Pastor Don's Blog!

The One!

2012-01-27T08:33:00.000-06:00

Since childhood, we have been told stories about the one.

Do you not remember that one prince who was looking for that one foot that would fit into that one slipper? Do you not remember the only one who could pull the one sword from the one stone? Do you not remember the only one behind the one curtain who could give Dorothy directions back to Kansas?

What about the one who sees? Do you remember that story?

In Genesis 16:13, God was given the name, “Jehovah Roi.” which means the one who sees everything! Knowing that truth ought to affect our attitudes!

Fly and Sing!

2012-01-26T09:23:00.004-06:00

Why do our attitudes today matter in regards to tomorrow?

Both the hummingbird and the vulture fly overhead!

As they look down, all vultures see is rotting meat because that is what they are looking for. Hummingbirds ignore the smelly flesh of dead animals. Instead, they look for the colorful blossoms of numerous plants. Vultures live on what was. Vultures fill themselves with what is dead and gone. Hummingbirds live on what is. They seek new life. They fill themselves with fresh life. Each bird finds what it is looking for. We all do.

Our attitudes can find new life if we will just seek it. If we will fill or refill ourselves with fresh life – aka God’s Holy Spirit – our attitudes will show it.

“Those who wish to sing will always find a song.” Swedish Proverb

Greatness!

2012-01-20T08:56:00.000-06:00

Vince Lombardi did not become a head coach until he was forty-five years old.

According to the sportswriters of that time period, “God had reserved real greatness for Lombardi, but God wanted to make sure that Lombardi was ready for it.” God has reserved real, spiritual greatness for us! However, true and authentic revival will come much easier when we learn to deal with people firmly and in a Godly manner!

Under the Influence!

2012-01-19T09:41:00.001-06:00

What does God want to do? He wants to fill us with His Holy Spirit!

Ephesians 5:18 has been on my mind a lot, “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery (aka wickedness and sin). Instead, be filled with the spirit.” If you and I are going to experience the fullness of the Christian life and live out what we value, then we must lay aside the Jack Daniels and get all of Jehovah that we can get!

There are no buts about it no matter what the “ya but” people say!

I find it very interesting that Ephesians 5:18 ties alcohol and God’s Holy Spirit together into the same verse. Very clearly, Paul tells us not to fall under the influence of alcohol, but rather, to fall under the influence of God’s Holy Spirit. People that are under the influence of The Holy Ghost know how to co-exist well with other human beings in a Godly manner! When alcohol is ingested into a body, that body responds accordingly. When God’s Spirit is ingested into a body, that body responds accordingly. Folks, I am talking about going to a place – in our relationship with other human beings -- where we have never been before.

There are no buts about it!

Today, as you sort through the challenges that people pose in your life, embrace the forgiveness of Jesus for handling people situations poorly in the past and then bathe yourself in God’s Holy Ghost.

Ya But!

2012-01-18T09:47:00.000-06:00

No matter what man might say, God says that our relationships with other people can be healthy and holy!

Do you remember what happened when the spies came back from their scouting mission to the Promised Land, “Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” But the men who had gone up with him said, ‘We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.’” (Numbers 13:30-31)

In that scripture, the “ya but” people were butting!

In your life, there will always be “ya but” people that will try to get in the way of you doing and accomplishing what God can empower you to do. Do not let them.

For example:

• But you are too young to love difficult people
• But you are too inexperienced to laugh and not be so serious all of the time
• But you are to old to look inside of people and not at people
• But you are too set in your ways to choose your battles wisely

…but God has called you to treat people a certain way and those He calls, He will be faithful to and empower – in a nut shell, God will do it. There are no buts about it!

What Would God Do?

2012-01-17T11:04:00.000-06:00

Ask yourself what God would do!

When someone verbally attacks you, belittles you, criticizes you or persists in some form of behavior that bugs you, you must remember that you cannot fix a person, only God can fix people!

Sometimes, it is hard to believe, but God loves difficult people just as much as He loves you and God desires to bless the difficult personality just as much as the not so difficult personality. God wants to lovingly fix people and our job is to love them while God does His work. That is why Jesus commanded us to love the difficult people in our lives. Now, when I say love, I am not talking about a soupy, sentimental feeling!When I say love, I am talking about a commitment to their welfare, their good and their salvation while God does the fix. That commitment may require that you and I put our own feelings to one side and try to emulate God’s attitude in a difficult situation.

Listen to how Jesus explains it in the Sermon on the Mount: “…I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?" (Matthew 5:44-47).

Smile

2012-01-12T09:18:00.000-06:00

When you encounter difficult people, maintain your sense of humor.

Sometimes we get so upset at other people because we take things way too seriously. Or, worse yet, we take ourselves way too seriously. For our own well-being, some things should be just laughed off. Arguing with a fool only proves that there are two … fools.

Now folks, I take very seriously my life and your life and our lives in relationship to a Holy God. Some things are just not funny! We can make a list today of things that break our hearts, but some things are not nearly as serious as we make them out to be. With God’s help and the guidance of His Spirit, we can and must come to know the difference.

We must all crack a smile every once in a while!

Often, other people provide for me just what my face needs – a good smile. Actually, my own folly often provides for me just what my face needs. Folks, laughing at myself is good medicine. Giggling at myself is very healthy. Being able to chuckle at my own goofiness tells me that I am growing up and that life does not have to be so serious all of the time!

In all truth, laughter should be a natural expression for the Christian. Why? Well, thank you for asking! Christians can laugh because they have nothing to fear. “(Nothing can) separate us from the love of God…” (Romans 8:39) Nothing in a Christian’s life happens without purpose. Therefore, we can laugh in the face of any circumstance or situation. What does Romans 8:28 say, “…in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Christians can laugh because Christians know that God is in control.

Servant Leaders must remember and celebrate such things!

Battles!

2012-01-11T10:15:00.000-06:00

Chose your battles wisely.

Some things are worth getting upset about and some things are not.

Most of the difficulties that we encounter with other people are small potatoes!

Most of those small potato situations are usually matters of personality, style and preference differences that remind us just how unique each of us really are. You know how this looks: Somebody has an idea that is different from yours, or does things in a way that you would not do them, or has a different priority from yours and the challenge begins!

Are those matters really worth the battle?

Proverbs 10:32 is so powerfully true, “The lips of the righteous know what is fitting…” All of us must learn to let people be who they are and not try to force them into our mold. Do not label another person as difficult just because he or she disagrees with you or has mannerisms that make you uncomfortable.

To all who serve and lead, we must embrace what Count Niklaus Ludwig Von Zinzendorf once said, “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.”

Understand!

2012-01-10T09:13:00.000-06:00

Try to understand why people are the way that they are.

Usually, people who make things hard on you and for you do not have an issue with you as much as they have an issue with themselves.

When a person does not like him or herself in here, you will know about it quickly by what comes out of here! That is exactly what Jesus is saying in Luke 6:43-45, “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks."

The best thing that you and I can do when interacting with people like that is to try and put ourselves in their place and understand the pressures that they are under and in turn: give them a break. In that instance, we are not condoning or excusing their behavior, but instead, we are reacting calmly to their bad fruit.

To all who serve and lead, we must look into other people as well as at them.

Learn How To Multiply!

2012-01-09T10:44:00.000-06:00

Acts 1:1 says, “In those days when the number of disciples was increasing…”

There was a definite Multiplication challenge!

God had stopped adding people to His church and now He was multiplying people to His church. Three thousand men were added to the church on the Day of Pentecost. Another five thousand men were added shortly thereafter. Add to that their wives, children and other family members and you can see that the church was growing by leaps and bounds. It is estimated that the church in Jerusalem at that time numbered between 20,000 and 50,000 people.

A conflict was brewing in that early church because there were more people!

Now, please allow me stop right here and open a window.

We better get ready for company. In this New Year, we are going to grow and we are going to grow properly where no one gets left behind and everyone learns how to work and play well together. I am expecting miracles! God desires that His church grow. It is a no brainer.

Church, growth will bring with it many benefits! However, growth will also bring with it many challenges.

As a Family grows…As a Company grows…As a Circle of Friends grow…As the Little League grows…as The Chess Club grows and as a Church grows…so do the challenges of dealing with and pleasing people!

The secret too many a man's success in this world resides in his insight into the moods of men and his tact in dealing with them. All of us must learn to live with other people because other people are not going away!

Resist!

2012-01-06T10:00:00.000-06:00

James 4:7 tells us to, “Submit (ourselves), then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from (us).”

The Greek word that is translated into, “resist” literally means, “to take a stand against or oppose.” So, James 4:7 is actually saying, “Submit (ourselves), then, to God. (Take a stand and oppose) the devil, and he will flee from (us).”

That is how we defeat evil! Just say no! Take a stand! Oppose evil and win! Often times, we say maybe to sin instead of no, leaving the option open for us to say yes. That is not the way to defeat the devil!

Have you ever had a salesperson try to sell you something at your front door?

Often times, we do not want to tell that salesperson no, so we tell him or her to come back later when our spouse is home. Guess what! Since we told the salesperson maybe, he or she will come back that same night to make the sell. Salespeople are persistent.

The devil is just as persistent!

If we say maybe to sin and to evil, the devil will keep coming back until we say no. Starting today, let us all say no and slam the door right in the devil’s face!

Titus 2:12 is very black and white, “…say no to ungodliness and worldly passions.”

What about yours?

2012-01-05T10:47:00.000-06:00

We must make the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. Just ask Paul!

Now folks, God has given me a great gift in regards to optimism and positive expectation, but the headlines tell me that the days are evil and the devil is working hard because he knows that his days are numbered and he wants as many people with him in hell as possible.

Church, evil is not going anywhere, so if we are going to have to live in the midst of it, we should definitely formulate a plan.

May I provide for you one action step that you can implement to conquer evil?

TO DEFEAT SATAN WE MUST TURN TO GOD FOR VICTORY.

Time and time again, the Bible instructs us to rely upon God to deliver us from the evil one.

In Matthew 6:13, Jesus taught His Disciples how to pray and one part of that prayer says, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” If we want to defeat Satan, we must turn to God for victory and deliverance! Greater is He that is in me!

When Satan comes knocking at the door, send God to answer it.

Church, there is no victory and no deliverance for us outside of God’s divine assistance and I say God bring it on! My God delivers today. What about your God?

Great is God's Faithfulness!

2012-01-04T10:22:00.000-06:00

God has demonstrated His faithfulness to us in the past so that we might

demonstrate a little more faithfulness to Him in the present. Let us all be very careful then how we live!

Great is God's Faithfulness!

In this New Year, if we will show God our faith, He will show us His faithfulness. I plan on putting myself in a position -- often -- where God has to show me just how faithful He really is.

…and what about this…

Some people want God to first give them great opportunities and then they will display great obedience. However, why not be obedient with what God has already given us knowing that little is much when God is in it. Here is an example. Many insist on waiting for God to give them a million dollars before they can be generous, but why not be generous with the paycheck you are already receiving. Let us all be very careful then how we live! Joseph had to be faithful and obedient in his state of slavery and imprisonment before he could be put in charge of Egypt. David had to herd sheep before he killed the giant and became king. God will not give you more to do for Him until you do what He is already given you to do.

Let us all be very careful then how we live!

So, stop praying for a life of greater impact and do something impactful where you are right now. Stop praying for a better assignment and start performing better, where God has already planted you.

Obedience creates opportunity, not the other way around. GREAT IS GOD’S FAITHFULNESS!

The Dash!

2012-01-03T10:21:00.000-06:00

FOLKS, OUR TIME ON THIS EARTH IS LIMITED…

As a result, Paul tells us to, “Be very careful, then, how (we) live…” David really hits the nail on the head in Psalm 39:4, “Show me, O Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life."

There is a starting point to all of our earthly lives and a finishing point to all of our earthly lives. Our job is to make the dash, that appears between our birth date and our death date, worth something!

A few years ago, People Magazine published an article entitled, "Dead Ahead" describing a new clock that keeps track of how much time a person has left to live. The clock is based on an average life span of 75 years for men and 80 years for women. The object is to program in your sex and your current age and from then on, the clock will tell you how much time you have left on planet earth. That is all well and good, but the honest truth is this: Neither you nor I have a guarantee of even one more day to live. All we have is right now. Let us all be very careful then how we live.

A New Year's Wish!

2012-01-02T10:28:00.001-06:00

One of my greatest New Year's wishes is for those who read my entries will also comment on my entries! I just want to know who is being encouraged by what God has to say!

I would also love to increase my list of followers. Would you sign up?

1967 vs. 2012

2012-01-02T10:17:00.000-06:00

Back in 1967, experts predicted that -- by the turn of the century -- technology would be so far advanced, that the American daily workload would be drastically reduced!

For example, experts predicted that the average American workweek would be only 22 hours long and only 27 weeks a year. As a result, one of our biggest challenges would be trying to decide what to do with all of our leisure time. I think that the experts missed it just a bit! What about you?

Truthfully speaking, most of us seem busier today then we have ever been! Some are always in a hurry. We walk fast. We talk fast. We eat fast and then after we eat fast, all too often, we stand up and say, "Excuse me, but I have to run."

So here we are.

It is the 1st Sunday of 2012. What can we do about busyness and focus? How should we live with a brand new year before us?

Ephesians 5:15-17 gives us the answer, “Be very careful, then, how you live -- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is."

It really does!

2011-12-30T11:15:00.001-06:00

Starting on Wednesday Night, January 11th, I begin a New Bible Study!

I Resolve!

2011-12-30T10:31:00.001-06:00

A newspaper in Boston has been allowing people to post their New Year’s Resolutions on their website. Here are a few interesting posts:

• I resolve to stop feeding the office plant leftover coffee. I will use water instead.

• As much as I hate government intervention, I resolve to try and get a law passed that requires every person, on the face of this earth, to have to use his or her common sense at least once a day!

• This year, I resolve to stop eating McDonald's and Wendy’s for 2 out of 3 meals a day.

• I resolve to refuse to take responsibility for my decisions, to never take the blame, to not stand by my promises and to ignore the needs of the poor. In short, my resolution is to become a politician!

• I resolve to become as wonderful of a person as my dog thinks I am.

A New Sermon Series!

2011-12-29T12:58:00.000-06:00

A New Sermon Series Starting on Sunday, January 8th!

A New Year!

2011-12-29T10:47:00.000-06:00

You did it!

You made it through another year. In just a few short days, 2011 will be history. A new year is right around the corner -- a new year full of possibility and opportunity. What will you remember most about 2011?

One year = 12 months or 52 weeks or 365 days or 8,760 hours or 525, 600 minutes or 31,536,000 seconds. What will you do with all of that time in 2012?

Now, some people do and some people do not. What do you think I am talking about? Resolutions!

In the dictionary, a resolution is defined as “a course of action decided upon; a fixed purpose.” Many over the next several days will resolve to do things differently. To lose weight, to exercise more. To be a better person. To dispense with old, bad habits and begin new and better ones. What do you want to see happen in your life in 2012?

Jokes!

2011-12-15T08:29:00.000-06:00

What did Adam say on the day before Christmas? It's Christmas, Eve!

What do you have in December that you don't have in any other month? The letter "D"!

What does Santa suffer from when he gets stuck in a chimney? Santa Claustrophobia!

What do you call a letter sent up the chimney on Christmas Eve? Black Mail!

Why does Santa go down the chimney? Because it soots him!

God's Greatness!

2011-12-14T10:11:00.000-06:00

Philippians 1:19-20 says, "....for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death."

Those are the words of a man whose mind was firmly fixed on what was important! He had hopeful thoughts in the midst of very uncertain times! He concerned his thinking only with things that mattered because for all he knew, death might be right around the corner. Have you developed that skill?

It is amazing how death provides for us an excellent “filtering system” when it comes to what is worth thinking about and what is not worth thinking about! When a man knows he is about to be hanged, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.

If there is anyone in the world that should think hopeful thoughts, it’s the believer! After all, our God is Close!

In Acts 17:27, Paul says this, “God is not far from each one of us.”

Psalm 145:18 says, "The Lord is near to all who call on him."

Psalm 34:18 reads, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Your best thought about God on your best day falls 13.2 billion light-years short of how great and how good God really is! The Happiness of our lives depends upon the character of our thoughts.

Be Kind!

2011-12-13T08:55:00.000-06:00

Look what it says in Philippians 1:15-18, "It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice..."

Now, you might find this hard to believe, but even back in the first century era not everyone was pleasant to live with. Some deliberately tried to cause Paul distress, but he chose to think pleasantly about them and that fostered spiritual growth in his life!

After all, what does it matter!

I read yesterday that there are three things that are important in human life. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind and the third is to be kind. Can I just say this? Be kind to yourself by thinking kindly about others or your spiritual growth will be stunted!

Are their some people that challenge your thinking?

Here is an example of that type of thinking: “I know that there are people in this world who hate their fellow man, and I just hate people like that.” Love people when they least expect it and when they least deserve it and let your thought life be the proof in the pudding! Let us develop a mental perspective that says, “It doesn’t really matter what happens to us as long as nothing happens to stop the gospel from spreading.”

Incredible!

2011-12-12T10:09:00.000-06:00

Look at Philippians1:12-14: "Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly."

That is incredible!

Paul’s words reflect a confident pattern of thinking! Paul was confident that no matter what happened to him, God’s will would triumphantly march on. Paul knew very well the God that he served and his confident mind set reflected it. How about you? Does your way of thinking reflect a confidence in your God?

If there is anyone in the world that should think confidently it is the believer! After all, our God is compassionate. Psalm 103:13 tells us that, "As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him…”

God cares about every detail of our lives. He cares about our house payment, health, success, children, marriage and our feelings so think confident thoughts! Paul had control of his thoughts and that fanned into flame spiritual growth and the same thing can and should be happening in our lives! Paul knew how to take his thoughts captive. Do you?

Are you in the habit of thinking the right way? Are you good at taking your thoughts captive?

A Pecking Order!

2011-12-08T09:47:00.000-06:00

Take ten chickens, put them in a pen together, spread a little chicken feed and very quickly, you will witness an amazing phenomenon.

In a matter of minutes, the chickens, previously strangers, will vie for a hierarchy based on dominance, or, in everyday language, they will establish a Pecking Order. Instinctively, they will determine, through a series of skirmishes, who the Number One Chicken will be; then the Number Two; the Number Three; all the way down to the unlucky Number Ten Chicken.

Much is at stake in this dance of domination.

Chicken Number One pecks at and intimidates Chicken Number Two, without experiencing any kind of retribution from Chicken Number Two. Chicken Number Two will take it from Chicken Number One, but will turn around and peck away at Chicken Number Three, who will, in turn, take out its frustration on Chicken Number Four.

The Pecking Order continues all the way down to Chicken Number Ten, who, needless to say, has a pretty miserable life: pecked, but no one to peck on."

There is no pecking order in God’s economy.

All of us have bad days! However, all of us having full access to God. All of us can access His power to help us find gold in the garbage and growth in the gutter!

Prayer Part #2!

2011-12-07T08:42:00.000-06:00

Once upon a time there was a man who went hunting.

He was hunting for bears. As he trudged through the forest looking for bears, he came upon a large and steep hill. He climbed the hill and just as he was pulling himself up over the last outcropping of rocks, a huge bear met him nose to nose. The bear roared fiercely. The man was so scared that he lost his balance and fell down the hill with the bear not far behind. On the trip down the hill, the man lost his gun. When he finally stopped tumbling, he found that he had a broken leg. Escape was impossible and so the man, who had never been particularly religious (in fact he was hunting on Sunday morning), prayed, "God if you will make this bear a Christian, I will be happy with whatever lot you give me for the rest of my life."

The bear was no more than three feet away from the man when it stopped dead in its tracks, looked up to the heavens and then fell to its knees and prayed in a loud voice: "Lord, bless this food of which I am about to partake. Amen"

See, praying specifically is very powerful!

Prayer!

2011-12-06T09:11:00.000-06:00

Three ministers were talking about prayer.

As they were talking, a telephone repairman was working on the phone system in the background. One minister said, “The key to effective prayer was in the hands.” He always held is hands together and pointed them upward as a form of symbolic worship.

The second minister suggested that real prayer was conducted only on your knees.

The third minister suggested that the only position worth its salt was to pray while stretched out on the floor -- flat on your face.

By this time, the phone man could not stay out of the conversation any longer. He said, "I have found that the most powerful prayer that I have ever prayed was while I was dangling upside down by my heels from a power pole, suspended forty feet above the ground.”

A Bad Day!

2011-12-05T09:22:00.000-06:00

Mike Grady played third base for the New York Giants back in 1895.

During one single play, he muffed a routine grounder, overthrew first base and then dropped the ball when the first baseman threw it back to him. Grady picked up the ball and promptly threw it over the catcher's head as the runner raced toward home. What should have been a routine ground ball, for an easy out, turned into an error-ridden home run.

Mike Grady was having a bad day.

What constitutes a bad day? Have you ever had a bad day? We must all remember today that God is still God on bad days as well as good days!

FOREVER!

2011-12-02T09:22:00.000-06:00

…EVERLASTING FATHER

In the original Hebrew, that phrase, “Everlasting Father,” is literally, “the Father of Eternity.”

Jesus came as God and from God to provide for us the opportunity to live in a relationship with a Faithful Heavenly Father Figure Forever. It seems like our nation is dealing with an epidemic of deadbeat dads. 75% of all young boys and girls in this country experience only one hour a day with their fathers. However, our God – our Faithful Heavenly Father Figure -- is not a deadbeat dad! Jesus came as the Everlasting Father in hopes that we might develop an everlasting relationship with a Faithful Heavenly Father Figure -- Forever!

1st John 3:1 celebrates why Jesus came! “How great is the love that the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!”

Why is a relationship with the, “Everlasting Father” such a big deal?

Well, I am so glad that you asked! Jehovah Himself – the God that we worship and the God that we owe everything to is not a distant, aloof God who is too busy running the cosmos to give us the time of day, but rather a loving, caring, and compassionate Father….a Daddy who is willing to drop everything, the very instant that we call on His name.

Jesus came to make the relationship possible -- forever!

TODAY, THE SITUATION THAT IS OVER YOUR HEAD IS SMALL POTATOES FOR YOUR FAITHFUL HEAVENLY FATHER FIGURE FOREVER!

Professional Sports!

2011-12-01T10:53:00.000-06:00

What contribution do professional sports make to the physical fitness of Americans?

You are correct! Very little! A professional football game allows 75,000 spectators -- who desperately need exercise -- to sit in the stands and watch 22 men on the field -- who desperately need some rest!

The church should not be like that!

• If your only contribution to the kingdom is to do dishes after church socials! Well, do the dishes! Little is much when Jesus in the form of our Mighty God is in it!

• If your only gift to the church is to help put up Christmas decorations – put up Christmas decorations! No gift was or is insignificant in the hands of Jesus our Mighty God.

• If your only contribution to the kingdom is to stand outside and welcome people on Sunday mornings, then get outside and welcome! The ability of Jesus -- who is also known as our Mighty God -- to use your gift or your effort is in no way hindered or enhanced by the size of your gift or your effort!

• If your only gift is to work in our nursery, then love those babies! Little is much when Jesus as our Mighty God is in it!

What Child is this? He is the Mighty God.

AKA!

2011-11-30T09:29:00.000-06:00

…MIGHTY GOD

The baby that was born in the manger was not just the Son of God; He was also God the Son. That word, “mighty” in the original Hebrew text was, “El Gibor,” which means, “strong one.” Jesus as God had and has infinite might. When we rely on Jesus, we are relying on God Himself!

A huge crowd had approached Jesus!

Jesus made it very clear that He wanted to feed the people. The disciples were at a loss! In Matthew 14:15, they said, “It's already getting late…Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food." I love the response of Jesus as our Mighty God in verse 16, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat." The disciples were stymied! Andrew spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish…” (John 6:9) Andrew knew that five barley loaves and two small fish seemed like an insignificant gift, but Andrew also knew that no gift was or is insignificant in the hands of Jesus aka Our Mighty God.

John 6:10-13 says, “Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.”

What an amazing lesson -- that so little could be used to accomplish so much! Church, little is much when Jesus in the form of our Mighty God is in it! God’s ability to use our gifts and our efforts is in no way hindered or enhanced by the size of our gift or by the size of our effort! Sure, we might feel as if our contribution seems foolish, but it is fools like us, who truly make a difference for the kingdom! Little is much when Jesus aka our Mighty God is in it!

A Balanced Diet!

2011-11-29T09:13:00.000-06:00

Let us talk about Jesus as our …

…WONDERFUL COUNSELOR

In the original Hebrew text, “wonderful counselor” actually meant, “a wonder of a counselor.”

A wonder of a counselor speaks to the reliable wisdom of Jesus. Those who come to Him will never be led astray. When we yoke ourselves with Jesus to learn, the education that we receive is priceless. Jesus goes to no one for advice and when people go to Him, He gives them wisdom that can be counted on.

Jesus Himself speaks in Matthew 11:29, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me…”

What counsel do you need today? People like Joyce Brothers, Dear Abby, Ann Landers, and Dr. Laura Schlesinger all make their living giving advice to other people, but they cannot claim perfection. Psychiatrists routinely charge $350 an hour for their counsel. Much of that counsel is good, but none of it is perfect. Only Jesus gives perfect counsel.

Human advice looks something like this, “A balanced diet is not a cookie in each hand.” However, Jesus desires to give us all much more important direction than that! Jesus did not come so that we would settle for lives of partial truth, but instead, lives of entire truth. Sometimes that is not a comfortable place to hang our hats. Sometimes, we purposefully surround ourselves with people who validate what we falsely believe about situations, convictions and ourselves! However, as a wonder of a counselor, Jesus desires to take us to places that we might not be comfortable in going so that we can get to where He wants us to go. Jesus desires to reveal things to us about ourselves that we might not want to know so that we can become who He wants us to be.

That is what I call reliable counsel!

We must not and cannot tune out the convicting counsel of Jesus and embrace only His comforting counsel. We cannot listen to only half of what Jesus has to say. Jesus is a package deal. If we tune out His convicting voice, we run the risk of not hearing anything that He has to say.

What Child is this? He was and is the Wonderful Counselor.

Names!

2011-11-28T09:19:00.000-06:00

What child is this, who laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping?

A man was invited over to a friend's house for dinner.

Every time that the host needed something, he preceded his request to his wife by calling her, "My Love", "Darling", and or "Sweetheart.” His friend looked at him and said, "That is really nice that after all of these years, you still call your wife by those little pet names."

The host replied, "Well, honestly, I have forgotten her real name."

Names are important! Names matter!

Even before His birth, Jesus was a child who had been given many names. The prophet Isaiah, writing 700 years before Jesus was born, prophesied this, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

When we think about advent, we think about a people who longed and hoped for a deliverer. In Jesus and His names, that is exactly what we received! What child was that, who laid to rest, on Mary’s lap was sleeping?

Why?

2011-11-25T10:33:00.002-06:00

Sometimes, we are prone to think that our disobedience means that we have forfeited all of God’s promises and protection.

That is not correct thinking.

Our God is a gracious God who still protects us and keeps His promises to us even when we have struck out. In spite of Abraham's fear, lack of faith and obvious transgressions, we see that God did not reject him.

God intervened to keep the promise that He had made to Abraham and Sarah alive – the promise that they would have a son together. Not King Abimelech and Sarah, but Abraham and Sarah! Then, God lavished all kinds of blessings on Abraham! Abraham might have let go of God, but God – out of grace – never let go of Abraham. When we fall and fail, as all of us do from time to time, God does not reject us, but rather, out of grace, God holds onto us. Abraham, like us, did not deserve that intervention, but God does not treat people as their sins deserve. Out of mercy, God protected Abraham even after Abraham had struck out!

Now, that is grace!

I have really wrestled with this point all week and I want to tell you why!

Why did God protect and bless Abraham without any consequences? Why does God protect and bless some people today in spite of their actions while others have to deal with the remnants of their disobedience? The answer to those questions is I do not know. I am not God.

However, I do know this. God deals with His creation differently just as parents deal with their individual children differently! In the end, you and I not receiving or receiving what we deserve are both wonders of God’s grace. Consequences and discipline are just as much of a gift of God’s grace as letting people off of the hook is! Let me explain! Growth occurs in my life when God gracefully disciplines me! Now that is grace!

A dad vented, "When I was a youngster, I was disciplined by being sent to my room without supper, but in my son's room, he has his own color TV, telephone, computer, and CD player." "So what do you do?" asked his friend. "I send him to MY room!" exclaimed the father.

Ultimately, God knows best. We are spared from what we deserve and see it as grace. However, when God disciplines, that should be seen as grace as well. I see both scenarios as graceful protection!

Sin!

2011-11-23T09:53:00.001-06:00

I have been thinking a lot lately about sin.

• Sin is meeting a legitimate need in an illegitimate way.

• Sin is a waste of energy. It is the anti-thesis of good stewardship of self. Sinful actions waste our time, energy, and imagination on things that are ungodly and then we waste emotional energy on guilt and anxiety because most, if not all of us, know right from wrong!

• Sin is like a leak in the bottom of your boat. Instead of using your energy to row your boat toward a wonderful destination, you end up bailing water because there are leaks in the bottom of your vessel.

• Sin is willful disobedience to a known law of God.

• Sin fans into flame total disorder in a person’s life!

Out of fairness and love for you, I must remind us this morning how God’s word describes sin, Look with me at Galatians 5:19-20, “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions…”

The Message puts it this way, “It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community.”

Do you see how ugly sin is? If any of that mess is a part of your life, your chances of happiness are slim to nil, but there is God’s grace today that empowers God to forgive you! Folks, I am not interested in booing you this morning if you have struck out and God certainly has no interest in that activity…. but instead, God desires to forgive you today and restore you unto Himself.

Stike Out!

2011-11-22T10:21:00.000-06:00

When we strike out, God forgives!

Abraham struck out because he allowed his fears to dictate his actions. Abraham deceitfully claimed that Sarah was his sister. However, as we read through Genesis 20, we quickly realize that Abraham was forgiven because of the ways that God responded to Abraham. Abraham was forgiven and his relationship with God was restored.

Now that is grace!

God does not reject us when we fail anymore than a parent rejects a child when he or she fails. God’s grace was and is sufficient to forgive all strikeouts.

Folks, we do not achieve Jesus as Savior and Lord. We receive Jesus as Savior and Lord. As of today, stop trying to achieve God’s love and favor through ridiculous, frantic and fleshly performance driven actions, but instead embrace the celebration of receiving that love and favor.

Grace!

2011-11-21T12:57:00.001-06:00

Babe Ruth was an exceptional home run hitter.

The crowds would cheer as he came to the plate. The Babe played for many seasons, but as the years progressed, his skills diminished. Soon, he was striking out a whole lot more than he was hitting home runs. The same crowds that once cheered him booed him as he stepped into the batter’s box.

The crowd applauded him when he was successful, but rejected him when he failed.

Sometimes, that is how people respond to failure, but how does God respond? How does God react when we strike out?

God always responds with grace!

Fixation!

2011-11-11T09:46:00.001-06:00

One of golf’s most memorable moments came when a Scotchman demonstrated the new game to President Ulysses S. Grant.

Carefully placing the ball on the tee, he took a mighty swing. The club hit the turf and scattered dirt everywhere including into the President’s beard. However, the ball had not left the tee! Again, the Scotchman swung, and again he missed. Our President waited patiently through six swings and then quietly said, “There seems to be a fair amount of exercise in this game, but I fail to see the purpose of the ball!”

To be successful in the game of golf, your club must make contact with the ball! To be successful in regards to our faith, we must heed the words of Hebrews 12:2 that tell us to, “...fix our eyes on Jesus...”

Just How Great?

2011-11-09T10:14:00.002-06:00

Just how great is your God today?

God does not need your help! Abraham’s job was to submit in spite of his fear! Our job is to submit, trust and obey – in spite of our fears -- because there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey! God placed Abraham in a spot where Abraham could flourish or faulter! Are you there today? God often places His people in flourish or faulter situations so that we might see what we are made of! It is in those moments that we can either climb out of the boat and walk on the water or excuse ourselves into some poor decision! I am learning that obedience and submission to God is a no brainer! Why is that? Well, I am so glad that you asked!

The God who expects us to have no fear in these days is:

...The master of all organisms, cells and protoplasm’s

...He has everything up under His authority

...He is the God of Milky Ways, Galaxies, Hemispheres, Stratospheres, Atmospheres and Every Sphere

...The Wind cannot blow with out His permission and the lighting cannot flash until He nods His head. Floods cannot flood until He blinks His eyes

...We did not vote Him in and we cannot vote Him out

...He is the Boss! He is God over cancer, disease, affliction, heart trouble, diabetes, chaos and depression
...He is God over depravity and mental dis-function
...There’s not a demonic influence that He cannot control

He is God all by Himself today and it is this God that dares us to trust and obey! Church, either He is the God of everything today or He is the God of Nothing!

A Fairy Tale!

2011-11-08T10:20:00.000-06:00

Abraham was a master at excusing his inappropriate behavior! Let us not be!

Look with me at Genesis 20:11-13 pinpoint those excuses! Abraham replied, “I said to myself, ‘There is surely no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’ Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father though not of my mother; and she became my wife. And when God had me wander from my father’s household, I said to her, ‘This is how you can show your love to me: Everywhere we go, say of me, “He is my brother.’”

I want us to focus in on Excuse #1: “There is surely no fear of God in the place!”

Here is the heart behind that excuse: Fear! Fear led to a lack of faith, which led to a lie! In a state of fear, Abraham actually believed that he had to help God do His job! Abraham looked at King Abimelech’s Kingdom and said, “There is no fear of God here in Gerar, so I better take matters into my own hands! God just might need my help with this one! Maybe I should lie and help God be big because I am thinking so small!” Come on man! Have you ever been there before?

Church, God did not need Abraham’s help! God was able to protect Abraham’s family all by Himself! Church, God does not need your help! God can protect your family all by Himself! Our job is to just say yes to God’s will and God’s way!

Fear! It is amazing what fear can do to a person!

It is a perfectly normal human emotion. However, what does God tell us humans in Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

I do not mean to throw around clichés today, but this must be celebrated as true: the only thing that we have to fear is fear itself. The devil is a fear monger. Either God is greater or all that we claim to believe is a fairy tale and folks, God is not a fairy tale this morning! Just how great is your God today?

Excuses!

2011-11-07T10:59:00.000-06:00

King Abimelech was not responsible for the mess!

Look with me at Genesis 20:4-5, “Now Abimelech had not gone near (Sarah), so he said, “Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation? Did (Abraham) not say to me, ‘She is my sister,’ and didn’t she also say, ‘He is my brother’? I have done this with a clear conscience and clean hands…”

King Abimelech was innocent! Abraham was not!

In verse 7, Abraham was identified as a, “prophet” of God! Abraham was supposed to have been a representative of God in Gerar. Abraham had been commissioned to be a blessing! However, instead of being a blessing to others and a witness for God, Abraham found himself blessing no one and certainly not displaying to the world what a vibrant relationship with God looked like!

King Abimelech, unlike Abraham, was guiltless in this entire soap opera.

As strange as this may seem, King Abimelech stood head and shoulders above Abraham in this story. King Abimelech, a man of the world, displayed more integrity than, Abraham, a man of faith did. Abraham had not only done what was wrong in the eyes of God, but he also did what was wrong in the eyes of a pagan. Ouch!

Now, as I mentioned during week number one, this series is not about Abraham being a bad person. This series is about Abraham being a person – a person of flesh and blood – a person who had God’s grace lavished on him in spite of Himself! However, Abraham did make a mess of things. God put this story in the bible for a purpose. We cannot and must not glance over the shortcomings of this man without digging deeper. It is by digging deeper that we help protect our lives, our witness, our testimony and our heritage. Abraham was a master at excusing his inappropriate behavior! Let us not be!

What?

2011-11-03T08:42:00.000-06:00

In Jonah 1:3, Jonah’s goal was to, “…run away and…flee from the Lord.” The King James Version says that Jonah wanted to, “run away and…flee from the presence of the Lord."

Folks, Tarshish – the place that Jonah was trying to flee to -- was located on the western coast of Spain some 2,000 miles in the opposite direction of where Jonah was! Geographically speaking -- Jonah could not have found a farther place of escape. In Jonah’s mind, Tarshish would take him off of God’s radar screen!

What was Jonah thinking?

One cannot flee from God! One cannot flee from God’s presence! Hallelujah! God’s radar screen is as powerful as the east is from the west! 2,000 miles is a hop, skip and jump for Jehovah! Church, that is such good news! David talks all about it in Psalm 139:7-10, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”

Our God is omnipresent which means that He is fully present in every place at every moment!

Our God is wholly and personally there in every corner of creation, every nook of the world and every cranny of the universe! There is simply no place where God is not! So, instead of trying to run away from God’s presence, why don’t we celebrate God’s presence and relish every second of it! Those who are willing to relish find themselves saturated in a God given peace! Do you need peace today?

Restrained!

2011-11-02T08:37:00.000-06:00

King Abimelech was Restrained!

In Genesis 20, King Abimelech, and his entire household, were physically restrained from sinning against Sarah. Even if they would have wanted to, it was not going to happen. By means of some undisclosed physical malady, no one in the royal household was able to conceive. Folks, that undisclosed physical malady was God coming to the aid of Sarah! That ensured Sarah’s purity, as well as, preventing the birth of a child by King Abimelech through Sarah. Sarah was on God’s radar screen!

You see, God already had a plan! Isaac would be Sarah’s first born! I am glad to be on God's radar screen today! How about you?

The Advantage!

2011-11-01T08:16:00.000-06:00

Sometimes you have to go even when you do not know and sometimes you have to do even if you are living in a zoo.

Anyone can go, obey, and do when the road ahead is easy and every “i” is dotted and every “t” is crossed. However, if we truly want to please God out of respect for Him, we must submit in faith even when nothing makes sense and the road ahead is not clearly marked! God can be trusted! Folks, I am talking about submission today! Folks, I am not asking you to do more. I am asking you to do what God is telling you to do! God can be trusted because He loves you!

What has God been asking you to submit to Him? An attitude! Your Marriage! A Bitter Spirit! Your Finances! Your Children! Rage! An addiction! Why not submit and then live the rest of your lives with a little joy?

King Abimelech obeyed out of respect in spite of his disadvantage. Now follow me closely here! What disadvantage? Well, I am so glad that you asked! Church, we have an advantage when it comes to submission. Let me explain! Look with me at 1st Corinthians 6:12, “I will not be mastered by anything.” Paul is proclaiming a spiritual declaration of independence. That word “mastered” comes from the Greek root word “exousia” which is often translated as “power.” “Exousia” is the ability to not do what you have the freedom to do. It is willpower! When the Christian has that power … that power keeps our desires from dictating our decisions.

That power empowers us to maintain self-control and self-discipline. That power can only be displayed by a Christian who is controlled by the Spirit of God alone. Total Submission! Let us all be mastered by God alone as of today and submit as God’s spirit empowers us!

We have an advantage if we will take advantage of it!

Respect!

2011-10-31T09:30:00.001-06:00

King Abimelech was Respectful!

God communicated with King Abimelech in a dream. He warned the king in verses 3 and 7 using some pretty strong language, “You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken; she is a married woman … Now return the man’s wife…” King Abimelech was told to act decisively and according to God’s direction.

Later, we will see that out of respect for God, that is exactly what King Abimelech did! Respect led to submission! Loved ones, how much do you respect God? Then submit! Submit your life to God in a fresh and new way today because He loves you!

Some people will fall in love with you until you accidentally disappoint them just once and then mysteriously, they somehow fall out of love with you. If you do not do what they want you to do on the day that they say that they want you to do it, some people will walk away from you and wash their hands of the entire relationship – but not God! Your God loves you. He is madly, slap happy, tea totaling, head over heals, deliriously in love with you. Man’s love is so fickle and so frail that – at times -- you cannot count on it. In regards to human love, I have seen it come and I have seen it go, but when it comes to the love of God, The Bible says that God has loved us with an everlasting love and it is our God and that love that pleads with all of us today to, “submit to me and live a life that is abundant and full of glory.”

In the days ahead, let it be written about us that we decisively, accordingly and respectfully submitted when God told us to do something just like King Abimelech did.

Church, we can trust God when He calls us into action! Why? Because He loves us!

Risk!

2011-10-26T07:36:00.000-06:00

Abraham was a person -- a human being!

A man who had faith, but sometimes that faith grew weak. My guess is this. Abraham was not proud of his actions as he handed Sarah over to King Abimelech, but his faith faltered. Abraham wanted to please God. His actions did not make him a bad person. His actions made him a person. Have you ever been there before?

Now, on the other side of the coin, I can say this with confidence, “God expects His people to have faith in His promises and then to act accordingly.” Surely you and I can begin to display a little more faith in the Sovereign and Supreme Sustainer of the Solar System and then act as if God will keep His word? After all, does not God promise us in Luke 1:37 that, “…nothing is impossible with (Him)…”

May I give us all an action step this morning?

If we truly believe that God is all that, then surely, through faith, we can begin or continue to risk something significant for the kingdom and for our families knowing that we can be certain that great is God’s faithfulness! Abraham should have taken the risk and by faith just said, “Hey, Sarah is my wife and my God is faithful. She is going to have a son. I am going to be a father. Leave us alone or you will have to deal with my God who says that nothing is impossible for Him!”

• Let us all begin to risk our time and by faith volunteer to work with our teenagers!

• Let us all begin to risk our energy and by faith take on a buildings and grounds project.

• Let us all begin to risk some rest and by faith, see to it that our families are in there places when Discipleship Time begins every Sunday morning. Folks, please – I am begging you – get you and your family to Sunday School! The lessons that I learned as a child have never let me! Don’t your children deserve that blessing as well?

• Let us all begin to risk some “play time” and by faith make good on the promises that we have made to our families and to our church. Let us all do what we said that we would do and prove to be people who are true to our word!

• Let us all begin to risk some gas money and by faith see to it that our families never miss a Wednesday Night Church Gathering. I love you all, but Wednesday Nights are still worth your attention and we need for you to make our Mid Week Services a priority!

Like a Mouse!

2011-10-25T09:33:00.000-06:00

Did you know that the eye of a human can distinguish between 500 different shades of gray? Did you know that sailors once thought that wearing a gold earring improved their eyesight? Did you know that research has indicated that a tie, that is tied too tight, can increase the risk of glaucoma in men? Did you know that the reason our nose runs when we cry is because the tears from our eyes drain down into our nose? Did you know that the space between your eyebrows is called the Glabella? Did you know that your eyes blink over 10,000,000 times a year?

… and did you know that the “puff of air” that is shot into your eye during a glaucoma test is the longest and most torturous second known to mankind?

None of us look forward to it, but in an effort to please our eye doctor; we sit there and take it like a mouse! May I ask you a question this morning? Do you want to please God as much as you want to please your ophthalmologist? Most of us know what it means to please others and most of us know what it means to please ourselves, but what does it mean to please God?

Hebrews 11:6 gives us the answer, “…without faith, it is impossible to please God…”

A Ruse!

2011-10-24T10:01:00.000-06:00

Abraham put into Motion a Ruse!

Look with me at Genesis 20:1 and 2, “Now Abraham moved on from there into the region of the Negev and lived between Kadesh and Shur. For a while he stayed in Gerar, and there Abraham said of his wife Sarah, ‘She is my sister.’ Then Abimelech king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her.”

As was the custom of that day, the king could take any unmarried woman for himself and add her to his harem. Therefore, Abraham, fearing that the king might have him murdered in order to take Sarah for himself, lied about Sarah. Abraham willingly handed Sarah over and called Sarah his sister instead of his wife. The truth was this: Sarah was Abraham’s half-sister and she was his wife!

Abraham should have known by then that life was not a roll of the dice. God was and is an ever-present help in times of trouble!

Let us look at Abraham’s Faith!

To someone who has no relationship with God, the action of Abraham handing Sarah over to King Abimelech was and is “No Big Deal!” After all, Abraham was simply saving his own skin! Who wouldn’t do the same? Sarah was in absolutely no danger. Genesis 17:17 tells us that Sarah was 90 years old at the time. She had lived a long life and as far as bearing a child was concerned, she was far too mature to have a baby. Sarah should have wanted Abraham to tell a lie in order to keep her husband from harm.

However, when a person of faith reads this story – when a person who has a vibrant relationship with God reads this story – he or she says yikes! Why? Because we know full well that God had promised Abraham and Sarah, in Genesis 17:19 that a baby boy would be born in spite of their ages. A person of faith looks at this situation and wonders, “How could Abraham put Sarah – a mother to be – in such a situation?”

Where was Abraham’s faith? God had said that a son would be born! Why wasn’t Abraham more protective of the future mother of his son?

Wasn’t God’s word good enough? CHURCH, GOD’S WORD IS GOOD ENOUGH!

Abraham was not a bad person.

Abraham was a person – a person of flesh and blood – who had God’s grace lavished on him in spite of Himself! I have such good news for all of us this morning, that same grace is available for us today!

Confusion!

2011-10-21T07:21:00.000-06:00

Look at 2nd Chronicles 20:22-23, “As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. The men of Ammon and Moab rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.”

Praise confused the enemy!

Once the killing started, there was no way to stop it. First the Moabites and the Ammonites turned on the Menuites and killed them. Then the Moabites and the Ammonites turned on each other. The enemy became confused when the people of Judah began to praise!

Judah’s circumstances looked bleak, but Judah praised God nonetheless. Why? Because God had given them His word and His word could and still can be trusted! The Moabites, Ammonites and the Menuites expected Judah to pout, give up and surrender. When God’s people refused to yield, that brought about confusion in the camp of the enemy!

Guess what?

Our enemy still gets just as confused today when we praise God in spite of life’s circumstances! Today, if your situations are eating your lunch, praise God and bring confusion to the devil! He deserves it! The devil looks forward to our pouting, giving up and surrendering. I say that we do not give the devil that satisfaction! In these days, when satan throws something heavy at us, instead of whining, complaining, moaning, griping and groaning, let us all ramp up our praise and get out in front!

A confused devil is a weaker devil!

The Signs!

2011-10-20T07:56:00.000-06:00

WHAT ARE THE TOP 5 SIGNS THAT A CHURCH IS GROWING?

• There are Folding Chairs placed in the Baptistery.

• The Storage Shed is now the Sunday School Wing.

• Limits are set on how much Space a Family can have Per Pew.

• The Associate Pastor’s Office says, "Gentlemen" on the Door.

• AND THE NUMBER ONE SIGN THAT A CHURCH IS GROWING IS: You realize that the Person sitting in your Lap is not a Relative.

Let us keep walking through God opened doors and see what can really be accomplished around here. May I speak to us as a church for just one second? May I cast a little vision for those who are brand new and for those who have been with me since day one?

Last year, the fastest growing church in the world gained 12,000 new members in just one year! Here is what I think happened. Somewhere along the journey, that church figured out that God was the greatest, the devil was defeated, and they began to make their plans according to that truth!

No matter what came their way, they put the “praisers” out in front, as they went into battle! Church, our God still owns the cattle on a thousand hills and nothing is too difficult for Him! Watch out enemy , here we come and we do not need the element of surprise. Today, breakthroughs are right around the corner.

King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah knew what all of us must come to know. Life is more than just a roll of the dice.

Our God is an ever-present help in times of trouble!

Too Big!

2011-10-19T09:19:00.001-06:00

The Now!

2011-10-18T07:56:00.001-06:00

Of all the words that God’s people could have put together to praise Him in 2nd Chronicles -- on the front line -- I find it very interesting that they chose these words, “Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever.”

Do you see what was happening? God’s people could only say those words because they had experienced those words. Their praise in the “now” was based on God’s faithfulness in the past.

Get Out Front!

2011-10-17T09:16:00.001-06:00

There was some loud singing going on!

Look with me at 2ne Chronicles 20:21, “After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: ‘Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever.’”

Can you imagine the sight?

The army of Judah was on the march. Thousands of men were armed for battle. Who was positioned at the front of the army? Not the scouts! Not the archers! Not the infantry, but instead, the “praisers” were leading the way! God’s people ramped up the praise and placed the “praisers” out in front!

A breakthrough was about to happen! God was about to give His people the victory! Why? Because Judah made praise a priority! WE MUST DO THE SAME! Let everything that has breathe praise the Lord!

Do you need a breakthrough? Do you need a victory?

…a breakthrough in regards to some circumstance, pattern of thinking or personality … a victory in regards to your own Christian experience! Folks, breakthroughs and victories come when God is adequately praised! We need not be in such a hurry today. If we want to see serious wins in the days ahead, we must ramp up the praise and put the ”praisers” out in front! Nothing is more important!

Who is willing to lead the way? Who is willing to praise God with me through the good times and the bad?

Judah did not zip themselves in their tents and wish for the best when the enemy came against them, but instead, they ramped up the praise and put the “praisers” out in front and God gave His people a blow out win! Instead of focusing in on our unfortunate situations, let us all start praising God because He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater. Just ask the people of Judah! Let us not lock ourselves in the closest when the wind begins to blow and pull away from everyone and everything, but instead, let us ramp up our praise and put the “praisers” out in front!

A Funk!

2011-10-13T08:26:00.001-06:00

If the battle is yours, you are in real trouble.

If the battle is God’s, you do not have to fight. Look at the powerful words found in 2nd Chronicles 20:14-17, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s... You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you ... Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.”

“The battle is not yours, but God’s.”

That was God’s word of encouragement to His people then and it is still His word of encouragement for His people today! If the devil can sway us to give up, he wins before the battle even starts.

Truthfully speaking, it is inevitable!

What is? Well, I am so glad that you asked! Sooner or later, you and I are going to get into a “funk” aka a series of situations that make us feel like giving up! While “funks” are unavoidable, we do not have to resign ourselves to them. The definition of a “funk” is this: a lack of motivation, low energy, grumpiness and an urge to disengage! From my own experience, I have identified two action steps that combat the desire to just throw up my hands and give up!

First of all, do not predict your future based on your “funk!”

The natural tendency is to think that your “funk” is permanent.

It is not! Do not mistake momentary moods for a permanent condition! “This too shall pass!” “It came to pass!” Those are more than just clichés! The rest of your life is not determined by a few cloudy days!

Secondly, resist the urge to justify your “funk!”

Blaming how you feel on something or someone will not make you feel any better about how you are feeling.

In fact, playing the blame game often leads people down the path toward self-pity! Listen! God wants to unleash me – God wants to unleash you – God wants to unleash us -- like a rock out of a sling shot to go forth and make disciples of all nations not to mention help people in our own personal area of influence find a little joy, but we cannot be unleashed if we are dangling head first in a whole dug by our own self-pity!

Church, “funks” happen, but your “funk” is not someone else’s fault!

Put your hope in God and move forward! “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s... You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you ... Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.”

Folks, if the battle is yours, you are in real trouble. If the battle is God’s, that is good news!

Guard!

2011-10-12T08:22:00.001-06:00

Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”

That verse is often used to teach on sexual purity and lust. However, it can also be applied to discouragement that comes from a downcast spirit! Let me explain!

God desires that we guard our hearts from people who drain us! Yes, we must love everyone warts and all, but we must also spend a little time with people who fill us and not constantly drain us! With an attitude of love, be very selective about who gets backstage access into your life. You cannot let just anyone speak into your soul. Be careful whom you share your dreams with. Their negativity can contaminate the possibility before it ever has a chance to become a reality. Be careful whom you take advice from. Everything flows from your heart. It is the wellspring of life. Guard it!

Put your hope in God! Life is more than just a roll of the dice. Our God is an ever-present help in times of trouble!

Be Offensive!

2011-10-11T08:25:00.000-06:00

In Psalm 43:5, David asked Himself a question and then provided for himself the answer!

Maybe you need to ask yourself that same question today and then celebrate the answer, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God…”

May I give us all an action step this morning?

One of the best things that we can do when we feel a downcast attitude coming on is to switch from defense to offense. Now, hear me out! Instead of sitting around and waiting for someone else to encourage you out of your bummed out state of mind, why not go on the attack and encourage someone else whose spirit is low! When we venture away from our dilemma – even for just a few minutes -- to be a blessing to someone else -- we will often find that our situation is not nearly as overwhelming as we have made it out to be.

That is why Paul is so adamant in his words found in 1st Thessalonians 5:11 and 14, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing … and encourage the timid…”

Keys!

2011-10-10T08:30:00.001-06:00

Take a gander at 2nd Chronicles 20: 14-17.

God said, “Here is the Plan!” Verse 14 tells us that, “…the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel…”

Jahaziel then stood up and announced God’s battle plan. In verses 15-17, God gave His people three specific details: A time: Tomorrow! A place: March to the end of the gorge! A plan: “Stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you.” In other words, God was saying, “Do not allow yourself to become downcast!”

Satan’s greatest weapon against us is the creation of a downcast spirit!

To be downcast is to be low -- bummed out if you will! The people of Judah had good reason to be a little bummed out! They were in a pickle! Have you ever been in a pickle? Have you ever been downcast? It was into that situation that God spoke! “Stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you.” Those same words are still available for us this morning! “Stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you.” Today is not the day to be downcast! Stand firm! God is about to deliver!

Do not be discouraged. It is often the last key in the bunch that opens the lock.

Yikes!

2011-10-07T09:27:00.001-06:00

General Gladstone of the Medieval English Army once said, “Tell me what the young men of England are doing on Sunday, and I will tell you what the future of England will be."

Yikes! That is powerful!

Thank You!

2011-10-06T16:35:00.001-06:00

I personally want to thank my church family for allowing me to go visit Alexis over the weekend! I also want to thank everyone for keeping the ship sailing in my absence – both laity and elder alike. Reverend Gray and Reverend Keller, I have heard nothing, but great things about your Sermons and Bible Study! It is a blessing to have such Godly men fill the pulpit when I am gone. Please know how much I love and appreciate you all!

Help!

2011-10-06T12:15:00.001-06:00

It is not too late to sign up to be a helper for our Halloween in the Park Ministry. We need people to man the booth. This is just another attempt to get our “face” out into the community. FOR THAT DAY, WE NEED TO BORROW SOMEONE’S TENT/CANOPY. IN ADDITION, WE WILL NEED SOME TRUCKS AND SOME DRIVERS TO HELP PASTOR DON GET ALL OF OUR STUFF TO THE PARK!

One last thing! We need tons of candy.

Today!

2011-10-06T09:42:00.001-06:00

Today is probably the most important day for me as the Pastor at Covenant Fellowship. In a way, the second half starts today! I wonder what God has up His sleeve? I wonder what God can accomplish through people who refuse to yield? I wonder what God can do through people who excel in the arena of encouragement? God, just tell me what to do and I will do it!

A Faithful Father Figure!

2011-09-20T08:16:00.001-06:00

Now look at 2nd Chronicles 20:7, “O Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?”

We must be reminded today that God is a Faithful Father Figure!

King Jehoshaphat was reminding himself and the people of Judah of God’s faithfulness in the past. “Did you not?” There are times when we must remind ourselves of that same truth! King Jehoshaphat was celebrating God’s Faithful Father tendencies! God had already accomplished great things for His Children. God has already accomplished great things for His Children.

King Jehoshaphat was making a mental list.

God chose Abraham and promised him that he would be a great nation. God raised up Moses and then, through many miracles, delivered His people from the bondage of the Egyptians. God raised up Joshua and the Hebrew armies to take for themselves the land of Canaan. As King Jehoshaphat spoke, the Hebrew could reach down, grab a hand full of dirt, and touch God’s promises and celebrate a Faithful Father Figure!

Church, reach down today or over or under and be reminded of just how faithful your heavenly father has been! Because of the past, King Jehoshaphat and the Hebrews knew that they could seek God again. The same is true for us! As we seek God in these days, the fact that He desires to be a Heavenly Father Figure adds potency to our prayers!

God!

2011-09-19T08:17:00.000-06:00

With the people of Judah assembled around him and the enemy army advancing against him, King Jehoshaphat offered one of the greatest prayers in the Bible.

The prayer begins in 2nd Chronicles 20:6, “O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you.”

We must be reminded today that God is in heaven! In verse 6, King Jehoshaphat was reminding himself and everyone present that God “is” not God was and that God is “in heaven”! The fact that God is in heaven does something special to and for our prayers!

Let me explain!

Our God is referred to as a, “God who is” 167 times in the New International Version alone. God is. Not God was. Not God will be. Not God could be. Not God should be, but God is. THAT IS REALITY AND THAT REALITY ADDS POTENCY TO OUR PRAYERS! Our God is the God of the present tense and He is more than able to hear and answer our prayers. His status as a “right now God” is the very ground upon which prayer stands. After all, who wants to pray to a fairy tale! Our God is more than just a figment of our imagination! Hallelujah! Prayer is not an exercise in futility! Because God is real, prayer is real!

During that great challenge, King Jehoshaphat also celebrated the fact that God is in heaven.

God’s position makes prayer powerful! The fact that God is in heaven tells us that He is above all things. Here is the truth. Anything that is over our head is under God’s feet! Our God is the only one that can claim such greatness! Who is God to you this morning? Is He big or is He small? Is He all-powerful or is He a wimp?

A passenger jet was suffering through a severe thunderstorm.

As the passengers were being bounced around by the turbulence, a young woman turned to a minister sitting next to her and asked, "Reverend, you are a man of God, can't you do something about this storm?" To which he replied, "Lady, I am in sales, not management."

Our Father is today and He is in Heaven. We are in sales. It is our job to keep reminding each other – and a lost world -- that our Father is capable of helping us with any situation and that He is in heaven above every situation in our lives! When the going gets tough, we must not allow each other to forget just whom we are praying to!

King Jehoshaphat knew what all of us must come to know. Life is more than just a roll of the dice. God has great things in store for His people. His people ought to have large expectations.

Chew On This!

2011-09-16T08:16:00.001-06:00

In regards to our fasting, chew on this! Did you get it?

In 2nd Chronicles 20:3, King Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast for all of Judah. GREAT THINGS HAPPENED!

In Matthew 6:16 and 17, Jesus says, “When you fast…” twice! In other words, Jesus expects us to fast and I will go as far as to say that Jesus expects us to fast for each other! Why? Because he knows how powerful it is! No one in this church should be fasting about their individual battles on their own! Do not allow yourself to fast about your individual battles on your own! Enlist your God and your church family to help when the enemy is at your gate!

In its simplest form, fasting is being so consumed with a certain matter that it becomes more important than some frill in our life! However, fasting is not just giving up the frill. Fasting is giving up the frill and then praying to our Heavenly Father! I have caught myself fasting and not praying! That is such a waste of our time! While fasting, we must pray as much as possible, as long as possible and as fervently as possible.

Give up something for the next seven days – something that makes you notice that you have given it up – and then seek -- on behalf of someone else -- God with passion in the midst of that noticing. Give up at least one thing a day – a TV show, a favorite drink, a favorite snack, a favorite hobby or maybe even a daily meal and seek God with intensity and dependency on behalf of someone else!

Prayer!

2011-09-15T09:15:00.000-06:00

2nd Chronicles 20:4 tells us that, “The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord…”

Successful prayer is really about healthy relationships both vertically and horizontally. Our collective prayer potential is mind-boggling! Quit being just a finger and start being a part of the fist! No one in this church should be praying about their individual battles on their own! Do not allow yourself to pray about your individual battles on your own! Enlist your God and your church family to help when the enemy is at your gate!

How can we best pray for one another?

Step #1! Pray Secretly!

What does Jesus tell us to do in Matthew 6:6, “…when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father…” Why the emphasis on privacy? Why shut the door? A private place minimizes distractions. Do not bother fighting against distractions because you will lose every time. Instead, avoid distractions! Find a quiet place where you can pray without interruption and pray for one another!

Step #2! Pray Sincerely!

What does Jesus tell us to do in Matthew 6:7, “…when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.” Be careful about prayer cliche's. Do not fall into the habit of using meaningless repetition when you pray to, “Our Father for each other.” It is very easy for prayer to become routine because of meaningless babble when God intends for our prayers to be powerful and affective! A little sincerity, on behalf of each other, will move mountains!

Step #3! Pray Specifically!

How does Jesus pray in Luke 22:41-42, “He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." Jesus specifically asked God to take that cup from Him! What do you want God to specifically do for someone else?

King Jehoshaphat knew what all of us must come know! Life is more than just a roll of the dice. We need God and we need each other and when you get to your wit's end, you will find that God lives there.

The Fist! Not the Finger!

2011-09-14T08:31:00.000-06:00

King Jehoshaphat shows us the correct way to fight our individual battles and that is together!

2nd Chronicles 20:4 tells us that they, “…came together…”

Folks, no one in this church should be fighting their battles on their own! Do not allow yourself to fight your battles on your own! Enlist your God and enlist your church family to help when the enemy is at your gate!

The first two words of the Lord’s Prayer support this entire idea. What does Matthew 6:9 say, “Our Father…?”

Lucy demanded that Linus change the channel. When Linus refused to budge, Lucy threatened him with her fist. "What makes you think that you can just waltz in here and take over?" asked Linus. "These five fingers," said Lucy. "Individually they are nothing, but when I curl them together like this into a single unit, they form a weapon that is powerful and potent."

In the days ahead, I want to encourage you to quit being just another finger and start being a part of the fist! You need us to fast and to pray for you as you go through your individual battles! The truth is this! We are all better off when we enjoy tight relationships with our pew neighbors! Not just acquaintances, but friends! Folks, I am talking about being a healthy church!

God is our father!

Christianity is meant to be lived out in, “bunches”! Matthew 6 verses 9-13 were written for us bananas! “Our Daily Bread, Our Debts, Our Debtors, Lead Us Not into Temptation, and Deliver Us from evil.”

2011-09-13T11:07:00.000-06:00

Look at 2nd Chronicles 20:3-4, “…Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord…”

When your back is up against the wall, what is your first response?

King Jehoshaphat’s first response was to call for unified prayer and fasting! Why? Because He knew that life was more than just a roll of the dice and that God was and is able to do immeasurably more than all we could ever ask or imagine! What do you usually do when your land is about to be invaded? Do you break out the guns? Do you call out the army or do you enlist your church family to fast and pray for you?

Folks, that is what we are here for!

Dice!

2011-09-12T08:36:00.000-06:00

Read 2nd Chronicles 20:1-4.

Jehoshaphat was the 4th King of Judah sometime around 875 B.C.

One day, a surprise attack came from the southeast. Three nations were about to move against Judah! Moab, Ammon and the Menuites crossed the Dead Sea and were headed toward Jerusalem. Verse 2 tells us how the news was delivered, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already in Hazazon Tamar (that is, En Gadi).” At that point, Judah’s enemy was only 40 miles away.

Geographically speaking, the enemy would be at the Gates of Jerusalem in just three days!

How did King Jehoshaphat handle that crises? He turned to God! King Jehoshaphat knew what all of us must come to know. Life is more than just a roll of the dice. Our God is an ever-present help in times of trouble!

Pencils!

2011-09-08T08:08:00.000-06:00

Look at Acts 5:41, “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.”

The recipient of a flogging was scared for life. Physical scars would be present forever. Those marks were intended to be a warning sign to the community that an individual had been involved in criminal activity. However, in the church, those marks were and are seen as badges of joy over being worthy of suffering disgrace for the name – The name of Jesus!

Look at those words, “Worthy of Suffering Disgrace…”

The words, "Worthy" and "Disgrace" mix about as well as oil and water do. In the modern mind, those words are polar opposites! "Worthy" and "Disgrace" Most see those two words as antonyms. There seems to be even a greater contradiction as the disciples were, “rejoicing” because they were considered worthy of disgrace.

Get out your pencils! The apostles saw their physical persecution and disgrace as proof that God was using them to build the kingdom! To those first believers, persecution and disgrace was the evidence that they were recognized as troublemakers to evil. To the apostles, it was an honor to be seen as a threat to the darkness! They did not see their flogging as a defeat – they saw their flogging as a victory! They were opposed because they were effective.

Here is the meat: Persecution and secular disgrace often means that you and I are right smack dab in the center of God's will! The apostles experienced opposition not because they were disobedient, but because they were obedient! Are you? Should you be? Are there any signs of persecution in your life?

Whenever the world mocks us and calls us fools, that ought to produce joy in side of us because such treatment indicates that we belong to God, not to the world.

New Hispanic Bible Study!

2011-09-07T08:37:00.001-06:00

Flogged!

2011-09-07T08:26:00.000-06:00

Being Flogged was no Fun!

In Acts 5:40, the Sanhedrin had the apostles, “flogged.”

That flogging marked the first time that physical persecution was used on the church! Between Acts Chapters 4 and 5, the apostles had been warned three times to stop mentioning the name of Jesus, but they refused. So, they were flogged!

Church, a flogging was no simple slap on the wrist! A flogging consisted of 39 lashes. 40 lashes were allowed under the Old Testament Law, but 39 were always administered to make sure that the Law as not broken! One-third of those lashes were given to the breast. The other two-thirds were given to the back. While the blows were being administered, the High Priest would recite instructive and comforting verses from Old Testament Scripture. The usual instrument used to flog a man was a short whip with several single or braided leather straps cut at variable lengths. Small iron balls or sharp pieces of sheep bone were tied to the ends of each strap. For the flogging, a man was stripped of his clothing. His hands were tied to an upright post. When a man's hands were up high, his flesh was stretched out tightly so that each blow would be more devastating! Flogging was intended to weaken the victim to a state just short of collapse or death. The back and the front were literally torn to shreds! Muscles were ripped! There was intolerable pain…

…but get this: the flogging that was given to the apostles did not produce anger, bitterness, or discouragement, but instead joy!

Look at verse 41, “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.”

The recipient of a flogging was scared for life.

Physical scars would be present forever. Those marks were intended to be a warning sign to the community that an individual had been involved in criminal activity. However, in the church, those marks were and are seen as badges of joy over being worthy of suffering disgrace for the name – The name of Jesus!

MORE TOMORROW!

Touchdown!

2011-09-06T08:00:00.000-06:00

A three-year-old was in the habit of watching football games with his father.

He watched so much football, that he knew all of the body gestures that the referee would use to make calls! One Sunday morning, the three-year-old attended grown up church with his family.

As the pastor raised his hands high to offer a blessing, the child interrupted the service and shouted, "Touchdown!"

Look Up!

2011-09-01T07:38:00.001-06:00

A substitute Sunday School teacher was struggling to open a combination lock on the supply cabinet.

She had been told the combination, but she could not remember it. Finally, she went to the pastor's study and asked him for help. The pastor came into the room and began to turn the dial. After the first two numbers, he paused and stared blankly for a moment. Finally, he looked serenely heavenward and his lips moved silently. Then, he looked back at the lock and quickly turned to the final number. The lock opened.

The teacher was amazed. "I am in awe at your faith pastor," she said. "It is really nothing," the pastor answered. "The full combination is written on a piece of tape on the ceiling."

Truthully Speaking!

2011-08-31T09:15:00.000-06:00

I found an anonymous quote last week that really gets us to where I want us to be this morning, “The Holy Spirit came to dwell within us, comfort us, empower us, strengthen us, and fill us so that we might be useful to God.”

Today, are you useful to your Heavenly Father?

In light of all that God has done for me, I sure want to be useful, but I cannot be useful until there is full repentance for all sin, forgiveness and a willingness to be obedient in all future endeavors. At that point, God’s Holy Ghost fills me – and fills you -- with His life changing presence!

There is a make-believe version of Christianity that is far too popular!

It is one in which a person takes up the popular language of modern Christianity, involves himself in a multiple array of Christian-oriented activities, attends church and socializes with the right kind of folks, but he or she is void of God’s Holy Spirit because full repentance has not been practiced, forgiveness has not been celebrated and total obedience has not been implemented!

Truthfully speaking, no matter how good your intentions are today, no true change will occur in your desires, your character, your thoughts and your words until God’s Spirit Fills you and your Spirit Flees!

Logical Progression!

2011-08-30T12:12:00.001-06:00

Praise God, He has given us The Holy Spirit!

Acts 5:31 and 32 must be studied together in order to truly understand there power, “God exalted (Jesus) to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

Look at the solid instruction and encouragement that is given to us in those two verses. Do you see the logical progression of spiritual growth: Repentance, Forgiveness, Obedience and the Reception of God’s Holy Ghost!

Here is the truth!

God’s Holy Spirit, does not and will not, dwell in just anyone, but only those who have repented of their sins, found God’s forgiveness and then in turn, are determined to obey God’s commands!

If you are frustrated and discouraged today over your dead end existence, you must make sure that you have repented of your past sin or sins, received God’s forgiveness and then sincerely tell God that you are determined – “with His help” -- to obey and live a life of that is right in the eyes of God! Church, that is the heart of our Holiness Theology! “With His help!” That is the key phrase there! Once there is repentance, forgiveness and a desire for obedience, then there is the filling of us with God’s Holy Presence! God wants to help us today!

You can find victory over the sinful nature that you were born with!

2011-08-29T09:32:00.000-06:00

IF YOU READ THIS TODAY AND ARE NOT A FOLLOWER, WOULD YOU SIGN UP TO BE FOLLOWER #47?

This Week!

2011-08-29T09:20:00.001-06:00

At the age of 20, Douglas Corrigan bought a small used

airplane for $310.

He then spent $600 modifying it into a long-distance flying machine. On July 17, 1938, Corrigan took off from New York and headed for Long Beach, California. However, he landed in Dublin, Ireland, 28 hours and 13 minutes later. He meant to go east, but instead he went west!

“My compass froze,” Corrigan said. “I guess I flew the wrong way.” Ya think! From that day on, “Wrong Way Corrigan” became a commonly used phrase to describe anyone who was going the wrong direction.

God desires that we all fly in the right direction. This week, let us all tune up our compasses and land where we meant to land. Are you flying east today when you ought to be flying west?

Count On It!

2011-08-26T08:08:00.000-06:00

In the beginning, God made man in His own image, but ever since then, man has been trying to remake God in man’s own image! Our God is not our size and looks nothing like us! Our God cannot be thought of in natural terms! When we attempt force God to fit into our image, we are left with a God who can never surprise us, never overwhelm us and never rise above us. Starting today, let us all quit thinking naturally and start thinking supernaturally!

That thought should get us through the bad times!

What does James 1:2 say, "…whenever you face trials...," It does not say, “If you face trials.” Count on it! You will face storms during your life. As a matter of fact, most of us, if not all of us, are dealing with something right now. However, it is in those difficult moments -- when the storm rages fiercely -- that God’s Holy Spirit reminds us that we serve a supernatural God!

Truthfully speaking, it is our Supernatural God that often leads us right smack dab into the eye of the storm! Look at Matthew 14:22: “Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowd.” Jesus knew that a storm was about to strike, but He deliberately directed His disciples into that storm anyhow! That is not natural thinking, but that is ok, we serve a supernatural God!

The Bible tells us that there are three primary kinds of storms that God directs us into:
…Storms of correction that awaken us and get our attention.
…Storms of perfection that build character in us, deepen our faith and make us more sensitive to the suffering of others.
…and Storms of reproduction that cause others to imitate our response to suffering.

Are you in the midst of a storm right now? What is God trying to teach you? Remember, the supernatural ways of God are not your ways! If God has you in the midst of a storm today, could it be, that is exactly where He wants you to be?

Credence!

2011-08-24T09:01:00.000-06:00

Look at Acts 5:24, “On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were puzzled, wondering what would come of this.”

According to the original Greek manuscript, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were more than just puzzled. They were at a loss. They were perplexed and dumbfounded. Speechless if you will! They had not the words to explain neither what God had done nor what He was doing and – and that is a big and – and they had no desire to give it credence!

In other words, even after the Pharisees and the Sadducees had watched miracle after miracle from the hand of Jesus from the time of His birth to the time of His crucifixion and resurrection, they still refused to work and play well with God’s son! The religious hierarchy saw the entire thing as hog wash!

Why did they insist on trying to explain away what they could not explain?

Even today, people insist on trying to explain things away!

For example, a paleolimnologist studies ancient lakes using sediments and fossils. Recently, a paleolimnologist – who prefers to remain anonymous -- tried to explain away the account of Jesus walking on the water at the Sea of Galilee. Well, it seems as if his study has set off a domino effect. Doron Nof, a foremost expert in oceanography, began a study of his own. Here is his conclusion as to why Jesus was able to walk on the water, “Over the past several millennia, a rare combination of atmospheric conditions may have caused ice to float on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus probably stood on that ice.”

Do you want to know what I think?

I think that Jesus walked on the water because the Bible says that Jesus walked on the water. God wanted Jesus to walk on the water so Jesus walked on the water! Instead of trying to explain away God’s greatness, why don’t you and I lead the way, stop asking questions, and just enjoy God for who He is!

Walking on water is not a natural thing, but that is ok, we serve a supernatural God.

Today, please quit trying to explain away what you cannot explain away about God and simply celebrate His supremacy. Folks, God is all that He says He is and more! Jeremiah 32:17 says it all, “…Sovereign Lord, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You.” Let us all live in awe!

In the beginning, God made man in His own image, but ever since then, man has been trying to remake God in man’s own image! Church, our God is not our size and looks nothing like us! Our God cannot be thought of in natural terms! When we attempt force God to fit into our image, we are left with a God who can never surprise us, never overwhelm us and never rise above us. Starting today, let us all quit thinking naturally and start thinking supernaturally!

Mocked!

2011-08-23T09:10:00.000-06:00

Church, God Mocks His Enemies!

Look at Acts 5:22-23, “…on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, ‘We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.’”

God has an incredible sense of humor.

First of all, the Sadducees did not believe in angels. So, the very fact that an angel set the apostles free, must have been a real kick in the teeth! Secondly, not only did God rescue the apostles -- He rescued them without the guards noticing! According to verse 23, the guards were, “standing at the doors,” but they were guarding an empty cell. The guards were guarding, but there were no prisoners to guard and the guards had not a clue! Now, how comical is that?

Bible Scholars tell us that God was mocking His enemies!

May I encourage you this morning?

In Deuteronomy 7:17-18, God is having a talk with His kids, “You may say to yourselves, ‘These nations are stronger than we are. How can we drive them out?’ But do not be afraid of them; remember well what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt.”

The Israelites were sabotaging their future and their faith through what I like to call “human calculating.” Now follow me here! The Israelites were facing a seemingly insurmountable task. They were about to enter the Promised Land and face not only a multitude of enemies, but enemies who were clearly stronger and more capable than they were. It was at that point that God’s chosen people asked a faith-shattering and self-discouraging “calculative” question! “How can we drive them out?”

How did God respond to that question? “…remember well…”

Essentially, God was telling His kids to not waste their time trying to calculate -- with their puny human calculators -- how He was going to intervene in their lives. God’s people only needed to know that He was going to intervene in their lives and they were to, “remember well” how He had intervened in their lives in days past! Here is the encouragement! God’s instructions have not changed! Today, if you are facing uncertainty as to how God is going to come through for you and your family, do not use your puny human calculator to cipher out solutions! We must rely on God’s calculator today when the storm clouds rise! His calculator is bigger and better than ours is!

Right now, if you feel imprisoned by some worry or situation, please, “remember well” that the guards might be standing in front of your cell, but you are not there. Today, God mocks every situation that seems to be over your head! This morning, God’s people need to call to mind what He has done in the past and truth be told, He has done plenty. Our lives are littered with signposts that celebrate God’s faithfulness.

Regardless of your circumstances today, take a moment and look back!

Desperate!

2011-08-22T07:44:00.000-06:00

A mild mannered young husband went to a counselor looking for

some advice.

He complained that his wife was bossy and that her militant personality was driving him crazy. The counselor asked the husband to read a certain book on assertiveness. The husband was so desperate for change that he read the entire book in just one night.

Determined to be a victim no more, the husband stormed into the house the next day and walked right up to his wife. He pointed a finger in her face and said, "From now on, I want you to know that I am the man of this house and that my word is law! I want you to prepare for me a gourmet meal ever night. Then, after dinner, you will draw my bath. Then after my bath, guess who is going to dress me and comb my hair?" The wife responded and said, "The funeral director."

The very first church was also desperate for change! The religious hierarchy was not!

Read Acts 5!

A God Idea!

2011-08-19T07:50:00.001-06:00

In Isaiah 65:24, listen to what God Himself tells us about prayer. "Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear."

Prayer was and is God’s idea!

Conversation with God was and is initiated by Him. We do not have to work and fuss to get God's attention! His response to our situations and circumstances has nothing to do with us saying the right words or living a life worthy of His attention!

Let us talk a little theology!

According to Bible Scholars, Isaiah 65:24 is all about Prayer starting with God. Our desire to pray is the result of God's greater desire for us to pray! God wants to talk to us! When we develop the urge to pray, that means, that God has something to say to us! When we face crises and suddenly feel the urge to pray for strength and wisdom, that feeling is a response to God’s invasion of our hearts and minds. God, not us, was and is the author of our longing to ask Him for His help.

What breathing is to our physical life, prayer is to our spiritual life! It is the very essence of the abundant life! What does the abundant life look like?

Bull!

2011-08-18T07:32:00.001-06:00

Two men were walking through a field one day when they spotted a bull. Instantly, they darted toward the nearest fence. The storming bull followed in hot pursuit, and it was soon apparent that they would not make it.

Terrified, one shouted to the other, "Put up a prayer, John. We are in for it now!" John answered, "I can't. I have never made a public prayer before." "But you must!" begged his companion. "The bull is catching up to us." "All right," panted John, "I will say the only prayer that I know, the one that my father used to repeat at the supper table: ‘O Lord, for what we are about to receive, make us truly thankful.’”

Got Freedom?

2011-08-10T08:05:00.001-06:00

Once freedom comes, God issues an assignment!

God opened that prison door because He had further plans for the apostles! God never opens prison doors just too set people free alone! God always has a larger purpose for newly found freedom! In Acts 5:20, the angel ordered the apostles to, “Go, stand in the temple courts … and tell the people all about this new life.”

In other words, the angel spoke on God’s behalf and said, “Now that you have been let out of the prison that once held you captive, get back out there and do your job. Proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ! Let the world know how great your God is. Get to work! Do not forget your purpose. Now that God has done this miracle for you, get busy doing something productive. Do not hold back. Do not take a few days off. Do not allow things to quiet down, but instead, speed up and put the pedal to the metal. Leave your mark on things!”

I wonder if one of the main reasons why we do not see more prison doors opened in our lives stems from God’s knowledge that many of us are not willing to go and to do once we receive the miracle?

Some of us have been let out of prison time and time again. God has greatly performed miracle after miracle in your life! What have you done and what are you doing with your freedom? Today, if you are spiritually sitting in a lawn chair and sipping cold lemonade, remember, God never opens prison doors just too set people free alone. He always has a larger purpose for your freedom! Are you busy about the Father’s business or are you all about laughable business? Isn’t it time to put the lawn chair in the shed?

In light of all of the prisons that God has set me free from, I see no need to procrastinate!

Proverbs 6:10 is the procrastinator’s creed and I am going to avoid it like the plague, “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest…" A procrastinator puts off until tomorrow the things that he has already put off until today. I am not going to live like that! What about you? There is work to be done for the kingdom! Pour out your cold glass of lemonade and do something with your miracle! Not tomorrow, but today! If God is as big as we say that He is! There is no need to put things off!

Never has Ephesians 5:15 been so true, "Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity..."

The Keys!

2011-08-09T08:40:00.000-06:00

God has the key to every locked door!

Acts 5:19 tells us that, “… during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out.”

Praise God, He had the key to their freedom! Guess what? God still holds the key to freedom even today in regards to life’s worst of circumstances. Isn’t it time for the shackled to be set free?

God has the financial keys to get you out from underneath your mountain of debt. God has the healing keys to save your marriage. God has the keys of compassion to help you work through that rift with a loved one. God has the keys of forgiveness to restore you no matter what cards life has dealt you! That is how great my God is! What about your God?

God is great at everything that He does.

There is not a single area in which He does not excel. There is not a single arena where He is not head and shoulders above the rest. I absolutely love Psalm 145:3, “Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.”

My God is so great, so strong and so mighty, there's nothing my God cannot do! My God is so great, so strong and so mighty, there's nothing my God cannot do! The mountains are His, the rivers are His, the stars are His handiwork too. My God is so great, so strong and so mighty, there's nothing my God cannot do!

What prison do you need set free from today? God holds the keys!

Jealousy!

2011-08-08T09:02:00.000-06:00

In Acts 5:17-43, that very first church was thriving.

Because of its success, satan went on the offensive. He unleashed persecution after persecution using the traditional religious establishment as his weapon! Look at verses 17 and 18, “Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.”

Notice that the High Priest and His Associates had Jealousy Issues! Luke says that the High Priest and His Associates were, “filled” with jealousy.

That word, “filled,” in the original Greek manuscript, paints a picture of a sponge bursting with liquid. Jealousy was overflowing from every pour of their being. They were fully saturated with envy because the apostles were infringing on their influence! Literally speaking, the high priest and his minions were on fire with resentment! Webster’s Dictionary defines jealousy as, “Resentment or discontentment against a rival or a friend who has achieved success or an advantage.” Galatians 5:19 and 20 defines jealousy as an act of the sinful natured!

“Jealousy is a poison that we drink in the hopes that someone else will die”.

Let us apply this: We must not spend so much time and so much energy worrying about what someone has else or who someone else is that we do not have enough time and energy left to be the best us that we can be! You be the best you that you can be before you worry about someone else! The High Priest and his associates had so much potential for kingdom things, but the sin of jealousy distracted them! Are you distracted in these days?

Take this test with me!

• Are we truly happy for another when they are given what we want?

• When someone who is close to us - someone who is just like us - is lifted up and given an honor that we would like for ourselves, can we celebrate with him or her?

• When someone receives a greater reward for doing the very same thing that we have been doing for years - do we rejoice with him or her or do we inwardly resent his or her being so blessed and wish it were ours?

When you feel trapped in the corner of jealousy, the quickest pathway out of that sinful and distracting mentality is to intentionally celebrate the other person’s blessings!

Our Supply God!

2011-08-05T10:02:00.000-06:00

God Proved Himself to Abraham!

As Abraham and Isaac walked along, Isaac asked a question in Genesis 22:7, “…where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham’s reply – in verse 8 -- has become a synonym for the man or the woman of faith who speaks into humanly hopeless situations and here it is, “God himself will provide…”

At the very last second, Abraham saw a ram caught in a thicket, a ram placed there by God and so Abraham offered up that ram in place of his son. Isaac was spared! Abraham had passed the test and God received another name – Jehovah Jireh – which means, “The Lord will Provide!”

Notice that verse 8 says, “God Himself!” God did not send a staffer or one of His vice, vice, vice presidents, to aid Abraham, but God Himself provided the provision! God Himself personally saw to Abraham’s need! Guess what? God Himself still provides! God takes the time out of His busy schedule and personally provides for each of us as we need His miraculous provision! Jehovah-Jireh is still the God of supply! Great armies have marched on their supply sergeants, but today and forevermore, The Lords’ Army marches on our Supply God!

Folks, "…seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these (other) things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33, KJV) That is what Abraham did and that was the key to this great Old Testament miracle. Our Supply God supplied provision as Abraham sought first God’s kingdom – not his own kingdom! Many of you are forfeiting your miracle of provision, because you are not seeking first God’s kingdom!

Faith!

2011-08-04T09:56:00.000-06:00

Genesis 22:5 celebrates Abraham’s faith.

Abraham and his enterouge had arrived at The Region of Moriah and Abraham speaks, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you."

Abraham had faith that God would provide a way out of that dilemma and that is exactly what occurred! How many times must God do the miraculous in your life before you will have faith in His miracle working power?

In the United States, 150 bridges collapse every year and yet, by faith, we drive across them every day not knowing anything about their condition or the men who built them! If we can have faith in a bridge, surely we can have faith in the one who bridged the great divide. If we truly believe that God is all that He says He is and more, then surely it is time, through faith, to start risking something significant for the kingdom, for our families and for our marriages!

…Let us begin to risk our time and by faith volunteer to work with our teenagers!

…Let us begin to risk our energy and by faith take on a buildings and grounds project.

…Let us begin to risk some rest and by faith see to it that our families are in there places when Discipleship Time begins every Sunday morning.

… Let us begin to risk some “play time” and by faith, make good on the promises that we have made to our families and to our church.

…Let us begin to risk some gas money and by faith see to it that our families never miss a Wednesday Night Church Gathering.

A Wee Little Man!

2011-08-03T07:32:00.000-06:00

A man or a woman of faith has two options: Either you obey or you do not.

• If you stop to argue with God that is disobedience.

• If you try to talk God out of it, that too is disobedience.

• If you offer an alternate plan, that is disobedience.

Abraham's obedience was striking. When the Lord called on Abraham, he obeyed without hesitation. As soon as Abraham heard God's voice, without a recorded murmur, he made his preparations and set out on the journey. Look at Genesis 22:3, “Early the next morning, Abraham got up…” Which of us would have argued with God or just flatly refused?

Good stuff happens when you follow Jesus in total obedience!

Zacchaeus obeyed totally!

In Luke 19:8, Zacchaeus made a proclamation, “'Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.'"

Do you understand what Zacchaeus is saying there? “I want the world to know that I am serious about this new relationship with Jesus and here is the proof – OBEDIENCE! How do you prove daily the reality of Jesus in your life? The answer for you is the same as it was for Zacchaeus. Obedience!

Real conversion is shown through obedience and then change! Change must be obediently demonstrated where your old self used to thrive!

The Report Card!

2011-08-02T10:23:00.000-06:00

Abraham was asked to sacrifice something!

The Christian is often asked to sacrifice something! When asked to sacrifice something, do you dive right in or do you debate with the God of all Creation? Sure, a sacrifice is a sacrifice! A sacrifice is called a sacrifice because you have to sacrifice something to accomplish the goal!

Sure, at times, it might be inconvenient! Sure, there are times when churchmanship demands that you give up something of value or worth, but a sacrifice is a sacrifice and when God calls, you are not to doubt His request, but rather rise to the occasion! Some of you are being tested by God in these days! What grade are you earning on your spiritual report card?

Here is one last thought about that word, “tested.” (Abraham was tested)

In the original Hebrew text, that verb is translated as to, “prove." Are you being tested as Abraham was? Good for you! God is giving you an opportunity to prove the quality of your relationship with Him! Such testing by God has intention. It refines the character of a Disciple of Jesus that he or she might walk even closer to his or her God. All of us must be refined!

The Test!

2011-08-01T08:39:00.000-06:00

God Tested Abraham!

Look at Genesis 22:1, “Sometime later God tested Abraham.”

The nature of that test is found in verse 2. God put his finger on the most precious thing that Abraham had and then asked for it. “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."

Abraham and Sarah had waited 25 years for an heir and God finally blessed them with Isaac. Now, God was asking for that blessing back! What a test!

Let us be clear about what God was asking for! God was asking Abraham to travel with his son to the Region of Moriah and build an altar of stones on one of the mountains. Abraham would then make a platform of wood on those stones. Then, Abraham was going to ask Isaac to lie down on the wood. Abraham would then take a knife and slit Isaac’s throat in the same way that a sacrificial lamb was slain. Finally, Abraham would light the wood and burn his son’s body as an offering to God.

That was the test! How would you react if God asked you for something so precious? Would you pass the test?

Stop The Bleeding!

2011-07-29T08:58:00.001-06:00

It is Time to Stop The Bleeding!

We all carry around a presence! Let us face it! Some have a not so pleasant presence. I am sorry, but it is what it is! Let them enter a room and the atmosphere changes. Suddenly the peace is disturbed. Children stop laughing. An agitation seems to prevail. Darkness seems to overshadow everything. Those who live in darkness can cast no shadow for good. Those who are lukewarm cast lukewarm shadows! Those who need a re-filling today of God’s Spirit cast a shadow that is watered down!

Isn’t it time to stop the bleeding?

In Mark 5, you will find a story about a bleeding woman. Verse 25 tells us that this woman, "…had been subject to bleeding for 12 years.” That bleeding was ruining her life. She was headed for a pre-mature death. Her life was literally draining out of her body on a daily basis! In a way, that bleeding woman represents every person who is casting no shadow, a luke-warm shadow or a watered down shadow. Spiritual vitality is being drained from you drop by drop! However, verse 27 tells us that she, “…touched (the) cloak (of Jesus)...” Then, in verse 29, “Immediately her bleeding stopped…” That bleeding woman was instantly healed! That is power!

Today, you can be instantly healed. If the shadow that you are casting is dark and depressing, you can be healed. If the brightness of your shadow has dimmed a little, you can be healed! If your shadow is lukewarm today, God can help you turn up the thermostat!

As soon as the bleeding woman touched Jesus, He knew what had happened. Look at verse 30, “At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from Him.”

That word “power” in the original Greek Language is the word, “dunamis” which gives us our English word, “dynamite.” God is a, "dynamo." He is, "dynamic.” He is mighty, strong, and a force to be reckoned with. He is, “DYNOMITE!” Today, your shadow can be invigorated by a powerful God – a Dynamic God!

Rats!

2011-07-28T16:01:00.000-06:00

All of us are writing a gospel – a story – an autobiography as we live each day!

2nd Corinthians 3:2 is awesome, “You yourselves are a letter … known and read by everybody.” “Men read the gospel whether faithless or true, what is the “Gospel According to You?” Is the gospel that you are writing leaving people in the shadows of Godliness?

In the 1975 World Series, NBC captured Carlton Fisk, jumping up and down, waving his arms, trying to convince his hit to stay fair. It did stay fair – fair for a home run! That colorful close-up would have been missed had the camera operator followed the ball. However, the camera operator had one eye on a rat that was circling beneath him. So, instead of focusing the camera on the ball, he left his camera on Fisk. TRUE STORY!

Folks, life is full of rats.

Rats have a tendency to distract us. Rats, circling beneath our feet, want to keep us from entering the Promised Land. It is time for this church to keep our eyes on the ball and get them off of every rodent that wants to keep us from casting a Godly shadow! I need to ask, “What is distracting you today?” You cannot chase two rabbits at the same time so you might as well chase the rabbit that really matters!

People should talk differently after they have encountered you because of God’s presence in you! People should think differently after they have encountered you because of God’s presence in you. People should live differently after they have encountered you – because of God’s presence in you.

What kind of shadow are you casting?

Here is the truth: As people with influence, we cannot expect others to go where we have not gone ourselves. If you want to cast a shadow full of God’s presence, you must live out the changes that you want to see in other people. If we want our kids, grand kids, co-workers or fellow church members to live a Christ-Like life, we must first show them what a Christ-Like life really looks like. It is called casting a shadow!

Noise!

2011-07-27T11:37:00.000-06:00

We here at Covenant Fellowship believe in the importance of Discipleship — especially when it comes to our little ones — so we are making plans to celebrate a little competition between each children’s class. Points will be earned for numerous accomplishments and the winning class will be awarded a prize that is second to none! Keep an eye out for more details!

Along with this, a new 7th-8th Grade Discipleship Class will be launched and a Sunday Morning Discipleship Class—that is need based and neighborhood based—will begin with a qualified teacher in place.

By the last Sunday of September, we hope to have 40 (teachers and kids) in our Children’s Classes combined! THAT IS OUR GOAL! The prize for the winning class will be announced in just a few days!

Passing By!

2011-07-27T08:55:00.000-06:00

Notice that Acts 5:5 tells us that Peter was passing by!

All of us pass by many people every day and those people stand in our silent or not so silent shadows! Is there healing in our shadows or is there hurt? Are we allowing the presence of God to flow from us or are we allowing a different presence to work through us?

Among married couples, on the average, five out of every 10 comments made to one another is a put down. Talk about casting a not so silent shadow! Husbands, to keep your marriage brimming / with love in the loving cup / whenever you are wrong, admit it / whenever you are right, shut up!

What kind of a silent or not so silent shadow are you casting?

Now, I am convinced that service and hard work -- in regards to kingdom things -- will not destroy us, but a lack of service, or idleness, will! Paul knew all about it! What does Paul tell us in 2nd Thessalonians 3:6, “...keep away from every brother who is idle…” Why? Because idle hands are the devil’s workshop. Here is what I am getting at: Work, Service and Ministry for God’s Kingdom occupies our time and our tongue with meaningful tasks and meaningful words! Yes, everyone needs some time for pleasure, but all play and no work spells disaster. People who are not busy doing meaningful and productive tasks – people who are not busy saying meaningful and productive words -- find themselves looking for something to do -- “busy work”-- such as being a “busybody.” What kind of a silent or not so silent shadow are you casting? Busybodies gossip, but do not tell anyone – that is just what I heard!

Solomon tells us in Proverbs 13:3, “He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.”

However, Proverbs 12:25 says, “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” A Kind Word! THAT IS THE SHADOW THAT I WANT TO CAST AND I AM LOOKING FOR A FEW WHO WILL STAND BESIDE ME AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS! Let us remind ourselves what a kind word looks like! “I was wrong.” “I am sorry!” “You can do it!” “I am proud of you!” “Thank you!” “I love you!”

God was in Peter’s shadow because God was in Peter! Can the same be said of you?

2011-07-26T14:17:00.002-06:00

I am Starting a New Sunday School Class Series in August!

Death and Taxes!

2011-07-26T08:54:00.000-06:00

Our Shadows are Inevitable!

Regardless of our stature or status, we all cast shadows. Our shadows are as certain as death and taxes. A man or a woman’s shadow represents his or her influence. Your life is affecting someone. The questions is: Will your shadow be used for good or for evil?

Folks, somewhere between the time that we step foot out of bed in the morning and then put that some foot back into bed at night, there needs to be some sort of evidence or proof, in our daily existence, that shows the world that we march to the beat of a different drum. Unconditional love for others is that difference!

Unconditional love is a command! Jesus says in John 15:17, "This is my command: Love each other." What kind of a shadow are you casting?

I want you to remember today that unconditional love is not something that you give to others only when you feel like it. Jesus did not say to love those around you only:

• after you have had your morning coffee

• or only if it is convenient…

• or only if they are nice to you…

• or only if you are in the mood…Jesus simply says, “…love each other.”

Are you miserable at work? Try loving people unconditionally! Is your marriage an oil spill? Try loving people unconditionally! Is parenting eating your lunch? Try loving people unconditionally! Have friends let you down? Try loving people unconditionally!

All of us cast a shadow! Why not cast a shadow of absolute love?

The Shadow Knows!

2011-07-25T07:43:00.000-06:00

There is something powerful about the presence of God in the shadow of man.

Look with me at Acts 5:15, “As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.”

As I speak, there is so much heartache, suffering and weariness alive and well within a two mile radius of our church not to mention, in the midst of our own church families and friends! Those who hurt are waiting for someone to pass their way and cast a shadow of right living upon them. God was in Peter’s shadow because God was in Peter! Can the same be said of you?

The downtrodden, the oppressed, the sad, the lonely, the discouraged and the needy are all looking to us and they are expecting to be touched by God through our silhouette! Church, if we are going to take on the name of Jesus, then we ought to take on the nature of Jesus as well.

Let us all decide today to cast a Godly shadow.

Our Loved Ones!

2011-07-22T08:08:00.001-06:00

What is God wanting to teach you?

It is not fun to be lovingly put in our place by God, but we are always better off for it when God teaches us valuable lessons! God disciplines us to help us. What can we do to lovingly discipline our heritage so that we might help them develop the right attitudes? Remember, God loves those who come behind you just the way that they are, but He loves them far too much to leave them that way.

He wants them to become more like Jesus and He wants you to pitch in and help!

What would happen if we -- as parents and grandparents -- took a more active role in the formation of our loved one’s attitudes? For example:

WHINING?

Whiners are not appreciated! What does 1st Corinthians 10:10 tell us, “…do not grumble…” Who do you think teaches our heritage how to whine? We do!

What about a SOUR FACE?

A face is a window into a person’s soul! Attempting to manipulate through the use of a sour face is a heart issue! A sour face reveals a bad attitude that hampers spiritual growth and development. God talked to Cain about this very thing in Genesis 4:6, “…Why is your face downcast?” Who do you think teaches our heritage how to display a sour face? We do!

What about TEMPER TANTRUMS?

I am talking about stomping, flailing arms, and holding ones breathe and if you think that children or teenagers have the corner on this type of bad attitude, you are sadly mistaken! Look at Proverbs 16:32, “Better a patient person than a warrior…” Who do you think teaches our heritage how to throw temper tantrums? We do!

If you struggle with the above cancerous activity, do not wait until God disciplines you to deal with them! Deal with them now! Show your heritage how to deal with now! Ask for forgiveness today and then be filled or refilled with Gods Holy Ghost so that you might display the fruit of the spirit!

Stinkin Thinkin!

2011-07-21T08:12:00.001-06:00

All of us must understand that a bad attitude does not have to come out of us just because we are having a bad day. All that a bad day can do to us is shake our cups. A bad attitude comes out of us when a bad attitude is inside of us -- inside of our cups.

I am convinced that life is 10% (what happens to us) and 90% (how we react to it). CHURCH! OUR ATTITUDE REVEALS WHO WE REALLY ARE! Your attitude flows from the core of your very being. The heart of the problem is a problem with the heart, but praise God, there are those times when God desires to get our attention via loving discipline to show us that we might be guilty of too much “stinkin’ thinkin!”

Remember, God disciplines those that He loves!

The longer that we serve Jesus, the more Christ like our attitude ought to be. Our attitude displays “whose” we really are: children of God or enemies of God. What Jesus tells us in Matthew 12:34 is such the truth, "…out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." In other words, the condition of our hearts determines the content of our words and the formulation of our attitudes!