Keep On Praying

Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.-Rom.12:12 NLT The Creator of the Universe is the One to whom I pray every day. With Him all things are possible! So I catch myself praying for people and situations that are completely out of control. And in these prayers sometimes I’m like rolling dice. I forget that the One to whom I pray makes all things possible. Confidence is lacking frequently in my prayers. So Paul says here, “Rejoice in our confident hope.” What am I doing praying as if I am one without hope? The dead have come back to life. Marriages have been restored. People have been healed. People have lived meaningful lives for Christ when the world labeled them “disabled.” I have seen God do the most miraculous thing (bringing men from death to life everlasting). I have seen God move mountains (do things that no one believed could be done). I have walked on water (done things in Christ that I could never do on my own). I (we) can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (us). Pray like it! God may answer our prayers with “no, yes, or wait”; but we can pray in confidence for Father knows best. ---So don’t freak out when troubles come. Pray. Troubles will come. When life happens (aka troubles), “be patient...and keep on praying.”

Awakened by Sadness

Here I write, awakened in the middle of the night, sad. I was thinking of a friend that I had not seen in quite a while. This was a friend that I enjoyed being around. He was an old crusty guy (“man’s man”) that had come to know Christ as Savior in mid-life. He was one brought “from far to near”. He grew up knowing nothing of the Lord. It was so cool to watch him as he genuinely searched the Scriptures in small group while others were just going through the motions. He finally yielded to the Spirit as he accepted Christ. But some time later, he fell to Satan’s hard charge. He turned back to the secret sins of the flesh, thus cracking the door of his life open for Satan to kick it in all the way. When we give Satan a little bit, he always takes more. It is why the Bible tells us to “flee from sin”(literally “run very hard the other direction”). As life turns out too frequently, he had not taken over as the spiritual head of his family, and had not fought for his marriage and disavowed his vows of matrimony. Soon both he and his wife were out of the fellowship of believers on their own volition.--- As I lie awake I thought about how I missed the friendship of these and other believers that have gone backwards. His new life has separated him from the pack (hers, as well). He chose to go back into the old lifestyle listed frequently on Paul’s top list of sins. But I thought, he has to be sad to miss hanging with the people that previously knew him in the truth and accepted him even “as is” before he got saved. ---He has traded his new life for the old life in a bottle. He traded his wife of promise for someone he is not promised to. --- Forget about me, what about God! God misses my friend’s worship more than I can imagine. The “One who died for him and rose again” misses hearing the humble prayers of this one who came as a man, but in a child-like faith. So, where does he take his praise in moments of joy now? How does he offer his worship to God now? God wants us to live in community with Him, and with those of the faith; because He knows it it difficult, if not impossible on our own. ---So, I pray. “God, help my friend find his way back. Help his wife find her way back. Help us to be better friends during the times of trial. Give us discernment. Give us boldness. Holy Spirit, please for the love of God the Father, divinely intervene. Amen.”

You Know Who

You Know Who So I made this comment about “how about a little peace on earth for a couple of days until You Know Who comes back bringing the eternal peace?”. You know, let’s all just get along for a couple of days. Granted that is like asking a couple of two years olds to share a toy. ---Of course, I assumed most of the people reading my comment knew who You Know Who was. And then I thought what was the easiest way to clarify. Well, God already did that when He told the parents what to name the baby (Mt.1:23), Immanuel. The name was a dead give-away. His name means “God with us.” God’s story of redemption is not hidden throughout the Scriptures. It is immersed throughout the Scriptures. Yes, it was a bit murky for the people when it first happened, but God was hiding it from Satan, the want-to-be spoiler. God brought the baby in right under his nose, yet left clues that could be traced back. God is awesome. He says what He does ahead of time. --- It reminded me of a new game we played the other day with the family. Everyone has three blank slips of paper, and writes down a person, place or thing on each separate paper and turns in to a draw pile. You divide into two teams, and then you go three rounds describing those same words to your team in a variety of ways (first by description kind of like the game “taboo”, then charades, then only using one word). By the time you get to the third round you’ve already heard the words twice, so you have a clue, and one word is usually a sufficient description. ---We know who Jesus the Christ, the Son of the Living God, Immanuel, the Wonder Counselor, the Lion of Judah is because He and He alone fits the mold for You Know Who. We worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords every day, not just special occasions. ---This Christmas I pray that you know You Know Who by name. Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. --Isaiah 7:14 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.---Isaiah 9:6 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.--Luke 1:31 Merry Christmas!

Closer to the Truth

I’m not a Christian because I’m from the South. Some may think that I had a better chance of having an encounter with Christ being from the “Bible-belt”, but then again I had just as good a chance to encounter some real weirdos also. I probably like sweet-tea and a lot of fried foods, because I’m from the South; but I’m going to say that is where the stereo-type ends. ---It was at a Christian school that I first remember hearing about Jesus and understanding my need for a Savior. It was there, as well that the Holy Spirit drew me in. The teacher simply taught the Bible and shared Jesus. She didn’t cram anything down our throats. There were plenty of other folks in my life and elsewhere trying to brainwash me or urge me to go the other way.---It’s almost laughable to think that people think Christians want to be some “goody-two-shoes”, when in truth we are merely sinners saved by grace. We still fight the battle with the old self.--- It wasn’t at school that God saved this eight year old boy. It was walking down the street of my own neighborhood. No one harassed me. No one pushed me to accept Christ. God drew me in, and I said yes. My life has not been the same. ---I’m learning that I need to drop stereo-types of others if I want to have a civil discussion about my faith. I’m hoping that folks will drop the standard stereo-types of Christians as well. We still may not agree, but we may get closer to the truth. Listen to these gracious words of God to the prophet Jeremiah concerning Israel’s captivity back in the day: You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity.”-Jer.29:13-14b. ---The same goes today for those captive to sin. Don’t listen to me, just sincerely seek the LORD. Take Him at His word. I trust God’s Word that you will find Him. He is not hiding.

Get Yo Crap Together

Would you have read it had I used the original title “Parenting #1 Piece of Advice “? The family that prays together stays together, and staying together is the number one piece of parenting you can do. Any parent that looks into those beautiful innocent eyes of their baby hopes for a bright future. Parents can take parenting classes which is not a bad idea. Parents can read “How to Parent” books which isn’t usually a bad idea either. However, if you don’t stay together you might as well throw all the books out and cancel all the parenting classes. We live in a critical time with more than 50% of marriages ending in divorce. Five out of ten families are divided. This does not give children an advantage! This will put YOUR child at a disadvantage.--- So before you read all the books on parenting or go to the classes, get your crap together. As one theologian put it, “The breakdown of the family is the devolution of America.” Fight for your marriage like you would fight for anything else in the world that you really cared about. If you aren’t willing to fight, chances are that you are being selfish. You want your way. You likely made a vow about “for better or worse” in your marriage ceremony. Well, do your best to keep things from going from good to bad and bad to worse. And if it gets to worse, dig in and fight for your marriage like you said you would before you got married. ---And in the event you are not married yet, don’t rush. Take all the steps to be sure this person is the one. You can’t make it on infatuation. True love will pass the test of time. As a pastor I see so many people rush to get married. We all see couples that don’t really know each other hurry-up and get married. Good, honest pre-marital counseling is worth it. *This little blog was spurred on by recent events: hearing in one week of no less than three Christian couples separated and looking to divorce (not even trying). And yes, they all have children. Also, spurred on by a young couple wanting to get married before the end of the year saying that they don’t need pre-marital counseling. Five of ten marriages end in divorce, and they don’t need counseling! I don’t know if you can gather from this writing, but I am pissed.---Have a happy day, and go ask some “gray hairs” how they make it. I guarantee you that they work at it.

Jumping the Fence

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. -1 Peter 5:8 When I read this verse, a distinct picture comes to mind. ---It reminds me of an episode of a tv show I used to watch. This guy has a motor home that had been stored behind a barbed-wire fence, and he didn't have a key to get into the lot when he really needed to get to it. The man did what any of us would have done if we had to get in; he started walking the perimeter of the fence to find some easy way in. Perhaps there was a gate with enough room to slip in. Maybe there was a broken piece in the fence or missing some barbed-wire somewhere. Whatever the case, he was looking for the weak-link, a way in.---Peter writes "be self-controlled and alert" as we go through life, because our enemy the "devil prowls around" the perimeter of our lives looking for a way to gain entrance. He thinks he owns us. He thinks that we are his property. He looks for the weak-link in our lives to gain access. He may slip in, or crawl under. He's not beyond jumping over the fence to get to us. Have you put into place safe-guards to keep him out? Staying in God's Word daily can be like a couple of doberman pinchers keeping the devil at bay. Unfortunately, we lower our guard with the smallest of sins. The sin of pride may crack the gate open. Perhaps a little bit of gossip offers our enemy an alternative way in. Again, the reminder: "be self-controlled and alert." Oh, and he isn't trying to get in to hang out with you. The "devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." He wants to own you.

Get Out of the Dark

In Romans 13:8-14, Paul begins by explaining "Love your neighbor as yourself" is the way to go. If you love your neighbor, then you will do right by him.---But then he ratchets it up a notch by reminding the believer that time is getting short. The day of the Lord is approaching. Therefore, we should be living in the light (the way Christ would have us live) instead of in darkness (which the world we live in promotes). He makes it plain: "13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires."---Listen, this was written to supposed followers of Jesus. The truth is that every follower of Jesus has come out of the world system, and it's a world that doesn't always wash off clean. We are in the world, but we're not to be of the world. The world is messy. The apostle tells us what we already know, but obviously need to hear again: separate yourselves from the dark sinister side of the world, which is described by the aforementioned sins.---Also, I don't think it is a stretch to say much good doesn't happen after midnight. Think about all the headlines that we read about people getting into trouble after dark.--- The imperative is to put on the Lord Jesus Christ. We have to wear Christ to live for Him. Make no provision for the flesh. Don't seek self-gratification. God has great rewards in the day approaching for the faithful.

That’s why you don’t

Not along ago I heard another of the same old sad story. A guy and girl were living together unmarried, and one of them decided it was over. I’ll save you all the gory drama, because there is always some dumb excuse to “justify” living together without getting married. Here’s the deal, ladies if a guy is too sorry to commit to you in marriage, then he is not really committed to you. And if you claim to be Christians, then you’re asking for it. Please don’t even ask God to bless you. If he or she will cheat to be with you, then they will cheat on you. Don’t fool yourself. Use some stinking common sense. And another thing, men will lie (say they love you) to get sex. If he loves you, he will wait. ---That is all. Uh here’s a little something, something for the ride home. If I asked Buffalo Rock to put a Pepsi machine in at my house, and give me the key so I could get one out anytime I like, do you think they would? I don’t think so, because they have common sense, and they know their product has value. But let’s say they did anyway. So, I call them next week and tell them to come get their machine. I make up some lame excuse, because I don’t want to tell them I’m tired of Pepsi, and I want to try Coca-Cola. ---Ladies, don’t be the next great cola. God holds you in high esteem. Hold out for that man that shows true love. I’m trying to save you some heartache. Men, be the man, and man-up by showing real commitment to your lady. ---Now, I’m done.

Devo. Rom.8:31-39

“If God be for us, who can be against us?” The answer is found in that He went the ultimate length to show His love and commitment, He sent the One and Only Son to die on the cross for our sins. The ultimate price was paid for our freedom. There is NOTHING God would not do for those whom God has chosen! Therefore, with God sitting as Judge and Jury, no one can bring anything against us to lose our salvation. Nothing from the past, present, future, or supernatural! Nothing can separate us from the love of God, not even us. We are more than conquerors through him who loved us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Is Jesus your Lord or just someone you admire? It makes a difference.21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’-Mt.7:21-23. A lot of people will miss heaven by six inches. The relationship God seeks is a heart relationship, not head knowledge or good-works based. Do you know Him? True believers know Jesus as Lord, and such are more than conquerors!

Life of Expectancy

If you are trying to live for Jesus, then live a life of expectancy. That is---live expecting things to attempt to disrupt your walk on the narrow road. Expect free alcohol to show up on your door if you’re trying to quit; expect your spouse to say exactly what you don’t need to hear (“push your buttons”) if you’re working on that relationship; expect a friend to come over and share gossip disguised as a “prayer request” if you struggle with gossip; expect a pop-up button to appear if you battle with computer temptations; expect Satan to use exactly what it would take to drag you away from your renewed commitment to Christ. Don’t get angry with people. Use your spiritual eyes. If what is happening draws you away from the narrow road or causes disunity in the church, then you have just exposed one of Satan’s schemes. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. --Eph.6:10-12 ---Take a step back. Thank the Lord for showing you the real enemy in action. This is why we say “pray hard”.

Squeeze the Packet

Jesus sweat drops of blood, then he went to the cross and gave his all as a sacrifice meeting the righteous demands of the law. He left nothing to chance. And he left nothing undone. He died that we might have life. His resurrection proved that he was indeed the Way, the Truth and the Life. For our part, as believers we are to “live our life for him who died for us and rose again.” We should indeed give our all for he is worthy. ---We should squeeze out every bit of life that we can to bring glory to his name. Most of us have taken a small packet of ketchup, duck sauce or some kind of condiment to add flavor to our food. We have learned to manage to get the most out of those little packets. We open it and squeeze it until empty. But then we squeeze all the corners until we have gotten every little bit out. We know how to squeeze the corners. So too should we squeeze what little time we have here to glorify our Lord and Savior. The day is coming in which we will see him face to face. We have limited time here to bring glory to his great name. So squeeze every little bit out of this life my friends to make him known.

THE Conspiracy

I do not believe in conspiracies (well, just one), and I refuse to get into name-calling. I do not believe that evil little-men are behind the scenes pulling the strings that effect our economy and world movement. However, I do believe that some powerful things are happening behind the scenes that allow things that most men would not tolerate. There is a force; rather there are forces behind the scenes that have power over the air waves (the media and so forth) that are not of this world. This isn’t a guess. It is written. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.-Eph.6:12. The world that we live in is dark due to sin. This world does not want to hear it, but it is the truth. Consequences and trouble are traced back to sin. Heck, people can trace their own personal troubles back to sin (sex before marriage leads to STD’s, unplanned births, and the poverty that comes with that; marital affairs disrupt families and cause economic hardships on all sides; gluttony causes health problems; worry and stress cause and accentuate health problems; gossip ruins relationships; on and on sin leaves a path of sorrow, destruction and death.). All of this would leave the world left in sheer hopelessness, if it were simply a situation that had evolved. As one listens to the Nightly Spin that the media calls News, the listener would feel that the world is spinning out of control. Frankly, that is what the cosmic powers of this world want all to believe. Perhaps then, people will grab or gravitate to one of the “answers” or “false religions” and cling to that. It is at this point, I introduce the only conspiracy that I believe in. While man has spent most of his time screwing up the world. And while, the fallen angels have done their best to create a chaotic climate. God is Sovereign. He is in control. There are no evil little-men pulling the puppet strings unless God allows it for His good purpose. Try as he may, man can not destroy God’s earth. He already has a plan for a new heaven and a new earth. I am not making this up. I did not have to crack some secret code. It is written. Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.-Rev.21:1. Man is blinded from simple truth, because of the “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” However, none of that is the conspiracy that I speak of. The conspiracy is a conspiracy by God, and it is the conspiracy of grace. You see, man is hell-bent on destroying this world and one another in the midst of it. God, on the other hand, has a redemption and resurrection plan. It has personal and global implications. For God demonstrated his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.-Rom.5:8. Jesus died for the ungodly. He died for us before we tried to get better. We were lost and hopeless, and God (the only One that could) did something about it. For by grace are you saved through faith.-Eph.2:8. For God has done this. It is what is prophesied all through the Old Testament Scriptures from Genesis 3:15 to passages like Psalm 22 where we read in verse 31 they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it.- The “it” is what Jesus did on the cross. He paid man’s debt of sin on the cross, because man could not pay it. It is a conspiracy (prophecy) woven all through Scripture that One man (against all odds), Christ Jesus lived up to. He is the epic hero! He traded in his righteousness for our sin. It was a plot from God the Father to use God the Son like this. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.-2Cor.5:21. God deals with man’s sin so that man can have new life. There is hope for the hopeless. There are testimonies of men and women that have resurrected from the pains and consequences of sin in their lives, because they have a new personal relationship with this Jesus. People have made comebacks from bad life choices as they have trusted in Jesus, and lived as new creatures in Christ.---One of my favorite stories is of a man who was a product of a twenty dollar bill (his mother was a prostitute). She gave the child over to a couple who raised him and introduced him to Jesus Christ. Today this man is a very gifted speaker and lives a great life in the hope of Christ. He went from hopeless to a new life.---  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.-2Cor.5:17. All along God had a plan for your life. This world and it’s crazy laws cannot touch you, if you’re living above it. It’s a conspiracy of grace, because the world can’t stop God from offering this great salvation to the world. It is a conspiracy of grace, because we are not getting what we deserve. For the wages of sin is death. Pause. We know two things here. We all know that we have sinned. And we all know that sin leads to death. Consequently, if we get what is coming to us, it isn’t good. Continue. But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. -Rom.6:23. Our salvation is a gift from God, thus it is nothing we can earn. We cannot do enough good works to right what our sin has wronged in our relationship with the Creator of the Universe (the Author of the Bible). It is a gift. It is by grace that we are saved. It stems from the redemptive work of Jesus Christ on the cross that was planned long ago by God to cover our sin, and redeem His beautiful Creation. He does all this for His glory! He alone is worthy of our worship. ---Oh it is a conspiracy being fulfilled right before our eyes. ---So, don’t give evil little-men the credit. God’s got this. As a follower of Jesus do your part in leading people to the Light. Jesus called for his followers to be “salt and light.” Don’t get caught up in the hoopla. There is only one conspiracy. It is the conspiracy of grace. Perhaps you are hopeless and caught up in this world. You need the path out. Jesus is that path. He said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except by me.”-Jn.14:6. His life was public. He didn’t run or hide anywhere. When his captors came, he didn’t run. Because it was part of his conspiracy of grace. He was born to die. He was crucified in public for all to see. His death was testified to. More importantly, the resurrected Jesus was witnessed by many eye-witnesses. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, then to the twelve.  Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time...-1Cor.15:3-6a. ---Jump on the band wagon. Seek out Christ while he can still be found. Call on Jesus to be your Lord and Savior and never have a worry in the world. Jesus says, “Don’t worry.” Worry is exactly what conspiracy theorist advance. Take the high road. Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.-Mt.6:33.-Jesus said.

“What’s Your Sign”

Have you ever run into someone and you said something that you regretted, because you didn’t realize earlier that they had gone through something traumatic or maybe even tragic? You realized you kind of stuck your foot in your mouth or had what I call a “Hee-Haw” moment. Perhaps we should have post-it notes on our foreheads or a bigger sign we wear on our back that lets people know to beware. Maybe we would be more cautious, careful and less callous with our words toward one another. Maybe we would be more sensitive and understanding and cut one another some slack. If I know your dog just died, maybe I take it easy on the dead animal jokes (I know that’s a weak analogy, but you get what I’m saying.). Stay with me. What if we did walk around with these signs, but it wasn’t about what happened this morning or yesterday or even two weeks ago? What if we wore signs about things that have scarred us or made us who we are today? The signs could read: I was beaten or abandoned as a child. I was molested or raped. I had an abortion. I never met my daddy. My mom died when I was young. On and on the signs could let us know what the person standing before us has gone through. Would it change how tenderly we deal with one another? Would it make me pause before I rushed to judgment about their outlook on something? It should, and I bet it would. ---So next time someone does something that you really are puzzled by, don’t be so swift in your judgment. You don’t know what junk they dealt with that morning or the previous week, much less their whole life. Often times, the things that cause scars end in great testimonies as it makes some people stronger as they persevere through it. Yet, some people are still working through the process of being all that God wants them to be. And still, others are lost and looking for a glimmer of hope. The truth is that you and I don’t know where that person standing before us is at in the process. Speak softly. Listen a lot. You may be the one that needs mercy next time.

Jesus is fully God or a liar

Jesus is fully God or he is a liar. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life; no man comes to the Father except by me.”-Jn.14:6. This is the separation statement. Some groups or man-made religions may not like it, but he said it. You don’t have to believe it, and you don’t have to be a christian either. The Scriptures also tell us, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.  In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.-speaking of Jesus (Jn.1:1-5) Jesus also testified to being the Messiah, The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”-Jn.4:25-26. Furthermore, the Apostle Paul calls him the “...image of the invisible God”. He agreed with John that “by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth”; even the “...visible and invisible (things), whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities---all things were created through him and for him.” He gave Jesus the preeminence! And the preeminence only belongs to One, God.-Col.1:15,16. He is the head of the church, that’s why we can sing.-Col.1:18. But you can’t miss who He is and what He has done unless you’re just unwilling to see and hear:  For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,  and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.---Col.1:19,20. For what it’s worth, I believe Jesus.

Made-Up Religion Is Convenient

If man were to make up a religion, it probably wouldn’t look like any of the religions you see today. It certainly would not look like christianity. Christianity is the only religion that does not involve man earning his way to heaven or paradise. ALL of the others give man a chance on his own, if he can be good enough. Christianity blatantly says that no one is good enough. But it does provide a Savior, who was prophesied of and met every prophecy about himself even to the point of his death being done in public for the whole world to see. To really cause an uproar and to show this Lord Jesus Christ to be all that, he was resurrected to life. His true life lives on through his followers. A man-made religion would be more like this. A world just happens to come into existence by a series of amazing coincidences. We are just stuff, thus we don’t really matter; nor does what we do matter. We are the end-product of chance. Albeit some very hard-to-believe (Cosmic explosions, walking catfish, apes to men kind of stuff) evolution of dust particles to intelligent beings without the hand of a Creator, thus no ONE to answer to when it comes to our morals. It requires belief, but it is quite convenient. Thus, we can live like we want to. “No one is the boss of me.” In a world like this there is no absolute truth, no right and wrong. There is only your truth and my truth. So I can do what I want. ---That is the kind of religion man would make up. It would be an “If it feels good, do it” kind of religion. There is no way man would make up a religion that places himself in second or third place. By nature, we want it all. We want first place. We want the biggest piece of the pie. ---So, when someone tells me that man made up christianity to feel good about himself or to rule over other people...please! It is a call to live for the One who died for us and rose again. It is a call to bring others into His kingdom. It’s a different way of life. It is counter-cultural. It is not about me. It is a better way of life. More than this life, the acceptance of Jesus’ great sacrifice offers eternal life. So, you can choose your convenient untruth or the inconvenient truth. But when it comes to making a religion, you better check your dust particles.

A Night at the Fair

I believe the church should be Jesus’ hands and feet by loving the community through service as well as the obvious of sharing the Good News about Jesus Christ. These acts of love often move the world to hear our message. And bring the message of reconciliation is what every christian is called to do. As a church we do many of these mission/service opportunities via our small groups throughout the year often joining groups that have already organized and set things up. Yet, a few times a year we go hard-core, old-school whatever you want to call it, and we take our 8x8 hot-dog-selling-looking trailer (we lovingly call the Godmobile) out to places like the Fair and just try to share the Gospel with people. It is engaging, but non-confrontational. We don’t argue with people. We simply share Jesus without fear. We understand that if one person gets saved that it was a result of the Holy Spirit. We understand that some may be hearing the Gospel for the first time and it’s not harvest time. In our loving approach, we have no problem with people that come angry with God or hell-bent on going to hell. The agnostic is not a problem, neither is they young guy that tries to act like he is a satanist. You see, we go in the strength of the Holy Spirit. Most of us are extremely uncomfortable doing this and slightly scared to death. We are not the group that yells at people, and we understand just because our booth has questions about eternity on it; people likely have a bad first impression of us. Yet, once they meet us it is a different story. We are real people with our own stories of God’s glory sharing the great love story, the great redemption story. I’ve been doing this probably over ten years now, so I have a clue of what is going to happen. It’s like the Scripture says, “some will jeer, some will receive Christ, and some will say ‘maybe later’.” So on the ride over with my team, I wanted to give them an idea of what it would be like. Suddenly on the ride over, I realize I had a car-load of rookies. They had never done this before. They were like lambs before the slaughter (haha). Yet, they were doing what Jesus said, “Go and tell.” I told them that you will see people primarily from ages 11-20ish open to hearing the Gospel. I told them that most often they will come in packs, and you will have to dish out the Gospel like a fast food window, because Satan will have his hand on one in their group trying to drag them away from the Good News. I told them that it would be possible that two, three or more people might get saved at the same time depending on God’s will of course. (We don’t manipulate or try to talk people into false conversions.) I told them that you would have Christians walk by and see the sign and give you a thumbs-up, and people angry at God would pass by and curse or give you another hand-signal. And I told them, sadly, the people that will be the biggest pain would be christians that want to push their “pet” verses on you. All of these things happened, and God even welcomed many into His kingdom on this night.---We were all glad we went. My favorite part was watching these rookies become seasoned veterans in one night at the Fair. It was awesome to see the Holy Spirit work through these warriors. It gave me a chance to share Jesus with some people in mass quantities. It gave me a chance to represent Christ in a way that giving away bottle waters just doesn’t satisfy. It made me come home and brush up on Scripture as I felt like I mishandled some situations (particularly dealing with cults and fanatical christians). But it was good for me to run into that. I got to meet people that are totally different than me, thereby understanding where the world is coming from. So perhaps, I can do better in my gospel presentation in the future. It made me hurt for a lost, desperate, dying world as I saw them and heard them face to face. ---After I walk away, I’m always glad that I went, and I readily know that I will be scared to death the next time I go. That’s just the way it is.

The Great Explanation

God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.Rom.3:25-26. God the Father presented His One and Only Son as a sacrifice of atonement (the covering for our sin, once and for all) to make things right between man and God due to sin, because man was powerless to do so. The atonement is complete through faith that His blood does takes away our sin. ---He did this to demonstrate His justice, because up to this point He had let the sins of the world go unpunished. Men were seemingly "getting away with it". Thus, He proved himself to be the Just One, the One who can justify those who have faith in the Lord Jesus. God has dealt with sin on the cross. God has made salvation available through the blood of Jesus Christ. Innocent blood covered the sins of the guilty. The demands of righteousness was met on the cross. This is where our unattainable-by-works righteousness comes through God's great mercy and grace. The righteousness of Christ is available to those willing to receive it. (Some might call it a scandal of grace.) God demonstrates His justice and provides salvation at the cross...in public. This was no secret. Jesus' death served God's glorious purpose of dealing with sin, and His resurrection was the icing on the cake that proved Him to be Truth. ---That's why Jesus came and died.

Rom.2:5-11 (Devo)

God's righteous judgment will come against the stubborn, unrepentant sinner on the day of God's wrath. Like Jesus, Paul preached that judgment was coming. God's righteous judgment will be based on truth, not conjecture. It won't be a matter of man's opinion. People won't be compared to other people. It will be based on God's truth. God will give to each person according as he or she has done. Those who do evil without repenting will reap the wrath of God. Those who do right (Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”-Jn.6:29)will gain eternal life. It doesn't matter if you are Jew or Gentile. The ground is level at the cross.---Stubbornness leads to unrepentance. It is the key element that will lead to man facing the wrath of God. Unfortunately, telling a stubborn person not to be stubborn is one of the hardest things in the world. Look in the mirror, and be honest. Your salvation depends on it.

No Excuses

We can come up with plenty of excuses on why we don't do something. The truth of the matter is that we do what we want to do. However, when God calls us to do something, He never asks for an excuse (or even a doctor's excuse) on why we can't do it. You see, where God calls, He equips whether it's a "big" thing or a "little" thing. You don't think He knew your life situation when He called you to do something? You don't think He knows your skill level to get the task done? He made you! He knows you better than you know yourself. When God called Moses, Moses came up with excuses on why he couldn't do what God asked. David and Daniel were teenagers when God called on them. To most in that situation age would have been an excuse, but they didn't even question God. ---Neither does God accept our excuses when we choose to not obey Him in every day life. Things like "love one another", "forgive one another" did not come with a "yeah, but". Oh, and when we choose to not obey God's Word that's called disobedience. ---Let's be a little quicker at just saying "yes" to God, and not waste time on excuses. Excuses lead to disobedience. Jesus said, "I will know that you love me, because you obey me."

I Am Not Judgmental

I am not judgmental, but God is. Man of his own free-will chose to face the judgment of God in the very beginning. By now, we're all familiar with the "...don't eat from (that) tree or you will surely die" scene with God and Adam. Ever since then man has blamed someone else for their sin or tried to ignore the judgment of God by saying that God is a "loving God", and thus He would leave sin unpunished. The problem is that God never said that. (Being the righteous God that He is, He cannot allow sin to go unpunished, or He would not be righteous.) God told the man that the price of disobedience would be death ("...you will surely die..."). You see, our sin is what condemns us, and God follows through on the judgment. You and I can argue all day what sin is, but you know what sin is. Consequently, we all know that we have all sinned. Thus, we have this bad ending awaiting us. If that were the end of the story, it would be a truly bad ending at the very beginning. Likewise, all we would have to look forward to would be a bad ending. ---Unfortunately, multitudes of people do not follow the story that is revealed through the Scriptures. The Scriptures reveal the heroic plan of God to rescue man from this certain judgment which involves the wrath of God. The rescue and the judgment involve the wrath of God. God takes His time through the Scriptures allowing this story to unfold. He uses over forty writers and takes over a thousand years to compile this carefully knit revelation. There is no way these people could conspire such a tale together. The Bible is filled with prophecies that have all either come true or await their turn. ---Man experienced God's grace on the day he first sinned, because God did not take his life on the spot. You and I have experienced God's grace in that He didn't take you or I out when we did something horrible. But that's not the big grace, and that's not the Big News. Here is what this loving-judgmental God did. In epic hero fashion, He sent His One and Only Son to be the Savior of the world. Christ didn't just die on the cross at the hands of foolish men. God the Father placed the sin of the world on Jesus who willingly accepted this in perfect submission, consequently putting himself in the awkward position of receiving the wrath of God for our sin. This paved the way for this loving-just-judgmental God to deal with our sin, and offer guilty man a way out. Sadly, some people will not accept God's loving sacrifice, and they will choose to experience the wrath of God on their own. This is totally unnecessary. You see, this is why Jesus Christ came, died in public and was resurrected. *You can read the entire Epic Story of Good vs Evil in the Bible. But know this, Christ did not come to condemn the world, it was already condemned. He came to save you and me. Have you accepted Christ as your Savior? Do you know how? The prophecies are almost complete, which gives us a clue that the end is near. Ask the most "christian" person you know, how you might be saved. Go from "think so" to "know so" today.

Goldfish, Food, Poop

Without God we would be like a goldfish in a tiny aquarium eating and pooping in the same small quarters without anyone to filter our waste. We make a mess of our lives. We make a mess of our planet. We speak truth and crap from the same mouth. We do good to one group of people with our hands, and use the same hands to entertain filth. We dump waste in our oceans and then we fish from the same ocean for food. We mess up all that we have, but God comes back and cleans up our mess. Mankind has sinned against God royally, and yet God has conveniently (for us, inconveniently for His Son) made a way out of the mess. He has brought us from death to life through the Son whom He loves. We're just a goldfish eating and pooping in the same place without hope unless Someone comes along. It is not until men realize that they need a Savior that they can meet the Savior. The food has run out, and the goldfish is now eating his own waste. He has been doing it for so long now, he doesn't even realize it. No wonder people are depressed. Yet, hope comes in the name of the LORD. Seek Him while He still can be found.

Your Kingdom Come

"Your kingdom come ... on earth as it is in heaven." Let me just say a word about this. There are a couple of times we are allowed a peek into heaven. There is no foolishness going on in heaven, because there is no doubt who is running the show. There is no doubt WHO is the ruler or who is on the throne in the center of heaven. All those in heaven including the amazing looking creatures are worshiping God in song. There is no rebellion in heaven. It is not a divided kingdom in heaven. There is unity where people worship God and God alone. God is on His throne. He is seated, because He can handle all His business while seated, because that is how He rolls. Another thing, He is seated because IT IS FINISHED. LORD God, we pray today that your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. This is your prayer for world peace, my friend.

Behind the Music

What is it we like about Rock Stars? Or what is it we like about music? Why are we so fascinated about the music and then behind the scenes of the music? I enjoy talented musicians. I enjoy certain genres of music that appeal to my taste (probably associated with what I grew up with). After watching some of a documentary showing behind the scenes of the music including the making of a band I reflected on all of these questions. I guess for me, I really appreciate seeing someone using the talent God has given them even if it's not my style music. I really enjoy the blend of voices or maybe the lyrics of beautifully crafted story in song. Then there is that moment when all the instruments blend and find the groove, or even a solo that really makes me clap or shake my head in appreciation. While I grew up on Rock and can listen to it every now and then, it is music that is sung to God in worship that steals my soul away. I do enjoy the blend of all the instruments, but I am learning to even appreciate some Rap when it is sung to the King. I think we were made to sing, and especially to the LORD. The more I learn, the more I realize that our songs were meant to be sung upward. In truth, christians are the only ones that should be singing. We have real joy only found in Jesus Christ. ---I'm not bashing other music at all. I'm just saying, think about it. Where do the songs that we sing lead? ---And for some reason we celebrate Rock stars more than any other celebrity. What is that all about? Maybe it is because they are up on stage doing something we wish we could do. Nevertheless, they are on stage, and if not careful people can begin to worship these "bringers of the music." And since most people aren't careful, these folks become idols.---I'm not judging here. Just reflecting. Be careful as you appreciate your music.

Chill Night, Apple TV and the Movies

Since I'd been going hard all week, I knew it was time to chill with my wife. Teresa had taken a back-seat to most of my endeavors all week. It was a rainy night, so we thought it would be great to stay home and watch one of those award-winning moves. The top movie (with a 91% rotten tomato rating) was rated R. I had heard so many things good about the movie that I was tempted just say, "hey, we're adults let's just enjoy the movie." However, I didn't want to accidentally see some naked-ness. Language doesn't hardly faze me, but naked-ness is an issue. So, I decided I better look the movie up on IMDb to review first. I looked under "parental guidance" which was quite helpful. Evidently, nudity was not going to be an issue. But then I decided I would check out the language: 75-F words, are you kidding me? I mean that sounded excessive, so I went to review a violent movie that I had seen that had some language that was pretty close to my limit. Much to my dismay, 75 times was way over any movie I had watched. ---I decided that even though language doesn't really bug me out, because I live in the world but not of it; that was too excessive. Instead, we watched a movie that was also critically-acclaimed with no real language that I can remember.---The real story happened the next morning; I couldn't wait for my time of meeting with God. As I began to read the Bible, I was so happy that I had not let those words pound into my head for a couple hours of entertainment, even if everyone else had watched it. Romans 14:2-3---One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. ---

No Time for Hiding

There is no time for hiding. We need to be in the middle of things if we are to be part of God's kingdom work. In 1Samuel 22:3-5, David is repositioning himself as he is on the run from Saul. King Saul wants to kill David. Saul already knows that God is going to take the kingdom from Saul, but he doesn't officially know who that will be. It is obvious to King Saul that David is the prime candidate, so he seeks to kill David. With this knowledge, David begins his run. Now David already knows that he will eventually be king, but David will not be part of attacking Saul, because he sees King Saul as God's anointed king. Thus David is in a very awkward position. David sees that his choice is to run and avoid this conflict. Along the way, he picks up a band (400 men) of distressed and discontent men to join him in whatever he does. David delivers his parents to a place far away(Moab) for their safety (prevent a hostage crisis). David was offered asylum here as well, but the prophet Gad told him that God wanted him to return to Judah (right back in the middle of things). Common sense could have led David to just stay away and let Saul die, and then he would become king in due time. One big difference here between Saul and David; David listened to the prophet and obeyed the word of God to go back to Judah. It wasn't the easy choice. It wasn't the comfort zone; it was the war zone. You see, away from all the fray David would be safe, but he couldn't be used by God to help God's people. David and his family would be safe, but he wouldn't be living out God's purpose for himself. So, David travels to the Forest of Hereth which was just a few miles South of Bethlehem to wait and be used of God. Like David of old, there is no time for hiding for the follower of Jesus. We need to be in the middle of things if we are to be part of what God has got going on. ---Are you hiding in a safe-place on the sidelines right now?

Just Do Something

It takes all kinds of people to get the job done. It takes people that have an idea and sometimes even sit on it. Sometimes they say their idea in front of someone who had a similar idea and a great idea goes from idle to action. It takes people that don't care if they crash and burn with an idea sometimes just to get things going. They may not do it perfectly, but they try. After enough tries an idea moves from potential to real possibilities. Next thing, some people are brought in that can coordinate this thing into a better thing. Then someone comes along that realizes that with some real coordination this thing can multiply beyond its current state; and reach the original dreamer's dream. Thank God for those who moved beyond the nay-sayers, gripers and complainers; and just did something! Don't stop believing.

Walking Dead

1 Samuel 2:22-26 seems like an innocent enough passage, but a stern warning can be found. Eli the priest has heard that his priestly sons have been up to no good. While serving as priests of the LORD, they had used their positions to not only rob from people, but they were committing sexual sins with women that were serving at the Tent of Meeting (the very place where God would meet the people). A contingency of people came and told Eli about his sons. Dad went to his boys to confront them, and they didn't even listen to him. Here's where it gets troubling. It says that they didn't listen to Eli, because God had already willed that they not straighten up because He was going to put them to death for this. Eli's words had no chance. They could not prevail against God's will. You see, it was too little too late. It is a reminder that even though God is very patient, and He wants people to repent of their sins and get back on the straight and narrow; His patience can wear thin. There is a tipping-point for God. ---There are people walking the streets right now that God is done with. The problem is that you and I don't know who they are; so we are supposed to keep praying for them and sharing Jesus. ---Meanwhile, the same Scripture shares that the boy Samuel was growing in favor with God and man. Every passage of hopelessness in the Bible seems like it has some hint of hope attached. * Perhaps a person is reading this that has rebelled against God. Please turn back. While God's grace is amazing, it is not without limits. Repent and turn back to God while He still may be found. If not, you may be among the walking-dead.

The Gotta Do's

As Paul says in Philemon we are to be "active in sharing our faith", but there are some other things christian/church members can do to advance the Good News about Jesus. This is not an exhaustive list, not is it in a particular order: 1.) Live a Christ-like life so that others want what you have, and maybe they will listen or want to hear your testimony about Jesus. 2.) Invite people to church. Most people just want an invite. 80% of people try out church because someone invited them. 3.) Welcome people the first five minutes they arrive on your church campus (no matter how big or small that might be). People decide in the first five minutes if they are even coming back. Folks need to be cultivated in the Word before they believe, so you're going to want them to come back and hear more. So, what does the first five minutes look like at your church? 4.)Be regular in your attending, giving and supporting of your church. Your church needs your faithfulness. Carry on. For the church to move on with the Gospel these are simple "gotta do's."

The New Normal

The "New Normal", what a cute little name for "we've rejected God." By the way, it is not that new. Right out of the gate in Genesis 3:1, the serpent compelled the woman to question God: "God didn't really say...?" It was this questioning of God that led to the Fall of Man which hasn't worked out so well if you follow the pages of history. It is not really a new normal, rather it is a "new morality." It is the glossing over of evil. It is painting a pretty picture of evil. Isaiah the prophet writes: "Woe to them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"-Isa.5:20. Replacing God's way and design is the sign that man has fallen off the deep end morally into corruption. He has replaced good with evil and vice-versa. Satan's words in the Garden to Eve could have easily been translated, "Eve, you and Adam aren't very progressive. God didn't really say you couldn't do this or that. Did He? That would be silly of God. Times are changing Eve, you're evolving." The "new normal" or "new morality" is based on what feels good or seems right in one's own eyes. "Woe to them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!" We live in a time when it is unpopular to heed God's Word, but frankly it has been that way since the Fall. Eve became intolerant of God's Word about eating of the one tree. She soon became aware of her sin, and the damage was done. Fortunately, God has a plan for those that want to come back. Suggestion: seek the LORD while He may be found. Seek Him in His Word. Turn from darkness back to the light. By the way, this new normal is causing erosion and tragic moral decay, not evolution.

Two Kinds of Men and Bikinis

Ladies, there are two kinds of men. There is the one that is the one that wants to "do right, walk justly and all that." And there is the one that is "all about me"---the self-gratificating type. I want you to think about that as you get ready to purchase your swimwear this year. Would you walk out of the house in your bra and panties? If you saw your "hot" looking neighbor walk outside in just her bra and panties the first day of spring, and your husband was out cutting the lawn; how would you expect him to react? How would you react to her? How is he supposed to act? Let's say that he is hopelessly-devoted to you but young Ms. Upton walks out like that, is it fair? He's trying. But he has been put at a major disadvantage. Men have eyes that are trained for the hunt. Thankfully, your guy spots this a mile away, (Oh! and he can.) and he walks away. But it is troubling him. If this happens repetitively, the best of men grow weak in the knees. ---Now, the guy across the street spots the attractive young woman in the front yard in her bra and panties, but he's just a regular guy (one that could care less about righteousness and what-not); he is not going to turn away. Does a young woman really wanted Mr. X checking her out like this? You know it's a creepy thought. His eyes are burning a hole in the apparel. ---I say all this uncomfortable talk to plead with you ladies while there is still a chance (it is February). The beach is a wonderful place. But please, for the love of God and the integrity of the men that are trying to keep their thought life pure---put some stinkin' clothes on! [Satan wants you uncovered, and God wants you covered.Gen.3:21] Don't where colored panties and bras to the beach. You are making it tough on the men that are trying to behave. On the other hand, you are making the day of some men that are having thoughts about you. (We'll leave it at that.)---And men, do not get the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition! Protect yourself. Do not click on that photo, because it will lead to the wrong path.

You Haven't Had My Green Beans

I have a friend that is a pretty awesome cook, chef, whatever he wants to be called...just call me for dinner. You know what I'm saying? He made a statement one time that I have found to be true about food and the way it is prepared and enjoyed. He really gets bugged out when someone tells him that they don't like a certain food whether it be broccoli, green beans or whatever. On one occasion a friend tried to snub his green beans. Now these weren't regular ole green beans. There was some love and care (onions, garlic and of course, bacon; and other secret ingredients) put into this special concoction. Our friend realized that he loved green beans. The lesson was this: many of us somewhere along the way had someone prepare a certain food in such a way that we decided we didn't like that food, like the green beans. Perhaps, he had them served straight from the can with no special ingredients. Unfortunately, he labeled that food under the "I won't eat" column. For years our friend had skipped out on the delicacy we know as green beans, because someone had ruined them for him. ---I couldn't help to think of how many people have turned their backs on church today, because somewhere along the way they got a bad taste in their mouth. We've met so many people that would say they are believers, but never darken the door of a church. They say they had a bad experience at a church or something like that. Heck yeah, you did! There are people in the church, and if you stay in one long enough they will urinate in your cheerios (now I have your attention). That is such a bunch of bologna! We don't quit on restaurants, stores or whatever unless they mess us over a bunch. Listen, I am sorry for the terrible experience you had with a church (it could have been our church). But it's time to build a bridge and get over it. Maybe you grew up in some legalistic church or a church that only had room for a select few. Maybe you went to a church and there wasn't much going on. Maybe you went to a church that was dead. Maybe you went to a church that...(stunk) didn't represent Christ well. Let me encourage you to give church a try again. And if you feel like giving it another try, come try Living Truth Church...we like salt, onions, bacon and all the special ingredients. Come spice the place up with your presence. To be absent from the body (Church) is to be absent from the HEAD (Christ)...come on back.

Bringing Heaven to Earth

Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name or in modern English: "Holy is your name." Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven or "We pray that your Kingdom comes and that your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven." In leading this prayer Jesus leads us to pray to Father God in Heaven. Jesus declares that the very name of the Father is holy. It is a name like no other. No one else has His name. He is mighty and set apart. In fact, the Hebrew people would not even say His name out loud. They would not even spell it completely out, so there are variations of the spelling of the name of the Holy One. His name is to be high and lifted up. We should fall down in worship at the mention of His name. In Revelation 4 we are allowed a peek into Heaven, and we see that there is one throne centrally located and that God is seated there. Any time there is a glimpse into Heaven there is a common theme. People are awestruck in the presence of God. They acknowledge their sin and unworthiness. However, the heavenly creatures that are there are in full praise and worship mode! Hallelujah!---So, when we pray that God's will be done on Earth like it is in Heaven...we're praying for some serious praise and worship. We are confessing that there is One that sits on the throne and that One is God NOT us! Why wait? Start bringing Heaven to Earth in the way that you daily worship the KING of Kings and the LORD of Lords. Stop and be in His presence regularly. Holy Holy Holy is the LORD God Almighty!!!

Next Man Up

Yes, there is so much we can learn from sports. For instance, NFL does stand for National Football League, but some players say it stands for Not For Long since it is so hard to stay in the League beyond four years due to competition and injury. Football is to many the ultimate team sport. A really good team will live up to the saying that there is no "I" in "T-E-A-M." So, it is very important that each player is in shape and ready when his number is called. In the course of a game guys get hurt. It's a fact of the game. So, even the guy that rarely plays has to be ready in the event the first or second-string guys in his position are injured. The team is counting on him coming in and playing like he is the starter. For the team to win, the "next man up" has to be ready to go. The skill level can't expose him as a weak-link. The other team is licking their chops ready to take advantage of the "next man up." So, this guy has to prepare as if he is the starter every game, just in case. The team depends on the next man up. The coaches have to coach him up, so that he is ready.---I am so glad as many pastors are, for those guys that have decided to be the spiritual leaders in their families and in their church. Our guys are under attack constantly, because we live in this fallen world. Within the seasons of life, men fall. It's in those times that we need the next man up to step his game up. It's in those times that we need to be there for each other. We need to be there for that guy that fell. We're on the same team. "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."-Prov.27:17 Stand firm O' man of God, and be ready when it's your turn.

First-things First

God will speak to you if you'll listen, and He will bail you out if you will slow down and listen. He gave me a gut-check a couple of times today before and during a meeting. Fortunately, I paused and did my Quiet Time this morning before the meeting instead of post-poning that meeting (Quiet Time) until later. There would have been nothing wrong with me meeting with God later in the day or more than once, but I'm glad that I did put first-things-first. After previewing the plan for the pending meeting, I could see a large portion of the meeting would be scheduling and prioritizing things. In my QT God spoke to me from Mt. 6:33 offering me a little reminder: "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you." Thank you Lord. The temptation in church-life is to make much about the plan instead of the One we serve. So while we will get together and plan, we will keep in the fore-front first-things first: "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness." The rest of the stuff will fall in place.

Unchained!

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. --2 Tim.2:8-9 In its simplest form Paul described the Gospel as this: "Jesus Christ raised from the dead, descended from David." He explained the Gospel was why he was in chains, but God's Word is not in chains! Hallelujah!---They can lock man up, shut man up, turn a deaf ear to the preaching of the Gospel; but they can't stop the Gospel Truth, for it is unchained! I think back to Paul's statement in Romans "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation..." Amen. Christian stand firm to God's Word in these days. We may come under fire and even be chained up, but God's Word is forever unchained!

Just A Reminder As We Go Forward in 2013

What you see as a "set back", God may view as a "set up." Read Isaiah 55:9. Go forward in 2013 in "God-fidence". I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. All things work together for the good of those who love God and who are called according to His name. Know these things and walk in "God-fidence" this year by knowing God through His Word! Read the Bible through this year.