Standing Strong

I am sitting here today thinking about the terrible act of evil that occurred in Charleston and I am overwhelmed with pride in the people of this state as they have responded only as South Carolinians can. We have lived with issues of racism throughout the history of our state. So those accusations are nothing new. However, our first response was not one of anger or disrespect as so many others would respond but of love. The people of Charleston came together to mourn the loss of nine individuals who were taken from this world without any justifiable cause other than it was there time to meet their creator.  I know that we would have preferred a different means to that end.  However, the truth is everyone will one day have to experience that moment so there is so much we as individuals need to take from this. Jesus taught his disciples about this through the parable found in Luke 12: 13-21
The Parable of the Rich Fool
13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’
20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
These nine individuals were rich towards God they were giving of themselves even at the time of there departure from this world. I believe they have found their rewards. I mourn with those families who are left behind to deal with this sin filled world but I also rejoice in knowing that these people were ready to meet their savior. As I read this parable I wonder how many of us are holding on to things that truly don't matter in the end. Whether it's our southern heritage and our pride, or if it's hatred and racism when we make anything in this world of greater importance than our relationship with God through his son Jesus we will find ourselves coming up short. I want to challenge you today to find hope in this world by being prepared for the next one. Evil thing are going to happen because we live in a fallen world. Jesus Christ has made a way for us to experience a rich and fulfilled life if we will only endure till the end of this one with all it's trials and sufferings. It requires we hold strong to our faith in Him. Be blessed as you walk in the light of God’s 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.

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.

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.

Do you fear rejection?

Do you fear rejection?

For most people the answer to that is YES. This one simple question leads us to the understanding of why you and I do not share our faith those who need to hear it. Looking at the types of Christians I have shared about we now need to understand what gets in the way of being actively involved in sharing God’s plan with others. Fear of rejection is #1 in 1 Corinthians 12:3 I want to show you something that changed my thought process, “³ Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.” I always thought I was the one winning souls for the Kingdom. I am not I am just using the opportunities God brings my way to share a Message of Hope. When someone rejects that message they are not rejecting me personally but the Holy Spirit is not moving on them. He is the one that saves.

My part is to share the Story of God’s plan for salvation. I have found 3 verses that I need to share with you. Psalm 27:13, “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalm 116:8-9, “For you, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living.” and 2 Corinthians 4:13,” It is written: I believed; therefore I have spoken. With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak.” Today if God has ever done anything for you He has given you a testimony.   Your duty to God is not to count the souls you win but to share what he has done for you. They Holy Spirit will take your faith and testimony and work it for God’s will in the lives of those who here it. But we must be willing to share it.  I will close with my favorite verse of Scripture, 1 Peter 3:15, “¹⁵but 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” all we are called to do is be obedient vessels and share the Joy each one of us has experienced in our relationship with Jesus.