward. That is often why we buck at authority we lack understanding of the vision. I pray you will live right as you walk in the light of His Word have a blessed day.

Training for the Future

7 Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly.8 “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”9 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it.10 This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.

1 Tim 4:7-10 (NLT)

In my life time I have spent several hours of my life in a gym trying to stay physically fit. When I served in the Army it was part of my normal routine to work out we did physical training everyday often spending as much as two hours in running and calisthenics. We did this to be ready for the demands of combat so when the time came we would be better prepared and more of us would come home. When you get to looking at how different units train you will see the higher the stress they work under; the more intense their style of physical fitness usually is. I promise you Green Berets and Navy Seals do extensive physical training in preparing for the future missions. Yet the real training comes in the mental preparedness that they go through as they work their way through training in whatever area they have been called to serve in. This is really were the rubber meets the road. Being mentally prepared knowing all the possible situations and how best to respond to issues along the way is often what makes the real difference in coming home alive or dead. The physical training makes it possible to reason in times of stress the mental training allows you to make the right decision.

Paul explained this to Timothy; there was value in the physical training of his body and he should not allow himself to become weak in the flesh; but all the might he may gain from it was folly if he was not mentally prepared for what lay ahead. He was to focus on God in all things in this he would find direction and answers for his life. The understanding of this one idea that he was to live a godly life was the key to his future success. Today we need to understand this very same principal and apply it to our walks as Christians. Consider it training for the war we fight every day. The best trained soldiers go not only physically prepared for battle but mentally prepared to face what lay ahead.  When our bodies become weak we can be driven on to complete the mission we have been called to perform. You see if we are walking in godliness than we have tapped into a power that can carry us through all of the obstacles the world will throw at us. I pray today you begin training for what lies ahead because each day brings its own battles. Walking in the light of God’s Word will help better prepare you for them.  

Load Bearing

19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Selah 20 Our God is a God of salvation, and to God, the Lord, belong deliverances from death.

Psalms 68:19-20 (ESV)

Are you carrying the load alone? I know that might not make much sense when you first read it but we need to understand this one simple thing. We were never meant to carry a lot of the stuff we carry in our lives without the help and sufficiency that is found in God. You see the verse tells us that He; the Lord, daily bears us up. That phrase caught my heart this morning and I want us to better understand what it means; “to bear someone up”.  Bear as a verb has many meanings but the one that is most common and what we need to understand about the way it is used here is it means, “to support the weight of (sustain)”. I liked this definition also though, “to move while holding up and supporting (something)” that is what God does in our life He not only sustains us for the future; he holds us up as we move through each day; He has blessed us with. Life is not easy and it is not fair; we can turn to one another for support but in the end we are mere human beings with sin as part of our nature we may fail to bear one another up in times of trouble. Yet when we learn to turn to God and allow Him to bear us up we will find salvation in Him. As a Christian we must be able and willing to go to Jesus and ask Him to BEAR US UP. He is able to carry it. Matter of fact He already has when He walked through Jerusalem carrying the cross. In that one day Jesus took every sin that you and I will ever commit and made payment for them. He carried our load and our penalty because He loved you and me. He could have called a multitude of angels to His side but He chose to bear us up in love. I pray today no matter what you might be facing that you will remember that Jesus loved you so much He bore the cross for you so that no matter what we face He has proven to us how much He loved us and that it is never more than He can carry. Have a truly blessed day as you walk in the light of His Word.

Experiencing God's Love

21 But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: 22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”

Lamentations 3:21-24 (ESV)

I guess it is a day of reminders I have looked over several scriptures and have been praying about what I needed to share and every time look at one I realize I have already written about it directly or indirectly. Yet I know God’s sovereign in all things so I will just be obedient it might be that I need to be remind or someone else needs to read this. In all things God is master, He is the one who has the control of every issue that comes into our life. He does not use that control as a dictator but in his live for us He presents us a hope for everyday and every situation we might experience. I have been asked numerous times how people survive in the world without a relationship to Jesus Christ. Well the answer to that is they even though are not walking with God is still able to experience His love. To many times we assume that God is vengeful and that His love is only reserved for those who have accepted Him as Lord and Savior. The truth be told He provides breath to those who do not believe in Him also He does not keep from them the necessities of life. If He was to remove His love from them and His care for their future they would surely die in that very instant. That is what real love looks like that when others do not love you; you make a conscious choice to go on loving them. I hope that makes sense. You see if we fail to show others that we care and love them because they are different or because they don’t really like us than we have already condemned them to death. Our love for one another springs from the Love God shares with us each day as we walk in the light of His presence in our life. I challenge you today to love like God loves providing for those around you some idea of what God’s real love looks like. Have a blessed day as you walk in the light of His Word.

Honey for Your Life

13 My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. 14 Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

Proverb 24:13-14 (ESV)

It seems as if wisdom is the issue for the day and how when we desire it we will find we can be assured of a future. The wisdom of God is so great that not many will even seek it. As people we are often only after our own form of wisdom and that wisdom comes with a hard end it leads unto death. The write of this scripture uses honey as an example of God’s wisdom. You know honey is an interesting thing. It really is nothing but honey. It is a natural sweet substance produced by honey bees from the nectar of plants and secretions of living plant parts of plants. What is cool though is it takes approximately 60,000 bees travelling 55,000 miles and visiting 2 million plants to create one pound of honey. The coloration of the honey is based off of what flowers or plants the nectar is collected from. It’s a lot of work but honey is so very good for you. I have even been told eating a spoon full of it daily that is produced locally will help those who suffer with allergies. It needs to be within 20 miles of your home if you do this because that is the average range honey bees fly to gather nectar. I shared all that so you could see that when God uses honey as a metaphor for His wisdom we must understand just what that requires of us. It must be something we desire; bees work nonstop to produce honey, it is what they were created for it is there only source of nutrition if they cannot produce it they will die. That is where we stand without the wisdom of God in our lives we will find ourselves one day standing before him being judged for our lack of wisdom. You see God’s wisdom is summed up in the cross of Jesus Christ. It’s hard for us to understand that but it really is. In His sovereignty and wisdom He set in motion a plan of redemption for you and me. We have to make a choice if we are going to desire it or not. Praying that God blesses you as you seek after His wisdom found in His word.   

Zealous for God

17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. 18 There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. 19 Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path. Proverb 23:17-19 NIV

I got up this morning a lot confused and seeking wisdom from God. I was not able to focus as I tried to study so I gave up and just began to pray for wisdom for a situation I have found myself in because the discussions from this past weekend have me wondering about my current relationships and place of minisrtry. But than something a man shared this weekend brought this verse to my mind. What we see in this is the wisdom of God no matter what others are doing around me in my salvation and zeal to serve God I should not worry about any of the issues that I see or hear of unless in the end it will bring disgrace to God and His kingdom.You see instead of desiring what someone else has been blessed with; saint or sinner, I must truly desire to do all I do to bring God glory; not for a recognition by men, but one day I will hear God say well done my good and faithful servant.

This promise found in verse 18 is where we must learn to take our stand that surely as he saved us and called us we have the hope for a future in his presence allowing God to assure us in or current situation, that those he calls he also equips for the work. And when the end comes there will be no fear of tomorrow. As we seek to listen to God's heart doing what he has called each of us to not desiring what others have our heart will be filled and it shall guide us down the right path. The path that eventually as the sun goes down on this place of shadows; we will arise in a place were only the true light exists. That light comes from the presence of God. We have been given a promise; that if we as children of God will live in obedience to His word we shall be eternally blessed. May God bless you as you walk in the light of His Word.

Nobody's Perfect Except One

9 Who can say, “I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin”?

Proverb 20:9 (ESV)

How does it feel to be perfect? I do not know personally yet we have all meet that person who believes they can do nothing wrong. Some of you might be that person. I saw that they have a new Television show out it called; Not My Child, the premise is that the parents get a rude awakening when the news reporters start busting these perfect children. Do you know any one like this? You know I know a lot of really good kids and some super parents but if we want to believe that you or your children are free from sin than we will probably find ourselves either very angry or in denial of the facts when presented. I can tell you from experience no one is immune to this issue. I have been guilty of it myself and when my oldest son was caught using drugs I had to go back and apologize for my failure both to him and to those who had called me telling me that he was involved in it. Yet I realized something that day. I realized the only real person who was sinless was Jesus Christ; in my anger I had sinned, in my disregard of Godly council I had sinned and for being negligent in my responsibility as a father I had sinned. But there is nothing I can do in my own power to remove any sin not mine or that of my son. I could forgive him but only Jesus through His sacrifice on the cross is capable of removing our sin from a person’s life.

20 Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.

Ecclesiastes 7:20 (ESV)

5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Psalms 51:5 (ESV)

14 What is man, that he can be pure? Or he who is born of a woman, that he can be righteous?

Job 15:14 (ESV)

Scripture tells us time and again that we are not capable of being good and that in our own flesh we will sin. Everyone does now and again; Jesus provides for us one thing we cannot give ourselves. He has presented forgiveness that covers our sin through His love for us. We may still sin, we are after all just flesh and bones but Jesus has presented each of us with an opportunity for Redemption, Justification and Salvation so that we may be found righteous before God not in our own righteousness but in His righteousness. You must trust in Him and His word if you desire to live a real life; a life lived apart from Him only brings death, no other name but Jesus can bring life and forgiveness. I pray you choose life with Jesus and may God bless you as you walk in the light of His word.

The Master's Workmanship

“10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)

When we look at this scripture in it we find a promise that each of us needs to hold onto as we go through life. It applies to all of those who have trusted Jesus as their savior. To be honest it applies to all those who do not trust him they just don’t realize it; that is that we are His workmanship. When we look at the word workmanship it means the product of an Artisan. You know what I mean; there are paintings like the Da Vinci's Mona Lisa or Michelangelo's Sistani Chapel ceiling that are masterful works of art and the workmanship of those items has amazed people for centuries. God created each of us from that perspective we are His masterpieces and as we live our life; if we will let Him, he will help us to become more like Jesus who is perfection.

Do you ever wonder what God created you for it’s alright if you do; sometimes we have to really let go of the wheel and let Him steer to get where He wants us to go.  Growing up I never really knew what I wanted to be. I was content to be mediocre I did not have a direction or goal. I did the minimum and was happy with it. That was in almost every part of my life. As I have gotten older I have come to understand that we should have direction and a focus in everything that we do. You might say well that’s easy I set goals for myself all time and that is good but to be truly honest God set the goals long before you and I came along. We find those standards of conduct in His Word. The problem becomes what parts of the bible you are willing to apply in your own life so that you can become more like Jesus. Often we desire to control our own life.

Let me close with these words from C. S. Lewis from his book Mere Christianity;

The Christian is in a different position from other people who are trying to be good. They hope , by being good, to please God if there is one; or—if they think there is not—at least they hope to deserve approval from good men. But the Christian thinks any good he does comes from the Christ-life inside him. He does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.

Powerful words to be sure Have a blessed day as you walk in the light of His word.

Live By Faith

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Romans 1:16-17 (ESV)

Sometimes I have to wonder if as Christians if we are not ashamed of God’s word and the promises that are in it. You know we often treat it with a form of contempt.  I don’t know that we do it maliciously but when individuals come to us with problems we are often slow to point them to the only real answers to the trial of life. The bible covers just about every issue one might face in their life time from growing old (Titus 2:2-5) to the death of a child (2 Samuel 12:21-24) I can point to people and places that God has shown us in His word about how we are to act and respond to those situations. But the key to that is the end of verse 17 we must accept what we read on faith that if God did it for them He will do it for us. As I close we have no righteousness apart from our faith I God and His power to fulfill all his promises. I challenge you today to allow your faith to grow and so that when others come asking what to do you can obey the words of Peter in 1 Peter 3:15-16;

15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

1 Peter 3:15-16 (ESV)

We are more than conquers when we have faith in Jehovah have a blessed day as you walk in the light of His Word.  

One True Purpose

7 every one that is called by my name, and whom I have created for my glory, whom I have formed, yea, whom I have made.

Isaiah 43:7 (ASV)

You were created for a purpose and this verse tells us exactly what that purpose really is. You were created to bring Glory to God and to be a witness to him to those who would chose not to believe in Him. You see Some of this might seem confusing to you but the truth is God created each of us and in that creation He has allowed two things we have been given a choice about will we love Him or not. The second part of that is if we love Him there are conditions that we agree to live by so that all that you and I do as Christians bring Him Glory. He created all mankind for that purpose but chose at first a specific group out of the world in Abraham to show the world His love and power. Several times in scripture when Moses walked in the desert God was angry with these people and told Moses He would kill them all and start over.

9 Then the Lord said, “I have seen how stubborn and rebellious these people are.10 Now leave me alone so my fierce anger can blaze against them, and I will destroy them. Then I will make you, Moses, into a great nation.”

Exodus 32:9-10 (NLT)

Moses stood before God and asked for them to be forgiven. God’s anger was turned away His jealousy was revealed that day. It affirms the fact that God created all mankind to worship and Glorify Him not our own lives and not one another but to raise God above all things of this world since He is the creator of it all. I pray you to see and understand what He has called you too as you walk and talk in your daily life. All we do should bring Glory to God first and foremost. If it does not we probably would be wise to lay it down and walk in the other direction. Have a blessed day as you walk in the light of God’s Word.

Called to Speak Truth

6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7  not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. 10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Galatians 1:6-10 (ESV)

Good Morning and God Bless! Do you take criticism very well? I will be honest I don’t and most others don’t either but we must as Christians learn to allow people to have a voice about us and our walk with God. In doing this we can improve ourselves and really begin to grow to be more like Jesus. Now I need you to understand that the Gospel does not change so that people can be pleased or happy about what they are doing we must always remember the main purpose of the Gospel is to bring a changed life in those that hear it. Change does not come if what you present does not bring conviction on the hearer. That is why I believe it is so important that we ourselves spend time in God’s word allowing it to bring direction to those who read it. His word never returns void. You see we have an advantage that those in the early church lacked we have the Bible available to us and the Holy Spirit to guide us we are capable of learning and understanding what God’s word says so that when someone comes to you with a scripture from the pastor to the guy on the television or street we can open the Bible and read what God’s word really says. For those of us who teach and preach the word I want to warn you God states at the end of revelation this simple warning;

18 And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book.19 And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book.

Rev 22:18-19 (NLT)

We are called to speak the truth found in God’s word not our opinions of what we think. I know that may seem harsh and this warning is directly about The Book of Revelation but we should apply it to all of scripture. As a Christian we have the power of life and death in our tongues; if we use His Word for our purposes it will lead to death. If we use it as God desires it will bring Life. I desire to see God’s will fulfilled not that of my own or any other man but only to see God Glorified. Have a blessed day as you walk in the light of God’s Word.

Loving God and People

7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 (ESV)

Love for one another is the mark of a Christian but what does that love really look like. Well we read here that Paul, Silas and Timothy related their care and love for those in Thessalonica as if they were their children and they cared for them as a mother does her children. Now this is a great example if you were a child whose mom was a loving and caring person. Sadly to say that is not always the case and many children throughout history have grown up not being able to understand that because they never knew the love of a mother. Yet I love the way the bible always address those issues that might come up. Paul goes on to explain that they desire to see them grow closer to God and as a body of believers that while they were with them they gave of themselves not just sharing the gospel with them but also whatever else they might have need of, not out of empathy or trickery but out of love for them. You know today in our churches we often are very busy doing all sorts of things we have clubs and organizations we have small groups and Sunday school classes all of these are designed with the idea that we will come together as a group learn more about Jesus and grow to be more like Him but to be honest don’t know that it is working all that well.  Too many of those in charge of these classes and social gatherings are lacking one thing and that is a desire to reach the lost and dying world. We come together in a particular place at a particular time and often we are afraid to try something different. We can come up with all sorts of excuses why we can’t do something but the real underlying issue we lack a love for those who do not yet know Jesus and in some cases we lack a love for those who do. We would almost rather be Hermits living a life worshiping Jesus and God without dealing with all the other people and stuff that comes with the life of a Christian. I want to challenge you to step outside of yourself today loving others is a scare thing it requires us to put the needs of others before our own it. It can and does cost you in the beginning and yet the rewards are unbelievable. You see Jesus actually gave us the best example of what love really looks like; when He accepted the responsibility for my sin on that cross 2000 years ago. Not  that I was deserving of any of it but out of the love He had for God and the love He had for us He suffered and died so that you and I could be forgiven. Today in the world people are suffering and dying for the testimony of Jesus; they do not do it because of money, fame or fortune; they don’t do it for the recognition, they are doing it because they love God and they love people. How about you? Have a truly blessed day as you walk in the light of God's word.

Worthless Praise

4 For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.5 Never once did we try to win you with flattery, as you well know. And God is our witness that we were not pretending to be your friends just to get your money! 6 As for human praise, we have never sought it from you or anyone else.

1 Thessalonians 2:4-6 (NLT)

I have never considered myself to be a person with a lot of friends. That is probably because my father always told me to be truthful in every situation. The truth is not always popular but when you tell the truth you never have to worry about what you say or do. The same thing applies to a Christian’s walk; it may not be popular; but we must be honest about what God has called each of us too. Paul explains to the Thessalonians this same issue; he and the others Timothy and Silas did not come to them to be their friends and they did not come to take their money and live off of them. They came to share with them a hope for a new life through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

It is nice to be told you do a good job when you share, teach or preach; but the truth is if you are doing it for the praise of man you are seeking the wrong reward. As Christians we are called to give witness to Jesus in all that we do. It is hard as individuals to take a stand for what is right if it becomes personal; in those situations it is important to understand who we really serve. We can go through life serving ourselves or others but in the end God will be the judge over every word and deed we have done or said in our life. I leave you with a simple warning do not allow the praise in this life to affect your pending reward in the next. The praise of man is temporary and can cause you to become lost in the life of the flesh seeking more and more rewards in the here and now, instead of investing in the future of promise and days spent in the Glory of God. Have a blessed day as you walk in the light of His Word.

Fruit Bearing or Dandelion

1 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. 3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.

1 Thessalonians 2:1-4 (ESV)

Do you live in fear of rejection? Have you allowed that fear to prevent you from sharing the love of God with those around you? If so I have to ask you why? If you are a testimony to God because of  what he has done for you in your own life; should you not out of love for Him, be willing and able to share the truth with those you meet that are just like you once were. I can say that is one area that all most every Christian I know has struggled with at some point in time. You see it happens that we get comfortable in our relationship with God and we slowly begin to forget the mess He brought us out of. When that begins to happen we are much less comfortable sharing how awesome the God we serve really is. We grow comfortable and as contentment finds a place we try to separate ourselves from the world and in doing it we fail to do what God has called us to. This calling on each of us is to please Him by telling others about Him and the sacrifice of His Son Jesus. The last couple of weeks this question has really been hitting hard in my own life and also in those around me who are trying to serve God. The question is am I doing everything that I can to further the kingdom of God and if not what is keeping me from what he has gifted me for and called me too? As Christians; like it or not, you have been entrusted to spread the Good News of Jesus to everyone you meet. We do not all live or work at the same place each of us has been planted in the middle of a field that is ripe for the Harvest. My question becomes are you like a head of Barley left to provide seed for future generations or are you a dandelion that if left alone will slowly grow till it chokes the life out of all the beneficial fruit bearing plants out there. I pray you are prepared to spread seed and to allow God’s word to penetrate your life and mine so that with a good report people will see Jesus I us. Have a blessed day as you walk in the light of God’s Word.

Truth of Our Testimony

8 And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God. We don’t need to tell them about it,9 for they keep talking about the wonderful welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve the living and true God.10 And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment.

1 Thessalonians 1:8-10 (NLT)

As I was reading this I was thinking about what the world would be like if every person that called themselves a Christian had a testimony that rang out to all the people. The word of the Lord proclaiming His power and grace through each individual to the point that we need not defend ourselves and no other Christian would ever have to either. That was the testimony of those in the church a Thessalonica. The change in them and their treatment of others was so real that there was no question about whom or what they believed in. They were on fire for God and filled with the Holy Spirit knowing that there salvation was assured in the sacrifice that Jesus had made on the Cross and in the promise of His resurrection. As Christians today we often fail to remember; or we deny where we were, when Jesus offered us salvation and in doing this we hinder His testimony. You see it really is not our testimony that the world sees or hears it is the testimony of God through Jesus Christ that He can take a drunken lying adultery and bring them to a place of new life. We have no testimony without the power of Jesus in our life; because the Holy Spirit brings His power to bear on each of us. Without it we would still be lost and undone.  As we trust in Jesus and the power that is found in His shed blood we have a promise that Paul shares with the Thessalonians that is also ours today. You have been rescued from the terrors of Judgment and you have the promise of eternal life. I challenge you to live a life worthy of that sacrifice and walk each day in the light of His Word. People will see the real testimony as you walk in His light. Have a blessed day.

Prepared to Worship

2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless. 1 Thessalonians 3:2-5 (NIV) It is often believed that pastors ministers and teachers are often thought to be indestructible by those that they serve. Let me assure you that is not true. The last two mornings I have really struggled with writing to you and I don't really know why. I feel as Paul does and wonder if your faith is where it needs to be and if I am in anyway helping to develop it so that you may one day walk in a closer relationship with God than you do today. I have been encouraged by those who tell me they enjoy reading it, yet I desire for it to have a much more life changing affect on those who read it. I hate to think that like Paul all the effort that our pastors and staff put into each of our lives is useless in the end. You see all the work they put into preparing for that few hours they spend bring you the word should just reinforce what you have been doing all week long. They spirit that inhabits our churches on Sundays and Wednesday does not reside there like gas at a gas station but you bring it with you as a vessel of God's Spirit everywhere you go. When we come together as a body of believers the Holy Spirit should be magnified just as if you throw gasoline on a fire it should flame up when we are all together worshiping God in one accord. The spirit that you carry with you is what you live under. If your depressed ,stressed and miserable than those are the spirits that control you and when you come into the house of God the hold fast and keep you from focusing on why you really came. Those who walk in that spirit will always have a complaint and I have been guilty of it myself. I pray this week as you go about your days you seek after Jesus as you deal with the trials of life. When we turn to Him trusting in the promises found in His word we will be empowered to do great works and bring Him glory. Do not allow the tempter to still your joy it was paid for at a very heafty price and we should not squander it for our own convenience and to avoid the attention that comes when we lives dedicated to Jesus and God. I pray that today you allow God's word to be a light unto your path and that we will all be willing to walk in it for His Glory. Have a blessed day.

What Happened

.11 But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it.12 However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened.

Luke 24:11-12 (NLT)

I want to wish you a Happy Easter. Today do you know and believe in what we are celebrating as Christians? Or are you like Peter wondering what has happened? Peter is one of the best choices you can have if you want to find an example of the human condition. Here is a man that walked with Jesus for three and a half years and Jesus foretold of this event. Yet Peter like many of us really just could not understand or believe what he was experiencing. You see three days earlier he had done something he swore he would not do. He had denied Jesus just as Jesus had said he would. He had failed the one he had called Lord and the one that the Holy Spirit had revealed to Peter to be the Messiah. Yet here he stood in the tomb and it empty, the seal broken the Roman Guard gone; wondering what had happened. Though I may not understand many things in my life I understand one thing and that is Jesus is not dead.

HE IS RISEN! HE HAS BEEN RAISED FROM THE DEAD AND HE IS NOT IN THE TOMB! IN THAT FACT I HAVE RECEIVED HOPE FOR EVERYDAY AND EVERY TRIAL I FACE! YOU CAN HAVE THAT ASSURANCE OUR GOD IS NOT DEAD HE IS SURELY ALIVE! TRUST IN HIM AND EXPERIENCE NEW LIFE TODAY.

Have a blessed day as we celebrate our risen savior.

Darkest Before the Dawn

62 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.

Matt 27:62-66 (ESV)

As today we wait on the dawning of tomorrow and some denominations celebrate Holy Saturday by removing all the adornments in their churches or covering the altars with black; representing a time of mourning and preparation for the dawning of a new day. I think back to what it must have been like for those followers of Jesus. You know it was probably very difficult for the apostles on this day. Here they had followed this man for three years they had learned so much about Kingdom of God from Him and they had hope for Israeli to be set free. Yet here we find him in a tomb guarded by the Romans sealed by the man who allowed him to be hung on the cross. It seems as the world has no hope left. What will they do is the question; you see we know how this story ends, they did not.  

I was once told this and I did not believe it until I started spending time outside in the early morning just before the sun comes up. Any hunter who has every walked into a tree stand or hunting blind in the early morning can vouch for this. It is always darkest just before the dawn. Just as the sun begins to rise in the east the world grows dark and the temperature drops and the chill of the morning soaks into your body. Than just seconds later the sun brings warmth and hope for another day. Some 2000 years ago Jesus’ body lay in a borrowed tomb. Those who had been close to him had run away and hid themselves in fear. If they only understood what was going on. You see when I find myself looking into the darkness in the early morning I have an assurance that the sun will come up. The same is true of my walk with God. I know that no matter what trial I might find myself in I have a hope in Jesus that assures me I will not be left alone in the dark cold place that I have found myself in. He is my deliverer and in Him I have hope for a New Day.

Today if you are struggling and do not know that hope allow me to help you find it. Pray this prayer. Lord I come to you today lost and undone. I am sitting in a dark place with no hope for tomorrow. I am a sinner and have no right to ask you for help and mercy but in your word I am told that if I confess with my mouth and believe that you are the Son of God I can be saved. Jesus I ask that you forgive me of my sins and come into my heart so that I may have hope in You through all my days trusting in you alone. Amen.

I strongly recommend that if you prayed that prayer that you find a church and make a public profession of your new life in Christ. The dawn is coming and we have hope today in a risen savior. Have a blessed day as you walk in the light of God’s Word.

Doing Nothing is Doing Something

20 Meanwhile, the leading priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be put to death.21 So the governor asked again, “Which of these two do you want me to release to you?” The crowd shouted back, “Barabbas!”22 Pilate responded, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” They shouted back, “Crucify him!”23 “Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?” But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!”24 Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. The responsibility is yours!”25 And all the people yelled back, “We will take responsibility for his death—we and our children!” 26 So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.

Matthew 27:20-26 (NLT)

Have you ever allowed something to happen that you know was wrong but believing it would avoid further conflict you stood by and allowed it anyhow. What do you believe would have happened had Pontius Pilate had taken a stand and said, “I will not crucify an innocent man?” I don’t believe it would have changed the situation any. He gave into the pressures being placed upon Him as they threatened to tell Caesar that he was harboring an enemy. Like many of us today we allow things to occur just to save face and our position in life. I often wonder how many things have been allowed to occur in churches because individuals were afraid they might lose a position and salary. Allowing the devil a stronghold within the church; there is an old saying that goes, “doing nothing is still doing something.”   It is still a choice when we stand by with our hands in our pockets and we will in the end be accountable for that choice. Pilate may have washed His hands that day but when he stands before God what do you think awaits His decision. Do you in your daily walk chose to be a witness for Jesus Christ or out of convenience allow the world to control who others see you as? The song goes you have to stand for something or you will fall for anything! Today in your walk with God are you bringing Him honor or are you hiding who he is walking in shame? I pray it is with Honor that you are representing who Jesus is in your life each of us have a story to tell about where He has brought us from You never know who’s life it might change if we are willing to take a stand for Him. Have a Blessed day as you walk in the light of God’s Word.

Faith and Righteousness

4 Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. 5 However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 7 “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.” 9 Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. Romans 4:4-9(NLT) As I was reading these past few days I have been in the book of Romans and I have been looking at it and struggling with what it means to my life and walk with Jesus Christ. Than I struggle with how best to relate it to those who read this devotional. What I can tell you from this verse is that if what you are doing in your local church or your life is done out of obligation to God for the sacrifice He made for your soul. Than you need to examine where you are placing your trust. Works do not bring salvation but are a manifestation of what being blessed by God should look like. God's grace has been given freely just as the gifts of the spirit are given to those who believe on Jesus. The problem is we fail to understand and apply these truths to every area of our lives. It is by faith that we are saved. It is by faith that we have been granted eternal life. It is by faith that we pray and live for God to be merciful and hear our prayers. It is by faith that healing comes. It is by faith that prophecy is given to those who by faith will except it. Through our faith we believe that God has already forgiven our sins. It is simple to understand that when Jesus taught of God's grace it was available to all; not just those who looked like and acted like the Jews but this also was by faith. Does your faith reflect the rightouesness of God; or do you walk in your own light? I understand that is a hard question but it is one we need to know the answer too. Are you living in faith in what you are able to do or are you dependent on God? Our faith in God's divine power is what brings righteousness not our faith in ourselves. I leave you with a prayer that Your hearts and minds will find faith in God to a point that He can bless you and everyone you meet. Have a truly blessed day as you walk in the light of God's Word.

Everything Begins With a Choice

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Matthew 1:18-25 (ESV)

Today is the middle of what is called the Passion Week in some faiths. Spy Wednesday to be exact, called this because of the betrayal of Judas two days prior to the crucifixion. We are just days away from the turning point of all History as we know it; as we prepare to celebrate Easter and all that the resurrection of Jesus means to those who believe. Yet Today I started back at the beginning and a choice that was made by a simple man about the life of the one who would be sacrificed for all of us. Joseph made a choice that allowed for the plan of salvation to be worked for us today. By rights he could have had Mary stoned to death, he could have divorced her leaving her to the life of a harlot but he chose to be obedient to God and he did what was required of Him. The bible says very little about Joseph and it does not record Him being present anywhere during the ministry of Jesus. Yet when in the beginning He was the controlling factor in the life of Jesus. Anyone can create a child, it takes a real man to raise one as their own, and especially when you know they are not your own flesh and blood. Joseph though served God. There is strength to be had when we are obedient to God and His word.

 All things have a beginning and an end. We may not recognize either in our life time but as this week works its way towards Friday I ask you to count the cost and the price that was paid some 2000 years ago on a hillside outside Jerusalem by a son of man and the Son of God, who in obedience to His heavenly father gave all so that you and I could be redeemed.  Do we understand the cost? Would we be willing to go that distance, He has called us to life that is different than the world we live in. Are we set apart from it or are we just like everyone else. Joseph shows us through his obedience what it looks like to be different than all the rest. It begins with a choice and that choice is what will we do with Jesus? Pontius Pilate would have to answer that question during this week in History and so did many others now it is before you; so what will you do with Jesus? Have a truly blessed day as you walk in the light of God’s Word!