2 Timothy 4:16-17 "The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death"
I was reminded this morning, that on Valentines Day there are many people who will be alone or at least feel alone. Unfortunately holidays like Valentines has an amazing way of making people that are single, not in a relationship or those who are unable to be with their spouse, to feel like they are all alone and unloved. But nothing could be further from the truth! If you are a Christian then you are never alone, Paul in the scripture above talks about going before a judge, being tried for his faith and everyone abandoned him, no one came with him but he says "The Lord stood with me and gave me strength."
This is my prayer today for every person who feels alone. I pray that your eyes would be opened to The Lord Who Stands With You and will never leave you and that he will give you strength to do his will. I bind the spirit of loneliness and break its power from off your life and I release his peace and presence to fill your life. I also pray that God would bring godly people into your life and that he would give you the desires of your heart as you live a life that pleases him. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Defining Marks
Proverbs 9:7-9 "Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt. 8 So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you. 9 Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more."
One of the most defining marks that separates the wise man from the fool is how they receive correction, instruction and teaching. A wise man receives them all and eagerly applies what he has learned so that he can become wiser. The fool however doesn't receive any of it. He gets angry and actually attacks the person that is trying to help him.
So what about you? How do you receive correction, instruction and teaching? How you answer this question will reveal the true condition of your heart, do you accept correction, instruction and teaching or reject it by blaming others and making excuses? Are you a wise man or a fool?
One of the most defining marks that separates the wise man from the fool is how they receive correction, instruction and teaching. A wise man receives them all and eagerly applies what he has learned so that he can become wiser. The fool however doesn't receive any of it. He gets angry and actually attacks the person that is trying to help him.
So what about you? How do you receive correction, instruction and teaching? How you answer this question will reveal the true condition of your heart, do you accept correction, instruction and teaching or reject it by blaming others and making excuses? Are you a wise man or a fool?
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
The Standard
Exodus 15:25-26 "It was there at Marah that the Lord set before them the following decree as a standard to test their faithfulness to him. 26 He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you.”
Exodus 16:19/27-28 "Then Moses told them, “Do not keep any of it until morning.” 20 But some of them didn’t listen and kept some of it until morning. But by then it was full of maggots and had a terrible smell. Moses was very angry with them. 27 Some of the people went out anyway on the seventh day, but they found no food. 28 The Lord asked Moses, “How long will these people refuse to obey my commands and instructions?"
God told Moses that he was going to set a standard for the people of Israel to live by and that the standard would be a test of their faithfulness to God. Every time the children of Israel violated the standard that God set for them, they revealed the true condition of their heart. They loved what God was doing for them, but they didn't love God.
Unfortunately there are many in the Church today who love what God does for them but they don't love God. I know that sounds like a harsh statement but the proof is in the pudding. When you look at how many professing Christians are living their lives, they profess with their mouths but their lives deny the Lordship of Jesus Christ. They say the right things but live the wrong way. "I love God but I support homosexual marriage", "I love God but I support the murder of unborn babies", "I love God but every decision I make is based on money", "I love God but I just don't have time to be involved in the local church", "I love God but I have no concern for the eternal souls of men, that is the preachers job", I love God but don't ask me to make any sacrifices for the kingdom of God", "I love God but I am my own person and I do my own thing" and the list goes on and on.
Jesus said you would know a tree by its fruits not its profession. The standards of the word of God don't make us righteous, we are made righteous through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ and him alone. But the standards of the word do reveal our heart and help us and others to see if we really do love God or love what God does for us. How you respond to the standards of the word of God reveal whether you are faithful to God or just milking God for what you can get from him.
But standards apply not only to your relationship with God but also with those in leadership over you. Standards are test, they test our faithfulness to one who sets the standard. Standards reveal a persons heart toward their leader, those who buck the standard don't have the leaders heart, therefore they don't have the leaders back.
Every pastor/leader should have standards in place that line up with the word of God and the vision of the house. These standards not only protect the people that you have been called to lead, but it reveals the heart of the people and shows the position of their heart to you the leader. Someone that continually bucks the standard does not qualify to be in a leadership position because they don't have your heart.
Now understand that their is a difference someone who has legitimate questions and concern and someone who bucks the standard. The one with legitimate questions ask their questions and move on, the one who bucks the standard is always challenging the way you do things or what you are asking them to do. Standards are test, that reveal people's hearts, if you are a leader and you don't have standards in place then I encourage you to get before God and set a standard for ministry and leadership in your church or ministry. These standards safeguard your people and your own heart.
Exodus 16:19/27-28 "Then Moses told them, “Do not keep any of it until morning.” 20 But some of them didn’t listen and kept some of it until morning. But by then it was full of maggots and had a terrible smell. Moses was very angry with them. 27 Some of the people went out anyway on the seventh day, but they found no food. 28 The Lord asked Moses, “How long will these people refuse to obey my commands and instructions?"
God told Moses that he was going to set a standard for the people of Israel to live by and that the standard would be a test of their faithfulness to God. Every time the children of Israel violated the standard that God set for them, they revealed the true condition of their heart. They loved what God was doing for them, but they didn't love God.
Unfortunately there are many in the Church today who love what God does for them but they don't love God. I know that sounds like a harsh statement but the proof is in the pudding. When you look at how many professing Christians are living their lives, they profess with their mouths but their lives deny the Lordship of Jesus Christ. They say the right things but live the wrong way. "I love God but I support homosexual marriage", "I love God but I support the murder of unborn babies", "I love God but every decision I make is based on money", "I love God but I just don't have time to be involved in the local church", "I love God but I have no concern for the eternal souls of men, that is the preachers job", I love God but don't ask me to make any sacrifices for the kingdom of God", "I love God but I am my own person and I do my own thing" and the list goes on and on.
Jesus said you would know a tree by its fruits not its profession. The standards of the word of God don't make us righteous, we are made righteous through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ and him alone. But the standards of the word do reveal our heart and help us and others to see if we really do love God or love what God does for us. How you respond to the standards of the word of God reveal whether you are faithful to God or just milking God for what you can get from him.
But standards apply not only to your relationship with God but also with those in leadership over you. Standards are test, they test our faithfulness to one who sets the standard. Standards reveal a persons heart toward their leader, those who buck the standard don't have the leaders heart, therefore they don't have the leaders back.
Every pastor/leader should have standards in place that line up with the word of God and the vision of the house. These standards not only protect the people that you have been called to lead, but it reveals the heart of the people and shows the position of their heart to you the leader. Someone that continually bucks the standard does not qualify to be in a leadership position because they don't have your heart.
Now understand that their is a difference someone who has legitimate questions and concern and someone who bucks the standard. The one with legitimate questions ask their questions and move on, the one who bucks the standard is always challenging the way you do things or what you are asking them to do. Standards are test, that reveal people's hearts, if you are a leader and you don't have standards in place then I encourage you to get before God and set a standard for ministry and leadership in your church or ministry. These standards safeguard your people and your own heart.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Staying In Faith
Matthew 14:29-31 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
It's not enough to step out in faith, we must walk by faith every step of the way. Many times like Peter we start out in faith, but because of circumstances and people we get hurt, discouraged or betrayed and begin to doubt. We must guard our faith and be relentless in protecting the only thing that can empower us to do the impossible.
So how do we continue on in faith, when it seems like everything around us is trying to get us to doubt and give up. The answer is Focus; we have stay focused on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith., we have to stay focused on our mission and the calling of God upon our lives and we have to stay focused on those things that have eternal value.
Life is filled with distractions and problems, and we can not bury our heads in the sand. We have to deal with distractions and problems, but dealing with them and being consumed by them are two totally different things. As a Pastor my life is filled with problems and challenges and my job is to help my church and our people work through those challenges and come out on the others side with the victory that Jesus has for us. Dealing with problems and challenges is apart of life, but we must refuse to be consumed by them and allow them to steal our focus.
Continuing in faith is the result of a determined focus, everyday we must take time to reset our focus at the feet of Jesus, we must remind ourselves of what we have been called to do and we must remember that it is always about the eternal souls of men. These three things help us to finish the race and complete the course, staying in faith and doing the impossible.
It's not enough to step out in faith, we must walk by faith every step of the way. Many times like Peter we start out in faith, but because of circumstances and people we get hurt, discouraged or betrayed and begin to doubt. We must guard our faith and be relentless in protecting the only thing that can empower us to do the impossible.
So how do we continue on in faith, when it seems like everything around us is trying to get us to doubt and give up. The answer is Focus; we have stay focused on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith., we have to stay focused on our mission and the calling of God upon our lives and we have to stay focused on those things that have eternal value.
Life is filled with distractions and problems, and we can not bury our heads in the sand. We have to deal with distractions and problems, but dealing with them and being consumed by them are two totally different things. As a Pastor my life is filled with problems and challenges and my job is to help my church and our people work through those challenges and come out on the others side with the victory that Jesus has for us. Dealing with problems and challenges is apart of life, but we must refuse to be consumed by them and allow them to steal our focus.
Continuing in faith is the result of a determined focus, everyday we must take time to reset our focus at the feet of Jesus, we must remind ourselves of what we have been called to do and we must remember that it is always about the eternal souls of men. These three things help us to finish the race and complete the course, staying in faith and doing the impossible.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
The Avenger
Let me go ahead and confess that I loved the Avengers movie and I am a fan. Of all the Avengers I like Captain America the best. He represents integrity, truth and justice and he acknowledged that there is only one true God. Which brings us to the point of this message today, there is only one true God and He Is The Ultimate Avenger!
David tells us in Psalm 9:12 "For he (God) who avenges blood remembers; he does not ignore the cries of the afflicted." God avenges the blood of the innocent and helpless, he hears the cries of the afflicted. The dictionary defines an avenger as one who takes vengeance for or on behalf of another. The Bible tells us in Hebrews 10:30 "vengeance is mine, I will repay, says The Lord"
Our world is filled with injustice and our systems of law and justice, though the best in the world, still has flaws. Many times in our lives we see and experience the injustice of sin, corruption and deception. As people lie, deceive, destroy and even kill the innocent.
In these times of injustice many people want to blame God; why didn't he intervene, why didn't he do something to stop the injustice. But he has, he has given us as humans authority and liberty to govern ourselves and make our own decisions and choices. The free will of man is a gift from God that brings blessings and curses based upon the choices of man.
But God has placed a check and balance system into his creation. One day all humanity will stand before almighty God and he will avenge the injustice of man with the righteous justice of God. The Avenger as David said, does not ignore the cries of the afflicted, he will bring justice for all!
David tells us in Psalm 9:12 "For he (God) who avenges blood remembers; he does not ignore the cries of the afflicted." God avenges the blood of the innocent and helpless, he hears the cries of the afflicted. The dictionary defines an avenger as one who takes vengeance for or on behalf of another. The Bible tells us in Hebrews 10:30 "vengeance is mine, I will repay, says The Lord"
Our world is filled with injustice and our systems of law and justice, though the best in the world, still has flaws. Many times in our lives we see and experience the injustice of sin, corruption and deception. As people lie, deceive, destroy and even kill the innocent.
In these times of injustice many people want to blame God; why didn't he intervene, why didn't he do something to stop the injustice. But he has, he has given us as humans authority and liberty to govern ourselves and make our own decisions and choices. The free will of man is a gift from God that brings blessings and curses based upon the choices of man.
But God has placed a check and balance system into his creation. One day all humanity will stand before almighty God and he will avenge the injustice of man with the righteous justice of God. The Avenger as David said, does not ignore the cries of the afflicted, he will bring justice for all!
Friday, January 4, 2013
A Leaf of Hope
Five years ago for Christmas my B.B.(beautiful bride) as I affectionately call her, gave me a framed picture of us, (me still sporting the mustache that I wore for so long) with this devotional that she had written. As I was doing my quiet time this morning I was reminded of her gift and I wanted to share it with you.
"A Leaf of Hope"
Genesis 8:11 "When the dove returned to him (Noah) in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth"
Noah would have been happy to have the dove, but to have the leaf! This leaf was more than foliage; this was promise. The dove brought more than a piece of a tree; it brought hope. For isn't that what hope is? Hope is an olive leaf - evidence of dry land after a flood.
Don't we love the olive leafs of life? And the people who bring them? When a husband comforts his wife and cares for her during difficult times. When a wife encourages her husband, when it seems like the world is against him. When a friend calls just to let you know they care. When a stranger does something kind, or when you read a scripture that you have read many times but the Holy Spirit brings it to life at just the right moment.
Take some time today to look around for the olive leafs of hope, but also to thank God for the people in your life who bring them. God is faithful and just because you can not see the dry land doesn't mean it is not there. There is a dove on your way and he has an olive leaf in his mouth, just for you!
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
American Idol Trap
Proverbs 29:5 "To flatter friends is to lay a trap for their feet."
I have to admit that my favorite part of American Idol is the Auditions at the beginning of the season. It amazes me how many people think they can sing, when is reality they are horrible singers. When I read this scripture this morning in my quiet time I immediately thought about American Idol Auditions. "To flatter friends is to lay a trap for their feet", how many of those people auditioning had their family and friends flatter them with lies about their singing ability. Their flattery became a trap, it set them up for failure.
Now I wonder how many times we have been guilty of flattering our friends by telling them what they wanted to hear, instead of telling them the truth. The truth about their attitudes, their actions, their decisions or their choices. We think we are being kind but in reality we are setting a trap for them. We are setting them up for failure because we are unwilling to speak the truth in love. Which is the way truth is intended to be spoken.
When we are honest with people because we love them and want the best for their lives, we help them succeed. When we are unwilling to be honest with people, when they ask our opinion or advice we lay a trap for them and actually keep them from future success. When we are confronted with truth, we are empowered to change and grow, lies only push us faster down the wrong road. This morning make a decision to "speak the truth in love" and help your friends succeed in life and fulfill God's calling upon their lives.
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