Sustaining Thoughts

Romans Challenge Chapter 10

2012-02-10T12:53:00.001-05:00

Paul's prayer is that his fellow churchmen might be saved. As Jesus he was born Jewish (God's chosen people). As we read further we see a rejection of the Spirit of God. We all are capable of grieving God in certain ways (Ephesians 4:30). Rejection of His Spirit is something that we should all take serious. Romans 8:16 talks about the Spirit testifying (agreeing) with our spirit that we are His. If we are His we know when we are not right with Him. Then we look at how beautiful the feet of the one with good news. Romans 10:13 "For everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord [invoking Him as Lord] will be saved. 14 But how are people to call upon Him Whom they have not believed [in Whom they have no faith, on Whom they have no reliance]? And how are they to believe in Him [adhere to, trust in, and rely upon Him] of Whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher?15 And how can men [be expected to] preach unless they are sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings! [How welcome is the coming of those who preach the good news of His good things!]" (Amplified Bible)
So do you think our feet will look different when we get to heaven? I don't have the best looking feet. In fact my toenails are getting downright scary.

So how can we respond so it not be said of this generation of God's people 21... All day long I have stretched out My hands to a people unyielding and disobedient and self-willed [to a faultfinding, contrary, and contradicting people]?

I believe if we trust God by putting feet to what we believe and share (as the Spirit of the Lord brings those in our world to us to be drawn to Him.) Share what? The story of Jesus (our personal testimony) by telling how our life is different since encountering Him. Are you not ready for that? I encourage you to pray for those you encounter today, tomorrow and for one month. They may be lost. Then God will eventually start to use you as He prepares your heart for those He intends to reach with His good news. Prepare your testimony and share as He leads and you will be on mission with Him. Then He can do more with you than you can think or imagine and we will be able to say with confidence what great things He has done.

Thankfully,
Dan

Romans Challenge Chapter 8

2012-02-08T09:49:00.001-05:00

There is a lot here but the theme that jumped out today was life by the Spirit. That is the challenge to us is to not go back to what may make more sense. Satan is always challenging what the spirit is doing. Knowing scripture is key to understanding the real deal. In 8:6 we are told "Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever]. 7[That is] because the mind of the flesh [with its carnal thoughts and purposes] is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God’s Law; indeed it cannot.8 So then those who are living the life of the flesh [catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature] cannot please or satisfy God, or be acceptable to Him.9 But you are not living the life of the flesh, you are living the life of the Spirit, if the [Holy] Spirit of God [really] dwells within you [directs and controls you]. But if anyone does not possess the [Holy] Spirit of Christ, he is none of His [he does not belong to Christ, is not truly a child of God]...13 For if you live according to [the dictates of] the flesh, you will surely die. But if through the power of the [Holy] Spirit you are [habitually] putting to death (making extinct, deadening) the [evil] deeds prompted by the body, you shall [really and genuinely] live forever.14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.15 For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father!
(Amplified Bible)

How can we experience the new life that is intended? John 15:5 and following tells us to remain in the vine. We are not the vine but are branches. The vine gives life sustaining "Spirit" (of God) to remain alive, grow and be productive.

Stay in the vine. There is an enemy that will lie and tell you that is not necessary. We all need wisdom to follow God's plan and not take off on our own.

Be intentional; ask the enemy to leave and follow God's ways.

In Christ,
Dan

Romans Challenge Chapter 1

2012-02-01T12:50:00.000-05:00

Romans Challenge - I encourage you to read the book of Romans with us this month. We will be commenting from time to time and I would like your input as the word speaks personally to you. Thanks for reading through Acts with us. I hope it lifted you up as it did me.

In Chapter 1 Paul's calling and commitment are clear. His primary focus was to preach the Gospel - Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel . . . —1 Corinthians 1:17 Oswald Chambers talks about that today in today's Utmost for His Highest. We all have a primary focus for our life in Christ. We are commissioned to spread the good news of Christ. When we look at what Jesus commanded us to do our life takes on new meaning.

As the chapter goes on he talks about our spiritual condition that keeps us in Christ. Does that mean I'm then lost when I sin? No! You are Christ's. It means you will lose focus and your spiritual condition is starting to suffer. You're getting ready to open yourself up for a spiritual battle that will take on a life of it's own because the enemy is involved. It will be impossible to continue the same trek because of discouragement and lack of zeal that only comes from God.
It attack our thought process first and starts the spiritual virus that effects every area of our life. We look fine on the outside, but on the inside we are a wreck and spiritual growth is stunted while we are here. The enemy has been working the same way for millenniums. That's how believers begin the process of becoming what Christ calls "whitewashed tombs." Looking good on the outside and rotting inside Matt 23:27. Was Christ being critical? He came to earth because of a spiritual condition that only He has the cure (antiviral hardware) for. His desire is to clean us up and get us running to accomplish our full potential. This deeply concerns Him because without Him involved we are building a spiritual house of cards that will be blown down at the first storm. He is the answer and we can find the code for breaking the virus in Him. Start on the road to a full life in Him today.

In Christ,

Dan

Acts Challenge Chapter 28

2012-01-29T08:20:00.000-05:00

God had just put them safely in Malta when a snake bit Paul in front of everyone there. He is setting up camp & suddenly a deadly snake attaches itself and will not let go. Justice (which may have been understood as the goddess of avenging) has not permitted him to live was their thinking. What do we think when things happen that we don't understand? When he did not die they decided he must be a god. When we really live what God says we do not panic (Paul went on about his day), but we trust God in all things. Until that happens we cannot live the power of the cross. We will be on the reactionary yo-yo living a life of fear driving out the presence of God in our daily activity. Paul could have had a meltdown and said; God you have nearly killed me, I've just survived a shipwreck because they would not listen when I told them I've been taking with you, and now you allow me to get snake-bitten and die. Don't tell me you haven't had days and responses like that because we all have. Right then instead of making that meltdown phone call if you can muster up some trust in God He will sustain you and show His power then He can be a tremendous inspiration to others using your life of faith. What do our meltdowns do to hinder that? More later...

In Christ,
Dan

Acts Challenge Chapter 26

2012-01-26T13:02:00.001-05:00

This is one of my favorite stories. Paul is appealing to King Agrippa. The king wants firsthand knowledge (Paul's testimony) to help make a recommendation. Festus didn't know what to tell Rome. Paul gives his testimony in just a few minutes. Have you worked on your testimony? We should have a 3 minute department store, a 10 minute lunch version, and 30 minute large group worship version. Everyone who has accepted Christ has a story of our encounter with Him. All Paul's friends saw the light, but only Paul heard the voice of God. 15 "And I said, Who are You, Lord?" And the Lord said, "I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting.16 But arise and stand upon your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, that I might appoint you to serve as [My] minister and to bear witness both to what you have seen of Me and to that in which I will appear to you,17 Choosing you out [selecting you for Myself] and delivering you from among this [Jewish] people and the Gentiles to whom I am sending you--18 To open their eyes that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may thus receive forgiveness and release from their sins and a place and portion among those who are consecrated and purified by faith in Me".

Then Paul is hoping King Agrippa will accept Christ after his testimony. Paul knew God was working on him and King Agrippa did not deny it. Only the Lord knows if he let his position on earth keep him from having a position in heaven. We all have that choice. I encourage you to choose the right one.

Saved through the encounter,
Dan

Acts Challenge Chapter 24

2012-01-24T11:33:00.000-05:00

Acts 24:16 " Therefore I always exercise and discipline myself [mortifying my body, deadening my carnal affections, bodily appetites, and worldly desires, endeavoring in all respects] to have a clear (unshaken, blameless) conscience, void of offense toward God and toward men... 25 But as he (Paul) continued to argue about uprightness, purity of life (the control of the passions), and the judgment to come, Felix became alarmed and terrified and said, Go away for the present; when I have a convenient opportunity, I will send for you." (Amplified Bible)

Have we become numb to the bombarding of info that we see from murder, war, martyrdom, to purity of life issues that modern communication accepts and trows out there daily in all varieties of ways. We can just choose a desire to feed and make our selection and justify it by today's thinking. My desire is not to bring us back 100 years in our thinking, but 2000 years and search the heat of God in His thinking. In doing so it is a process that takes us from the worlds position and puts us in position to hear and be adjusted by God. Everything may seem to be operating just fine till we plug into God's diagnostic computer letting the Spirit of God make the necessary adjustments. Getting us running the race spiritually fit in all areas of our assignment.

People have put this off until a convenient opportunity presents itself since the beginning of time. God wants to complete a work in us in order to work through us. In this way the body of Christ will truly reflect our Lord and Savior who adjusted His schedule and came to be conformed to the will of the Father in order that we would have our condition transformed into the image of the one who paid the ultimate price. See Romans chapter 12 and begin the restoration that is only possible in Christ.

In Christ,
Dan

Acts Challenge Chapter 18

2012-01-18T13:05:00.000-05:00

Acts Challenge. In Chapter 18 Paul is frustrated in Corinth due to opposition in the form of arguing and contradicting him in all that he did. His response is to leave and go to the gentiles, an easier people group. Debating with an expert is difficult when they have stopped learning and have become unteachable. What God intended here is different than Paul's plan. Paul is to stay in a difficult situation because it is God's plan. Paul obey's God and is used here another year and a half. This fits the definition of Godly obedience as I begin to understand it. It is immediate, costly and radical. Immediate because he changed what he was about to do. Costly because he was to endure these exhausting people. Radical because it made him have to take his pride and swallow it in order to face them. I imagine he said something like I wanted to leave but could not for the obedience of God is the highest calling in my life. Any thoughts?

In Christ,

Dan

Acts Challenge Chapter 12

2012-01-12T08:44:00.002-05:00

King Herod is pleased to gain popularity by executing Christians. He did this to John the Baptist for speaking boldly against sin and at that time it bothered him to carry it out. Now he is openly killing Christians because it pleased the people and he gained their praise. He beheaded James (Apostle John’s brother) the son of Zebedee. His next target was Peter and we see him delivered by an Angel of the Lord. The church was praying at the time he was released, but had to see Peter to believe it was him. Wow, that speaks volumes about believing God to answer literally. Tell “James and the brothers.” This is James, Jesus’ brother who is a leader in the Jerusalem Church. Herod put Peter’s guards to death and with his inflated ego addresses the people of Tyre and Sidon accepting their praise and letting them praise him as a god while giving no credit to the real God. God removed him by taking his life. God allowed him to kill John the Baptist and it was easier to kill James. Peter was rescued by the Lord as the church prayed, then God stopped Herod when he went to the next level. This is the process sin takes. It always goes to the next level when we are more interested in pleasing ourselves and others than God. God adds as we seek Him and His righteousness - Matt 6:33. Acts 12:24 “Then God's message flourished and multiplied.”

So far God has removed King Herod, Ananias & Sapphira, transformed Paul, deal with Simon the Sorcerer and the message is being spread.

Do you personalize the promise of Abraham in Genesis 12?

What capacity does God have to bring a person down?

Hope you have a great day,

Dan

Acts Challenge Chapter 10

2012-01-11T08:56:00.002-05:00

Chapter 10; God’s plan unfolds to the nations receiving the Gospel. The main Characters are the 1-Holy Spirit who carries out God’s plans; 2-Cornelius in Caesarea whose life is totally devoted to God praying, serving and leading his house to love and honor God; 3-Peter the young leader of the new church; and 4-witnesses on both sides. This chapter is an eye opening picture of how God works in the church using ordinary people who have experienced Him and are open to believing what He shows them and not afraid to trust in that. More later…

Dan

Acts Challenge Chapter 9

2012-01-09T08:38:00.000-05:00

Today we see the total transformation of an opponent of the Gospel. Paul's life completely took a radical turn of repentance and he now became as bold for the new "Way" as he was against it. He was all in. When we have an encounter with God how do we leave? Do we go boldly giving credit of what God is doing? Rev 3:15 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot." - Ouch! The believers were at first reluctant to take Paul in. Forgiveness and trust are difficult and I believe they go hand in hand. They all worked through it, took Paul in and then took steps to protect him. Recognizing what God is doing is difficult when we have ideas of how it should go. We then see God doing signs and wonders. I see God still in the miracle business. How we view that will have a tremendous impact of what He is allowed to accomplish in our lives. His primary business is transforming lives from hopelessness to wholeness with New Life through the life cleansing blood of Jesus.

Thankfully,
Dan

Acts Challenge Chapter 7

2012-01-07T09:53:00.000-05:00

Wow! Here we have the history of the people of God in one chapter. It covers the entire First Covenant to the New Covenant defining rejection of God and His chosen deliverers, rebellion, God's real dwelling place, resisting the Holy Spirit showing what we are capable of when rightfully accused and confronted with our sinful activities. Stephen the first Christian martyr had powerful last words 59 They were stoning Stephen as he called out: "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin!" And saying this, he fell asleep. What would your last words be?
Today there are many martyred yearly. http://www.persecution.com

Deserving condemnation,

Dan

Acts Challenge Chapter 6

2012-01-06T10:37:00.000-05:00

Here we see needs of the people of God being addressed by the new leaders. They added deacons to serve and they looked for men full of wisdom and the Spirit. Stephen was a man of faith and of the Spirit. The word was preached, the number of disciples multiplied & a large group of priests became obedient. Stephen took the call seriously and began working out his assignment doing great wonders and signs. This stirred up the opposition and he was dragged off and had an opportunity to face their leaders. 15 "All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was the face of an angel." How do you respond in a Godly way when faced with opposition?

Acts Challenge Chapter 5

2012-01-05T08:54:00.002-05:00

Acts Challenge day 5. Wow! How many people do we see die for deceit? The power of God is real and we are challenged to be bold in our following and let God handle the outcome, and oh yes, rejoice for any associated persecution because it is an honor to suffer as our Lord did. This all throws a big hole in the prosperity Gospel sham. Do we find it important do serve God every day? Read this chapter prayerfully and see what God says about it ;)

Acts Challenge Chapter 4

2012-01-04T10:13:00.002-05:00

Peter and James were arrested and the fruit from Peter’s two messages were about 5000 people. All of the credit was going to God in the name of Jesus yet those who opposed were offended and tried to stop the work of God. That’s like trying to stop a river. We must all come to the point where we say “whose directions do we listen to God or man? It may even be in a spouse, close friend or family member that we find opposition. Then when we choose to follow the Lord, seek His direction praying alone and with other believers is when God shakes things up and reveals His power over the circumstances. Choose to trust Him in all areas even with your possessions and you will find His presence and provision in every area.

In His name,

Dan

2 Samuel 12

2011-08-03T10:38:00.001-04:00

Chapter 12 starts out with the Prophet Nathan bringing the sin of David before him. He had to expose adultery, murder and ungratefulness in David's life. God is the bossiest thing and Nathan took the risk of accepting the task. He didn't accuse immediately, but the Lord spoke in parables to pull David's heartstrings. He does that in our own life today. We get infuriated at things that we may not be seeing or admitting in our own life. Who would approve of a neighbor stealing a ewe lamb that was like a duaghter to this man, prepare it for his guests when this man had many sheep? David knew this man should be punished. When faced with the reality that this was him, David repented. We see this also in Psalm 51 where David asks to create in him a clean heart. David genuinely grieved over his sin and the consequences. This fasting and seeking God was necessary for David to be the king in a way that would be pleasing to God and He forgave David. It did cost David much. Sin is costly, especially when we walk in denial and God has to take measures to bring it to our attention.

We also see where David is restored and is waling in the power of the Lord with victory over his enemies. God establishes us as leaders in families and to have a Godly witness with others. When we push fear aside and trust what the Lord is doing we can be truly content with our life and have peace with God. Satan is going to tempt us with whatever our Bathsheba is. He always uses the same tricks. Let's be content with where God has us and confess the sin that He reveals so we can live in peace with God and have victory over our strongholds. Waiting is always costly. We make a decision every time we encounter God. Choose to trust Him. Peace and fellowship with God will be the Lord's reward. Then comes His revelation and direction. This is God's way.

Know that God loves you and knows what’s best.
In Christ,
Dan

Today's Utmost for His Highest

2011-07-03T22:14:00.000-04:00

The Concentration of Personal Sin by Oswald Chambers Text Size: Zoom In

July 03, 2011

Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips . . . —Isaiah 6:5

When I come into the very presence of God, I do not realize that I am a sinner in an indefinite sense, but I suddenly realize and the focus of my attention is directed toward the concentration of sin in a particular area of my life. A person will easily say, “Oh yes, I know I am a sinner,” but when he comes into the presence of God he cannot get away with such a broad and indefinite statement. Our conviction is focused on our specific sin, and we realize, as Isaiah did, what we really are. This is always the sign that a person is in the presence of God. There is never any vague sense of sin, but a focusing on the concentration of sin in some specific, personal area of life. God begins by convicting us of the very thing to which His Spirit has directed our mind’s attention. If we will surrender, submitting to His conviction of that particular sin, He will lead us down to where He can reveal the vast underlying nature of sin. That is the way God always deals with us when we are consciously aware of His presence.

This experience of our attention being directed to our concentration of personal sin is true in everyone’s life, from the greatest of saints to the worst of sinners. When a person first begins climbing the ladder of experience, he might say, “I don’t know where I’ve gone wrong,” but the Spirit of God will point out some definite and specific thing to him. The effect of Isaiah’s vision of the holiness of the Lord was the directing of his attention to the fact that he was “a man of unclean lips.” “He touched my mouth with it, and said: ’Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged’ ” (Isaiah 6:7). The cleansing fire had to be applied where the sin had been concentrated.

My two cents;

Francis Thompson wrote a poem talking about God being the hound of heaven who follows the fleeing soul by His divine grace. He uses the Holy Spirit as the means to accomplish this. Jesus put it this way: John 16:7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10 in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. 12 "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

God will not leave His sheep alone. He will pursue you in order to bring you back home.

In Christ,

Dan

Discipleship

2011-07-02T15:51:00.001-04:00

My two cents;

We hear a lot about discipleship today and there are many ways of doing it. The best example is to follow the example of Christ.

1Co 11:1 Paul teaches us to “Follow my example, just as I follow the example of Christ.”

Christ deeply invested in a few lives, loved them unconditionally while teaching, correcting and rebuking when needed. So how do we duplicate that? First we need to personally apply God’s word and live it out. Second spend time with those the Lord sends to do things together (coffee, mechanics, yard work, watching or playing sports…). Show them how you react to life (good or bad while being willing to open up about your faults and challenges) and spend time hovering around different things in God’s word. Be real without losing your witness and ask forgiveness as needed. Many age groups spell love as t-i-m-e. We have seen real life change on the soccer field and basketball court while taking our breaks to break open God’s word and reveal spiritual truths. We didn’t have cups one day so we showed them how to drink out of the cooler without touching their mouth to the spigot. That’s all part of the process. What you do, they will start doing because this is God’s way and His way is always best. When you invest in someone’s life, they remember it forever and so does their families. You will be surprised at the abundance love returned!

How does God want you to do this? Spend a little time with the Lord today asking how and who He wants you to invest in. He will answer and when you respond you will then be partnering with Him in real life-change God’s way.

Thanks for all you do.

In Christ,

Dan

Invite a friend "Back to Church" on Sunday

2010-08-24T20:27:00.000-04:00

1 Peter 2

2010-08-12T10:24:00.000-04:00

I really enjoyed Oswald's Today and felt led to share it.
The Theology of Resting in God
Aug 12, 2010
Why are you fearful, O you of little faith? —Matthew 8:26

When we are afraid, the least we can do is pray to God. But our Lord has a right to expect that those who name His name have an underlying confidence in Him. God expects His children to be so confident in Him that in any crisis they are the ones who are reliable. Yet our trust is only in God up to a certain point, then we turn back to the elementary panic-stricken prayers of those people who do not even know God. We come to our wits’ end, showing that we don’t have even the slightest amount of confidence in Him or in His sovereign control of the world. To us He seems to be asleep, and we can see nothing but giant, breaking waves on the sea ahead of us.

“. . . O you of little faith!” What a stinging pain must have shot through the disciples as they surely thought to themselves, “We missed the mark again!” And what a sharp pain will go through us when we suddenly realize that we could have produced complete and utter joy in the heart of Jesus by remaining absolutely confident in Him, in spite of what we were facing.

There are times when there is no storm or crisis in our lives, and we do all that is humanly possible. But it is when a crisis arises that we instantly reveal upon whom we rely. If we have been learning to worship God and to place our trust in Him, the crisis will reveal that we can go to the point of breaking, yet without breaking our confidence in Him.

We have been talking quite a lot about sanctification, but what will be the result in our lives? It will be expressed in our lives as a peaceful resting in God, which means a total oneness with Him. And this oneness will make us not only blameless in His sight, but also a profound joy to Him.
By Oswald Chambers - My Utmost for His Highest

Now for today's reading in 1 Peter He tells us:
1Pe 2:1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
1Pe 2:2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Satan wants to keep verse 1 in the forefront of our relationships so verse 2 will not have a chance. He's the master of illusion and deception and has 5000 years experience at turning things upside down and convincing us it is normal. We must get rid of these things Then our priorities will line up with the Lord's and what we crve will start to change.

1Pe 2:5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
God has a plan, the project is His and you have a place in it to make it complete. It's God's way. He's completing a work in us to complete the body of Christ so He can use us in ways we can't even imagine.

1Pe 2:15 For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.
What does my daily activity include that would shut peoples mouths. We shout silence them with good works not shock them with worldly actions that will fuel more of Satan's works.

1Pe 2:19 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God.
1Pe 2:20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
We all want a good credit rating. Let's make it our goal to build the credit rating that comes with spiritual rewards that never cease. That's how God works. His promises and blessings are eternal. There will be showers of blessings that will never end.

1Pe 2:21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

Rejoice in sufferings, remaining in Him while following Christ and you will never go wrong. Ask of the Lord and your joy will be complete. John 16:24 & Deut 16:15

Ephesians 6

2010-06-23T08:35:00.000-04:00

We start today being encouraged to have good relationships with parents, co-workers and each other. This includes working well together, and being compliant. That is hard as we work with different ages of children and youth that may not get any instruction here. Prayer helps immensely in my leadership and to be able to work well with others. Eph 6:6 "Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: 8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free."
The other area is to be strong in the Lord. We start with understanding the tricks of Satan to deceive us. Can you imagine living your whole life only to realize you had been tricked the whole time? That is why we need to use all the tools and protection to be able to make progress in our offensive here. Salvation, prayer, righteousness, God's word and power, faith, the gospel of peace and faith are great places to start.
Our loving Father has given us what we need to prevail in every area. I believe He has great things in store for those who take Him at at His word and step out in faith. Hope you have a great day in the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5

2010-06-03T11:24:00.001-04:00

We start today looking at the earthly tent we live in as temporary. This temporary tent or body will be for a permanent one formed by God. We all long for the heavenly dwelling place the Father has created, to be with Him, spending time with God in fellowship with our Father so we can be fully clothed and not vulnerable to disease, pain, and weakness...4"so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." God always gives us what we need to have life to the full. 9"So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it." In this world of selfishness and instant gratification we must hear this from the Lord in order to make this adjustment. A person will not be able to change a self-centered heart. Only the God that created it can change it.
This change is the work of the love of Christ and it compels us to be ministers of reconciliation. We are ambassadors of Christ and appeal to everyone to be reconciled to God - 21"so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
Psalm 16:2 tells us "I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing."
So I encourage you to remain in Him to become the image of our loving Father in Heaven, for apart from Him there is no righteousness.

2nd Corinthians 2

2010-05-31T10:22:00.000-04:00

Here we see a pastor's heart for the church. Paul had to write some painful things to them and decided not to return to go over those things at this time. The distress and anguish he had for them is familiar if you've ever had a child or family member wander and were grieved as they reacted to your input in their lives. Vs4 "For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you." This love is a love that imparts the truth in love to restore the one you love. It is an act of love and caring. It may not always be received that way, but give room and time for the Lord God to work.
They had to do some hard things here and are now asked to forgive and restore in genuine love. 7"Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. 9Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything."
Many times forgiveness is the hardest test of all. We are to be aware that Satan wants to use this to outwit us. We are not to let him get a foothold in our spiritual life through unforgiveness. Paul says "I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, 11in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes."
Remember the opposite side of the equation 14"But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing." God has good things in store for those who join in the procession. Have you seen those join Him lately? Do you desire for those in your life to meet Him? Please let God be your boss and join Him today and you will see the hand of God at work as He uses you to reach them. We all want to hear Christ tell us: John 11:40 Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?"

1 Corinthians 8

2010-05-21T11:32:00.000-04:00

Today's passage starts out talking about eating food sacrificed to idols. It tells us "knowledge puffs up, but love builds up." Been puffed up lately? Could it be knowledge is getting a foot hold over what love wants to build in your life? verse2 explains: "The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But the man who loves God is known by God." What does this have to do about eating sacrificed food? First since idols are not real then it doesn't matter. The food isn't defiled because it is to a God that is not real. So where is the problem? This is a great passage that pertains to our freedom in Christ. Our activities can be a help or cause others to stumble and fall. Co 8:9 "Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol's temple, won't he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? 11 So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ."
This passage can be applied to any of our activities that cause others to change their thoughts and behaviors. If I start smoking or drinking it will give others permission to do that. If I start staying out of church or engaging in other activities that have not been specifically prohibited in scripture, I may be sinning against my brother and Christ by exercising freedom through the knowledge I have obtained, So I must go back to verse 3 and understand the relationship with God will cause me to be more concerned about my fellow man than my desires. Love wins again over knowledge. Love has kept me from sinning against my brother and God and letting knowledge have the victory. Practicing love will always bring us together as the desires of the father prevails over our desires.

Acts 8

2010-04-07T10:10:00.000-04:00

Today in Acts 8 we see the Apostles at work. We get an idea of how much they believed the gospel by the way they responded to God during their ministry. Stephen boldly spoke the word of God to the Sanhedrin and even prayed for them as He was being stoned. Peter and John went to Samaria and brought them the Holy Spirit showing they understood the global vision for the Gospel. They also stood up to Simon the Sorcerer as he attempted to buy the power of God. Then there was Philip who was used greatly by God as he listened to the messengers the Lord sent to guide him into the different areas he was to be used. At this time Paul was also doing things for God. He was persecuting the church, throwing believers in prison and on the job stopping them from having any peace. We all have to be on guard as we do things for God. We can all head in a direction the church leaders are going or even support a position a denomination has taken without checking with God. Many times we ask for His permission rather than direction on what we are contemplating. There is a huge difference. Asking for direction takes our desires out of the equation. Asking for permission says we have already decided what to do and want God's approval. He may allow us to do this putting us in His permissive will instead of His perfect will. This always comes with many trials and lessons to be learned just as Paul had to experience. God did reach him, but He told Ananias in Act 9:16 "I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."
As we all seek God's will today pray, that He will instill in us the ability to follow in the way that He wants us to serve, and to make the mark in this world that we have been placed here to make.

Mark 13

2010-03-03T09:45:00.001-05:00

The chapter starts out with Jesus prophesying about the things that are to come. Jesus talked about the temple being destroyed and it has been. Then He began to reveal what is going to happen in the rapture and tribulation. We don't know the time of His second coming, we can look for some signs and get our household ready to meet the Lord. Many will deceive us by saying they are the Christ, or they know the time,. but we are to look at the whole picture and believe the Lord and not them. Within the last several months we have had three major earthquakes. These are the beginning of birth-pains Christ talks about. Then we will see the abomination of desolation (vs. 14 also see Daniel 9:27, 11:31, 12:11). Desolation is idolatry, and it will become rampant. Daniel puts it this way; 11:32 "Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall 5corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. 33 And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering."
It is important not to go off the deep end, but to stay true to the word of the Lord and keep instructing those in your path in the word. Encourage them to get ready spiritually for the day of the Lord. Christ is coming back. Mark 13:24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25 the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be ashaken. 26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then He will send His angels, and gather together His 8elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven."
There will be no time to prepare on that day. Now is the time to get the word of the Lord to your friends, family and co-workers in the way the Lord would have us do that. Pray about it and He will reveal the way He wants it done. That will be the only way for them to respond. When we follow God's plan, we always get His results. He will prepare them for you as you pray. "Watch and pray" as we prepare for the things of the Lord (Mark 13:33). This reminds me of the words of a missionary who sent a telegraph to his son who was hospitalized after a racing accident; "The things of this world will soon be past. Only whats done for Christ will last,"

Mark 12

2010-03-02T13:43:00.000-05:00

Jesus had been dealing with the Sadducees and Pharisees and Chief priests. He is trying to tell them that they have been entrusted with the things of God and explaining in parables about them taking over the things of the master and not preparing for the master's return. They did not want to pay what they owed, in fact they wanted it all for themselves. It will always eventually turn into that when we do not make God the first priority in all things. The master deceiver will tell us things that make sense but are contrary to the things of God. When we put God first, we begin to see what the Lord wants and things begin to get in the right order. Then the stone that the builders rejected will be your chief cornerstone.

In paying taxes Jesus said "bring me a denarius that I may look at it." Here He would say bring me a quarter. Whose image and inscription is this? Give the government what is due to them. Whose image are we made in? We are to give our life to our creator and He will do a work in us and give us life.

This is by the author of life, the author of redemption and the author of all creation. He has taken care of mankind since the beginning of the world. He loves you immensely and has made provision for you in His kingdom. We don't have to know all the detail, we must know the living God who takes care of every detail. He is alive, well and just as powerful today as ever. Not even a bird drops to earth that He is not aware of. In Matthew 6:26 Jesus says "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" And in Mark 12:27 Jesus says "He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong.”

Jesus answered the greatest commandment question: 29"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' 31The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. 'There is no commandment greater than these." Understanding this the way our Lord does, brings us into a true kingdom viewpoint of God's purpose for His world. We then see Jesus instructing us to watch out for those who like importance and seats of honor yet will mistreat widows and make lengthy prayers only for show. we see Him saying the widow,s offering was more than their great showy gifts. We must keep our hearts humble and clean to have the Lord greet our offerings and sacrifice of service as acceptable to Him. That only comes through the cleansing power of Jesus when we confess our sins and pray daily and walk in the light as He is in the light.

Today's Reading; Mark 9

2010-02-27T05:53:00.000-05:00

Peter James and John were taken to the mount of transfiguration with Jesus where they saw Him talking with Elijah and Moses. Then they heard God speak and say; "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!" They were later told not to tell anyone about this until He had risen from the dead. These three were taken into Christ's inner circle where they experienced great things and heard directly from God the father. They received the instruction to listen to Him. I believe that would change the way they would pray and seek God. We see later in the chapter that power over certain demonic strongholds can only be given through much fasting and praying. Hhhmmmm... gaining power over Satan by humbling ourselves before God in prayer and becoming first by becoming like a child. And what about Jesus knowing what we say without telling Him? Sounds like He really does get personal. He really cares, He really loves you and wants to change our hearts to be like His. Ready to get into the inner circle? Stat praying, listening and obeying and you will be surprised at what God will do next.

Mark 7

2010-02-25T08:01:00.000-05:00

In Mark 7 Jesus dealt with where our heart is. We have things that are important to us because of tradition. These things are familiar and become dear to us. We have to guard ourselves to make sure our tradition doesn't get in the way of the way the Lord is working and the things He wants to do in our presence. These things can allow us to remain in disobedience to God. 9-13He went on, "Well, good for you. You get rid of God's command so you won't be inconvenienced in following the religious fashions! Moses said, 'Respect your father and mother,' and, 'Anyone denouncing father or mother should be killed.' But you weasel out of that by saying that it's perfectly acceptable to say to father or mother, 'Gift! What I owed you I've given as a gift to God,' thus relieving yourselves of obligation to father or mother. You scratch out God's Word and scrawl a whim in its place. You do a lot of things like this." (the Message)
We should be careful that we check with God and seek His heart on these things. Then Jesus went on to say that out of our heart comes the things stored up in it. The depravity of man takes over in the absence of God in our lives. Gen 6:5 The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. This is called the depravity of man. When we fill ourselves with the Lord it will take over the thoughts and attitudes of our heart. It is very important we do this especially during trying times in our lives so Satan will not get the best of us.

The Faith of a Syrophoenician Woman
24Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. 25In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil spirit came and fell at his feet. 26The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.

27"First let the children eat all they want," he told her, "for it is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."

28"Yes, Lord," she replied, "but even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs." 29Then he told her, "For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter." 30She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone. (NIV)
Jesus had come for the lost sheep of Israel and He knew that. He did have compassion on others as the Spirit led Him. Today have compassion on someone that is foreign (a challenge) to you and see what God will do. Ask God to open your eyes so you can see Him clearly and follow in service to our Lord.

Matthew 25

2010-02-15T20:00:00.000-05:00

In chapter 25 there are three parables. In the story of the three virgins Jesus is telling us to get things ready for His coming. The arrival of Jesus is something we should be anticipating with joyful expectation - like a child expecting Santa.

We then see the story of the talents. We each have been given things to be good stewards of. Time, influence, and understanding are only a few. Are we playing it safe or trusting God to do great things? He will do great things as we trust Him to take us to the next level with Him.

In the story of the sheep and goats we look at the possibility of those we encounter on a daily basis being Jesus. The person out of gas, broken down on the road, at the cash register, or even pushing a shopping cart down the road. How we treat them determines whether we are a sheep or a goat. Jesus will say to us either:
'Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what's coming to you in this kingdom. It's been ready for you since the world's foundation. And here's why:

I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.'
37-40"Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me." (The Message)

How can we truly join the Lord? We will reap the rewards of the walk we were saved to have when we put legs to what He is asking us to do. We begin to truly understand how He works when we begin to exercise our faith. Just like physical exercise, start out slow and build confidence and strength. We each have the time to get ready for Him, the King is coming. Prepare the way for the King. When we intentionally make that a priority for each day is when we can truly get rid of the temporary things that only seem to matter and start doing the things that Jesus says matter. I encourage you to spend some time with the master in prayer over this passage, write down what He tells you then go and do that. You will begin a walk with Him that will be life-changing.

Matthew 18 & 19

2010-02-09T15:32:00.000-05:00

When we look at Matthew 18 we sometimes concentrate on the sin. Whether it be selfishness, being respecters of persons or disagreements among brothers the goal of Christ was not to leave us in sin, but to show us how to be Christlike and restored in Him. We are all going to do things wrong. The Holy Spirit's job is to convict of sin and guide us in all truth. When we respond accordingly then we can worship together in Spirit and Truth in the fellowship that Christ desires for His children. Only He can change the thoughts and desires of our heart and bring the experience of true forgiveness in our midst. In 18:12 Jesus says “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? 13 And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray."
There will be rejoicing in heaven when one is rescued and restored (Luke 15:7). I believe all heaven rejoices because Father rejoices. He loves it when we do that, because He loves us (you) very much.

In Matthew 19 Jesus teaches on the condition of our hearts that gives us permission to do things like divorce (1-10) and putting our earthly responsibilities or treasures above the things of the Lord (16-22). According to Charles Stanley, one of the most convicting things we can do is to look where we spend our money. several years ago I was deeply convicted when He taught in that area. It took a while for me to adjust, but Christ kept working and eventually I conceded to let God have more control here. In verse 21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
This life's treasures are temporary, the things of heaven are forever. When we understand that Jesus loves to be asked about this and is faithful to answer.
We also see Him place His hands on the children and pray, and bless them. He will do the same for us when we come to Him as a little child (13-15).

Matthew 17

2010-02-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

In Matthew 17 we see Peter James and John witnessing great things God was doing. Jesus was transfigured before their eyes. Moses and Elijah joined Him and they talked. What do you think Jesus was doing there? I believe He desired wise counsel and ministering for the impending assignment, He needed time with the Father and His ministers to walk into the presence of God and get strength, empowerment and empowerment from the father. In today's language, He needed to check messages, and spend time with the source of His strength. Peter James and John were changed forever from this experience. Later in the chapter they are asking Jesus why they could not cast the demon out of the young boy 20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” This taught them the need for spending time with God.
Spend time worshiping the Father today and we will see great things He will do through you. He has uniquely created you and equipped you to serve in a special way.

Matthew 16

2010-02-06T08:21:00.000-05:00

The Pharisees were looking for a sign from God. They would not believe the word of God or of Jesus. They were demanding something that God was not going to do. He wanted them to believe the prophets and the signs that He had already given them - to use their faith. I believe He wants the same from us today, for us to trust Him as His word and spirit prompt. He talked about the condition of the heart as a yeast that spreads through bread. The yeast of Christ is the one that should spread, not the yeast of the one who will lead us into temptation. The disciples had a tendency to think and concentrate on the physical, and revert back to the human thought process of feeding their bodies. Sometimes we all do that.
8 Aware of this, Jesus said, "You of little faith! Why are you discussing among yourselves that you do not have bread? 9 Don't you understand yet? Don't you remember the five loaves for the 5,000 and how many baskets you collected? 10 Or the seven loaves for the 4,000 and how many large baskets you collected? (F) 11 Why is it you don't understand that when I told you, 'Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees,' it wasn't about bread?" 12 Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the yeast in bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Peter got a lot of things right, confessing Jesus as the Christ as He was willing to listen to the Spirit of God who had revealed it to him. It was something that was congruent with his spirit. Then in the next paragraph Peter fell far short as Jesus told them of His coming death.
22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, "Oh no, Lord! This will never happen to You!" 23 But He turned and told Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me because you're not thinking about God's concerns, but man's."
Many times it's hard to take up our cross and follow Jesus when it's not where we want to go or what is congruent with our idea of the journey. 26 "What will it benefit a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then He will reward each according to what he has done. 28 I assure you: There are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom."

Matthew 15

2010-02-05T11:17:00.000-05:00

In Matthew 15 the Pharisees are trying to question Jesus about the way His disciples are eating grains of wheat without washing their hands. They are really calling them unclean by breaking the tradition of their elders. But Jesus calls them clean as He was working in their hearts rather than on their habits. He told His disciples in Mat 15:8 "'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 9 They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.'" We must guard against defining our worship based on tradition rather than concentrating on the creator of our soul. Jesus went on to explain this; Mat 15:17 "Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what make a man 'unclean'; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him "unclean.'"
There is a song that's about the heart of worship that says "I'm coming back to the heart of worship, it's all about you, it's all about you Jesus, I'm sorry Lord for the things I've made it, it's all about you, it's all about you Jesus. Sometimes we try to define worship as a certain setting or teacher or preacher that we like when it's really Jesus who we have to open our heart to. He is our teacher. The others are simply buildings or vessels to be used for His purposes and as His servants to teach His children to come into a meaningful relationship with Him. True worship opens our hearts and minds to Him so we can effectively lead others into the presence of God. Take 15 minutes today to spend time with Father God and ask Him what He wants. He is faithful to speak to His children and is excited to be the center of our worship.

Matthew 14

2010-02-04T09:02:00.000-05:00

Today's reading starts out with John the baptist being beheaded. Jesus upon hearing this withdrew to a solitary place. When life throws us a curve that grieves us we should withdraw for a time and spend time with our Daddy who is excited to comfort us. We can only comfort others with the comfort we allow God to bring in our life (through Christ our comfort overflows 2nd Corinthians 1:3-7). He didn't stay too long, when He realized they followed Him on foot He went and healed and comforted them.

We also see Jesus doing many miracles, feeds 5000 with 5 loaves and 2 fish, walks on the water and many are healed by touching His robe. Do you need healing and nourishment today? Reach out and touch Jesus today through prayer and fasting. He says taste in Psalms 34:8 "Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him." Psalms 119:103 says "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"

Happy New Year

2010-01-02T17:01:00.002-05:00

Hope New Year’s Eve was good and this New Year opens a new chapter in your life that gains victory over many things that may be bigger than our own ability to overcome. This is an exciting time to face these challenges with the understanding who is on your side. With Christ all things are possible. We will be reading through the New Testament this year. We have read through the entire Bible for the last three years and this year I would like to slow down a little and take some extra time with one chapter a day starting today in John then Matthew and going through the entire New Testament. Please take some time to do this with your family, write notes in your Bible and share with each other. Bring your notes and Bible to the praise service and share with us what God has spoken to you through His word. It will be a great time of sharing and growing in fellowship together.
Today in John 1 Jesus said “You will see even greater things than this.” He promised the disciples they would “see heaven opened and the Angels of God descending on the Son of Man.” We see also where God told John the Baptist who Christ was. Then we see Andrew and Phillip believing John when he pointed out that Jesus was the Messiah. They had a choice to believe him and not respond. Instead they chose to believe and follow Him. That one decision enabled them to experience the things Christ was about to do. We all have many things we can do this year. Clear your slate for Jesus first and you will experience being on mission with the living God, creator of the universe.

Tomorrow I intend to read John 2
Have a GREAT New Year,
Dan, Emily and AOBC Church Family

Haggai 1-2; Luke 14:1-24

2009-12-10T08:24:00.000-05:00

Haggai is a small book that has changed many lives. It asks us to consider our ways and shows how we can have a relationship with God that will be deep and meaningful or we can look at the book or remain unchanged. One man named Handley Moule was searching for the same vibrant relationship that D.L. Moody had and heard Christian businessman William Stone preach on Haggai 1:6. 5 "Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. 6 You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it." 7 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. He explained that self sufficiency would never lead to a victorious Christian life. That could only come through absolute surrender to God's sanctifying work. Suddenly Moule realized that he had been attempting to do what only God could do in his life. He surrendered his life completely to Christ. For the next 36 years he would enjoy a dynamic international ministry. (The Blackaby Study Bible)

In Haggai 2 we see where God promises to make King Zerubbabel like a signet ring. 23 " 'On that day,' declares the LORD Almighty, 'I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,' declares the LORD, 'and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,' declares the LORD Almighty."
God had removed his grandfather Jehoiachin as a signet ring (Jer. 22:24). A signet ring had the King's emblem on it and was used to seal documents. God chooses servants to be able to establish His ways and seal them in our lives. Being chosen as a servant is a special assignment and our faithful response will result in God establishing us for His work and purposes.

In Luke 14 we see this in the parable of the great banquet. Those too busy were left out and never tasted the banquet. " 12Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

Esther 9-10; Luke 13:23-35 (The Message)

2009-12-09T08:09:00.001-05:00

In Esther 9 King Xerxes makes good on his promise to let the people of God defend themselves. He also justified His people in the face of their opposition. Then the king sent an order to eliminate the sons of Haman because he failed to honor God. He also rejected His word which could have helped him. Gen 12:3 says "I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." God's covenants are everlasting and will not be rescinded by humans and He is faithful to keep His promises to His people. The calling and gifts God gives us are forever. Rom 11:29 "for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable." One of God's gifts are salvation Eph 2:8 tells us For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast. God calls us and establishes us where He pleases and it is permanent. Satan's works are evil and temporary. In Esther 10 we are told: 3 "Mordecai the Jew ranked second in command to King Xerxes. He was popular among the Jews and greatly respected by them. He worked hard for the good of his people; he cared for the peace and prosperity of his race. Haman was removed by God from his place of service to the king and Mordecai replaced him and God kept him there."

In Luke 13 we see a similar theme when Jesus says "Whether few or many is none of your business. Put your mind on your life with God. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires your total attention." (the Message) When the Pharisees asked Jesus to run from King Herod Jesus said: "Tell that fox that I've no time for him right now. Today and tomorrow I'm busy clearing out the demons and healing the sick; the third day I'm wrapping things up. Besides, it's not proper for a prophet to come to a bad end outside Jerusalem."
Jesus knew what was about to take place and had much to do. As we do the work of the father don't let things distract you that would keep us from accomplishing the father's work. Keep doing what the Lord has placed us here to do and work together without arduing or complaining so that others may see Jesus in us. " 'Blessed is he
who comes in the name of God.'" (Vs. 35 the Message)

2nd Chronicles 32-33; Luke 11:1-28

2009-12-04T06:45:00.001-05:00

In 2nd Chronicles 32 we see king Hezekiah being threatened By the Assyrian king Sennacherib. He was trying to intimidate him saying "on what are you basing your confidence that you remain in Jerusalem under siege? 11 When Hezekiah says, 'The LORD our God will save us from the hand of the king of Assyria,' he is misleading you, to let you die of hunger and thirst. 12 Did not Hezekiah himself remove this god's high places and altars, saying to Judah and Jerusalem, 'You must worship before one altar and burn sacrifices on it'?

13 "Do you not know what I and my fathers have done to all the peoples of the other lands? Were the gods of those nations ever able to deliver their land from my hand? 14 Who of all the gods of these nations that my fathers destroyed has been able to save his people from me? How then can your god deliver you from my hand? 15 Now do not let Hezekiah deceive you and mislead you like this. Do not believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to deliver his people from my hand or the hand of my fathers. How much less will your god deliver you from my hand!"

God did deliver king Hezekiah after he summoned the prophet Isaiah and they prayed and trusted God and the LORD sent an angel, who annihilated all the fighting men and the leaders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace. And when he went into the temple of his god, some of his sons cut him down with the sword.

31 "But when envoys were sent by the rulers of Babylon to ask him about the miraculous sign that had occurred in the land, God left him to test him and to know everything that was in his heart." Sometimes we will pray and we will not get the answer we want because God knows what choice we are going to make if we do not get our wish. He tests us to teach us about us. One of Hezekiah's sins was pride. When we pray for something and God does not answer knowing what what our response will be we should look deep inside and see if God is testing our faithfulness during this time. Be willing to look and see if pride may be in the way. One way to detect this is if we are only going to be content if our prayer is answered our way. When we get to the point where we can be fine with the answer even if it does not grant our request we are getting closer to servanthood than we were before. God does not serve us, we serve Him.

In Luke 11 Jesus is answering a question on how we should pray. In the Lord's prayer we see praise to God,desire for His Kingdom to come and some manuscripts say for your will to be done. We see petition and request for forgiveness which is tied to our willingness to forgive, and a request not to lead us into evil and some manuscripts ask for deliverance from evil. Many times how we pray and what we ask for reveals where we are with the Lord. Many people in jail only pray for their deliverance. Then after they grow some they pray for their families. Later they can get to the point where the Kingdom is as important as all of that to them. When the Kingdom becomes more important than anything else then we can be used in ways other than before. We do not neglect our families, but God knows when they are more important than Him to us. They are a gift from God and He is to be worshiped as the giver of the gift. When we get the order right, there is order in our family and our spiritual life.

Ezekiel 33-34; John 16 (The Message)

2009-10-03T07:31:00.002-04:00

In the first part of Ezekiel 33 God reveals again to Ezekiel that He is a watchman for the people of God. a watchman is to warn them of coming war and danger. A pastor's job is similar in that we are to seek the Lord and relay the message to the flock or individual of impending spiritual danger. It is sometimes easier to be delivering a message of cheer than the one the Lord reveals. It is a very dangerous position to be in to deliver a message that is not from the Lord. As a member of a local body of believers we must decide what message we would rather hear. The Lord will never reveal something that is not necessary and ultimately beneficial to His children. The people of Jerusalem decided to remain in their evil ways and count on being a descendant of Abraham to save them. 29 "They'll realize that I am God when I devastate the country because of all the obscenities they've practiced."
Another thing that concerned the Lord was the people were eager to hear the message of God and then it did not affect their lives in any way. They went on and did exactly what they had were doing before. 30-32 "As for you, son of man, you've become quite the talk of the town. Your people meet on street corners and in front of their houses and say, 'Let's go hear the latest news from God.' They show up, as people tend to do, and sit in your company. They listen to you speak, but don't do a thing you say. They flatter you with compliments, but all they care about is making money and getting ahead. To them you're merely entertainment—a country singer of sad love songs, playing a guitar. They love to hear you talk, but nothing comes of it.

33 "But when all this happens—and it is going to happen!—they'll realize that a prophet was among them."

Ezekiel 34 tells us about the shepherds over the people of God that do not do their job. It shows how God will intervene in order to shepherd His sheep and protect them from shepherds that prey on His flock. 28-29 "'No longer will they be exploited by outsiders and ravaged by fierce beasts. They'll live safe and sound, fearless and free. I'll give them rich gardens, lavish in vegetables—no more living half-starved, no longer taunted by outsiders." He says He will replace them and His servant David will shepherd. That is pointing to Christ the Good Shepherd who is the shepherd of the churches. The pastor's role is that of an undershepherd under Christ's authority and direction, and that always puts things in the proper order.

1-4 "I've told you these things to prepare you for rough times ahead. They are going to throw you out of the meeting places. There will even come a time when anyone who kills you will think he's doing God a favor. They will do these things because they never really understood the Father. I've told you these things so that when the time comes and they start in on you, you'll be well-warned and ready for them."
We are living in a day when people will think they are actually doing god a favor by getting radical people out of public places. We witness young men getting thrown out of christian schools for speaking truth and telling people of all religions and denominations you must be born again.
33 "I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world."

Ezekiel 22-23; John 13:1-20 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

2009-09-28T17:15:00.004-04:00

In Ezekiel 22 the people of God were deeply involved in all sorts of immorality and lewd acts of hatred even murder for bribes. God spoke through Ezekiel in an attempt to bring His chosen people into obedience before He decided to act and purge the uncleanliness (vs.15). God's mercy is what keeps His wrath at bay. He called them the dross of silver. Dross is the impurities that are poured off of precious metals melted in the fire. 30"I searched for a man among them who would repair the wall (AE) and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land so that I might not destroy it, (AF) but I found no one. 31 So I have poured out My indignation on them and consumed them with the fire of My fury. I have brought their actions down on their own heads." (AG) [This is] the declaration of the Lord GOD." Who is God bringing into your life to stand in the gap for? Christ is doing that for us and wants you to be ambassadors of reconciliation for Him. 2Co 5:18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
2Corinthians 5:19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (NIV)... More later

Ezekiel 14-15; John 11:1-29 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

2009-09-25T07:02:00.004-04:00

In Ezekiel 14 verse 1: "Some of the elders of Israel came to me and sat down in front of me. 2 Then the word of the LORD came to me: 3 "Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and have put sinful stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I be consulted by them at all?" 4 "Therefore, speak to them and tell them: This is what the Lord GOD says: When anyone from the house of Israel sets up idols in his heart, puts a sinful stumbling block before his face, and then comes to the prophet, I, the LORD, will answer him appropriately. [I will answer him] according to his many idols, 5 so that I may take hold of the house of Israel by their hearts, because they are all estranged from Me by their idols."
What were they setting up as idols in their hearts? Idols can come in may forms. They can be anything from lust to other God's. It stems from a desire for something we do not have or for something we think we need. Israel became involved in different sins and did not consider or recognize them to be a problem. Discontent with the parameters God had established in their life and a desire for what others were involved in set God's face against them. Here is what the Lord says:
6 "Therefore, say to the house of Israel: This is what the Lord GOD says: Repent and turn away (E) from your idols; turn your faces away from all your abominations. 7 For when anyone from the house of Israel or from the foreigners who reside in Israel separates himself from Me, setting up idols in his heart and putting a sinful stumbling block before his face, and then comes to the prophet to inquire of Me, [b] I, the LORD, will answer him Myself. 8 I will turn against that one and make him a sign and a proverb; I will cut him off from among My people. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

9 "But if the prophet is deceived and speaks a message, it was I, the LORD, who deceived that prophet. I will stretch out My hand against him and destroy him from among My people Israel. 10 They will bear their punishment—the punishment of the one who inquires will be the same as that of the prophet— 11 in order that the house of Israel may no longer stray from following Me and no longer defile themselves with all their transgressions. Then they will be My people and I will be their God." [This is] the declaration of the Lord GOD .

The Lord's ways are always for restoration and reconciliation. He will stretch out his hand and bring judgment against an entire nation until we return to Him. The righteous will be spared vs 14 "even [if] these three men —Noah, Daniel, and Job —were in it, they would deliver [only] themselves by their righteousness." [This is] the declaration of the Lord GOD." In this case the four judgments are hunger, Dangerous animals, the sword (other people and nations rising up against us) or plague. Do we see signs of these today?

Ezekiel 15 tells us about the wood of the useless vine. It is not able to be used for anything productive so it is cut down and thrown into the fire as fuel. 6 "Therefore, this is what the Lord GOD says: Like the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire as fuel, so I will give up the residents of Jerusalem. 7 I will turn against them. They may have escaped from the fire, but it will [still] consume them. And you will know that I am the LORD when I turn against them. 8 I will make the land desolate because they have acted unfaithfully." [This is] the declaration of the Lord GOD ."
God wants our life to be useful to Him and for His desires. If we have given our life to Him we are to follow the Lord daily and He will guide our path. It is a life of servanthood that begins with obedience and includes all the promises and blessings God has throughuot scripture. At times we may expect to reap the promises of God without the the obedience of a servant. As we remain faithfully in Him and are content with where He has us, we have the peace that comes with obedience and the blessings of servanthood.

In John 11 we see a picture of this servanthood. Jesus is told of Lazarus' death (He was nearly stoned last time they were in Judea). He waited two days and said I'm going. vs. 16 Then Thomas (called "Twin") said to his fellow disciples, "Let's go so that we may die with Him." This is a real twist from when he said I will not believe unless I put my hand in His side. The difference is the first time He could see the Lord at work among them and the second time He was discouraged and grieving. He demanded to use sight instead of faith. This is so easy for any believer to do regardless of our closeness to the Savior. Lazareth's sister Martha is struggling with her belief in the Lord in this. 25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live. 26 Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die—ever. Do you believe this?" Jesus does this for the glory of the father. Lets do something today to glorify the father.

Ezekiel 3-4; John 9:1-23

2009-09-21T19:57:00.003-04:00

Ezekiel 3

1 And he said to me, "Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the house of Israel." 2 So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat.

3 Then he said to me, "Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it." So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.

4 He then said to me: "Son of man, go now to the house of Israel and speak my words to them. 5 You are not being sent to a people of obscure speech and difficult language, but to the house of Israel- 6 not to many peoples of obscure speech and difficult language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely if I had sent you to them, they would have listened to you. 7 But the house of Israel is not willing to listen to you because they are not willing to listen to me, for the whole house of Israel is hardened and obstinate. 8 But I will make you as unyielding and hardened as they are. 9 I will make your forehead like the hardest stone, harder than flint. Do not be afraid of them or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious house."

10 And he said to me, "Son of man, listen carefully and take to heart all the words I speak to you. 11 Go now to your countrymen in exile and speak to them. Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says,' whether they listen or fail to listen."

12 Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me a loud rumbling sound—May the glory of the LORD be praised in his dwelling place!- 13 the sound of the wings of the living creatures brushing against each other and the sound of the wheels beside them, a loud rumbling sound. 14 The Spirit then lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the LORD upon me. 15 I came to the exiles who lived at Tel Abib near the Kebar River. And there, where they were living, I sat among them for seven days-overwhelmed.

Warning to Israel
16 At the end of seven days the word of the LORD came to me: 17 "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. 18 When I say to a wicked man, 'You will surely die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for [a] his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. 19 But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin; but you will have saved yourself.

20 "Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and does evil, and I put a stumbling block before him, he will die. Since you did not warn him, he will die for his sin. The righteous things he did will not be remembered, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. 21 But if you do warn the righteous man not to sin and he does not sin, he will surely live because he took warning, and you will have saved yourself."

22 The hand of the LORD was upon me there, and he said to me, "Get up and go out to the plain, and there I will speak to you." 23 So I got up and went out to the plain. And the glory of the LORD was standing there, like the glory I had seen by the Kebar River, and I fell facedown.

24 Then the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet. He spoke to me and said: "Go, shut yourself inside your house. 25 And you, son of man, they will tie with ropes; you will be bound so that you cannot go out among the people. 26 I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth so that you will be silent and unable to rebuke them, though they are a rebellious house. 27 But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth and you shall say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says.' Whoever will listen let him listen, and whoever will refuse let him refuse; for they are a rebellious house.

Ezekiel 4
Siege of Jerusalem Symbolized
1 "Now, son of man, take a clay tablet, put it in front of you and draw the city of Jerusalem on it. 2 Then lay siege to it: Erect siege works against it, build a ramp up to it, set up camps against it and put battering rams around it. 3 Then take an iron pan, place it as an iron wall between you and the city and turn your face toward it. It will be under siege, and you shall besiege it. This will be a sign to the house of Israel.

4 "Then lie on your left side and put the sin of the house of Israel upon yourself. [b] You are to bear their sin for the number of days you lie on your side. 5 I have assigned you the same number of days as the years of their sin. So for 390 days you will bear the sin of the house of Israel.

6 "After you have finished this, lie down again, this time on your right side, and bear the sin of the house of Judah. I have assigned you 40 days, a day for each year. 7 Turn your face toward the siege of Jerusalem and with bared arm prophesy against her. 8 I will tie you up with ropes so that you cannot turn from one side to the other until you have finished the days of your siege.

9 "Take wheat and barley, beans and lentils, millet and spelt; put them in a storage jar and use them to make bread for yourself. You are to eat it during the 390 days you lie on your side. 10 Weigh out twenty shekels [c] of food to eat each day and eat it at set times. 11 Also measure out a sixth of a hin [d] of water and drink it at set times. 12 Eat the food as you would a barley cake; bake it in the sight of the people, using human excrement for fuel." 13 The LORD said, "In this way the people of Israel will eat defiled food among the nations where I will drive them."

14 Then I said, "Not so, Sovereign LORD! I have never defiled myself. From my youth until now I have never eaten anything found dead or torn by wild animals. No unclean meat has ever entered my mouth."

15 "Very well," he said, "I will let you bake your bread over cow manure instead of human excrement."

16 He then said to me: "Son of man, I will cut off the supply of food in Jerusalem. The people will eat rationed food in anxiety and drink rationed water in despair, 17 for food and water will be scarce. They will be appalled at the sight of each other and will waste away because of [e] their sin.

Footnotes:

1. Ezekiel 3:18 Or in ; also in verses 19 and 20
2. Ezekiel 4:4 Or your side
3. Ezekiel 4:10 That is, about 8 ounces (about 0.2 kilogram)
4. Ezekiel 4:11 That is, about 2/3 quart (about 0.6 liter)
5. Ezekiel 4:17 Or away in

New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica

John 9:1-23
Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind
1As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"

3"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. 4As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

6Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. 7"Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

8His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, "Isn't this the same man who used to sit and beg?" 9Some claimed that he was.
Others said, "No, he only looks like him."
But he himself insisted, "I am the man."

10"How then were your eyes opened?" they demanded.

11He replied, "The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see."

12"Where is this man?" they asked him.
"I don't know," he said.

The Pharisees Investigate the Healing
13They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. 14Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man's eyes was a Sabbath. 15Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. "He put mud on my eyes," the man replied, "and I washed, and now I see."

16Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath."
But others asked, "How can a sinner do such miraculous signs?" So they were divided.

17Finally they turned again to the blind man, "What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened."
The man replied, "He is a prophet."

18The Jews still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man's parents. 19"Is this your son?" they asked. "Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?"

20"We know he is our son," the parents answered, "and we know he was born blind. 21But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don't know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself." 22His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for already the Jews had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the synagogue. 23That was why his parents said, "He is of age; ask him."

Tomorrow's intended reading: Ezekiel 5-7; John 9:24-41

Amos 4-6; John 7:28-53

2009-09-18T08:42:00.003-04:00

4:13 "He is here: the One who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals His thoughts to man, the One who makes the dawn out of darkness and strides on the heights of the earth. Yahweh, the God of Hosts, is His name."(HCSB) The people of Israel had forsaken God. They were offering sacrifices and offerings for the wrong reasons (personal recognition). In Amos 4 God is pursuing them, doing all kinds of things to get their attention to bring them back to Him. Take a look at the spiritual condition of our lives and the spiritual condition of the nations from God’s perspective. What is God doing to bring me personally to Him and what is He doing to bring His people back?

5:4 "For the LORD says to the house of Israel: Seek Me and live!"(HCSB) In Christ there is life. Apart from Him there are consequences of sin. When we wander He intercedes for us to the father to keep God's wrath from taking us out before the Holy Spirit has a chance to convict us and bring us back to the Lord. God is good and has provided the incredible provision of restoration in this way. The intent is always to bring us back to the Lord before we go too far. Seek Him and He will bring you back home to His loving arms. There is no better place to be!

Amos six starts out with the complacency we are apt to fall into. Please do not get caught up in this. It is so easy to fall into and not be who the Lord wants us to be. We are to often do a spiritual inventory to assure we are living out what we believe and make necessary adjustments so we can look forward to any encounter we will have with the Lord.

John 7; Jesus stood up and cried out, "If anyone is thirsty, he should come to Me and drink! 38 The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him."
Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to minister to us and give us overflowing joy and fullness in life. We are to share that joy as He has left us keys to living water in other lives. Let's introduce them to our Lord and He will do the same for them.

Posted by Dan Holley at 8:42 AM

Judges 11-12; John 4:31-54

2009-09-11T07:21:00.002-04:00

In Judges 11 Jephthah is driven out of the land by his brothers because his mother was a prostitute. Then they later came to him and asked him to save them from the Ammonites. It shows us how God chooses the most unlikely people to use as His servant. And later we may have to take back some of the things we have thought or said as we understand who the Lord is using and chooses to lead us. God chooses whom He will for his purposes and when He lays His hand on them they can accomplish more than many under their own strength. 32 "Then Jephthah went over to fight the Ammonites, and the LORD gave them into his hands." The Lord used Jephthah to deliver the Israelites. How does the Lord intend to use you? Seek Him and put His plan before yours and He will make it plain.

In chapter 12 the men of Ephraim were upset at the way things happened. It was done without their input because they had not responded when called to help. Their discontent at the way things were handled pitted them against their brothers, drew them into war and were defeated. Forty-two thousand Ephraimites were killed at that time. Discontent at the way God chooses to accomplish His purposes has a great cost. Trusting Him in times our spirit is troubled is the biggest test of faith we may have. God's plan is always best. Let's all seek to put our plans aside and join Him in His plan. We will see life's struggles soon get easier.

In John 4 we see Jesus talking to His disciples about spiritual food. 32But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about."... 34"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work...I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest."
We are all workers in the Lord's harvest. Many times we get caught up being concerned about personal needs and we get into a never-ending cycle that becomes concentrated on us. In Matt. 6:33 Jesus says: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
I encourage you to concentrate on meeting the assignment of bringing in the harvest and the Lord promises our needs will be met in every way.

Psalm 140-142; 2 Corinthians 12

2009-09-03T08:05:00.003-04:00

In Psalm 140 David is again asking for protection from those who would mean evil. It is something we should pray for. The Lord does hear our prayer and understands what we are going through. Cast your concerns on Him and let the Lord fight your battles and deliver you from the big and small things.

In Psalm 141 David asks the Lord to hear when He calls. Then He asks to "set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. 4 Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies. 5 Let a righteous man [a] strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it..."
He then goes on to pray that his heart would be open to the rebuke of a righteous man and be ready to accept it. It is important that we are always open to growing close to the Lord no matter what form the Lord brings it in.

In Psalms 142 David who is the most Loved and powerful king says he is desperate for deliverance. He needs the Lords help from the daily pressures He is facing. He feels like life has him trapped. "7 Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name." Has life made you feel penned in? 7b "Then the righteous will gather about me
because of your goodness to me." Ask and the Lord will send his loved ones to minister to you.

More later

Psalm 135-136; 2nd Corinthians 11:1-15

2009-09-01T12:24:00.006-04:00

Psalm 120-134 are "Psalms of Ascent" that were recited either on the annual journey as they ascended to Jerusalem or as they climbed the temple steps (there were 15 steps). 135:2 talks about standing in the courts of the Lord. This supports that view. We are part of the descendants of Jacob and all the blessings apply to the believers in Christ through the covenant of our Lord with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-4).

Psalm 136 talks of the mercy of God. How can we fully understand His mercy? He remembers us in our low estate, He defends us daily to our opposition, He moves obstacles out of our way and has made every good thing for our daily provision. Spiritually we should get to the place where we spontaneously give thanks for the great things He has done.

2nd Corinthians 11 is a very difficult passage to relate, but it must be done. The Lord warns us to watch out for deception and things that have the appearance to be harmless and genuine on the surface, but like many things that we have encountered, they are not. Paul establishes the relationship set in place by the Lord. Others came in with another message that was dividing the fellowship and putting different ideas in their heads. This is an old tactic by Satan to cause strife among believers. Some are false apostles, deceitful workers who pose as workers of the Lord. Vs14 "That comes as no surprise. Even Satan himself pretends to be an angel of light. 15 So it doesn't surprise us that those who serve Satan pretend to be serving God. They will finally get exactly what they should." Many times we sin by doubting or trying to second-guess the Lord by letting the deceiver speak discontent to our hearts, and at times even a sense of exhaustion and helplessness. Sometimes, these feelings will come to us through "well meaning,” caring believers who may be trying to justify their own apathy or agenda. God's plan is to establish and grow loving relationships within the body of believers He has built as a church. Let's not let anything get in the way of what Christ intends to accomplish in His bride. Take comfort in the fact that our “Heavenly Father knows best!”

Psalm 132-134; 2nd Corinthians 10

2009-08-31T14:16:00.004-04:00

In Psalm 132 we are reminded of David's resolve to build a temple of the Lord and His willingness to sacrifice rest and sleep to accomplish the task. Though David was not allowed to build the temple, He made plans, gathered materials, and passed on the specific instructions to his son Solomon. David was a man after God's own heart because of His willingness to serve the Lord wholeheartedly. God put the desire in His heart and He responded in a way that pleased Him. Are we willing to serve on God's terms, to do what the Lord allows and stop when He says your assignment is complete?
David's service on God's terms brought blessings to all of His descendants.

Psalm 133 speaks of unity. 1 "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!..3b For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore." Here we can see where this is pleasing to God and ties unity hand in hand with blessings and even life in the Lord.

In Psalm 134 we are told to praise the Lord. As we minister we must never take lightly praising our Lord. We are to do this as an act of obedience even as servants of the "maker of heaven and earth."

2nd Corinthians 10:2"I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. 3For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." When Christ sends someone or comes Himself, what will our spiritual life be like? What will we be found doing or being involved in?
will it be an activity directed by Him or us?
15b "Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our area of activity among you will greatly expand, 16so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you." Let's continue to be caught up in the activity of God and walk together with Him as we overcome strongholds together as the Lord would have us do.
Tomorrow I intend to read Psalms 135-136; 2nd Corinthians 11:1-15

Psalm 126-128; 2 Corinthians 8

2009-08-29T08:32:00.003-04:00

Psalm 126 reminds me of the old hymn we will come rejoicing bringing in the sheaves. Do you have someone out there being held captive by the enemy? Don't worry, continue to pray until the Lord brings them back from that far away place. He knows them and knows what He is doing. God is faithful to answer prayers. 2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them...5 Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. "

Psalm 127 says 1 "Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." We are to build a foundation on the Lord and let Him be our security and watch over the completion of His promised blessings in our life. Building it our way many times brings about human results and we end up with consequences instead of blessings. God has plans to do more that we can even think or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). Trust Him and watch it unfold.

Psalm 128 says 1 "Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways."
Healthy fear and trembling and awe in God's presence are the earmarks of an understanding of the proper relationship with God. The blessings come to those who understand that and stand in the presence of God and say Isaiah 6:5 "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."

2 Corinthians 8 tells us that giving out of poverty. We are comfortable giving when we understand the provision. Giving trusting for God's provision is just as necessary and challenging. We are challenged in this area: 8"I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 10And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have." Lets earnestly petition the Lord here Malachi 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.
Trust the Lord God in each of these areas and see what He will do next.

Psalm 123-125; 2 Corinthians 7

2009-08-28T13:28:00.002-04:00

In Psalm 123 we are encouraged to look to the Lord for deliverance and mercy in the life of the people of God. Who are we looking for for guidance? Who do we turn to first in time of need? The Lord wants to have that rightful place in our life.

In Psalm 124 we are to acknowledge who has delivered us from our strife and turmoil. 8 "Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." After we are rescued whom do we give the credit to?

In Psalm 125 the Lord is our unshakable mountain. 2 "As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore." We can rest assured knowing the Lord is with us now and forever.

In 2 Corinthians 7 we see Paul is working through some hard things he had addressed in their first letter. It had made them sorrowful. This is sometimes necessary for repentance. 10"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death." God knows where we are with Him and what adjustments He intends to make. He also knows what it will take to get our attention. Stay closely connected to Him so we can be sensitive to the Holy Spirit during these times. Then we can be willing for Him to make these without the pain involved after we go our own way.

Psalm 120-122; 2 Corinthians 6

2009-08-27T05:47:00.003-04:00

The Psalmist tells us in 120 that when we call to the Lord He answers in our distress. Also when we ask for lying tongue to be removed He does that whether it's our own we are battling or others around us. He has the power to both overcome personally and deliver us from our oppressors. Ask and He will save you.

In Psalm 121 we see the Lord being our help when we lift our eyes to the hills. Put your eyes on Him and He will not let you slip. 5 The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand; 6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; 8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Do you ask for help with the little things?

Psalm 122:1 I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD." We are to rejoice and go into God's house. Bring someone with you and both of you will be glad you did. Then we see prayer for the city of God and for peace security for His people. When is the last time you prayed for your town and the people in it? I believe prayer is the foundation of the work of God. As we connect closely to Him, He prompts us to pray for the things He is concerned with and the people who are crying out to Him. Pray for them and see what God does next.

In 2 Corinthians 6 we are asked not to receive God's grace in vain. A great price has been paid by many to praise His name and follow Him publicly. Many have given their lives to translate His word into our language and be able to give it to another person without fear. Do whatever you have to do to tell others about our Lord and you will see Him work in an incredible way through your life. As we love God and love His people we will see what He does to empower us to follow Him in that task.

It also talks about being unequally yoked with unbelievers. When we marry or partner with an unbeliever we many times are doing that under our own direction and not the Lord's. We must make sure our endeavors are with like-minded people. How are we going to do that? We are to pray seeking God's direction above our own selfish desires. If you are already in a relationship or married to a non-believer, pray for God's guidance there that you can be a light and an example not by what you say, but how you live your life. A famous person said the greatest sermon is not preached but is a life lived out through faith.

Psalm 119:89-176; 2nd Corinthians 5

2009-08-26T07:49:00.007-04:00

I have strung together some verses from Psalm 119 to show us how God changes our heart and draws us to desire Him and His word. 105 "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path...120 My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of your laws....124 Deal with your servant according to your love and teach me your decrees. 125 I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes...133 Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. 134 Redeem me from the oppression of men, that I may obey your precepts...140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them. 173 May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts...176 I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands." (NIV)
The psalm tells us of God's endurance and how we can have assurance of His steadfast love through the way He has provided stability in the earth and meeting our physical needs. Are we trembling in awe of a holy, righteous God? Do we delight in His word or are we offended? Do we try to change the meaning to fit what we are comfortable with? You can see here how the Lord changes our heart and our desires as we trust and follow Him. Even when we wander the Good Shepherd continues to pursue us and restore us to Him and His people.

In 2nd Corinthians 5 Paul describes this hope we have in Christ as a building from God an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. We long for the day we will be with the Lord and those faithful who have gone before us. 14"For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again...17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!..20b We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
Christ's love compels us to take up our cross daily as a servant to our Master. His love gives us the strength to carry out the task with hopeful expectation that we will be useful in His plan to reconcile His people to Him. Do you view yourself as someone whom God can accomplish this through? Christ tells us that through Him nothing is impossible. Trust HIM and watch as HE accomplishes the impossible through your life today.

Posted by Dan Holley at 7:49 AM

Psalm 105-106; Galatians 5

2009-08-20T05:59:00.002-04:00

Psalms 105 is a recollection of God's powerful deliverance. We should remember how the Lord brings us out of bondage with an inheritance that is to be used by Him in our lives. He will do this in a miraculous way to bring others into an understanding of God's incredible love and presence in the lives of His people. Where are you today? What mountain do you need moved? Trust in the Lord and give it to Him in prayer knowing and believing He will answer and you will see God bring you from where you are to where you never imagined you could be.

Psalms 106 continues the story of the people of God. They knew the ways of God, but kept walking in disobedience until He was ready to pour out His wrath upon His people. 23 "So he said he would destroy them— had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him to keep his wrath from destroying them." (NIV)
Who has God chosen you to stand in the gap for? I believe if we stand in the gap in prayer and go to those He has placed in our lives with the message He has given us, the consequences of their behavior will be forgiven. James 5:16b "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. 17 Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. 19 My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins."
Who is the Lord prompting you to pray for today? Pray believing God will do this and see what He will do.

Galatians 5 tells us we are to live in the and we will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Legalism causes us to live in the flesh and not in the spirit where there is victory over the sinful nature. When we live by the spirit of the law and not the letter of the law we can truly find freedom in Christ. If the law was sufficient then Christ died for nothing. God is just and loving and would not send His Son without good reason. He knew the consequences of life apart from Him and Jesus willingly took on the task. Where are you today with the Lord? He knows and you know. He wants you to come back to where He tells us we should be and remain in Him.

Psalm 100-102; Galatians 3

2009-08-18T05:05:00.002-04:00

Psalm 100 says shout joy to the Lord all the earth. We are to worship the Lord with gladness and come before Him with joyful song. This is a command. When we do this as an act of obedience the Lord fills us with His presence. 3 "Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his ; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise give thanks to him and praise his name. 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."

Psalm 101 says we are to set before our eyes no vile thing. Covetousness is the last commandment and it is a secret sin that the Lord knows will ruin us as quickly as anything else. That is why He told the rich young ruler to sell all his possessions and follow Him. We are to get these things out of the Lord's rightful place in our lives so we can truly experience worship.

In Psalms 102 Jesus is prophesied to be our deliverer. He is our life and we are to tell others the good news of Christ and the life He brings. 19 "The LORD looked down from his sanctuary on high, from heaven he viewed the earth, 20 to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those condemned to death." Without Him we are all condemned but with Him we have life forever.

In Galatians 3 we see we are justified by faith in Christ as Abraham's seed. We are sons of the promise through the seed of Abraham which is Christ Jesus. 13 "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." 14 "He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit...27for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." We are all one in Christ.

Psalm 91-93; 1 Peter 5 (New International Version)

2009-08-15T08:11:00.003-04:00

Psalm 91
14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."

Psalm 92
12 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;

13 planted in the house of the LORD,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.

14 They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green...

Psalm 92
1 The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty;
the LORD is robed in majesty
and is armed with strength.
The world is firmly established;
it cannot be moved.

!st Peter 5
5Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
"God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble."[a] 6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. (NIV)

Not a lot of time to comment today. Meditate and pray some of these verses today and see how the Lord will minister to you. Know I am praying for you.

Psalm 87-88; 1 Peter 3

2009-08-13T08:07:00.002-04:00

Psalm 87 is prophecy of Christ being established through the family of David who is the foundation of our relationship with God. It is to go down in history that God decreed that Jerusalem be the city of God and that His son would be coming through the descendants of the city. God is establishing foundations in our lives and families as well. We are to understand Him through our relationship with Christ who will lay a foundation and establish the effective worship in families for generations to come.

In Psalm 88 we read that God is bringing us to an understanding of what it will be like to have all of our friends view us as repulsive and to be close to death. We may be there some day and if thing happen in our life as in Job’s life then what are to we to do? The Lord wants us to cry out to Him, and He will pull us out of the pit of depression, despair, hopelessness, drug addiction, or alcoholism and deliver us to a saving secure relationship with Him for our hope and daily rock to lean on.

1st Peter 3 talks about our daily example to our husband, wife or others around us. Our spirit ministers to others louder than our words. The work God has done in us should build strong relationships that will speak to the soul of our associates, family and friends. Husbands should treat wives with respect and wives should lead a life that would draw husbands to the Lord. 1Pe 3:8 “Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For, Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.”

Psalm 81-83; 1 Peter 1

2009-08-11T17:40:00.004-04:00

In Psalm 81 the Lord is our strength and sets a decree for us that tells us He removes the burdens from our shoulders and sets free our hands. When we call upon Him out of our distress, He answers us. He does not spare us from the distress because He grow our spiritual strength during times when we struggle for the answer only He can provide. He wants us to rely on His strength, not ours. 13 "If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways...16 But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you." Many times we miss the blessings the Lord has stored up for us because we do not call out to Him in our distress.

In Psalms 82 God is the only God who is alive and involved in the daily life of His people. It is nice to know we have a God that will reign forever for all generations and they can call to Him a hundred years from now and He will answer.

In Psalm 83 the Lord is the Most High God. 18 "Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD — that you alone are the Most High over all the earth."

In 1st Peter 1 the Lord tells us that we are to praise the Lord who sets us apart, makes us holy and gives us life. 6"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls... 22Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. 23For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God." We are to love each other as an act of obedience. When we genuinely do that He gives us a harvest of faith that will not fade away. 24"For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, 25but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you.

Psalms 74-76; Acts 27:1-26

2009-08-08T08:17:00.006-04:00

In Psalm 74 the people of God are experiencing a time when God's discipline has allowed them to go into captivity. They then look back and remember the wondrous things God has done and ask Him to defeat their enemies. 11 "Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? Take it from the folds of your garment and destroy them!" They understand the power of God and are asking Him to retaliate now. He will do that after they have been through the consequences of their sin and have truly repented. If God rescues us every time we ask without any consequences we get cheated out of the growth involves in the discipline. He loves us too much to allow us to remain spiritual children. This growth is sometimes painful, but it is so worth it.

In psalms 75 the Lord chooses the appointed time to judge uprightly, to exalt people or bring them down. It is God who holds the pillars of the earth firm when it quakes. When our world is rocking if we put trust the Lord He will deliver us.

In Psalms 76 God is great and His name known in the nation. 11 "Make vows to the LORD your God and fulfill them; let all the neighboring lands bring gifts to the One to be feared." 12 He breaks the spirit of rulers; he is feared by the kings of the earth." We know God is great and understanding His awesome power and holiness should bring us in reverent awe with a humble, yet healthy fear of His majesty and power.

In Acts 27 Paul is being transferred to Rome to appeal to Caesar. A few days into their journey the sailing became difficult and while anchored at the port in Fair Havens Paul warned them 10"Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also." 11But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship. 12Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there. This was a harbor in Crete, facing both southwest and northwest. Do we listen to the majority when the sailing gets rough or do we call on the Lord and listen to Him for direction? God gives direction to those leaders and His children to keep us sailing on His course. Trust Him for guidance and the destination will be reached while walking in His presence and trusting in Him for the right route and the desired outcome along the way.

Psalm 72-73; Acts 26

2009-08-07T11:42:00.002-04:00

Psalms 72 asks for God to endow the King with His justice. We can always count on that character in God. "The desert tribes will bow before Him". That at the name of Jesus every knee will bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and we will all bow at His holy name. 18 "Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds.19 Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen." This is a prayer of David, as we pray scripture God will dwell in our midst.

In Psalms 73 we see how easy it is to get dismayed at those who seem to be doing evil and getting ahead.
16 "When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me
17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny."
When life gets us down and we enter God's sanctuary we get hope, security and strength for what we are facing. He encourages us and gives us understanding as He asks. Understanding our final destiny is key to turning our world right side up.
24 "You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
The psalmist says He has made the Lord his refuge and will tell of all His deeds.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

In Acts 26 we see Paul testifying to King Agrippa. He gives his testimony.
20"First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds...27King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do." 28Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" 29Paul replied, "Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains." He ends his testimony in an appeal to king Agrippa and Festus and everyone present to become as him and give their life to Christ. We should be prepared to give our testimony of this life in us that transforms hearts and gives life to all who receive Him.

Psalm 70-71; Acts 25

2009-08-06T06:55:00.002-04:00

Psalm 70 starts saying: 1 "Hasten, O God, to save me; O LORD, come quickly to help me." The Lord God wants us to turn to Him in times of despair and trouble. Many times we tend to trust in ourselves and our own understanding. He wants us to depend on what He can do instead of what we can do.

In Psalm 71 we see God as our rock. 3 "Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress." Our enemies may claim God has forsaken us, but as we rely on Him they will be defeated. 23 "My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I, whom you have redeemed 24 My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long, for those who wanted to harm me have been put to shame and confusion." Are you able to tell others what great things God has done in your life? Not what great things we have done for Him, but what great things HE has done. Many people today are mesmerized by the TV news. The true living God that is deeply involved in the life of His people really is the good news the world is seeking. He is the hope of the world.

In Acts 25 we see another plot the Jews had to kill Paul. They asked Festus to send him to Jerusalem to be tried by them with a secret scheme to kill him along the way. Paul asked to be heard by Caesar. This brings King Agrippa into the picture and Paul will be heard by him. What platform is God giving you to tell the story of the things He is doing in your life? What may appear as a trial may be a blessing to others as they see the Lord at work in your daily life of service to our King.

Psalms 68 - 69; Acts 24

2009-08-05T10:48:00.002-04:00

Dan Holley
Subject: Today's blog

Psalm 68 prompts us to sing praise to the Lord. He is worthy of our praise. He is our deliverer and defender concerning our enemies. In Genesis 12:3 He says it this way: I will bless those who bless you and I will curse him who curse you and in you all the families of the earth will be blessed. This holds true to those called to be His children. Then we see that God is more awesome than His sanctuary (holy places) and it is He who gives His people power and strength. Trust in the Lord cast your cares on Him and He will strengthen and deliver you daily. He knows what you need before you ask.

In chapter 69 we see David fasting, praying and asking for deliverance. He will be our answer when we seek Him no matter what we are facing God is bigger than our present need. He loves us and always provides His children what we need.

In Acts 24 Paul faces his accusers in court. Felix delayed judgment and Paul testified later to him and His wife. He could not bear to continue after Paul spoke of righteousness, self control and the coming judgment. Paul was not afraid to speak as the Lord had prompted. We must seek the Lord on what to say and what He may be saying to us through His servants. It is may be hard to hear but it is so essential for our growth to seek the answer which God is faithful to provide. Whatever you may be facing seek the Lord with a "not my will but yours" heart and see what God will do.

Dan
Dan and Emily Holley
Austin Oaks Baptist Church

Psalm 54-56; Acts 21:1-17

2009-07-31T05:56:00.003-04:00

In Psalm 54 God is our deliverer. He always brings us through what we are facing and walks with us through every situation. What are you facing today? Take it to the Lord in prayer.

In Psalm 55 we see Davids condition. He is in anguish over facing His enemies (terrors of death), distraught, fear and trembling has overwhelmed him. This is part of what he faced in His assignment as King. This was an assignment from God and David was God's choice and His favorite king. Many assignments we would not have chosen. That's why He is God. He places us to serve where He wants us. We would never be capable of carrying out these things on our own. If you are overwhelmed in the assignment facing you take it ti the Lord in prayer and ask Him to bring you through. 22 Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.

In Psalms 56 David faced the probability of death from the Philistines. God was faithful to sustain him and deliver David from his enemies. In the midst of this Davis says: 10 In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise- 11 in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? 12 I am under vows to you, O God; I will present my thank offerings to you. 13 For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.

In Acts 21 we get a glimpse of Paul's intense understanding of his assignment. He was determined to go to Jerusalem even as the disciples "through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem." Then the prophet Agabus came down and said: "The Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles." 12When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. 13Then Paul answered, "Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." 14When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, "The Lord's will be done." In verses that followed we see those committed to the Lord continue with Paul to Jerusalem. No one abandoned him even though they didn't agree or like what was facing them in Jerusalem. We may not face death but we will have challenges as we carry out our assignment. Only through prayer and dedication can we continue when things seem dire looking through human eyes. Our spiritual eyes give us the ability to see through the fear and truly follow Him. The human side of us stops and counts the cost. Paul choice was to be obedient at any cost. I encourage you to embrace where the Lord has placed you and choose obedience rather than to go the easy more popular path. "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. Matthew 7:13 I encourage you to stay on the path that the Lord has placed you. He will show you His way.

Psalm 51-53; Acts 20:17-38

2009-07-30T07:41:00.006-04:00

Psalms 51 starts with David's confession of sin after having been confronted by the prophet Nathan concerning his sin with Bathsheba. David confessed his sin and was restored. We should all desire a pure heart and confess our sin. Asking for mercy and compassion during these times is key. It is one of the hardest yet most cleansing things we can do. I have done this today. The hard part sometimes is turning away from what we want to do and let God have complete control of our spiritual life. That means getting the sin out and being wholeheartedly devoted to Him and following Him through the difficult times. This truly gets us off our track and keep us on God's track. Asking for mercy and compassion during these times is key. We are faithful to pray for ourselves and our needs. We should also pray for each other as the Lord has a way of strengthening each other as we pray in order to edify (build up) the body of Christ.

In psalms 52 and 53 the spiritual condition of God's people was one the Lord was deeply concerned with. We see the warnings and consequences of disobedience. The faithful continue to grow in the Lord. 52:8 "But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever."

In Acts 20 Paul calls the Elders in and compels them to be keep watch over the flock which the Holy Spirit has made them overseers and teach the church members to be faithful to the flock. "Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. 29I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears." Paul knew how we as sheep have a tendency to follow the grass and before we know it we are led into places other than where the Holy Spirit has led. Men will come even from inside to draw away disciples after them not wanting to give away their true motives. Shepherds are given spiritual authority and discernment from God in these matters and understand the consequences of wandering into dangerous pastures where illusion is present. Understanding and being in a constant state of submitting to that authority and ultimately God's authority is challenging as we fight the battle of our will. We are to pray for each other as I pray for all of you that we not be deceived and can understand and be content with where God has placed us to serve that we may all be encouraged and the flock will have unity in Christ. Embracing where He has placed us will allow us to serve wholeheartedly bringing others where God has saved and placed us.

Tomorrow's reading is Psalms 54-56;Acts 21:1-17

Psalm 49-50; Acts 20:1-16

2009-07-29T06:44:00.003-04:00

Psalm 49 is important to know that even though the wealthy seem to prosper their understanding will be their demise. They will trust in themselves put or their security in possessions and not possess the one they truly need for eternity. Life in Christ takes the place of those things.

In Psalm 50 the Lord tells us He summons the heavens and earth and calls His consecrated ones to Him. He says He doesn't need our sacrifices because the earth is His and everything in it. He has every animal including the cattle on a thousand hills. Then He clarifies this when He identifies the evil as the ones who speak the words of God and then: 19 "You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit. 20 You speak continually against your brother and slander your own mother's son." The Lord asks us to repent and turn to Him because He has held back what He has in store for those who continue such behavior. 23 "He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God."

In Acts 20 we see many people joining Paul on his journey. The Lord continues to draw those to assist in completing His assignment. Then Paul speaks in Troas and at midnight a young man falls out of the window who Paul heals, goes back upstairs and continues speaking until morning. Then He leaves and walks to Asos wile the others go in the ship. We see His urgency to deliver God's word and disciple the people of God. I have a feeling He needed some time alone with the Lord. He must have been tired as He went about his task but never seemed to let that slow him down. Continue serving God and labor till the master calls us home so we can rejoice with Him in the harvest.

Psalm 46-48; Acts 19:21-41

2009-07-28T05:54:00.002-04:00

These verses in Psalms 46 always bring comfort to me.
1 "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea... vs.10 "Be still, and know that I am God..." Take a few minutes today to be still and experience His presence in silence. There is peace in His presence.

Then in chapter 47 we see we are to praise Him for His position of ruler over the earth as we picture Him seated at His holy throne. In chapter 48 He gives victory in our battles over nations. God is our security and our strength and He is worthy of our praise.

In acts 19 we see Paul retuning through Ephesus. Artemis the silversmith stirred people up because He was losing money making idols. The church had started growing and they had understood the false idols were not gods at all. Satan had lost ground in his deception and he didn't waste time rallying his troops. The city clerk wisely calmed the crowd and said the craftsmen could press charges in the courts. The crowd disbanded and returned home. When God is working Satan tries to stop Him. We are not to worry or fear as the Lord is faithful to see us through. Continue to praise Him and watch the promises of God become reality in your life. Every time He delivers it will encourage you and your life may be encouragement to others He becomes a reality in them.

Psalm 35-36; Acts 17:1-15

2009-07-24T10:48:00.002-04:00

Psalms 36 gives a few words of encouragement today.
5 Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies.

6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your justice like the great deep.
O LORD, you preserve both man and beast.

7 How priceless is your unfailing love!
Both high and low among men
find [d] refuge in the shadow of your wings.

8 They feast on the abundance of your house;
you give them drink from your river of delights.

9 For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.

In Acts 17 Paul and Silas and Timothy go to Thessalonica where they are run out of town and to Berea where they they received them because of a more noble character. This was all in Macedonia and God started churches in each town regardless what happened to them. The price was great, but the work was of the Lord and it spread the word. They spoke to crowds of women in the previous chapter and Lydia and her family are the only women recorded accepting Christ. But the early church met in Her home for prayer. God has a plan to use each of us. That's why He saved us and He will use us as He sees fit. Live like you believe Him and He will use you in Mighty ways.

Psalm 33-34; Acts 16:22-40

2009-07-23T11:39:00.003-04:00

Psalms 33 starts put praising the Lord.
1 Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
2 Praise the LORD with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
3 Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy.
4 For the word of the LORD is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does. (NIV)
Let's rejoice in all the Lord has done in our lives. We are challenged to praise Him no matter what is going on. God has brought it and allowed it for His purposes and glory. It's not all about us, it's all about Him. We are to be in holy awe of God and have a healthy fear and respect for Him. As we trust Him we will see what He is doing. Being a servant means we are here to bring glory to the father. As we concentrate on that we will be blessed.

Psalm 34 says: 1 I will extol the LORD at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
2 My soul will boast in the LORD;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the LORD with me;
let us exalt his name together. (NIV)
The Lord wants us to encourage each other praising His name together in corporate worship. He delivers the faithful.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the LORD, you his saints,
for those who fear him lack nothing. (NIV)
In our circumstances we are to remain faithful and let God fight our battles.
19 A righteous man may have many troubles,
but the LORD delivers him from them all...22 The LORD redeems his servants;
no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him. (NIV)

In Acts 16 we see Paul, Silas and Timothy responding to the vision the Lord had given Paul. They were to take the gospel to Macedonia. Lydia and Her family accepted Christ and then Paul Silas and Timothy were severely flogged and ended up in prison. They easily could have said "surely God must be punishing us or this is too much, I can't handle it. Instead 25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. 27The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!"

29The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

31They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." 32Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family.

How we handle persecution will make a huge difference as we praise the Lord in all things and trust God for the outcome. Instead of being overwhelmed, praise Him.

Jeremiah 46-47; Matthew 28

2009-06-22T07:24:00.002-04:00

Jeremiah tells Israel to be ready to be delivered. The Lord will come and bring them home. He will defeat their captors and take them home where they will be his children and He will be their God. Then He says He will discipline them but only with justice. Our God loves us and wants to bring us home. Aren't you ready to come home? The Lord is there with open arms ready to receive you into His loving, tender care. He says come home. He will be there and peace and comfort are in His house. Come and reside with the Lord your father. Bring Him your cares and burdens and come into His rest.

In Mathew 28 Christ has risen and that is our hope. We have seen His glory and we are to go and be witnesses of Jesus to our world. Are your co-workers troubled? They need Jesus. Does your family have thoughts that concern you? Jesus has the answer. He overcame the world. Is a loved one suffering? Christ is our hope and will be there in time of need. We are to bring them to Jesus He is the door to the path leading home. Bring them to Him where there is freedom from the trouble this world brings. Rejoice for He has risen. He has risen indeed and has overcome the world!

Jeremiah 12-14; Matthew 22:23-46

2009-06-09T07:36:00.002-04:00

Jeremiah starts with a petition to the Lord. The people of God have wandered. Jeremiah says 2b "You are always on their lips but far from their hearts." We all have to be careful of this. They were fine in their own eyes, but God saw their real condition. God says: 7 "I will forsake my house, abandon my inheritance; I will give the one I love into the hands of her enemies." God waits as long as He can before He brings judgment on His people. He always is petitioning for us to return to Him and waiting for us to turn from our rebellion and come back home. Pride and stubbornness had kept God's people from walking in His ways. We are God's people and we are to respond to Him as our Lord. We belong to Him and He is the master of our life. When we get our hearts right, He then can truly reign and will start answering our prayers and talking to us personally. We will have that close intimate fellowship that He designed us to desire. 14:22b "Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, O LORD our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this."

In Matthew Jesus fields some questions from religious leaders. Questions about the resurrection from the group that does not believe in the resurrection. Questions about the Greatest commandment from those who worshiped the law rather that our Lord. Then Jesus dazzles them with two questions. "Whose son is the Christ?" "The son of David," they replied. 43He said to them, "How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him 'Lord'? For he says, 44" 'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet. 45If then David calls him 'Lord,' how can he be his son?"
Sometimes we will be faced with questions from those who doubt our Lord and our faith in Him. The more we know Him and His word the more they will understand as we bring them pure truth from God's word. Knowing Him is just as important as knowing His word so we can be a picture of Christ by being a living breathing witness of His power and love. That will change hearts as we fish for men.

Jeremiah 9-11; Matthew 22:1-22

2009-06-08T08:26:00.002-04:00

In Jeremiah the Lord is grieving over the spiritual condition of His people. They practice deception and are boasting about all the wrong things. He would like to see us boast about our relationship with Him and His children. It was not their living conditions as much as it was the condition of their heart that concerned God. They sought direction from wooden idols and feared a statue made of gold, not the God that created the universe. God then appeals to them to return to Him and His covenants and He will restore them. Gods first desire is always restoration. He will restore if we will return to Him. Israel waited too late and God had to demonstrate His power to get them to repent. There is always consequences when we reject the Lord's call to return. Let's be a people of God that does not repeat that cycle. God's plan will bring peace and healing into our lives. Open that door and He will come in and dwell in our hearts and lives.

In Matthew Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a wedding banquet. The king invited guests for His son's wedding and they refused to come. They even killed those who brought the news. Their town was destroyed and the king sent the servants out to the highways and hedges. They were to bring those who the king did not know. There was an open invitation to the wedding feast. Then we see one man get thrown out because he did not wear wedding clothes. The clothes he had on showed he did not honor the things he had been included in. All are invited into the kingdom, and we should honor that gift and reside in the kingdom as God would require. We sometimes come to Christ and want to make our own rules and do things in our own understanding. It is His Kingdom and the Lord reigns here not us.

Then we see them trying to trap Jesus about paying tax to Caesar. "19Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius, 20and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" 21"Caesar's," they replied. Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."
When that they understood they were created in God's image and belonged to Him. They should give their life back to their creator. God created us to have fellowship with Him. We will find happiness there.

Hosea 12-14; Matthew 20:1-16

2009-06-04T03:28:00.003-04:00

Hosea 12 starts with an appeal for Israel to return to the Lord. They have relied on the things of this world (idols, riches, and human understanding.) 6 "But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always." Even though God sent prophets to deliver them with signs and wonder they still fell back to their evil ways and angered God. 13:4 "But I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt. You shall acknowledge no God but me, no Savior except me. 5 I cared for you in the desert, in the land of burning heat. 6 When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me."
Many times we become content with the wrong things and seek satisfaction in things that cannot bring happiness.
14:9 "Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them." God's plan is always best. Seek Him and He will bring and peace.

In Matthew 20 we see the Lord rewards those who serve Him. He gives His promised reward as He sees fit. It is His kingdom and He rules. The ones who serve longer may get the same reward as those who are called last. Our God reigns and He is always protecting and providing as we serve Him. When we truly develop a servants heart the joy will be in serving the Master, not the expected promise of something we view as important. The whole time they served they enjoyed fellowship with the owner of the vineyard. The relationship grows deeper and sweeter as we spend time with the father. The song comes to mind "The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows."

Hosea 5-8; Matthew 18:21-25

2009-06-02T06:45:00.003-04:00

Today we take a look at some verses from Hosea and we can see the condition of God's people. They were not aware of how sin had done a number on them so great that they did not understand how deep they were in their sin.
5:4 "Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God. A spirit of prostitution is in their heart; they do not acknowledge the LORD. 5 Israel's arrogance testifies against them; the Israelites, even Ephraim, stumble in their sin; Judah also stumbles with them. 6:6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings. 7:13b I long to redeem them but they speak lies against me. 14 They do not cry out to me from their hearts but wail upon their beds. They gather together for grain and new wine but turn away from me. 8:5 Throw out your calf-idol, O Samaria! My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of purity?"
God's desire is always to deliver us and restore us because He knows the consequences of our rebellious mind. God really does desire mercy and truth in our lives. When we get sin out of the way He can change our hearts and minds to desire purity and holiness. We then stop chasing the wrong things and start pursuing Him. We are not capable of those things on our own. When we cry out from a pure heart He hears and restores everything the locusts have eaten during the years away from Him.

In Matthew we experience God's forgiveness. 21 "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" 22Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times." The king decided it was time to settle accounts. He had the ability to sell them or throw them into prison, but was merciful to the servant's cries and forgave the debt. The servant then turned around and had the man that owed him thrown into prison. 34In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 35"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."
Sometimes we forgive in words but not from our heart. True forgiveness does not worry about the cost of the debt or the pain of the hurt we experienced. True love overcomes all pain. True forgiveness reunites us with those who truly love us. That is the Father's plan for loving relationships. God loves it when we do this at His prompting before the Master decides it's time to settle accounts.

2 Kings 1-3; Matthew 12:1-23

2009-05-22T07:46:00.001-04:00

In Second Kings Ahaziah the king of Israel seeking advice from a false God. The real God sends Elijah to speak truth. Elijah had a way of commanding fire to consume men and even dividing water and walking across on dry land. When God is on our side nothing is impossible. Even when called to explain the message to the king, God protected Elijah. He was sent with a message: you will not survive-one a king does not want to hear. God removed the king because his reign had deeply affected the true worship of God's people. Who do we consult when we need help? When we need help what we do next will be a testimony to all around us.

In Matthew we see Jesus being Lord of the Sabbath. 8For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." They did not understand how God has placed Him here to be Lord of all. He is Lord of all. do we ask Him to be Lord of everything in our lives? We have to give Him permission to do that or we are just saying and not really doing. When He has permission to do that, He reigns and is able to make progress in every area of our lives.

1 Kings 19-20; Matthew 10:21-42

2009-05-20T10:47:00.003-04:00

In 1st kings we see the faithfulness of Elijah. He ran for his life and the Lord came to him and brought him back with a new assignment. Many times we will run and the Lord always finds us to bring us back to complete the rest of our assignment. We see the Lord say there were a few faithful in Israel. 19:18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him."(NIV) He will always send someone to rescue the faithful. Wherever we go He pursues us to bring us home for the next assignment. That is His faithfulness to His sheep. No matter what the odds are against us, they are outnumbered with the lord on our side.

Matthew 10 tells us to be faithful to the end. The Lord can tell when our hearts are fully devoted to Him and the evidence will be losing our life and finding it in Him. When we receive a righteous man and a prophet we receive the Lord. Receiving the assignment (picking up our cross) the Lord has for us and is sending into our lives is the key to being able to take up our cross and follow His Lordship in our life.

1 Kings 16-18; Matthew 10:1-20

2009-05-19T07:13:00.004-04:00

In 1st Kings we see Israel going through many leaders because they would not listen to the Lord. There were factions that rose up and many kings overthrown. The people were electing leaders by popularity or power rather than by guidance from the Lord. In spite of warnings from the Lord there was turmoil and strife and their evil practices became worse with each king. Any time we turn from the Lord and go our own way our house eventually becomes one of chaos and strife. Then we see Elijah the prophet stand up to King Ahab and tell Him the "As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word." That came to pass and Ahab was facing a real dilemma. Follow my wife Jezebel and worship Baal and have famine or believe and be obedient to God? The Lord had to do some bind boggling things to get Israel's attention. We all have those choices to make. The Lord will lead us if we will take His instruction. We see God providing during that time to the obedient and faithful. We see throughout scripture where God always takes care of those committed to Him through times of strife and judgment on the land.

In Matthew we see Jesus sending out the twelve for ministry. They were just made apostles and they were sent right out to serve. Where the Lord calls us to serve is where He has sheep that need to see Him involved in their lives. He said "Freely you have received, freely give"(vs. 8). We are to go and tell the good news to others as God sent His servants to us. 19 "...do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." Let's leave the house today looking for those the Lord sends and let's be on mission with the Lord telling them the good news that was brought to us. "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Romans 10:9 (NIV)

1 Kings 14-15; Matthew 9:18-38

2009-05-18T07:50:00.003-04:00

In 1st Kings we see how the Lord put two kings reigning over the tribes of Israel. The kingdom was divided because of their father's sins. Judah and Benjamin were called the House of Judah, and the other ten tribes called the House of Israel. Severe pain and judgment were experienced by both. This was caused by them putting the Lord behind them and walking in the ways of their fathers and allowing things that were opposed from what God wanted in their lives. The Lord tried to tell them but they would not listen to Him. They listened to and relied on each other rather than Him and "the people engaged in all the detestable practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites." Then they had to make things that happened appear normal as they were not under the Lord's protection. King Rehoboam even made brass symbols to mimic the gold ones that were taken when Shishak King of Egypt attacked Jerusalem and carried off all the temple treasures.
The different houses of Israel fought each other. God was wanting them to rely on Him to give them strength and victory, but instead they relied on treaties with other nations (in 2nd Chronicles 16:1-10 King Asa partnered with them instead of their God). This always displeases our Lord and consequences always follow unconfessed sin. This is the Lord's way of bringing us back to Him. Let's always partner with God and lead others in His path.

In Matthew we see Jesus doing tremendous miracles raising the dead and healing many people. It seemed everywhere He went there were more coming for healing. He was always on mission, always about the father's business, preaching, teaching and bringing them to faith in God. 35"Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

Has the Lord brought sheep under you care or in your life? If you are a teacher, a ministry leader or serving in any capacity you have sheep. If you're married to someone serving then you have sheep as the "two become one" in God's sovereign plan. Let's pray about the sheep God is placing in our life and join Him in the harvest.

1 Kings 12-13; Matthew 9:1-17

2009-05-17T06:06:00.006-04:00

In 1st Kings we see fulfilling of prophecies that God had set into motion because of the acts of Solomon. His son Rehoboam was now reigning and did not take the advice of the elders he took the advice of young men he consulted. Ten tribes in Israel tore away and formed their own kingdom with Jeroboam. Ahijah had prophesied these earlier and Jeroboam fled to Egypt until Solomon's death. Jeroboam formed an army of one hundred eighty thousand fighting men and God spoke through Shemaiah the prophet and said: 24 'This is what the LORD says: Do not go up to fight against your brothers, the Israelites. Go home, every one of you, for this is my doing.' "So they obeyed the word of the LORD and went home again, as the LORD had ordered.'
Many difficult things happen at times and we must consult the Lord before we move forward. When we listen to the wrong people instead of those sent from the Lord the consequences can be devastating for everyone entrusted to us. As we accept what seems to be a difficult message from the Lord we see His plan unfold and our faith is made stronger. Sometimes it's easier to have the brothers fight and defend our ground. We also see here where there will be false prophets who claim to be from God and really confuse us. How do we know which way to take? The true message will always agree with scripture. Knowing God's word will give us needed discernment. Then God will confirm that through prayer. Using this process will always keep us on the right path and in the center of God's plan.

In Matthew 9 we see them bringing people to Jesus for healing. He also forgave their sins. This offended the teachers of the law. They then questioned Jesus practice of going to the home of sinners and eating with them. They knew the letter of the law but not the spirit of the law. They wanted to use scripture to condemn. In John 8 they tried to do that with the woman caught in prostitution. The law called for her to be stoned. When they asked Jesus he said "Let the one without sin cast the first stone." And they all left. God's revelation of sin in our life is always to redeem and restore us to Him. Scripture is the standard for our behavior and relationship. He always pursues us to bring us back not to condemn. The Holy s Spirit’s job is to convict us of our sin and prompt repentance. Jesus then restores us and reconciles us to the father. This is why we must season our spirit with prayer to be able see where the Lord is really working and how we should react to Him. He will give the answer as we take time to ask.

1 Kings 10-11; Matthew 8:18-34

2009-05-16T08:39:00.004-04:00

In 1st Kings word of Solomon's wisdom has spread and the queen of Sheba sets out to test his wisdom. She asks many questions and He answers them with ease. When she witnessed all Solomon was able to accomplish in a few years of reign (construction of the Lord's temple and his palace) she responded by giving Solomon gifts. He also received yearly shipments of gold and revenues from merchants. 23 King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth. 24 The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart. 25 Year after year, everyone who came brought a gift—articles of silver and gold, robes, weapons and spices, and horses and mules.

Then we see Solomon stray from the Lord. He married foreign wives and built altars and worshiped their gods. Israel had been forbidden from marrying foreign wives for this reason. Moses had a foreign wife approved by God, but He had lived in her country and had not worshiped her gods. Solomon’s attitude and actions prompted God to set things into motion. He rose up adversaries and would radically change what his descendants would reign over. If we see adversaries rising up we should examine our life and see if we are walking in our own understanding. We can always repent and turn to the Lord and He will turn our adversaries away. He is looking for those who will be good stewards of the things He treasures.

In Matthew 8 Jesus starts weeding out those who would count the cost of following Him. Jesus always gives the command "follow me" as He did to the disciples and they left their boats, family and equipment and followed Him. It's not that they didn't love these other things - they loved Jesus more. They then saw Him calm the storm and cast demons out of possessed men. Let's faithfully follow Jesus so we can experience Him at work in a real and encouraging walk of life. Then we can be a living testimony to others.

1 Kings 8-9; Matthew 8:1-17

2009-05-15T07:10:00.002-04:00

In 1st Kings the people of God are moving in the temple. The Spirit of God filled the temple in a cloud after the Priests delivered the ark. Then Solomon dedicated the temple to God, admitting that He may have been obedient, but God accomplished the assignment through Him. He asked for healing and forgiveness for Gods people as the repent and cry out to Him. He called for the people of Israel to turn their hearts to the Lord and to walk in all His ways. As a people of God let's do that so others will see (have understanding) and believe. When we do God always responds.

God heard his prayer and told Solomon He would honor the requests as long as He led those entrusted to him in the ways of the Lord. Solomon also honored those who provided timber and Gold for the work. We are to be intentional about doing the right thing to those who help us accomplish the things of the Lord. The Lord will help us accomplish many great things as we walk in His ways.

In Matthew 8 we see Jesus heal all who came and asked. And some (Peter's mother in law) who did not ask but Peter brought Jesus to her. That night they brought many to Jesus for healing. This was prophesied by Isaiah "He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases." Jesus wants to heal us physically, spiritually and emotionally. He makes us complete in Him. He desires that for every believer as we come to Him and walk with Him.

1 Kings 6-7; Matthew 7

2009-05-14T05:26:00.002-04:00

In 1st Kings we see Solomon clearly understood his assignment as King. He had his Lord first in his life and his accomplishments were in that order. He first built the temple and then his palace. He was richly blessed by God because he listened and then put those instructions into action. There was no war during his reign. Many times we do not enjoy God's peace because of going our own way. Peace comes by remaining in Him. Solomon went all out and spared no expense in building the temple. Let's go all out and see what God will do in our lives.

Matthew 7 talks about our character. It's easier to judge others than to correct things in our own life. We must be right spiritually before we can be of any use to God. He will do the work if we will ask, seek and knock. We are to not cast pearls before swine, if someone rejects you, then move on and let God deal with then. This process will help us recognize who God is bringing into our life as we learn to identify a good tree by it's fruit. No one wants an orchard full of bad trees. Those doing the will of the father will enter the kingdom (vs 21). When we build on the rock of Jesus our spiritual hoiuse will be on solid ground.

1 Kings 1-2; Matthew 6:1-18

2009-05-12T06:45:00.002-04:00

In 1st Kings we see the death of King David. He passed the throne to his son Solomon. His brother Adonijah tried to take the throne away and ended up eventually dieing for his discontentment. God calls and establishes us to serve Him as He pleases. Where ever God has placed us we are to serve there joyfully as unto the King. Many times we say I can serve over there just as well. Not if God has called you here. He will not leave you alone until we serve where He has placed us with the gifts He has given us to care for His sheep here. That's how a kingdom works.

In Matthew 6 we see Jesus praying for thy Kingdom to come. Thy will to be done. Where has God placed you in His Kingdom? Seek that and you will not be guilty of what we saw Jonah doing as He decided what was best. God always has the last word. He will teach you what you need to know as He places you to serve Him.

Jonah 1; Matthew 5:27-48

2009-05-11T07:24:00.002-04:00

Jonah 1 begins with Jonah getting an assignment from the Lord. Jonah did not accept the message nor did He want to deliver it. He ran and God was not going to accept his response. We then see God's pursuit of His messenger. He ran but He could not hide. Was it coincidental that the sailors cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah? Jonah then got honest and told them about his Lord and accepted responsibility for his actions. The sailors tried not to throw him overboard but the storm only grew worse. "Then they cried to the LORD, "O LORD, please do not let us die for taking this man's life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, O LORD, have done as you pleased." 15 Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. 16 At this the men greatly feared the LORD, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to him." The sailors then knew and experienced God to the point of making a sacrifice to Him. When we encounter our Lord He always tells us how to respond. Jonah ended up being transported back by a fish. If God has led you to help with an assignment please take your response seriously. If you can see similar things happening in your life ask God what He may be telling you to do. Then He will tell you. You may say "God doesn't give me assignments." Then look back and examine your response was from the last one He gave you. That may explain many things happening in your life now. God will tell you when you ask.

Matthew 5 tells us our hearts our the source of our sin. Then then thoughts materialize into actions. We are not to make foolish oaths but to let our yes be yes and our no's be no. He then says to pray for those who persecute us and to love our enemies..."45that 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." Are our actions consistent of a child of the King? Are they a good testimony to our Lord? Does my response to my neighbor show them a changed heart? We may be the only messenger they get. Do we worry about their response to us more that we do that of our Lord God's? Every one may not accept Christ, but we may be chosen to go so they have heard the Good News.

Eccles 7-9; Revelation 12

2009-04-25T07:50:00.007-04:00

In Ecclesiastes chapter 7 we have some wisdom from the Lord. 5 "It is better to heed a wise man's rebuke than to listen to the song of fools... 8 The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.9 Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. 10 Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these?" For it is not wise to ask such questions. 11 Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun... 14 When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future... 20 There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins. 21 Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you- 22 for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others." When we honestly examine our hearts and ask for His help, God will show us the way out of life's challenges.

In chapter 8 we are encouraged not to worry about life's troubles for this will steal our joy. If we can view each day as a gift from God and treasure the provision of eating and drinking in godly fellowship with Him and each other we will begin to discover the joy life brings.

In chapter 9 we see Solomon seeking wisdom and the meaning of life. 17 The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools.
18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. When we seek God He always answers and gives us hope. The hope of the world is Jesus and He wants to comfort us and bring us understanding. Spend time alone with Him today and He will richly bless with peace, comfort and understanding.

In Revelation 12 we get a picture of the spiritual battles that take place in Heaven and earth. The Lord God is willing to fight for us and has been doing that even when we are not aware of it. This battle is the one where Satan went into heaven to try to stop the Lord from coming to earth. When he was defeated he went to earth and searched to destroy Christ as a baby and then pursued Him all of His days on earth. Christ overcame and won the battle for you and me. He loves you and still pursues you to win battles you may be facing now or in the future. Christ overcame and wants to strengthen you and your family for life's challenges and obstacles. We will find victory when we let go and let God fight our battles. Christ is fighting for you even when you do not see Him. He loves you much that He won the battle, overcame suffering and death and is willing to fight to win the battles in your life.

Daniel 5-7; Revelation 7

2009-04-20T03:59:00.002-04:00

In Daniel 5 King Belshazzar gave a great banquet for a thousand of his nobles and drank wine with them. He had taken goblets that his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem. They ate and drank from them while praising the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone. Suddenly God sent fingers to write four words on the wall. The king was astonished and was overcome by fear. None of the wisest men of Babylon could interpret these things. The queen remembered Daniel's dedication to God and his gift for interpretation in His father's life. Daniel interpreted truthfully at the risk of the king's wrath. He told him how God humbled his father and he ate grass "until he acknowledged the Most High God is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and sets over them anyone he wishes. 22 "But you his son, O Belshazzar, have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this. 23 Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven." That night Daniel's words came true and Belshazzar was slain and his kingdom was overthrown. We must acknowledge God's right to place us as He pleases and what He has done. Daniel understood that well as he had been captive in Babylon since he was a boy. Many times we do not want to humble ourselves and give God the rightful place in our lives to place us where He chooses to use us. Daniel continued to thrive in every circumstance as his live became a living testimony of what God does.

In chapter 6 we see Daniel delivered from the mouth of the lions because of jealousy. He was going to be appointed over the whole kingdom. The only charges they could find to bring him down was the law they manipulated in to pray to the king for 30 days. Their sin got them thrown into the lion's den "and before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones." Their sin was not recognizing what God was doing in their life, and not understanding His unlimited authority in placing us where He wants us to serve. Our faithfulness to Him will always pay off as we acknowledge that "His thoughts are higher than our thoughts and His ways are higher that our ways."

In chapter 7 we see Daniel writing down what God is showing Him. We all need to do more of that. He shares His vision for things that have happened are happening and things to come. We see the lion with clipped wings and the heart of a man. This is a Babylonian winged lion and clipping it's wings is a sign of being taken from it's place of power. The human heart represents King Nebuchadnezzar's human condition. Next God shows the future to Daniel. The bear is the Medo-Persian Empire who succeeded the Babylonians. They did much damage during their conquests (devoured much flesh). The leopard represents the Greek empire (Alexander the Great. After His death the Empire was divided into four parts (four heads). The fourth beast is the Roman Empire which would eventually be the strongest of them all. Ten horns represents to them the strength of the Empire. All of these things meant something to those raised in that time - Like an eagle means something to us today. God made it detailed enough for them to understand: like the small horn would remove others and represent a dominant, intelligent (eyes showed them knowledge)they could recognize by his language. More later.

God then reveals Himself as all powerful and majestic with fire (the ability to judge). The wheels could be the the endless activity of God. We the saints ministering to Him and those waiting for His judgment. We see God allowing kingdoms and rulers to raise up for a while and how they would not last. Then we see Jesus coming in the clouds and establishing His Kingdom, one that will never pass away or be destroyed.

He Is Risen!

2009-04-12T18:37:00.001-04:00

Resurrection Day: To Him Who Overcame

In Luke 4:16-22, Jesus came to fulfill the promise of the Father. He had just come to Galilee in the power of the spirit where He had overcome the temptation of Satan. This passage indicates there is window of time for the Lord’s favor. In this case it is referring to a notice of fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. As He quoted scripture, we get a glimpse of who the Messiah was and His mission.

Luke 4:16 He went to Nazareth, where He had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day He went into the synagogue, as was His custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. Unrolling it, He found the place where it is written: (Isaiah 61:1,2) 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
20 Then He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on Him. 21 He began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

He had a custom of going to the temple on the Sabbath.
He knew His assignment –
1. To preach the good news. Luke 4:18
2. Proclaim freedom to the prisoners. Mat 20:28 “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
3. To prophesy truth. John 14:6
4. To be rejected by His own people; the prophecy to the Jews; Isaiah 53:3; The reality of rejection John 1:11; Luke 23:18 … “away with this man, and release to us Barnabas.”
5. To die for us – John 12:27
John 12:22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
John 12:23 Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
John 12:24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies; it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
John 12:25 the man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
John 12:26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
John 12:27 “Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.
John 12:28 Father, glorify your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again."
John 12:29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
John 12:30 Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine.
John 12:31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.
John 12:32 But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself."
John 12:33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
John 12:34 The crowd spoke up, "We have heard from the Law that the Christ will remain forever, so how can you say, "The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this 'Son of Man'?"
John 12:35 Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going.
John 12:36 Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

He understood who He was:
1. Who He was in the father.
a. He was here from the beginning. John 1:1
b. Who being the very nature of God, did not consider equality with God something to be attained. Phil 2:6.
2. His anointing.
3. That He was King

Our need for a savior: Our condition – in need of ransom, to be redeemed, consecrated: 1 Tim 4:5 tells us things considered unclean are consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

1. Helplessness over our mortality - our weaknesses.
2. Need for the father. The need to straighten out our way of thinking, acting and reacting. Mark 16:14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
3. Need for a comforter, for understanding and direction. John 20:22 “And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.”
4. Luke 24:25-26 "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?"
Luke 24:45 “Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.”

The urgency of God’s divine invitation: 2nd Corinthians 6
2Co 6:1 As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain.
2Co 6:2 For He says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

There is no other way to say how urgent our condition is than to understand the sacrifice.

How long will the time of the Lord’s favor last? John 12:36 Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

What will it cost me to wait? The rich young ruler counted the cost.

Let’s talk about the “dust.” Matt 10:14 “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.”

If you do not serve because of what YOU see YOU are capable of, you will never personally experience what HE sees HE is capable of doing through your life.
Resurrection Day: To Him Who Overcame

In Luke 4:16-22, Jesus came to fulfill the promise of the Father. He had just come to Galilee in the power of the spirit where He had overcome the temptation of Satan. This passage indicates there is window of time for the Lord’s favor. In this case it is referring to a notice of fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. As He quoted scripture, we get a glimpse of who the Messiah was and His mission.

Luke 4:16 He went to Nazareth, where He had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day He went into the synagogue, as was His custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. Unrolling it, He found the place where it is written: (Isaiah 61:1,2) 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
20 Then He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on Him. 21 He began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

He had a custom of going to the temple on the Sabbath.
He knew His assignment –
1. To preach the good news. Luke 4:18
2. Proclaim freedom to the prisoners. Mat 20:28 “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
3. To prophesy truth. John 14:6
4. To be rejected by His own people; the prophecy to the Jews; Isaiah 53:3; The reality of rejection John 1:11; Luke 23:18 … “away with this man, and release to us Barnabas.”
5. To die for us – John 12:27
John 12:22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
John 12:23 Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
John 12:24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies; it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
John 12:25 the man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
John 12:26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
John 12:27 “Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.
John 12:28 Father, glorify your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again."
John 12:29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
John 12:30 Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine.
John 12:31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.
John 12:32 But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself."
John 12:33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
John 12:34 The crowd spoke up, "We have heard from the Law that the Christ will remain forever, so how can you say, "The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this 'Son of Man'?"
John 12:35 Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going.
John 12:36 Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

He understood who He was:
1. Who He was in the father.
a. He was here from the beginning. John 1:1
b. Who being the very nature of God, did not consider equality with God something to be attained. Phil 2:6.
2. His anointing.
3. That He was King

Our need for a savior: Our condition – in need of ransom, to be redeemed, consecrated: 1 Tim 4:5 tells us things considered unclean are consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

1. Helplessness over our mortality - our weaknesses.
2. Need for the father. The need to straighten out our way of thinking, acting and reacting. Mark 16:14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
3. Need for a comforter, for understanding and direction. John 20:22 “And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.”
4. Luke 24:25-26 "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?"
Luke 24:45 “Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.”

The urgency of God’s divine invitation: 2nd Corinthians 6
2Co 6:1 As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain.
2Co 6:2 For He says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

There is no other way to say how urgent our condition is than to understand the sacrifice.

How long will the time of the Lord’s favor last? John 12:36 Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

What will it cost me to wait? The rich young ruler counted the cost.

Let’s talk about the “dust.” Matt 10:14 “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.”

If you do not serve because of what YOU see YOU are capable of, you will never personally experience what HE sees HE is capable of doing through your life.

Resurrection Day: To Him Who Overcame

In Luke 4:16-22, Jesus came to fulfill the promise of the Father. He had just come to Galilee in the power of the spirit where He had overcome the temptation of Satan. This passage indicates there is window of time for the Lord’s favor. In this case it is referring to a notice of fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. As He quoted scripture, we get a glimpse of who the Messiah was and His mission.

Luke 4:16 He went to Nazareth, where He had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day He went into the synagogue, as was His custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. Unrolling it, He found the place where it is written: (Isaiah 61:1,2) 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
20 Then He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on Him. 21 He began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

He had a custom of going to the temple on the Sabbath.
He knew His assignment –
6. To preach the good news. Luke 4:18
7. Proclaim freedom to the prisoners. Mat 20:28 “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
8. To prophesy truth. John 14:6
9. To be rejected by His own people; the prophecy to the Jews; Isaiah 53:3; The reality of rejection John 1:11; Luke 23:18 … “away with this man, and release to us Barnabas.”
10. To die for us – John 12:27
John 12:22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
John 12:23 Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
John 12:24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies; it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
John 12:25 the man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
John 12:26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
John 12:27 “Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.
John 12:28 Father, glorify your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again."
John 12:29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
John 12:30 Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine.
John 12:31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.
John 12:32 But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself."
John 12:33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
John 12:34 The crowd spoke up, "We have heard from the Law that the Christ will remain forever, so how can you say, "The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this 'Son of Man'?"
John 12:35 Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going.
John 12:36 Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

He understood who He was:
4. Who He was in the father.
a. He was here from the beginning. John 1:1
b. Who being the very nature of God, did not consider equality with God something to be attained. Phil 2:6.
5. His anointing.
6. That He was King

Our need for a savior: Our condition – in need of ransom, to be redeemed, consecrated: 1 Tim 4:5 tells us things considered unclean are consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

5. Helplessness over our mortality - our weaknesses.
6. Need for the father. The need to straighten out our way of thinking, acting and reacting. Mark 16:14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
7. Need for a comforter, for understanding and direction. John 20:22 “And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.”
8. Luke 24:25-26 "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?"
Luke 24:45 “Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.”

The urgency of God’s divine invitation: 2nd Corinthians 6
2Co 6:1 As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain.
2Co 6:2 For He says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

There is no other way to say how urgent our condition is than to understand the sacrifice.

How long will the time of the Lord’s favor last? John 12:36 Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

What will it cost me to wait? The rich young ruler counted the cost.

Let’s talk about the “dust.” Matt 10:14 “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.”

If you do not serve because of what YOU see YOU are capable of, you will never personally experience what HE sees HE is capable of doing through your life.

Here is a copy of today’s message. I hope this will encourage you if you could not be with us today. Please pray for families to be reunited and for those unspoken requests of extended family members that are caught up in the bondage substance abuse.

Resurrection Day: To Him Who Overcame

In Luke 4:16-22, Jesus came to fulfill the promise of the Father. He had just come to Galilee in the power of the spirit where He had overcome the temptation of Satan. This passage indicates there is window of time for the Lord’s favor. In this case it is referring to a notice of fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. As He quoted scripture, we get a glimpse of who the Messiah was and His mission.

Luke 4:16 He went to Nazareth, where He had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day He went into the synagogue, as was His custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. Unrolling it, He found the place where it is written: (Isaiah 61:1,2) 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
20 Then He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on Him. 21 He began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

He had a custom of going to the temple on the Sabbath.
He knew His assignment –
11. To preach the good news. Luke 4:18
12. Proclaim freedom to the prisoners. Mat 20:28 “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
13. To prophesy truth. John 14:6
14. To be rejected by His own people; the prophecy to the Jews; Isaiah 53:3; The reality of rejection John 1:11; Luke 23:18 … “away with this man, and release to us Barnabas.”
15. To die for us – John 12:27
John 12:22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
John 12:23 Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
John 12:24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies; it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
John 12:25 the man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
John 12:26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
John 12:27 “Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.
John 12:28 Father, glorify your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again."
John 12:29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.
John 12:30 Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine.
John 12:31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.
John 12:32 But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself."
John 12:33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
John 12:34 The crowd spoke up, "We have heard from the Law that the Christ will remain forever, so how can you say, "The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this 'Son of Man'?"
John 12:35 Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going.
John 12:36 Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

He understood who He was:
7. Who He was in the father.
a. He was here from the beginning. John 1:1
b. Who being the very nature of God, did not consider equality with God something to be attained. Phil 2:6.
8. His anointing.
9. That He was King

Our need for a savior: Our condition – in need of ransom, to be redeemed, consecrated: 1 Tim 4:5 tells us things considered unclean are consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

9. Helplessness over our mortality - our weaknesses.
10. Need for the father. The need to straighten out our way of thinking, acting and reacting. Mark 16:14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
11. Need for a comforter, for understanding and direction. John 20:22 “And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.”
12. Luke 24:25-26 "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?"
Luke 24:45 “Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.”

The urgency of God’s divine invitation: 2nd Corinthians 6
2Co 6:1 As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain.
2Co 6:2 For He says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

There is no other way to say how urgent our condition is than to understand the sacrifice.

How long will the time of the Lord’s favor last? John 12:36 Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

What will it cost me to wait? The rich young ruler counted the cost.

Let’s talk about the “dust.” Adrian Rogers says at the Great White Throne Judgment when we say we have not heard the Gospel of Christ, God will shake the dust off a paper and say this is the evidence… this is the dust from the feet of those I sent to bring you the good news. Matt 10:14 “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.” Pastor Phil Cavone shared today that over 190,000 people a week die without knowing Christ (more than 1000 per hour). If you know Him please pray about how God would use you to bring the message as a witness. Your story may be one someone needs to hear.

If you do not serve because of what YOU see YOU are capable of, you will never personally experience what HE sees HE is capable of doing through your life. God has a plan for your life and His plan is to do great things through you as you make Him Lord of your life. It will be the best decision and the most exciting life you will ever live.

Job 34-35; 1st Corinthians 11:17-34

2009-03-19T08:10:00.002-04:00

In Job 34 and 35 Elihu said many things that were true about having a proper relationship with God. The difference is that he nor his friends understood Job's relationship with God and that it was proper. Job never denied or cursed God but he did question Him and wonder why He allowed his suffering and tragedies. God tells him later that He is God and who are we to question His ways and decisions. If we are not very careful in this questioning we will be tempted to believe things about God that are not true and this turns to bitterness. Satan uses this to deceive us and is trying to do this to Job. This form of deception has been used by Satan for centuries and has turned many people away from where God had them in driven them into sin and spiritual bondage and hopelessness because without God there is no hope. Job was in the dark valley and God was going to lead him out but Satan is going to do everything to keep him and his friends from seeing God's plan. Do our friends have to understand for us to be faithful? Faithfulness in the middle of the storm when there seems to be no way out is hard, but God will train us through this experience to walk confidently in Him during these times.

1st Corinthians 11:17 is addressing our conduct in our gatherings. We must not loose our reverence and awe before a Holy God when we gather and eat together. We must remember that taking these things in vain will result in God's discipline. He does this to keep us from His righteous judgment that will condemn the world. When we assemble ourselves together we must conduct ourselves in a manner that would result in blessing rather than judgment. Losing the reverence for God can turn our church from a holy fellowship into a social club that has no form of Godliness.

Exodus 9-11; 1st Thessalonians 1

2009-02-20T08:46:00.003-05:00

In Exodus 9 through 11 we see some things that are clear. God's power over nations is tremendous. He has the ability to bring a nation to it's knees. And God will go to any lengths to rescue His people when they genuinely cry out in prayer. God has the ability to harden and soften hearts and and change the course of leaders and kings. He does this to accomplish His purposes in the lives of His people. He even has the power over light and darkness, sickness and health, blessings and curses. We see He has a tremendous tolerance when it comes to delaying His wrath. He waits until it is absolutely necessary to take the steps to show us He is really God, and His plans, timing and actions are always right. He really is an awesome God and we should come into His presence with awe and reverence at His holiness and majesty.

In 1 Thessalonians 1 we see the church bearing the fruit of walking with the Lord and we see Paul Timothy and Silas praying for them. 3 "We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."(NIV) They were open to being discipled, walking in the truth and living it out in their daily lives. They became a model for their fellow believers. They lived their life with power over what God delivered them from. We can get encouragement that the Lord will also do that for us as we trust Him to do what we are incapable of in our own strength. 9b "They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath."(NIV) We really do serve an awesome God. When we pray, He is faithful to respond.

Isaiah 56-58; Mark 13:21-37

2009-02-13T10:32:00.005-05:00

Chapter 56 begins with a call to stay faithful to the ways of the Lord because His righteousness will soon be revealed. God has plans that we should be ready for. We don't always know what they are, we are to be ready and prepare our descendants for His ways and His will in their life. In this case they were to prepare God's people for the promised Messiah, the Holy One of God that was to give life and take away the sins of the world. Israel's watchmen (spiritual shepherds) were spiritually blind. Would you want a blind watchman, ship captain or airline captain to be in charge of your loved ones? That's the dilemma the people of God were in.

In chapter 57 we see the Lord preparing us for things that we have a problem accepting. Many times good things happen to righteous, innocent people in our life. He tells us they are taken away to be spared from evil. God knows what they will be faced with next and spares them from from the tragedy that is imminent. Many times we just have to trust Him and rely on Him to get us through our pain as we miss them. They leave a gaping hole in our life that God wants to fill. He will comfort us regardless of who we are. He says in verse 15: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite."

In chapter 58 we see true worship through prayer and fasting.
6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Vs14: then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob." The mouth of the LORD has spoken. When our prayer life is what God accepts, then it will have a definite affect on our actions. That's when God ministers through us unhindered and that's when we experience the true peace and joy He has designed each of us to crave.

We are told in Mark 13 to watch. We are given signs to interpret as the last days. We should be spiritually ready for the day of the Lord as we are all going to meet Him one day. Whether at the Great White Throne Judgment or the Judgment seat of Christ (for Christians) we are all will have that encounter to ready ourselves for. Will we understand the times correctly? What will that take? I believe it will take an intimate knowledge of God and His character. The only way we can do that is through prayer, fasting and seeking to know Him more through His word. 31"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." These words are always something you can count on.

Isaiah 53-55; Mark 13:1-20

2009-02-12T06:38:00.003-05:00

We see Isaiah like Ezekiel being projected into the future. This chapter describes in the personality, traits and assignment of Christ in detail. This was written over 681 years before Christ came and we can look back and see how it was accurate down to the last detail. 3 "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not... 11 After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied..." After all Jesus went through He is satisfied with the life He brought us. He knew the consequences for any disobedience or failure to accomplish the task was eternal for us.

In chapter 54 We see God's compassion as He sees their suffering in exile and makes a covenant of peace with them to never be removed. 13 "All your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be your children's peace. 14 In righteousness you will be established...17 no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD. The covenants contain promises that are always fulfilled.

In chapter 55 we see the Lord compelling us to eat and drink from His pure food that gives life to our soul: 2" Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare." There is a time to seek Him and we are told to do that while He is near and may be found. He promises to have mercy on us and freely pardon us. We are told we will go out in joy and be led forward in peace.
We are promised natural signs of God's incredible provision as we understand His everlasting covenant.

In mark 13 we see Jesus telling the disciples what will take place. First the temple will be destroyed, then many deceivers claiming "I am He." Nation will rise against nation. There will be wars also rumors of wars, earthquakes and famines these are the beginning of birth pains. Persecution will continue and the Holy Spirit will carry us through with words to speak and perseverance. We are to understand the times and be listening to the spirit of the lord to know when to stay and speak in truth and love and when to flee. We are to know God's word and His heart so we can interpret the times in which we live.

Isaiah 50-52; Mark 12:28-44

2009-02-11T07:17:00.003-05:00

In Chapter 50 we see Isaiah being persecuted for His message and stand for the Lord. He did not waiver or cower to their demands or hurtful acts. 6 "I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. 7 Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame." He knew with God's help that He was in no danger, but they were in a very precarious position. God instructs us (who have no spiritual light on our own) vs.10 to trust in the Lord to walk in the dark. He wants to be our light and will guide us.

Many times we forget the great access we have to the father and the different dimensions and power of our God. In chapter 51:12 the Lord tells us "I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mortal men, the sons of men, who are but grass... 16 I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand— I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth, and who say to Zion, 'You are my people.' " (NIV) He promises to turn the tables on our oppressors when we return to Him.

In chapter 52 our Lord is our deliverer and redeemer. 7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!" He will go before us and after us to guard us along the path.

In Mark 12 Jesus answered the greatest commandment question: 29"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' 31The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. 'There is no commandment greater than these." Understanding this the way our Lord does, brings us into a true kingdom viewpoint of God's purpose for His world. We then see Jesus instructing us to watch out for those who like importance and seats of honor yet will mistreat widows and make lengthy prayers only for show. we see Him saying the widow,s offering was more than their great showy gifts. We must keep our hearts humble and clean to have the Lord greet our offerings and sacrifice of service as acceptable to Him. That only comes through the cleansing power of Jesus when we confess our sins and pray daily and walk in the light as He is in the light.

Isaiah 47-49; Mark12:1-27

2009-02-10T09:53:00.003-05:00

The Lord starts chapter 47 saying He will remove the people of God from the place of honor He had established for them and bring sudden calamity on the nation. They had placed their trust in their ways which were ungodly and in counsel of men not from the Lord or the Lord's ways. Proverbs tell us even if our ways seem right they always lead to destruction.

In chapter 48 we see the sin of stubbornness. It's a form of pride that takes in its own personality and keeps us from being obedient and submissive to the one who laid the foundations of the earth and formed us in our mother's womb. 18 If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea. 19 Your descendants would have been like the sand, your children like its numberless grains; their name would never be cut off nor destroyed from before me."

The Lord speaks clearly in chapter 49 about His covenant and restoration.8 This is what the LORD says: "In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances, 9 to say to the captives, 'Come out,' and to those in darkness, 'Be free!' "They will feed beside the roads and find pasture on every barren hill. 10 They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat or the sun beat upon them. He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water." (NIV) God's correction in our life is always to restore us to Him. That's why He created us and that is why He will continue to restore us to His original design and plan - to have fellowship with Him.

In Mark 12 we see three parables. The vineyard is like the Kingdom and God is the owner. There will be justice to those entrusted with the things of God who mistreated His son. We can say that is Israel or we can say that is us who continue to sin after understanding what He has done for us. Everyone who ever sinned is what put Jesus on the cross. That's me and you. That's why Hebrews is clear when it says that if we continue to sin after understanding what Christ did for us, then there is no more forgiveness of sin. We are not ever going to be perfect, but we must not take lightly what Christ did and what a tremendous price has been paid for the provision of sin. We are not to neglect such great salvation. Then "Give to God what is God's" means we were created in His image and we are to give our life to Him so we can really have abundant life that only comes through Him. God is the God of the living. Knowing His word helps us to know Him. God loves you, and all things are possible for those who believe in His son. He gives us the ability to do what we cannot do on our own.

Isaiah 32-33; Mark 8

2009-02-03T09:30:00.004-05:00

In Isaiah 32 the prophecy points towards a king that will reign in righteousness and reveal the evil ungodliness that is deceiving the people of God. He will expose their evil schemes and injustice and show the world who they really are. 6 He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure. The key to receiving wisdom is respect, honor and healthy fear (being in humble awe) of our Lord. Coming to the throne on our knees as a servant asking our father and He will give abundantly. The consequences of our rebellion is having only human understanding. We cannot expect those around us to make Godly decisions based on their own understanding. Following their lead will always lead to ungodly results. How often have we counted on Godly increase using human principals? Ten when we have crop failure we wonder why. A Godly crop comes from a life open and willing to receive the lord's input and walk in His ways.

In chapter 32 we see the way the Lord will reign. In vs.6 He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure. 15 He who walks righteously and speaks what is right, who rejects gain from extortionand keeps his hand from accepting bribes, who stops his ears against plots of murder and shuts his eyes against contemplating evil-16 this is the man who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress. His bread will be supplied, and water will not fail him. The the last thing He tells us here is that He is coming to forgive sins and heal our illnesses. He is a Lord of love and compassion and all of His ways add up to being the true shepherd of our life.

In Mark 8 this compassion is demonstrated as He serves the 4000 by feeding their hunger. He understands what we need spiritually and physically and provides both. He did not force them to eat the loaves and fishes, He provided them needed nourishment and they ate and were satisfied. He understands and shared how much more important spiritual food is and provides it abundantly if we will partake and be fed. We see prophecy fulfilled as Jesus heals the blind man. he the asks Peter "Who do people say I am?" after he answered then He asked "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ." Jesus then revealed things that were going to take place and said "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 38If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels." (NIV)
God will give us the ability to pick up our cross and follow Him when we ask the one who says the father will give abundantly to those who will ask. He says we have not because we ask not. I encourage you to pray expecting God to answer and see what geat things He will do.

Isaiah 30-31; Mark 7:14-37

2009-02-02T10:04:00.002-05:00

In Isaiah 30 we encounter a nation of stubborn people. 1 "Woe to the obstinate children," declares the LORD, "to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin... 9 These are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to listen to the Lord's instruction. 10 They say to the seers, "See no more visions!" and to the prophets, "Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions. 11 Leave this way, get off this path, and stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel!" 9 These are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to listen to the Lord's instruction. 10 They say to the seers, "See no more visions!" and to the prophets, "Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions.
Any time we want God to compromise to please us, we are in danger of God's stern correction. He is still God and we should always remember to fear and be in awe of Him and His majesty. That's what happens when we take God down from being first (boss) in our life and pursue our own way. We would rather walk in deceit and not deal with truth. The problem is that it is truth that transforms lives. We want it both ways. We want our way and want our way to be considered the right way. We have to come to terms with there is only one correct answer and one Lord. God knows what He is doing and the Lord has a plan for the abundant life that brings real freedom. He loves us and will carry out His plan as we submit and ask for His input , then get up and follow Him. 18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!

Isaiah 17-19; Mark 5:1-20

2009-01-28T08:21:00.002-05:00

In Isaiah 17 God speaks clearly about those who "have forgotten God your Savior." Many times we accept world views that pull us away from worshiping the father the way He deserves. "Yet a time is coming and is now come when true worshipers will worship in in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the father seeks." (John 4:23)
Many times we put other things in front of our worship or we cease to think it is not a vital part of my walk. These world views are what took Israel out of true worship and God allowed necessary correction on their life in order for them to fulfill their part of the relationship He had provided and to look to Him as their Savior. He was taking their country and put them in captivity because of their attitudes and activities in their daily lives. Even their place of worship would not be spared.

In chapter 18 we see God will take a nation of feared aggressive people who do not know Him and bring them bring offerings to Him. tough people only do that when God gets hold of them and brings them to worship Him. They first have to be humbled. God would do that by cutting off the harvest before its time.

In chapter 19 we see where The people of Egypt will worship Him. ...vs20. "When they cry out to the LORD because of their oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and he will rescue them. 21 So the LORD will make himself known to the Egyptians, and in that day they will acknowledge the LORD. They will worship with sacrifices and grain offerings; they will make vows to the LORD and keep them. 22 The LORD will strike Egypt with a plague; he will strike them and heal them. They will turn to the LORD, and he will respond to their pleas and heal them."
The Lord will bring them to their knees through sickness and they will turn to Him to save them. God will bring Egypt Assyria and Israel to Him as He establishes them as His people, handiwork and inheritance. Jesus is the highway that makes all of this possible. He will take away the opposition and sin so we all may have free access to the father. That free access has come with a great price and much love and sacrifice from the Lord. Let us honor what He has done for us.

In mark 5 we see a demon-possessed man coming to meet Him from the tombs. They came out because they knew Jesus the Lord was in their midst. They had controlled this man for years but knew they could not hold a candle to God and bowed pleading before Him. "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me!" 8For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you evil spirit!" Jesus sent them into the pigs and 2000 pigs ran over the cliff and were destroy. We see a couple of things in this passage. 1. Jesus has power over all principalities and powers in this world. 2. One soul is more valuable than any numbers of living creatures. 3. Once we are delivered we are to stay where Jesus originally planted us and tell others about what He has done. This is our assignment, our ministry to serve where He has placed us, not where we would rather be. We are to be His witnesses as He places us to show those that knew us before what great things He has done. 18..."the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." 20So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed." Go and tell others what Jesus has done for you and you will be amazed how He will use you in ways you never imagined.

Isaiah 14-16; Mark 4:21-41

2009-01-27T06:57:00.002-05:00

In Isaiah 14 and 15 we see God is faithful to His chosen people. That gives us hope because through Christ He also chose to include us in the chosen. Not everyone will accept Him. He said only a remnant of Israel will be saved. The root of the plant will be preserved to create a Holy people set aside for Him.
14:1 "The LORD will have compassion on Jacob; once again he will choose Israel and will settle them in their own land. Aliens will join them and unite with the house of Jacob." He will take vengeance on their oppressors and justice will prevail in their lives. It is such a gift to understand He will fight our battles for us and bring peace to our lives. 14:27 For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?

In chapter 16 we see the details of God's wrath against the Moabites who oppressed Israel during their captivity. God is just and will deliver us and promises Christ to establish His throne and justice in our lives.
5 In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it—one from the house of David—one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness. God has a plan for us as well and will bring good things into our lives as we enter His rest through Christ. He is the path to peace and restoration for us all.

In Mark 4 we see three parables. In the first we are to shine the light in our lives for those around us to witness and to help guide them out of darkness. We are not to keep it to ourselves. When we use it and share it we will be given more, if we don't He will take it away and give it to those that will use it and share it with others. God gives abundantly so don't be surprised how He will use you.
In the second parable He talks about the kingdom being like scattered seed. when we are faithful in spreading His word, He makes it grow. He always amazes us with the increase when He works.
The mustard seed is the smallest yet grows the largest plants. The kingdom of Gos is similar as He takes the most unlikely people and uses them tremendously for His work.
Then we see Jesus calming the storm. He calms the storms in our lives and sometimes He just calms us as we count on Him to navigate us through a necessary journey of faith and growth. He is the only captain that can calm the storm and not just navigate around the turbulence that may take our eyes off of Him when fear sets in. Sometimes we fear the storm instead of having reverent fear of the one who can calm our storm and bring peace in the midst of a troubled world.

Isaiah 5-6; Mark 2

2009-01-23T01:45:00.003-05:00

Isaiah 5 is the song of the vineyard. His loved one cleared it of stones, planted it with choicest vines, built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit. He had deeply invested in this vineyard and it did not yield good fruit. 4 "What more could have been done for my vineyard than I have done for it? When I looked for good grapes, why did it yield only bad? 5 Now I will tell you what I am going to do to my vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it will be destroyed; I will break down its wall, and it will be trampled. 6 I will make it a wasteland, neither pruned nor cultivated, and briers and thorns will grow there. I will command the clouds not to rain on it."
The vineyard "is the house of Israel and the and the men of Judah are the garden of His delight. And he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress."
God had invested deeply into them and they only turned to their own way. Many times we are guilty of their sin and want to turn away from where and how God wants us to serve. He is God and He does have the right to make that choice. He sets the standard, and the details, not us. He guides our life and places us where He wants. We end up walking away from the Lord and the work He was doing in us remains undone. Does the Lord have the right to make decisions in the vineyard of our lives? Many times the struggles we have are a necessary part of God's plan to strengthen us and develop us for effective service. The easy part is to walk away and say I can't do this. You're right, but God can. When we walk away from His plan, He does have a right to cut the vineyard down.

In chapter 6 we see Isaiah's commission. When he saw the presence of the Lord he was in awe and confessed He was a man of unclean lips because lived among a people of unclean lips. Then God sent a messenger to cleanse him and make him ready for his assignment. God always equips us for the assignment. 8 "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" It was a tough assignment to go to a people who had rejected God and deliver a message of God's judgment and discipline for their leaders and on their land. God had closed their understanding: 'You will be ever hearing, but never understanding; you will be ever seeing, but never perceiving.' 10 This people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Isaiah's only question was "For how long, O Lord?"

In Mark 2 When Jesus re-entered Capernaum after preaching to the nearby villages, so many gathered at Simon Peter's house that there was no room left. The paralytic had to be lowered through the roof. That is radical church growth. That is what should happen when believers see God at work. When we see God caring and changing lives while working through other believers, we will be drawn to him. That's what he created us for, and all believers long for that. Only God can forgive sins. Jesus forgave the paralytics sins based on faith, and that angered the Pharisees. Was Jesus forgiving sins blasphemy? It had to be if Jesus was not God's son. They sinned if Jesus was God's son. Many times being on assignment is not popular.

The fasting will take place when Bridegroom is taken away, vs 18-22.
Fasting was associated with sorrow. John's disciples fasted as an expression of repentance, intended to hasten the coming of redemption taught by John. The Pharisees disciples fasted as instructed by scripture to observe certain fasting days, and at the direction of the Rabbi.
Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath.
They did not recognize the Lordship of Jesus. Lordship is a product of obedience. If there is something the Lord has commanded or told us to do, then we will not be able to be trusted with the next thing until we obey the first thing. If you are having trouble getting a clear picture of his will for your life, it might be worth your time to check things out.
Is it:#1 Baptism, unhurried time with the master, priorities: do I have things right side up, or upside down? Who is in control? Go ahead and get yes out of the way. God will not take a back seat to other things in our lives. To our: spouse, our children, or our possessions.

Isaiah 3-4; Mark 1:23-45

2009-01-22T14:43:00.003-05:00

As the Lord describes in detail what judgment will hold for the people of Israel we see the righteous will be protected. They will hurt as their kinsmen and rulers face the consequences of their actions. It shows how just God really is. 3:10 "Tell the righteous it will be well with them,for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds. 11 Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done." The leaders are the ones God will hold accountable as they have lead His people into idle worship and mistreated the poor. The women were possessed with self-indulging practices and were more caught up in being alluring than in worship. There will always be much pain when God ceases to listen to the prayers of the people.

In chapter 4 God promises restoration. He will always have a plan for bringing us back to Him after needed correction. He promises the Branch of the Lord. Some say this refers to Jesus and some say to the restoration of Judah after captivity. Both were in God's plan and both could apply. The cleansing and setting apart a holy people for Him are in the plan. His shelter of protection is part of restoration and will be there.

In Mark 1 we see the Lord drawing men to Him through the work and power of the Holy Spirit. He cast out unclean spirits and willingly healed the sick that He encountered. Then we see Him getting alone and praying. This was an important part of His life. It was His strength and food from the father. This is just as important for us today in order to get spiritual nourishment from the father. He rose from there to do ministry and spread the good news. He kept compassion and was willing to serve. Prayer our service effective. Without it were relying on our own strength. We will get tired, frustrated and want to quit. That is our human side taking over. God will give us the strength to carry out the assignment and the blessing will come along with the victory He has in mind for our life.

Isaiah 1-2; Mark 1:1-22

2009-01-21T05:23:00.011-05:00

Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Isaiah 1-2; Mark 1:1-22
The Lord gave Isaiah His vision concerning His people. Isaiah is the book of prophecy most quoted by Jesus so getting familiar with this reveals to us the heart of God for His children. His own did not understand Him and had become a nation of sin loaded down with guilt, evil, corruption and had forsaken the things of God and had become detestable in His sight. Their spiritual condition was such that God had turned His eyes from them and would not hear their prayers. It made them vulnerable. The power of God they had to overcome their enemies was gone and bitterness towards God had set in. Their country was in destruction and there was only a few of their people left in the country. God wanted them to confess their stubbornness and be redeemed. He wants restoration and victory in our lives. Then God told them the consequences of remaining as they were will be destruction. His plan for us is always restoration and remaining in intimate communion with him as He wants to have the place of other things in our life. His plan then is to gather His flock back in their fold:

2:3 "Many peoples will come and say,"
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the house of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths."
...5 "Come, O house of Jacob,
let us walk in the light of the LORD."
...22 "Stop trusting in man,
who has but a breath in his nostrils.
Of what account is he?"

We all have a tendency to follow the advice of others before we seek Godly council. This was Israel's biggest sin and it always leads to not listening to God. We may listen to a friend at work or a neighbor and follow what they are doing. That is not where God has placed us, it may even be where He has placed them, but we end up taking their vision as ours because we do not like the message or assignment God has given us, or in Israel's case God stopped talking to them because of their attitude before Him. They did not understand where they were in Him, and became bitter toward Him and His prophets all because of decisions they had made that did not include Him. When we blame God and His people for our circumstances we tread on dangerous soil. They were listening to the prophets that told them what they wanted to hear rather than the one God had sent into their lives. That always puts us at odds with God and we end up following the vision or assignment intended for someone else. God may have them on a path for discipline and we will end up there with them.

In Mark 1 we see John the Baptist preparing the way of the Lord. He said make straight paths for Him. We are to clear anything out of our life that may be getting in the way for god to communicate clearly. We are to do this with anticipation of what God will do next. He baptized Jesus and then Jesus was sent by the Holy Spirit out into the desert to be tempted for 40 days. When He was there angels and wild animals attended Him. Testing is something that is necessary for growing in our experience with Him. God always sends those to attend us as we go through it. Jesus then called His disciples. He went to them and said 17"Come, follow me Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 18At once they left their nets and followed him. Where are you now? What is it in your life that is keeping you from following Him? If the Lord has placed you here to serve with us and you have been asked to join in that, take that as Jesus saying "Come, follow me" and He will bless you richly as you see Him work through you like never before. Will you follow Him, or take someone else’s vision and attempt to make it yours?

Posted by Dan Holley at 5:23 AM

Gen 39-40; Romans 13

2009-01-16T01:19:00.006-05:00

Here we see the life of Joseph after being sold into slavery by his brothers. We see God blessing Joseph in every way. First he is put in charge of Potipher's household. Then we see Joseph wrongly accused by Potipher's wife and He is put into prison. God established him as responsible (granted him favor) in the eyes of the prison warden to the point that the warden paid no attention to all he had been placed in charge of.

In chapter 40 we see the baker and cupbearer's imprisonment and dreams. Joseph understood his gift and interpreted for them. The whole time Joseph was in prison he never wavered from the original dream God gave him while in his father's house regardless of how his circumstances changed. The cupbearer was to be restored and the baker was to be put to death by Pharaoh. Sometimes when we don't like the message we have a tendeny to try to change our circumstances when if we would prepare ourselves for where God has us reguardless of the circumstances and count on him to change the outcome. We need to ask ourselves where am I in you Lord? When we are in Him we are ready for tomorrow whatever the assignment may bring.

In Romans 13 we see the command to submit to authorities, to let no debt remain outstanding other than the debt of love and to wake up from our slumber as the day is drawing near. Finally we are told 13 "Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." We are to put on Jesus and it will add a whole new Godly dimension to all relationships in our life.

Genesis 36-38; Romans 12

2009-01-15T06:19:00.008-05:00

In chapter 36 we see the descendants of Esau (that is Edom). They became the Edomites. Jacob's other name is Israel and they are known as the Israelites. Esau became a great nation of people they were not the people of God because He did not seek God and the covenant with Abraham was honored through Jacob. Yesterday we saw in Romans 11 that the difference between the remnant of the Jews that did not have the promises of God and those that did was belief. They neither believed nor trusted God's promises and did not walk in His ways so God opened the gospel to the gentiles such as the Edomites and others. We are grafted in their place. Romans 11 says God will graft them in again as He chooses because they are a natural branch from the root (Abraham) and God always honors His covenant. He will draw them in when all of the gentiles have been exposed to the Gospel of Christ. If you are a gentile as I, you should understand that the call to us is real and we should respond to the calling of God. When we do we will also have a heritage of Godly people. One thing to understand is what God has established in our life and where He has placed us to serve. We are to take that seriously and involve ourselves where He has placed us and we will then experience the promises of God in our life. If you are not experiencing the promises of God in your life it is because you have not involved yourself deeply with God's people. We are to bloom where we are planted and when we do, see the beautiful crop God produces from the root of what He established.

Jacob raised his family in the Lord and we see prophesies unfold (your young men will dream dreams). Jacob's (Israel's) son Joseph started dreaming dreams and shared them with his brothers. These dreams showed what God was about to do with his life. They hated Joseph because Jacob loved him more, and so they rejected the dream and the idea that he would rule over them. It began to cause discontent on the family. The dreams usually come before the experience so we can look back and tie the two together. When Joseph shared these dreams with his father, he said "What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?" 11 His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind. (NIV) His brothers plotted to kill him because of jealousy of the dream and the coat that his father made him. Instead they at Judah's prompting sold Joseph to traders who sold him to Potiphar one of Pharaoh's officials. This is why it is so important as parents to love all of our children the same. Jealousy is a terrible sin it is so hard to detect before it has done it's damage and will ruin their lives before they know. We should make them aware of the danger and do everything we can to keep it from settling in.

In chapter 38 we see the life of Judah. After he sold his brother he left his brothers. Jealousy is a sin that always leads to division of the people of God. The deception that started with deceiving Jacob continued in his children and he led a life based on his own desires and understanding. Deception causes us to lead a double life and we see this in the life of Judah. People around him knew his character and his son's widow (his son was killed because he was evil in the sight of the Lord) deceived Judah into getting her pregnant because his other son failed to take on the responsibility of his brother's widow and God ended his life because of that sin. Sin always makes a mess in our family. When she became pregnant the law called for her to be killed but when she produces evidence that she was pregnant by Judah he said "She is more righteous than I, since I wouldn't give her to my son Shelah." And he did not sleep with her again. Deception and jealousy weaves a web that causes much pain and their consequences are eternal.

In Romans 12 we see God's plan for our life. 1 "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Sacrificial living is something we all struggle with. For example should I keep my children out late to be involved in the things of God or should I keep them in to do their homework and get to bed early? If we don't invest in the spiritual, the earthly assignments will be impossible to accomplish God's way under our own strength and direction. Making that a priority it is a witness to our children through our actions. Our actions speak louder than our words. in verse 9 "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." (NIV) We are to be devoted to each other as the people of God. Then we are instructed to bless those that persecute us and to repay evil with good. God knows what He's doing and being obedient in these areas will always honor Him and bring His people together in a way that will honor our creator.

Tomorrow I would like to read Genesis 39-40; and Romans 13

Gen 33-35; Romans 11:19-36

2009-01-14T14:49:00.003-05:00

We see in Genesis 33 an example of how we are to go the second mile to reconcile to our brothers. Jacob had deceived his father and taken advantage of his brother in a weak moment in order to get his birthright. God had already foretold this to Isaac ("the older shall serve the younger)." Jacob first prayed and asked God to have favor on him. He had everything he could ask for but could not have peace without God's favor. He gave him many gifts to make up for the wrong he had caused and went to Esau as his servant.

In chapter 34 we see Hamor trying to make amends for his son Schechem after he had violated Dinah (Jacob's daughter). 11 Then Shechem said to Dinah's father and brothers, 11 "Let me find favor in your eyes, and I will give you whatever you ask. 12 Make the price for the bride and the gift I am to bring as great as you like, and I'll pay whatever you ask me. Only give me the girl as my wife."