This morning, while making last minute preparations for a "Sunrise Service" where I serve as pastor, I thought of the scripture in Matthew 28 where it makes the following statement:
"He is not here, He is risen. Come, and see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead, and behold, he goeth before you..."
After hearing these words Matthew's writing tells us it was "Mary Magdalene and another woman named Mary" that ran quickly to tell Jesus' followers what had happen. Matthew 28:8 (NCV) tells us that "The women left the tomb quickly. They were afraid, but they were also very happy. They ran to tell Jesus' followers what had happen."
Talking about mixed emotions! The women were afraid but also very happy. This is not exactly what they expected to find when they arrived at the tomb but they were very glad to know that Jesus was no longer in the tomb and that He lives.
Today as you celebrate Easter remember what Easter is about, remember that He is no longer in the tomb, and that He lives today. My prayer is that all of us will have a real sense of urgency to tell others that Jesus is alive!
I rejoice today because my Lord and Savior lives!
He lives, He lives, I know He lives. He lives within my heart!
BLESSINGS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ON THIS EASTER SUNDAY!
Scriptures for today: John 20:1-31 Luke 24:1-12
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Saturday, April 7, 2012
WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER?
One of my friends once stated that he used to have a pretty good memory but was now to the point that he could hide his own Easter eggs. Memory is a funny thing. Some things seem to be imprinted on our mind while other things we forget immediately.
During Holy Week, the day after the crucifixion of Christ and the day before his Resurrection we see several things that have been imprinted on the minds of many.
Matthew 27:55 (NCV) says, Many women who had followed Jesus from Galilee to help him were standing at a distance from the cross, watching. I am sure that what they saw on Friday was still imprinted on their mind Saturday morning.
On the next day the leading priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. They remembered the words of Jesus when he said, "in three days I will rise from the dead (Matthew 27:63)." I am sure this was imprinted on their mind.
Then we have the disciples that had followed Jesus but we find in John 20:19 that on the evening of the first day of the week, they were together. The doors were locked, because they were afraid of the elders. These disciples probably had spent most of the weekend together with imprinted on their mind the many teachings of Jesus.
During Holy Week, the day after the crucifixion of Christ and the day before his Resurrection we see several things that have been imprinted on the minds of many.
Matthew 27:55 (NCV) says, Many women who had followed Jesus from Galilee to help him were standing at a distance from the cross, watching. I am sure that what they saw on Friday was still imprinted on their mind Saturday morning.
On the next day the leading priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. They remembered the words of Jesus when he said, "in three days I will rise from the dead (Matthew 27:63)." I am sure this was imprinted on their mind.
Then we have the disciples that had followed Jesus but we find in John 20:19 that on the evening of the first day of the week, they were together. The doors were locked, because they were afraid of the elders. These disciples probably had spent most of the weekend together with imprinted on their mind the many teachings of Jesus.
What is it that you remember the most about this week? What event or words lay heavy in your mind and on your heart? What is it that leaves a lasting impression on your mind? Today, may we remember the events of this week and at the same time look with expectation of great things to happen on Easter Sunday!
Scripture for today: Matthew 27:62-66; Luke 23:56
Friday, April 6, 2012
WHAT HURT JESUS THE MOST?
I wondered what hurt Jesus the most. Was it when they tied him and led him to Pilate, the governor? Was it when he heard that Judas had hanged himself? Was it the cry of the people to "crucify him, crucify him"? Was it the beating with whips? Was it the crowning with a crown of thorns? Was it when the people bowed before Jesus and made fun of him, saying, "Hail, King, of the Jews!" Was it when someone spit on him? Was it when some of the soldiers "cast lots" for his clothing? Was it the insults from the people that walked by and said, "You said you could destroy the Temple and build it again in three days. So save yourself! Come down from that cross if you are really the Son of God!" Or was it the nails being driven through the hands and feet of Jesus that hurt Him the most?
Unlike many of us, Jesus did not dwell on His hurts. No where in scripture do I hear Jesus saying, "What hurt me the most is..." What Jesus did think about while on the cross was what came forth out of his mouth, "It is finished!" Triumph, not defeat, was on his mind.
My prayer today is: "God help me not to dwell on my "hurts and disappointments" but help me to dwell on the victories in my life." For the "The sufferings we have now are nothing compared to the great glory that will be shown to us" (Romans 8:18).
Scripture for today: Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 22:66-23:56; John 18:29-19-37
Unlike many of us, Jesus did not dwell on His hurts. No where in scripture do I hear Jesus saying, "What hurt me the most is..." What Jesus did think about while on the cross was what came forth out of his mouth, "It is finished!" Triumph, not defeat, was on his mind.
My prayer today is: "God help me not to dwell on my "hurts and disappointments" but help me to dwell on the victories in my life." For the "The sufferings we have now are nothing compared to the great glory that will be shown to us" (Romans 8:18).
Scripture for today: Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 22:66-23:56; John 18:29-19-37
Thursday, April 5, 2012
WHO IS POURING INTO YOUR LIFE?
It is Thursday evening and Jesus sat down with his disciples for the Passover meal. During the course of the evening Jesus took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to his disciples. Then he did a very symbolic thing in taking a cup, probably pouring into the cup, thanked God for it and gave it to His followers. Another part of that passage of scripture tells us that Jesus "poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciple's feet" (John 13:5). Jesus also had spent the last three and a half years "pouring into" the lives of his disciples his teachings and about righteous living.
Think about it for a moment. Who are those that have "poured" into your life? Who are the people that have invested time, money, and patience into your life? People that when you did foolish things, they didn't give up on you.
The one single person, besides Christ, that I believed poured more into my life then anyone in my entire life was my dad. He kept pouring and even though sometimes I did very foolish things, he didn't give up. He just kept pouring. Like a dad would, he saw possibilities in me that no one else saw. Many others have poured into my life, and are still pouring. Thank God for those that will invest in others!
Jesus saw potential in his disciples that no one else saw. Our heavenly Father sees potential in you and me that no one else can see and will pour into our lives, if we will allow Him to do so. I encourage you to read the bible daily and pray and allow our heavenly Father to pour His Word and His love into your heart. Also, connect with godly people that can pour into your life the things of God.
Who are you allowing to pour into your life and what are they pouring?
Scripture for today: Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-23; John 13:1-30
Think about it for a moment. Who are those that have "poured" into your life? Who are the people that have invested time, money, and patience into your life? People that when you did foolish things, they didn't give up on you.
The one single person, besides Christ, that I believed poured more into my life then anyone in my entire life was my dad. He kept pouring and even though sometimes I did very foolish things, he didn't give up. He just kept pouring. Like a dad would, he saw possibilities in me that no one else saw. Many others have poured into my life, and are still pouring. Thank God for those that will invest in others!
Jesus saw potential in his disciples that no one else saw. Our heavenly Father sees potential in you and me that no one else can see and will pour into our lives, if we will allow Him to do so. I encourage you to read the bible daily and pray and allow our heavenly Father to pour His Word and His love into your heart. Also, connect with godly people that can pour into your life the things of God.
Who are you allowing to pour into your life and what are they pouring?
Scripture for today: Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-23; John 13:1-30
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER
"During the day, Jesus taught the people in the Temple, and at night he went out of the city and stayed on the Mount of Olives. Every morning all the people got up early to go to the Temple to listen to him." Luke 21:37, 38
Some believe that Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, that Jesus spent time going into the temple teaching. It is clear that despite the wrong that was in the temple that Jesus did not desert the temple but continued to go and teach each day. The routine seem to be that Jesus would spend time in prayer at night and early every morning he could be found in the temple teaching.
At night he did not stay at any of the local inns but "stayed on the Mount of Olives." This is the same place that:
Before leaving the scene of the temple Jesus address the "religious leaders" of that day as hypocrites. He calls them "snakes" and asked them the question, "How are you going to escape God's judgment?" I can hear someone saying "Why don't you really tell them what you think of them?"
Both physically and spiritually the next couple of days of the life of Christ will be rather demanding for him. Jesus spent time in the garden praying and talking to the Father about this and concluded his prayer with "...Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup (suffering) from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt."
This week as we prepare our hearts for Easter weekend think about the sacrifices that Jesus made for us and then write down any sacrifices you have made for him in the past week, month, or year. When I think about what he has done for me, then things that I use to consider a sacrifice is no longer a sacrifice. It becomes a blessing and a honor to live for the one that died for me.
Scriptures for today: Matthew 23:1 - 24:51 Mark 12:35- 13:37 Luke 20:41 - 21:36
Some believe that Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, that Jesus spent time going into the temple teaching. It is clear that despite the wrong that was in the temple that Jesus did not desert the temple but continued to go and teach each day. The routine seem to be that Jesus would spend time in prayer at night and early every morning he could be found in the temple teaching.
At night he did not stay at any of the local inns but "stayed on the Mount of Olives." This is the same place that:
- Jesus often resorted (Luke 22:39)
- Jesus often spent the night when in Jerusalem (John 7:53-8:1)
- Jesus preached a great sermon on the end time (Matthew 24:3; Mark 13:3)
- Jesus' Triumphal Entry began (Luke 19:37)
- Jesus' terrible agony in the Garden of Gethsemane took place (Mark 14:26-42)
- Jesus' ascension took place (Acts 1:12)
Before leaving the scene of the temple Jesus address the "religious leaders" of that day as hypocrites. He calls them "snakes" and asked them the question, "How are you going to escape God's judgment?" I can hear someone saying "Why don't you really tell them what you think of them?"
Both physically and spiritually the next couple of days of the life of Christ will be rather demanding for him. Jesus spent time in the garden praying and talking to the Father about this and concluded his prayer with "...Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup (suffering) from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt."
This week as we prepare our hearts for Easter weekend think about the sacrifices that Jesus made for us and then write down any sacrifices you have made for him in the past week, month, or year. When I think about what he has done for me, then things that I use to consider a sacrifice is no longer a sacrifice. It becomes a blessing and a honor to live for the one that died for me.
Scriptures for today: Matthew 23:1 - 24:51 Mark 12:35- 13:37 Luke 20:41 - 21:36
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
WHICH CHALLENGES DO I ACCEPT?
The last week of Jesus' ministry on earth, before his crucifixion, he spent a lot of time teaching and a lot of time dealing with confrontation. On one of these days during this week Jesus was challenge by the chief priests and the scribes, along with the elders of his day with the question, "Who gave you this authority?" Jesus was teaching in the temple when the "religious people" of his day brutally interrupted him and questioned his rights to be teaching in the temple. Imagine, someone challenging Jesus and his right to teach while in the temple!
Several years ago I was preaching when a visitor stood up in the middle of the church service and claimed that God had given him the other half of my sermon. Needless to say this confusion was not of God and disrupted that particular church service. I felt at that moment that my authority to preach the word had just been challenge. To this day I am not for sure that as a young pastor I responded wisely to the challenge.
But Jesus knew how to answer every challenge of life. When Jesus was asked the question "Who gave you this authority?" Jesus in returned asked, "When John baptized people, did that come from God or just from other people?" The religious leaders fearing if they said, "It came from God," then Jesus would say, "Then why didn't you believe him?" And if the religious leaders said that it came from people they were afraid of the crowd, because the crowd believed that John was indeed a prophet.
The religious leaders answered, "We don't know!" Jesus said, "Then I won't tell you what authority I have to do these things." It seems that Jesus always had the right answer for every challenge, and sometime Jesus just didn't answer the challenge at all!
I learned years ago that I do not have to answer every challenge; Jesus didn't. Some challenges are nothing more than a distraction and is not worth the energy that we invest in the fight. If Jesus had answered every question and accepted every challenge, he never would have made it to the cross and died for my sin. I am glad that Jesus was wise enough to see that some challenges was no more than an attempt from the enemy to cause a distraction.
Don't feel pressured into accepting every challenge in life. You too need to make it to the foot of the cross and some challenges will hinder your vision of the place that Jesus died for you. There are some things I know I have to confront with God's help, but I believe there are some things that I hear God saying, "Let me take care of this for you."
Thank you Lord for the challenges of life that I never have to confront because you have my front and my back side!
"But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard." (Isaiah 52:12 NIV)
Scripture for today: Matthew 21:23-46; Matthew 22:1-46;Luke 20:1-40
Several years ago I was preaching when a visitor stood up in the middle of the church service and claimed that God had given him the other half of my sermon. Needless to say this confusion was not of God and disrupted that particular church service. I felt at that moment that my authority to preach the word had just been challenge. To this day I am not for sure that as a young pastor I responded wisely to the challenge.
But Jesus knew how to answer every challenge of life. When Jesus was asked the question "Who gave you this authority?" Jesus in returned asked, "When John baptized people, did that come from God or just from other people?" The religious leaders fearing if they said, "It came from God," then Jesus would say, "Then why didn't you believe him?" And if the religious leaders said that it came from people they were afraid of the crowd, because the crowd believed that John was indeed a prophet.
The religious leaders answered, "We don't know!" Jesus said, "Then I won't tell you what authority I have to do these things." It seems that Jesus always had the right answer for every challenge, and sometime Jesus just didn't answer the challenge at all!
I learned years ago that I do not have to answer every challenge; Jesus didn't. Some challenges are nothing more than a distraction and is not worth the energy that we invest in the fight. If Jesus had answered every question and accepted every challenge, he never would have made it to the cross and died for my sin. I am glad that Jesus was wise enough to see that some challenges was no more than an attempt from the enemy to cause a distraction.
Don't feel pressured into accepting every challenge in life. You too need to make it to the foot of the cross and some challenges will hinder your vision of the place that Jesus died for you. There are some things I know I have to confront with God's help, but I believe there are some things that I hear God saying, "Let me take care of this for you."
Thank you Lord for the challenges of life that I never have to confront because you have my front and my back side!
"But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard." (Isaiah 52:12 NIV)
Scripture for today: Matthew 21:23-46; Matthew 22:1-46;Luke 20:1-40
Monday, April 2, 2012
STAYING FOCUS (Monday)
Read: Matthew 21:1-17
Palm Sunday was a very emotional time for Jesus. He entered Jerusalem and multitudes followed him crying Hosanna to the Son of David. Great rejoicing happened in the streets as they witness Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. Later in the week some of these same people possibly cried, "Crucify Him, Crucify Him!"
On Monday morning Jesus enters the temple to find men that had made His house a hiding place for thieves. Jesus turned the tables over and rebuked the activity happening in the temple. Jesus literally ran out the thieves from the temple!
But something else more significant happened in Jerusalem.
"Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and he healed them."
As we take this journey this week through Jerusalem and the surrounding areas I encourage you to notice three things:
- Jesus provided a safe place for people to come to worship Him.
- The blind and the lame came to Him and He healed them.
- The children sing praises to God and it was noticed by the rulers of the city.
This week let's provide that "safe place" for people to join us in worship. Let's pray and believe for miracles this Sunday. Let's sing out a song of praise so that others may hear.
It is my prayer that this Easter Sunday is the best yet in your place of worship.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
LEAP DAY: ANY PLANS?
This is "Leap Day" and it usually happens every four years according to the Gregorian Calendar. (If you use a Hebrew Calendar then you simply get one extra month every 19 years.) Imagine a year with 13 months instead of 12!
Now this is probably a little too much of a science lesson for me but I am reminded of Joshua10:13. It says, "So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped until the people defeated their enemies..."The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and waited to go down for a full day (Joshua 10:13 NCV)." Joshua prayed for this miracle and God's divine intervention enabled the children of Israel time to defeat their enemy.
Now I am not praying for the "sun to stand still and the moon to stop" but sometimes I have to admit that I do say "I wish I had more time." Well I do! This year gives me an extra day. Now that I have an extra day on my calendar for this year, what will I do with it? Will it become absorbed into the other 365 days and just become another day?
Time is the most valuable thing that any of us have. Once time is spent it cannot be retrieve. Life goes on, regardless if we plan for it or not.
My prayer really should not be "Lord, give me more time," but "Lord, help me to use my time wisely. Help me to add value to the life of others by doing for others what they cannot do for themselves. Help me to speak words of encouragement when I speak and to know how to listen with my heart. To point out the strengths in others lives and not their weaknesses..."
"Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." (James 4:14 KJV)
"Lord, help me to spend this day, and every day wisely helping others!"
Now this is probably a little too much of a science lesson for me but I am reminded of Joshua10:13. It says, "So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped until the people defeated their enemies..."The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and waited to go down for a full day (Joshua 10:13 NCV)." Joshua prayed for this miracle and God's divine intervention enabled the children of Israel time to defeat their enemy.
Now I am not praying for the "sun to stand still and the moon to stop" but sometimes I have to admit that I do say "I wish I had more time." Well I do! This year gives me an extra day. Now that I have an extra day on my calendar for this year, what will I do with it? Will it become absorbed into the other 365 days and just become another day?
Time is the most valuable thing that any of us have. Once time is spent it cannot be retrieve. Life goes on, regardless if we plan for it or not.
My prayer really should not be "Lord, give me more time," but "Lord, help me to use my time wisely. Help me to add value to the life of others by doing for others what they cannot do for themselves. Help me to speak words of encouragement when I speak and to know how to listen with my heart. To point out the strengths in others lives and not their weaknesses..."
"Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." (James 4:14 KJV)
"Lord, help me to spend this day, and every day wisely helping others!"
Monday, December 5, 2011
WHAT ARE YOU READING?
"Goals are visions and dreams with work clothes on," states Dave Ramsey in his book "EntreLeadership".
Several months ago one of my friends posted in a social media network that he was in the process of laying aside the books he wanted to read in the next 12 months. The point is, being intentional about what goes into the mind.
Eugene Peterson's paraphrase of Philippians 4:8 is "Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious-the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse."
So for several weeks I have been thinking on what to read in the next year and intentionally this morning I set aside a section on my book shelf, and placed these books there for the months ahead. (Some of these books were gifts given to me for Christmas.) I realize that during the year new books will come available and so I only put about 50% of the books aside that I plan to read. The other 50% I read during the year will be books given to me, books loaned to me, or books I purchase.
Obviously we all have likes and dislikes in the book world but below is a few of the books, based on what I read this year, that I would recommend to be a good read. You may want to read the reviews on these books to see if they are something that would benefit you.
"The Difference Maker", John Maxwell
"ReThink Your Life", Stan Toler
"Mississippi Wind", Dennis Patterson
"The 360 degree Leader", John Maxwell
"Ordering Your Private World," Gordon MacDonald
"The Church God Blesses", Jim Cymbala
"Radical Together" David Platt
"Purpose Driven Life" Rick Warren
"Simultaneous Principles" Frank Tunstell
"A Resilient Life", Gordan MacDonald
"The Purpose of Christmas", Rick Warren
"Unwrapping His Presence", by Chris Maxwell
Being realistic
now I have to decide how much time a day I want to spend reading and
then set aside that time each day for that purpose. Since one of the most recent polls indicates that the average person will spend 10 hours watching television, movies, or on the Internet each day, a hour or two each day reading sounds reasonable to me but I know may not be realistic for everyone. Circumstances in
life sometimes will alter that plan but I encourage you to be
intentional about what goes into your mind this coming year and set aside at least 30 minutes of your day to read the bible.
Wishing you all a Happy New Year, one filled with joy and happiness as you walk through your journey with God.
Friday, May 20, 2011
GOD'S GRACE AND MERCY SHALL FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE
It all started this morning when I went to use the mouse on my computer and it was doing crazy things, my first thoughts was "my computer has a virus." I happen to pick up the mouse in desperation to get it to work correctly and realized that there was a “mustard-seed size" of paper wedge by the sensor that causes a "distraction" to the mouse, causing a malfunction. I chuckled as I thought how easy it is for us to imagine the worse, even with our computer. Once I removed the tiny piece of paper the mouse worked properly.
People get up every morning of the week thinking the worse. Being very transparent this morning just a few days ago I got up feeling down. This is somewhat not my nature. Why was I feeling down? I really don't know. Maybe a chemical imbalance; maybe some medicine I took the night before to relieve me of some aches and pains; or maybe simply an attack of Satan. I really don't know why but I know how I felt. Facing reality I prayed through out the day for God's strength.
At the end of the day it occurred to me that I had weathered through the storm. There was a sense of peace that came over me as I realized that I had made it through the storm and "this house" still stands. I penned these words in my bible that evening: Thank you God for your grace and mercy that followed me today. I made it another day and my faith in you is stronger than the day before.
I am sure there will be another day that Satan will try my faith but thanks be to God who gives me unmerited favor and his mercies are new every morning!
"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." Lamentations 3: 22 & 23
People get up every morning of the week thinking the worse. Being very transparent this morning just a few days ago I got up feeling down. This is somewhat not my nature. Why was I feeling down? I really don't know. Maybe a chemical imbalance; maybe some medicine I took the night before to relieve me of some aches and pains; or maybe simply an attack of Satan. I really don't know why but I know how I felt. Facing reality I prayed through out the day for God's strength.
At the end of the day it occurred to me that I had weathered through the storm. There was a sense of peace that came over me as I realized that I had made it through the storm and "this house" still stands. I penned these words in my bible that evening: Thank you God for your grace and mercy that followed me today. I made it another day and my faith in you is stronger than the day before.
I am sure there will be another day that Satan will try my faith but thanks be to God who gives me unmerited favor and his mercies are new every morning!
"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." Lamentations 3: 22 & 23
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
IT'S JUST A HABIT!
The word "habit" means, "pattern of behavior or customary practice". In my opinion it is very closely associated to the word "addiction." Habits are something that all of us have. One unknown author wrote, "Habits are like a comfortable bed, easy to get into, but hard to get out of." Another writer stated that "The second half of a man's life is made up of nothing but the habits he has acquired during the first half."
In reading and studying 2 Peter 1 recently I was reminded to take a look at my habits. The first thing I had to do was to come to realization and admit that I have habits. The second thing I had to admit is that some of my habits are annoying to others. And third I had to confess that some of the habits I have, I have had most of my life! (Habits like pouting when we don't get our way! The difference is that when I was a child, I didn't care who saw me pout and in fact wanted people to notice that I was pouting. Now that I am an adult I try to pout only when no one is looking, and I no longer call it pouting but just call it "being in a bad mood.”)
Bad habits like "saying goodbye on the phone to someone first" when they are the one that called. Or bad habits like "not looking up when I am walking" and almost having three head-on “walking collisions” recently. Bad habits like “checking facebook” way too often are one of those habits that I have added to my collection of habits in the second-half of my life. "I am sure of this one thing" (as the Apostle Paul would say) that these are not the only bad habits I have but I didn't want to hang out too much of my laundry in this blog. However, all of these are things I need to work on.
Not all of my habits are bad. Simple habits like saying "yes sir" and "no sir". Habits like saying "thank you" every time the waiter or waitress refills my glass of tea at the local restaurant (which may be quite often). Habits like "holding the door open for the person that may be following me into a building, even if they are several steps away." Some habits are as simple as getting out of bed in the morning time. These habits I hope that I will always have. Then there are more serious habits I have, and continue to work on like reading my bible daily and spending time in prayer and meditation on a daily basis.
Then there are things (or habits) that I need to add:
"Because you have these blessings, do your best to add these things to your lives: to your faith, add goodness; and to your goodness; add knowledge; and to your knowledge, add self-control; and to your self-control, add patience; and to your patience, add service for God; and to your service for God, add kindness for your brothers and sisters in Christ; and to this kindness, add love. If all these things are in you and are growing, they will help you to be useful and productive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:5-7 NCV
What habits do you need to get rid of and which habits do you need to keep? Is there change that needs to happen in your life? Howard Hendricks, in his book Teaching to Change Lives challenges his readers to "write down somewhere...your answer to this question: How have you changed...be very specific. You say you're growing. Okay...how?"
What about you? How you change lately? Are there old habits that need to be broken and new habits that need to be added?
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Godly Mothers and Wives
Pastor Tim has been using Oswald Chambers’ My Utmost for His Highest this year as his morning devotional guide. He has made reference to it in his postings as well as sermons. It is the most powerful devotional guide I have found and is now in print in over 40 languages.
Doing a little research, I found that it was first published in 1927 and has been in print ever since; over 70 years. But, since Chambers died in 1917 how could he have written a book that was published 10 years later? Who actually wrote it and the more than 30 titles that bear his name?
The answer: his Godly wife.
Gertrude (Hobbs) Chambers, nicknamed “Biddy” by her husband, suddenly became a widow and single mother of a four year old at the age of 33, when Oswald Chambers died unexpectedly while serving as a YMCA chaplain in Egypt during WW I. When Oswald died, he had published one book.
Oswald and Biddy had one daughter, Kathleen who remembers her mother as a loving mother with a gift for hospitality. But God had uniquely prepared Biddy for what became her life’s work; transcribing her husband’s sermons into books. She did this for most of the rest of her life.
Biddy was a sickly young girl, and had studied shorthand from a book. By the time she was old enough to work, she could take dictation at 250 words a minute; faster than most of can talk, particularly those of us from the south. Little did she know that God was preparing her for her life’s work.
Oswald and Biddy had both felt called to ministry. They founded the Bible Training College to fulfill that call. They operated the college, and ministered to a large number of students until Oswald left to minister to soldiers in Egypt. That school touched innumerable lives during its short existence, sending many to the mission field.
For most of their seven years of marriage, during lectures in his bible school as well as sermons in England and Egypt, Biddy was there, taking verbatim notes of his every word. I don’t find any record of either of them saying why she took these notes, but there is no doubt that God had a hand in it.
After Oswald’s death, Biddy returned to England with her daughter. She operated what amounted to a boarding house to ministerial students. In addition to being a mother to her daughter, she spent countless hours poring through her notes of his sermons, turning them in to the books we think of as Oswald Chambers’ books. Over the next 40+ years, she remained in the background as many around the world continue to read what she wrote down and edited. Without her, Oswald Chambers’ timeless words would probably not be known. Without her we would have never read a single page of My Utmost for His Highest.
I thought that this Mother’s Day would be a good time for this story, not just for her, but to honor all of the Godly mothers and wives around us, who do all the “behind the scenes” work in our homes, our churches, and our lives.
God Bless You! God Bless You All!
Happy Mother’s Day!
This is a guest post by Bill Davis, who occasionally guest posts here. You can see his blog at http://chickenroadwisdom.blogspot.com/
Doing a little research, I found that it was first published in 1927 and has been in print ever since; over 70 years. But, since Chambers died in 1917 how could he have written a book that was published 10 years later? Who actually wrote it and the more than 30 titles that bear his name?
The answer: his Godly wife.
Gertrude (Hobbs) Chambers, nicknamed “Biddy” by her husband, suddenly became a widow and single mother of a four year old at the age of 33, when Oswald Chambers died unexpectedly while serving as a YMCA chaplain in Egypt during WW I. When Oswald died, he had published one book.
Oswald and Biddy had one daughter, Kathleen who remembers her mother as a loving mother with a gift for hospitality. But God had uniquely prepared Biddy for what became her life’s work; transcribing her husband’s sermons into books. She did this for most of the rest of her life.
Biddy was a sickly young girl, and had studied shorthand from a book. By the time she was old enough to work, she could take dictation at 250 words a minute; faster than most of can talk, particularly those of us from the south. Little did she know that God was preparing her for her life’s work.
Oswald and Biddy had both felt called to ministry. They founded the Bible Training College to fulfill that call. They operated the college, and ministered to a large number of students until Oswald left to minister to soldiers in Egypt. That school touched innumerable lives during its short existence, sending many to the mission field.
For most of their seven years of marriage, during lectures in his bible school as well as sermons in England and Egypt, Biddy was there, taking verbatim notes of his every word. I don’t find any record of either of them saying why she took these notes, but there is no doubt that God had a hand in it.
After Oswald’s death, Biddy returned to England with her daughter. She operated what amounted to a boarding house to ministerial students. In addition to being a mother to her daughter, she spent countless hours poring through her notes of his sermons, turning them in to the books we think of as Oswald Chambers’ books. Over the next 40+ years, she remained in the background as many around the world continue to read what she wrote down and edited. Without her, Oswald Chambers’ timeless words would probably not be known. Without her we would have never read a single page of My Utmost for His Highest.
I thought that this Mother’s Day would be a good time for this story, not just for her, but to honor all of the Godly mothers and wives around us, who do all the “behind the scenes” work in our homes, our churches, and our lives.
God Bless You! God Bless You All!
Happy Mother’s Day!
This is a guest post by Bill Davis, who occasionally guest posts here. You can see his blog at http://chickenroadwisdom.blogspot.com/
Sunday, April 24, 2011
EASTER MORNING
"He is not here, He is risen. Come, and see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead, and behold, he goeth before you..."
After hearing these words Matthew's writing tells us it was "Mary Magdalene and another woman named Mary" that ran quickly to tell Jesus' followers what had happen. Matthew 28:8 (NCV) says, "The women left the tomb quickly. They were afraid, but they were also very happy. They ran to tell Jesus' followers what had happen."
Talking about mixed emotions! The women were "afraid but also very happy". This is not exactly what they expected to find when they arrived at the tomb but they were very glad to know that Jesus was no longer in the tomb and that He lives.
Today as you celebrate Easter remember what Easter is about, remember that He is no longer in the tomb, and that He lives today. My prayer is that all of us will have a real sense of urgency to tell others that Jesus is alive!
I rejoice today because my Lord and Savior live!
He lives, He lives, I know He lives. He lives within my heart!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
HOW IS YOUR MEMORY?
One of my friends once stated that he used to have a pretty good memory but was now to the point that he could hide his own Easter eggs. Memory is a funny thing. Some things seems to be imprinted on our mind while other things we forget immediately.
During Holy Week, the day after the crucifixion of Christ and the day before his Resurrection we see several things that has been imprinted on the minds of many.
Matthew 27:55 (NCV) says, Many women who had followed Jesus from Galilee to help him were standing at a distance from the cross, watching. I am sure that what they saw on Friday was still imprinted on their mind Saturday morning.
On the next day the leading priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. They remembered the words of Jesus when he said, "in three days I will rise from the dead (Matthew 27:63)." I am sure this was imprinted on their mind.
Then we have the disciples that had followed Jesus but we find in John 20:19 that on the evening of the first day of the week, they were together. The doors were locked, because they were afraid of the elders. These disciples probably had spent most of the weekend together with imprinted on their mind the many teachings of Jesus.
During Holy Week, the day after the crucifixion of Christ and the day before his Resurrection we see several things that has been imprinted on the minds of many.
Matthew 27:55 (NCV) says, Many women who had followed Jesus from Galilee to help him were standing at a distance from the cross, watching. I am sure that what they saw on Friday was still imprinted on their mind Saturday morning.
On the next day the leading priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. They remembered the words of Jesus when he said, "in three days I will rise from the dead (Matthew 27:63)." I am sure this was imprinted on their mind.
Then we have the disciples that had followed Jesus but we find in John 20:19 that on the evening of the first day of the week, they were together. The doors were locked, because they were afraid of the elders. These disciples probably had spent most of the weekend together with imprinted on their mind the many teachings of Jesus.
What is it that you remember the most about this week? What event or words have laid heavy in your mind and on your heart? What is it that leaves a lasting impression on your mind? Today, may we remember the events of this week and at the same time look with expectation of great things to happen on Easter Sunday!
Scripture for today: Matthew 27:62-66; Luke 23:56
Friday, April 22, 2011
GOOD FRIDAY
I wondered what hurt Jesus the most. Was it when they tied him and led him to Pilate, the governor? Was it when he heard that Judas had hanged himself? Was it the cry of the people to "crucify him, crucify him"? Was it the beating with whips? Was it the crowning with a crown of thorns? Was it when the people bowed before Jesus and made fun of him, saying, "Hail, King, of the Jews!" Was it when some spit on him? Was it when some of the soldiers "cast lots" for his clothing? Was it the insults from the people that walked by and said, "You said you could destroy the Temple and build it again in three days. So save yourself! Come down from that cross if you are really the Son of God!" Or was it the nails being driven through the hands and feet of Jesus that hurt Him the most?
Unlike many of us, Jesus did not dwell on his hurts. No where in scripture do I hear Jesus saying, "What hurt me the most is..." What Jesus did think about while on the cross was what came forth out of his mouth, "It is finished!" Triumph, not defeat, was on his mind.
My prayer today is: "God help me not to dwell on my "hurts and disappointments" but help me to dwell on the victories in my life." For the "The sufferings we have now are nothing compared to the great glory that will be shown to us" (Romans 8:18).
Scripture for today: Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 22:66-23:56; John 18:29-19-37
Unlike many of us, Jesus did not dwell on his hurts. No where in scripture do I hear Jesus saying, "What hurt me the most is..." What Jesus did think about while on the cross was what came forth out of his mouth, "It is finished!" Triumph, not defeat, was on his mind.
My prayer today is: "God help me not to dwell on my "hurts and disappointments" but help me to dwell on the victories in my life." For the "The sufferings we have now are nothing compared to the great glory that will be shown to us" (Romans 8:18).
Scripture for today: Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 22:66-23:56; John 18:29-19-37
Thursday, April 21, 2011
WHAT ARE THEY POURING?
It is Thursday evening and Jesus sat down with his disciples for the Passover meal. During the course of the evening Jesus took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to his disciples. Then he did a very symbolic thing in taking a cup, probably pouring into the cup, thanked God for it and gave it to his followers. Another part of that passage of scripture tells us that Jesus "poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples feet" (John 13:5). Jesus also had spent the last three and a half years "pouring into" the lives of his disciples his teachings and about righteous living.
Think about it for a moment. Who are those that has "poured" into your life? People that has invested time, money, and patience into your life? People that when you did foolish things, they didn't give up on you. The one single person, besides Christ, that I believed poured more into my life then anyone in my entire life was my dad. He kept pouring and even though sometimes I did very foolish things, he didn't give up. He just kept pouring. Like a dad would, he saw possibilities in me that no one else saw. Many others have poured into my life, and are still pouring. Some intentionally and others probably not knowing the impact they have on my life. Thank God for those that will invest in others!
Jesus saw potential in his disciples that no one else saw. Our heavenly Father sees potential in you that no one else can see and will pour into your lives, if you will allow Him to do so.
Who are you allowing to pour into your life and what are they pouring?
Scripture for today: Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-23; John 13:1-30
Think about it for a moment. Who are those that has "poured" into your life? People that has invested time, money, and patience into your life? People that when you did foolish things, they didn't give up on you. The one single person, besides Christ, that I believed poured more into my life then anyone in my entire life was my dad. He kept pouring and even though sometimes I did very foolish things, he didn't give up. He just kept pouring. Like a dad would, he saw possibilities in me that no one else saw. Many others have poured into my life, and are still pouring. Some intentionally and others probably not knowing the impact they have on my life. Thank God for those that will invest in others!
Jesus saw potential in his disciples that no one else saw. Our heavenly Father sees potential in you that no one else can see and will pour into your lives, if you will allow Him to do so.
Who are you allowing to pour into your life and what are they pouring?
Scripture for today: Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-23; John 13:1-30
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
The Price that Jesus Paid
"During the day, Jesus taught the people in the Temple, and at night he went out of the city and stayed on the Mount of Olives. Every morning all the people got up early to go to the Temple to listen to him." Luke 21:37, 38
Some believe that Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, that Jesus spent time going into the temple teaching. It is clear that despite the wrong that was in the temple that Jesus did not desert the temple but continued to go and teach each day. The routine seem to be that Jesus would spend time in prayer at night and early every morning he could be found in the temple teaching.
At night he did not stay at any of the local inns but "stayed on the Mount of Olives." This is the same place that:
Before leaving the scene of the temple Jesus address the "religious leaders" of that day as hypocrites. He calls them "snakes" and asked them the question, "How are you going to escape God's judgment?" I can hear someone saying "Why don't you really tell them what you think of them?"
There is nothing in my life that has or ever will compare to the suffering that Jesus did for me. There is no personal experiences that I could ever share that would measure up to what Jesus did for us. Both physically and spiritually the next couple of days of the life of Christ will be rather demanding for him. Jesus spent time in the garden praying and talking to the Father about this and concluded his prayer with "...Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup (suffering) from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt."
The bottom line is that He died for me and you!
My prayer today is "God help me to be more sensitive to the price that you paid for me!"
Scripture for today: Matthew 23, 24; Mark 12:35 - Mark 13:37; Luke 20:41 - 21:36
Some believe that Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, that Jesus spent time going into the temple teaching. It is clear that despite the wrong that was in the temple that Jesus did not desert the temple but continued to go and teach each day. The routine seem to be that Jesus would spend time in prayer at night and early every morning he could be found in the temple teaching.
At night he did not stay at any of the local inns but "stayed on the Mount of Olives." This is the same place that:
- Jesus often resorted (Luke 22:39)
- Jesus often spent the night when in Jerusalem (John 7:53-8:1)
- Jesus preached a great sermon on the end time (Matthew 24:3; Mark 13:3)
- Jesus' Triumphal Entry began (Luke 19:37)
- Jesus' terrible agony in the Garden of Gethsemane took place (Mark 14:26-42)
- Jesus' ascension took place (Acts 1:12)
Before leaving the scene of the temple Jesus address the "religious leaders" of that day as hypocrites. He calls them "snakes" and asked them the question, "How are you going to escape God's judgment?" I can hear someone saying "Why don't you really tell them what you think of them?"
There is nothing in my life that has or ever will compare to the suffering that Jesus did for me. There is no personal experiences that I could ever share that would measure up to what Jesus did for us. Both physically and spiritually the next couple of days of the life of Christ will be rather demanding for him. Jesus spent time in the garden praying and talking to the Father about this and concluded his prayer with "...Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup (suffering) from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt."
The bottom line is that He died for me and you!
My prayer today is "God help me to be more sensitive to the price that you paid for me!"
Scripture for today: Matthew 23, 24; Mark 12:35 - Mark 13:37; Luke 20:41 - 21:36
Monday, April 18, 2011
HOLY WEEK - MONDAY MORNING!
I wonder how Jesus felt the morning after Jerusalem. Sunday was a very emotional time for many. There were some that was giving praise to Christ and then we read of Jesus’ weeping over the hearts of the people in the city. How did Jesus sleep that night? Was it a short night for Jesus? No doubt before he started his day Jesus probably found a quite place of prayer to the Father, to discuss the events of the day before, as well as to discuss the events of that day.
I turned this morning to Matthew’s account of the Monday before the crucifixion of Christ and I read of one of the first things that Jesus did upon entering the city was he went to the temple. There he found things happening that were displeasing to him and states “It is written ‘My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves (or a hideout for robbers).’”
I have heard for years the story of Jesus going into the temple and casting out all them that sold and bought in the temple, overturning the tables of the money changers, and the seats of them that sold doves in the temple. This always seems to be the emphasis place on this scripture and many times told like we had bragging rights that Jesus would do this.
But in studying this week, the last week of the life of Christ on earth, I was reminded that this is not all that he did on this visit to the temple. The blind and the lame came to him and he healed them. The aftermath of the day before was some of the children was crying out “Hosanna to the son of David” (Matthew 21:14-16). Many good things happened at the temple that day as well.
As you journey with me through scripture this week and look at some of the events of Christ hopefully we too recognized that we have bragging rights!
Scriptures for today: Matthew 21:10-17; Mark 11:15-18; Luke 19:45-48
Sunday, April 17, 2011
THE DAY JESUS WEPT
This week as we enter into the week of the crucifixion of Christ and a week before that noted event, His Resurrection, I encourage you to follow each day of the life of Christ as recorded in scripture. Today in the Christian church is known as Palm Sunday. Read Matthew 21:1-11 and Luke 19:28-44 of Jesus' triumph entrance into Jerusalem.
The cheering was on! Many from different settings of life stood alone the roadside cheering as Jesus rode into Jerusalem. Maybe Bartimaeus, the one that was blind but now could see. Maybe Zacchaeus who had paid back his debt to society and had made peace with God. Maybe the lepers who skin had been cleansed and now they were rejoicing for the healing that the Lord had given them. No doubt many that had been touch by the life of Christ. They even took their coats and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road as they cheered praises to the Son of God.
But the cheering soon stopped as they noticed Jesus weeping. He was not weeping because he would soon face death but he was weeping for the city. Jerusalem had rejected the way of peace. This is one of two occasions that I find recorded of Jesus weeping. (The other time is at the foot of the grave of his friend, Lazarus.) I believe that there was an emotional outburst of tears that flowed from the Master's face as he looked beyond the city and saw the condition of the heart of the people in the city. Maybe there is tears flowing from the Master's face today as he looks again on the condition of this world.
As you begin this journey with me in following the scriptures that relates to the Lamb's journey the week before his crucifixion, has the cheering stopped in your life? Do you find your life in disarray?
If so, my prayer for you today that as you read the scriptures this week and follow this daily devotion for Holy Week that you will find peace like a river that is overflowing at it's river banks!
Thanks for following with me in scripture this remarkable "Journey of a Lamb"!
The cheering was on! Many from different settings of life stood alone the roadside cheering as Jesus rode into Jerusalem. Maybe Bartimaeus, the one that was blind but now could see. Maybe Zacchaeus who had paid back his debt to society and had made peace with God. Maybe the lepers who skin had been cleansed and now they were rejoicing for the healing that the Lord had given them. No doubt many that had been touch by the life of Christ. They even took their coats and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road as they cheered praises to the Son of God.
But the cheering soon stopped as they noticed Jesus weeping. He was not weeping because he would soon face death but he was weeping for the city. Jerusalem had rejected the way of peace. This is one of two occasions that I find recorded of Jesus weeping. (The other time is at the foot of the grave of his friend, Lazarus.) I believe that there was an emotional outburst of tears that flowed from the Master's face as he looked beyond the city and saw the condition of the heart of the people in the city. Maybe there is tears flowing from the Master's face today as he looks again on the condition of this world.
As you begin this journey with me in following the scriptures that relates to the Lamb's journey the week before his crucifixion, has the cheering stopped in your life? Do you find your life in disarray?
If so, my prayer for you today that as you read the scriptures this week and follow this daily devotion for Holy Week that you will find peace like a river that is overflowing at it's river banks!
Thanks for following with me in scripture this remarkable "Journey of a Lamb"!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
I WANTED TO BE A POLICEMAN
I was asked as a first grader in school "What do you want to be when you grow up?" My response was, "I want to be a policeman!" I was fascinated by the policeman (Mr. Hoggnett) in the uniform that patrolled the traffic at "Unity Elementary School", where I attended.
I recently used the quote,
I recently used the quote,
Saturday, March 26, 2011
I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO SING IN THE CHOIR!
As a child, growing up in a small church environment, anyone could go to the choir. With only two rows of church pews in the choir I stood in front of the first pew singing from the top of my lungs "When old age is stealing on, and my strength is almost gone, Hold to my hand, dear Lord I pray." (At the age of five I am sure I knew exactly what I was singing about.) But it was a joy to sing in the choir.
In the third grade I thought I would try out for the school choir, but failed miserably. I loved music so that I took flute, guitar, accordion (my mom's idea), and piano lessons but never seem to master any of these instruments. However, after watching some of America's reality shows recently, I may... well, just a thought.
It is true that Thomas Edison, the great inventor of 1,093 US patents in his name (as well as many in Germany, United Kingdom, and France) stated "Many of life's failures by people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up."
So if you come by the church where I serve as the lead pastor and I'm sitting at the piano playing and singing, don't laugh, just remember I may be close to success as a very talented singer and musician.
Don't give up; you may be close to conquering your life long dream!
In the third grade I thought I would try out for the school choir, but failed miserably. I loved music so that I took flute, guitar, accordion (my mom's idea), and piano lessons but never seem to master any of these instruments. However, after watching some of America's reality shows recently, I may... well, just a thought.
It is true that Thomas Edison, the great inventor of 1,093 US patents in his name (as well as many in Germany, United Kingdom, and France) stated "Many of life's failures by people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up."
So if you come by the church where I serve as the lead pastor and I'm sitting at the piano playing and singing, don't laugh, just remember I may be close to success as a very talented singer and musician.
Don't give up; you may be close to conquering your life long dream!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
TIMING IS EVERYTHING
It was Esther, around 480 B.C. that Mordecai stated to her, "Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" Esther was an ordinary woman with an extraordinary challenge. “She is a Jew in a foreign land and a woman in a male-dominated world- a minority within a minority. But God raised her up at exactly the right time.” (John Maxwell)
Later, around the years of 445 B.C. Nehemiah had a burden for the people of Jerusalem and shares his burden with King Artaxerxes. With the queen by his side, the king asked Nehemiah how long would this journey be? Nehemiah was able to give him a time it would take and also speak to him about the building materials that were needed (Nehemiah 2:6-8). The king gave him permission and provision to rebuild the wall in Jerusalem.
It was Winston Churchill that states, "There comes a special moment in everyone's life, a moment for which the person is born. That special opportunity, when he seizes it, will fulfill his mission-a mission for which he is uniquely qualified. In that moment he finds greatness. It is his finest hour."
For all of us there are times in our life for in which we are born. It may not mean living in the king’s palace or rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem but it does mean fulfilling a purpose in life. Sometimes it is the simple things that God places in your life to do, that make a world of difference for someone.
I use to visit a friend of mine in one of the local nursing facilities that had a room mate (Earnest) that was in his 30's and had a terminal illness. After finding out that Earnest was in the hospital I paid him a visit. To me it was an ordinary visit: conversation, prayer, and I left the room.
That's when I realize something was a little different about this visit. Outside the room door on the third floor of the Tanner Hospital stood a young nurse with tears streaming down her cheeks. With a broken heart she said to me, “thank you for visiting with Earnest today, no one has been to see Earnest since he has been in the hospital.” I must admit that I was feeling pretty good about the moment. I realized that I had not only made a difference in Earnest’s life that day, but in this young nurse as well. I told her I would be back and the next day I did, only to find out that Earnest had passed away shortly after I left the room.
I can not relate to you the number of last time opportunities that God gave me to minister to someone but I also know deep down in my heart there are many missed opportunities that God would have given me if only I had been more sensitive to his direction in my life.
My prayer is that:
“Lord, every morning you hear my voice. Every morning I tell you what I need, and I wait for your answer.” Psalm 5:3 NCV
Later, around the years of 445 B.C. Nehemiah had a burden for the people of Jerusalem and shares his burden with King Artaxerxes. With the queen by his side, the king asked Nehemiah how long would this journey be? Nehemiah was able to give him a time it would take and also speak to him about the building materials that were needed (Nehemiah 2:6-8). The king gave him permission and provision to rebuild the wall in Jerusalem.
It was Winston Churchill that states, "There comes a special moment in everyone's life, a moment for which the person is born. That special opportunity, when he seizes it, will fulfill his mission-a mission for which he is uniquely qualified. In that moment he finds greatness. It is his finest hour."
For all of us there are times in our life for in which we are born. It may not mean living in the king’s palace or rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem but it does mean fulfilling a purpose in life. Sometimes it is the simple things that God places in your life to do, that make a world of difference for someone.
I use to visit a friend of mine in one of the local nursing facilities that had a room mate (Earnest) that was in his 30's and had a terminal illness. After finding out that Earnest was in the hospital I paid him a visit. To me it was an ordinary visit: conversation, prayer, and I left the room.
That's when I realize something was a little different about this visit. Outside the room door on the third floor of the Tanner Hospital stood a young nurse with tears streaming down her cheeks. With a broken heart she said to me, “thank you for visiting with Earnest today, no one has been to see Earnest since he has been in the hospital.” I must admit that I was feeling pretty good about the moment. I realized that I had not only made a difference in Earnest’s life that day, but in this young nurse as well. I told her I would be back and the next day I did, only to find out that Earnest had passed away shortly after I left the room.
I can not relate to you the number of last time opportunities that God gave me to minister to someone but I also know deep down in my heart there are many missed opportunities that God would have given me if only I had been more sensitive to his direction in my life.
Monday, February 7, 2011
HALF-TIME
A few years ago I felt a need to change some things in my life. I felt that my devotional time was not all that it needed to be and not all that I had promised God. I stepped down from a couple of responsibilities I had and refused to take on any other obligations that would distract me of the time that I felt needed to accomplish my goal. Recently, in reading a book called Half Time, by Bob Buford (a good read) I begin to realize that I was probably in the "half time" of my life and began to have a different perspective of the second half.
In the United States of America every year millions of viewers sit and watch the "half-time" show of the Super Bowl (football) game. The show has changed over the past 5 decades. It has gone from marching bands, to popular music acts such as "New Kids on the Block", and "Michael Jackson", to the more recent performance of the group "Blackeye Peas" at the XLV Super Bowl. While some people thought that they were the best since their New Year's lunch "I've gotta a feeling" after reading some of the reviews, that the group "Blackeye Peas" does not appeal to everyone's taste.
Something else is happening while the entertainment is taking place on the playing field. Back in the locker rooms the players of the game are "strategically planning", "healing the wounded", and working on their "second wind" for the second half of the game.
"Half-time" is great for those in ministry as well. It is a great time to assess disappointments and victories, deal with the wounded, and also give us a chance to get a second wind.
It is most likely that I have reached the "half-time" of my life, and probably well into "third quarter" of the game. Some would say that the "clock is my worse enemy" but in reality "time could be my best friend"! Jesus said it well when he said, "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work" (John 4:34).
I am thankful for the "time-outs" that I have left and possibly the "two-minute" warning but I don't plan to "delay the game." However, in the second half of my life I do plan to often "take a knee" and bow before the Father because I want to finish well!
In the United States of America every year millions of viewers sit and watch the "half-time" show of the Super Bowl (football) game. The show has changed over the past 5 decades. It has gone from marching bands, to popular music acts such as "New Kids on the Block", and "Michael Jackson", to the more recent performance of the group "Blackeye Peas" at the XLV Super Bowl. While some people thought that they were the best since their New Year's lunch "I've gotta a feeling" after reading some of the reviews, that the group "Blackeye Peas" does not appeal to everyone's taste.
Something else is happening while the entertainment is taking place on the playing field. Back in the locker rooms the players of the game are "strategically planning", "healing the wounded", and working on their "second wind" for the second half of the game.
"Half-time" is great for those in ministry as well. It is a great time to assess disappointments and victories, deal with the wounded, and also give us a chance to get a second wind.
It is most likely that I have reached the "half-time" of my life, and probably well into "third quarter" of the game. Some would say that the "clock is my worse enemy" but in reality "time could be my best friend"! Jesus said it well when he said, "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work" (John 4:34).
I am thankful for the "time-outs" that I have left and possibly the "two-minute" warning but I don't plan to "delay the game." However, in the second half of my life I do plan to often "take a knee" and bow before the Father because I want to finish well!
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked (offensive) way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24
Monday, January 31, 2011
FEELING LIKE A "HEEL"?
It is probably 80 % of the time that if you feel like a "heel" it's because of the tongue. (The other 20% because of what you do.)
I was sharing with someone recently of some of the discipline I received in grade school. Only paddled once but wrote a lot of "I will not _____" sentences. It was in my last day at Junior High School I was sitting in the school auditorium, after class, writing "I will not ________ ______________ __________" some 200 times. I am too embarrassed to tell what I did but rest assure today I still feel like a heel for doing such a foolish thing.
My dad, being the religious man that he was, tried to correct this "foolishness" by using what Proverbs 22:15 says, "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him." It is true that it did drive it "far from me" but every once in a while I still do a foolish thing. Sometimes doing a foolish thing is simply saying the wrong thing, or as we call it, "putting our foot in our mouth." Psalm 38:5 says, "My wounds sink and are corrupt because of my foolishness."
I believe "foolishness" is something that probably many of us have to work on. I enjoy "good clean fun" as we call it, but sometimes even I can take my "foolishness" too far. So now that I have confessed, here's my prayer:
I usually go to the shoe repair shop in the small community in which I live to have my shoe's resole and the owner of the shoe shop will laugh and say, "Yes Sir, I can save your sole!" So off to the shoe shop!
I was sharing with someone recently of some of the discipline I received in grade school. Only paddled once but wrote a lot of "I will not _____" sentences. It was in my last day at Junior High School I was sitting in the school auditorium, after class, writing "I will not ________ ______________ __________" some 200 times. I am too embarrassed to tell what I did but rest assure today I still feel like a heel for doing such a foolish thing.
My dad, being the religious man that he was, tried to correct this "foolishness" by using what Proverbs 22:15 says, "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him." It is true that it did drive it "far from me" but every once in a while I still do a foolish thing. Sometimes doing a foolish thing is simply saying the wrong thing, or as we call it, "putting our foot in our mouth." Psalm 38:5 says, "My wounds sink and are corrupt because of my foolishness."
I believe "foolishness" is something that probably many of us have to work on. I enjoy "good clean fun" as we call it, but sometimes even I can take my "foolishness" too far. So now that I have confessed, here's my prayer:
"God help me with my foolishness. You know that in your word it says that this is something 'bound in the heart of a child.' True, my daddy tried to drive it out of me with leather but because of my tongue I still struggle and sometimes feel like a heel. God, save my soul (and sole) from so much foolishness!"
I usually go to the shoe repair shop in the small community in which I live to have my shoe's resole and the owner of the shoe shop will laugh and say, "Yes Sir, I can save your sole!" So off to the shoe shop!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
THE BIG BAD WOLF
It was the nursery rhyme The Big Bad Wolf that I thought of this morning as the wind was whipping between the two buildings behind my office window. It has been 40 plus years since I heard this nursery rhyme, and now there are several versions of this story, but the part I remember is I will huff and I will puff and I will blow your house down!
Job 1:19 tells us that a "wind" (not a wolf) blew down the house of Job's children - Suddenly a great wind came from the desert, hitting all four corners of the house at once, the house fell in on the young people, and they are all dead..."
With a risk of sounding negative for just a moment, every day of our lives there is one that would like to "blow our house down" (or destroy you). Jesus said it well when he said, "A thief comes to steal and kill and destroy, but I came to give life-life in all its fullness"(John 10:10). But the focus is not on the "thief" trying to destroy us but Jesus giving us fullness of life.
There are days that we will feel the wind from the storm. There are days we will feel like that Satan is outside our door huffing and puffing and threatening to blow our house down. There are days that we do feel the pressures of life. But when we walk in the fullness of life, the abundant life that Christ speaks of, we can weather any storm.
The Apostle Paul gave us some inside information on how to build our house that will stand against these storms (I Corinthians 3):
...There is another character that I learned about 40 plus years ago. In Sunday School we sung about "the sly old fox." (The fox and the wolf are both from the same family, the Canidae family.) "The devil he is a sly old fox, if I could catch him I put him in a box. Lock that box and throw away the key for the many old tricks he's played on me..."
Job 1:19 tells us that a "wind" (not a wolf) blew down the house of Job's children - Suddenly a great wind came from the desert, hitting all four corners of the house at once, the house fell in on the young people, and they are all dead..."
With a risk of sounding negative for just a moment, every day of our lives there is one that would like to "blow our house down" (or destroy you). Jesus said it well when he said, "A thief comes to steal and kill and destroy, but I came to give life-life in all its fullness"(John 10:10). But the focus is not on the "thief" trying to destroy us but Jesus giving us fullness of life.
There are days that we will feel the wind from the storm. There are days we will feel like that Satan is outside our door huffing and puffing and threatening to blow our house down. There are days that we do feel the pressures of life. But when we walk in the fullness of life, the abundant life that Christ speaks of, we can weather any storm.
The Apostle Paul gave us some inside information on how to build our house that will stand against these storms (I Corinthians 3):
- Laying a good foundation
- Being careful how we build
- Using the right materials to build with
...There is another character that I learned about 40 plus years ago. In Sunday School we sung about "the sly old fox." (The fox and the wolf are both from the same family, the Canidae family.) "The devil he is a sly old fox, if I could catch him I put him in a box. Lock that box and throw away the key for the many old tricks he's played on me..."
Friday, January 21, 2011
I REMEMBER THOSE DAYS...
"I remember you, the kindness of your youth..." Jeremiah 2:2a
Oswald Chambers in his devotional "His Utmost For His Highest" brings out this thought that made me reflect on my youth this morning. He asked the question, "Am I as spontaneously kind to God as I used to be, or am I only expecting God to be kind to me?...How much kindness have I shown Him this past week?...Am I as full of the extravagance of love to Jesus Christ as I was in the beginning, when I went out of my way to prove my devotion to Him? Does He find me recalling the time when I did not care for anything but Himself?... Am I so in love with Him that take no account of where I go? or am I watching for the respect due to me; weighing how much service I ought to give?"
These are very provoking questions that at the end of the week that we probably ought to ask ourselves. As a youth I lived in a Christian home and lived what some would defined as a "sheltered life." There were certain things that as a youth, my parents "sheltered" me from. To some degree I still live a sheltered life, but now of my own choice. I choose not to put myself in uncomfortable situations, and when I find myself in that situation I am looking for an escape. I want to be kind to God as I were as a youth. To me it is important that I love him as much, and more, as I did in my youth and to show him that love.
My prayer today is "God help me to show my kindness to you as I did in my youth." I remember those days...
Oswald Chambers in his devotional "His Utmost For His Highest" brings out this thought that made me reflect on my youth this morning. He asked the question, "Am I as spontaneously kind to God as I used to be, or am I only expecting God to be kind to me?...How much kindness have I shown Him this past week?...Am I as full of the extravagance of love to Jesus Christ as I was in the beginning, when I went out of my way to prove my devotion to Him? Does He find me recalling the time when I did not care for anything but Himself?... Am I so in love with Him that take no account of where I go? or am I watching for the respect due to me; weighing how much service I ought to give?"
These are very provoking questions that at the end of the week that we probably ought to ask ourselves. As a youth I lived in a Christian home and lived what some would defined as a "sheltered life." There were certain things that as a youth, my parents "sheltered" me from. To some degree I still live a sheltered life, but now of my own choice. I choose not to put myself in uncomfortable situations, and when I find myself in that situation I am looking for an escape. I want to be kind to God as I were as a youth. To me it is important that I love him as much, and more, as I did in my youth and to show him that love.
My prayer today is "God help me to show my kindness to you as I did in my youth." I remember those days...
Monday, January 10, 2011
WHAT IS "JAWING?"
Webster (online) dictionary defines "jawing" as scolding, clamorous, or abusive talk." This is a word that I have heard used frequently during some of the recent pro-football games by the commentators when two or more players from opposite teams would get nose to nose and helmet to helmet and "talk with loud abusive language."
I am reminded of someone else that did a lot of "jawing". One of the greatest battles in the bible is mentioned in I Samuel 17. Eighty times, at least, Goliath "get in the face" of the Israelites and "jaws." Why did Goliath spend so much time talking in place of fighting, when he was such a huge fellow? I believe that Goliath wanted to intimidate his opponent. Saul and the Israelites heard Goliath and they would tremble and run. Goliath was literally winning the battle just by running his mouth!
But David could jaw too and he came out and jawed back at Goliath saying, "Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of t he armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. this day will the lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. (I Samuel 17:45, 46)"
The result of Goliath's jawing is that he literally lost his head! I bet (just an expression of speech) he didn't do anymore "jawing." Maybe Goliath should have fought the battle before David arrived in the camp instead of all of that "jawing".
The moral of the story is that Satan likes to run his mouth with a lot of loud abusive talk. But David finished up his speech to Goliath with "...for the battle is the Lord's and he will give you into our hands." If you will trust God with your life and your battles, He will fight your battles for you. Do not be intimidated by all of the loud abusive talk that the devil does. He's all mouth!
I am reminded of someone else that did a lot of "jawing". One of the greatest battles in the bible is mentioned in I Samuel 17. Eighty times, at least, Goliath "get in the face" of the Israelites and "jaws." Why did Goliath spend so much time talking in place of fighting, when he was such a huge fellow? I believe that Goliath wanted to intimidate his opponent. Saul and the Israelites heard Goliath and they would tremble and run. Goliath was literally winning the battle just by running his mouth!
But David could jaw too and he came out and jawed back at Goliath saying, "Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of t he armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. this day will the lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. (I Samuel 17:45, 46)"
The result of Goliath's jawing is that he literally lost his head! I bet (just an expression of speech) he didn't do anymore "jawing." Maybe Goliath should have fought the battle before David arrived in the camp instead of all of that "jawing".
The moral of the story is that Satan likes to run his mouth with a lot of loud abusive talk. But David finished up his speech to Goliath with "...for the battle is the Lord's and he will give you into our hands." If you will trust God with your life and your battles, He will fight your battles for you. Do not be intimidated by all of the loud abusive talk that the devil does. He's all mouth!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
I ALSO WOULD HAVE GIVEN YOU MUCH MORE!
"I also would have given you much more!" is the word that I hear ringing in my ears of what God is saying to King David. Read 2 Samuel 7 and hear the words of King David giving thanks to God for "bringing him this far." Hear David telling God "with your blessing let my family always be blessed."
It sounds like David is on a journey headed toward success. But then in 2 Samuel 11 we see that David's journey takes a left turn. It is John Maxwell that states, "When we stop growing, we stop leading. When we stop sacrificing, we stop succeeding." Many times people ask the question, what happened? Things were going so well for them and then they take a wrong turn.
In over 30 years of pastoral ministry I have seen many lay leaders and pastors take a wrong turn. I have sat and listen to pastors and lay leaders relate how that they could not blame anyone but themselves for their sin. (I heard other pastors and lay leaders wanting to blame someone else for the wrong turn in their life, as well.) It is a sad day because the blessing of God stops when we stop being obedient to his word. It is like stopping up a kitchen sink with yesterday's grease. Grease hardens and stops the flow as sin will harden our heart and stop the flow of God's wonderful blessings in our lives.
But, God ...would have given you much more!
Thirty-four years ago, as a 16 year old grocery clerk one day I spoke with the Keebler Sales Representative that was busy stocking the cookie shelf. I begin to witness to him about God and what he had done in my life. As I told him about Jesus he stood there with tears in his eyes and told me that he "once was a missionary" for God. God would have done much more in his life but somewhere, somehow, he had made a wrong turn in his life. Thank God for his saving grace that brings forgiveness and restoration in our lives. Today, thirty-four years later, I still vividly remember that incident of speaking with this total stranger about Jesus. Maybe it was as much for me as for him!
God still has much that he wants to do for you! God blessed King David but the fact is that God had much more for him then what he ever received. (Read of King David's sin in 2 Samuel 11 & 12). The fact is that God has much more that he wants to give you, as well. It is my prayer today that you will be able to walk out your journey with God, receiving all of the blessings that have your name on them. For God has great things that He wants to give YOU!
It sounds like David is on a journey headed toward success. But then in 2 Samuel 11 we see that David's journey takes a left turn. It is John Maxwell that states, "When we stop growing, we stop leading. When we stop sacrificing, we stop succeeding." Many times people ask the question, what happened? Things were going so well for them and then they take a wrong turn.
In over 30 years of pastoral ministry I have seen many lay leaders and pastors take a wrong turn. I have sat and listen to pastors and lay leaders relate how that they could not blame anyone but themselves for their sin. (I heard other pastors and lay leaders wanting to blame someone else for the wrong turn in their life, as well.) It is a sad day because the blessing of God stops when we stop being obedient to his word. It is like stopping up a kitchen sink with yesterday's grease. Grease hardens and stops the flow as sin will harden our heart and stop the flow of God's wonderful blessings in our lives.
But, God ...would have given you much more!
Thirty-four years ago, as a 16 year old grocery clerk one day I spoke with the Keebler Sales Representative that was busy stocking the cookie shelf. I begin to witness to him about God and what he had done in my life. As I told him about Jesus he stood there with tears in his eyes and told me that he "once was a missionary" for God. God would have done much more in his life but somewhere, somehow, he had made a wrong turn in his life. Thank God for his saving grace that brings forgiveness and restoration in our lives. Today, thirty-four years later, I still vividly remember that incident of speaking with this total stranger about Jesus. Maybe it was as much for me as for him!
God still has much that he wants to do for you! God blessed King David but the fact is that God had much more for him then what he ever received. (Read of King David's sin in 2 Samuel 11 & 12). The fact is that God has much more that he wants to give you, as well. It is my prayer today that you will be able to walk out your journey with God, receiving all of the blessings that have your name on them. For God has great things that He wants to give YOU!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Don't Call Me Stupid!
"Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid" (Proverbs 12:1). Now I don't make it a habit of calling folks "stupid". (That is one of those "s" words that as a kid I learned that in using cost me a "mouth washing" Kinder like "foot washing," both will bring about a great sense of humility.) But in several translations of the bible this is the word that is used to translate the word "brutish". Call them brutish or stupid, it makes no difference, the point is they are the folks that hates correction.
Reading recently about King Saul and King David in the Bible, I see this contrast. Saul seems to be one that hated correction while David was one that was acceptable to instruction. Samuel spoke to Saul about a burnt offering that he made to God, which was not acceptable. Saul shows no sign of repentance in that episode. On the other hand King David was confronted by the prophet Nathan about his sin with Bathsheba, and David had a repentant heart. There is a great difference!
Recently I have been reminded of the thought, "What is God saying?" It is my prayer that if it is correction or instruction in my life that I will listen every morning to what God is saying. God help me to always spend time listening to you before I spend time speaking for you! I don't want folks labeling me "stupid" because I fail to accept correction.
Reading recently about King Saul and King David in the Bible, I see this contrast. Saul seems to be one that hated correction while David was one that was acceptable to instruction. Samuel spoke to Saul about a burnt offering that he made to God, which was not acceptable. Saul shows no sign of repentance in that episode. On the other hand King David was confronted by the prophet Nathan about his sin with Bathsheba, and David had a repentant heart. There is a great difference!
Recently I have been reminded of the thought, "What is God saying?" It is my prayer that if it is correction or instruction in my life that I will listen every morning to what God is saying. God help me to always spend time listening to you before I spend time speaking for you! I don't want folks labeling me "stupid" because I fail to accept correction.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS!
One of the most difficult tasks for some of us is to be able to make decisions. It starts out as a kid when we can't decide what toys to play with, rather we should go with mother or daddy, or what we wanted for Christmas. This phobia of making decision continues all through life. Some of us deal with it better than others. I know adults today that can't seem to make decisions. While we may blame it on the wrong size, often the day after Christmas many will stand in long lines ready to return something that they decided they did not want.
In my devotion time this morning I read of a great military leader by the name of Hoshea. He was a great military leader, but only after there was an identity change. Moses changed his name from Hoshea to Joshua (Numbers 13:16), and while the name by itself did not bring this change, there was a transformation in the identity of this leader. Joshua was very decisive in his leadership skills. (Read Joshua 13 through 19 and see a man that was very decisive in dividing the land among the different tribes.) He showed great skills in delegating, organizing and leading the nation of Israel. The words that many hear this great military leader say, "...choose you this day whom ye will serve...for me and my house will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15 KJV).
John Maxwell states, "Leaders cannot afford to be indecisive; they must give clear and specific directions." It use to be that I was undecided about what I wanted for Christmas. Now I am face with the temptation of "Decidophobia - the fear of making decisions" (http://phobialist.com/). It is a battle that many of us face almost daily. To be a leader you must be able to make decisions and feel confident about the decisions that you made. No "second guessing" your decisions!
You may be face with difficult decisions today. You may have in the pass been very indecisive about your decisions. I pray that God's spirit will enable you today to make the right decisions and then enable you to have peace about your decisions.
Over 16 years ago I was given Isaiah 52:12 "For ye shall not go out with haste, nor by flight: for the Lord will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward (your rear guard). God has your back side when you make decisions based on God's word and your relationship with Him.
Merry Christmas, and by the way, do you know what you want for Christmas?
In my devotion time this morning I read of a great military leader by the name of Hoshea. He was a great military leader, but only after there was an identity change. Moses changed his name from Hoshea to Joshua (Numbers 13:16), and while the name by itself did not bring this change, there was a transformation in the identity of this leader. Joshua was very decisive in his leadership skills. (Read Joshua 13 through 19 and see a man that was very decisive in dividing the land among the different tribes.) He showed great skills in delegating, organizing and leading the nation of Israel. The words that many hear this great military leader say, "...choose you this day whom ye will serve...for me and my house will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15 KJV).
John Maxwell states, "Leaders cannot afford to be indecisive; they must give clear and specific directions." It use to be that I was undecided about what I wanted for Christmas. Now I am face with the temptation of "Decidophobia - the fear of making decisions" (http://phobialist.com/). It is a battle that many of us face almost daily. To be a leader you must be able to make decisions and feel confident about the decisions that you made. No "second guessing" your decisions!
You may be face with difficult decisions today. You may have in the pass been very indecisive about your decisions. I pray that God's spirit will enable you today to make the right decisions and then enable you to have peace about your decisions.
Over 16 years ago I was given Isaiah 52:12 "For ye shall not go out with haste, nor by flight: for the Lord will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward (your rear guard). God has your back side when you make decisions based on God's word and your relationship with Him.
Merry Christmas, and by the way, do you know what you want for Christmas?
Friday, October 15, 2010
COMING IN SECOND
I recently finish reading the bible through for the year and started over again. (I figured I would get a head start for next year.) In Genesis 5 we have "the family tree" of Adam. Adam lived 930 years and he died. Seth, a son that according to scripture looked much like Adam, lived 912 years and he died. A grandson of Adam, Enosh, lived to be 905 years and he died. Methuselah is recorded to have lived 969 years and he died. Almost everyone have heard the name "Methuselah" as being the oldest living man recorded in scripture.
But what about Jared, Who? That's right, Jared. Jared was the great-great-great-great grandson of Adam (or something like that). You know, his son was Enoch, the one who "...walked with God; and he was not, for God took him (Genesis 5:24)."
Jared lived to be 962 years of age and died. Only seven years younger than his grandson, Methuselah. Jared came in second in this chapter of the oldest living, but went unnoticed throughout the generations of time. Almost everybody in the Bible Belt of America have heard of Methuselah, but mention Jared in the bible and their response may be, WHO?
Sometimes we too come in second. Sometimes we too are the one that our name are forgotten. Sometime we too are the one that "almost" achieved the same thing the one that got the spot light achieved. But with God there is no "second place". God loves you as much as He loves anyone else. The song writer said it well when he penned,
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16
But what about Jared, Who? That's right, Jared. Jared was the great-great-great-great grandson of Adam (or something like that). You know, his son was Enoch, the one who "...walked with God; and he was not, for God took him (Genesis 5:24)."
Jared lived to be 962 years of age and died. Only seven years younger than his grandson, Methuselah. Jared came in second in this chapter of the oldest living, but went unnoticed throughout the generations of time. Almost everybody in the Bible Belt of America have heard of Methuselah, but mention Jared in the bible and their response may be, WHO?
Sometimes we too come in second. Sometimes we too are the one that our name are forgotten. Sometime we too are the one that "almost" achieved the same thing the one that got the spot light achieved. But with God there is no "second place". God loves you as much as He loves anyone else. The song writer said it well when he penned,
"The love of God is greater far, Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star, And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care, God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled, And pardoned from his sin.
O love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong!
It shall forever more endure, The saints' and angels' song."
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
CAN YOU SEE NOW?
"Charlie Brown holds up his hands before his friend Lucy and says, 'These are hands which may some day accomplish great things. These are hands which may some day do marvelous works! They may build mighty bridges, or heal the sick, or hit home runs, write soul-stirring novels! These are hands which may some day change the course of destiny!' Lucy, who always sees things as they are, replies, 'They've got jelly on them."
Luke 8 Jesus heals a blind man and asked him the question, "Can you see now?" The blind man said, "Yes, I see people, but they look like trees walking around." This man's vision was distorted but when Jesus touched the man eyes again and the man opened his eyes wide, his eyes were healed.
Maybe the man just needed to open his eyes wide!
Maybe we just need to open our eyes wide and see the big picture and sees things as they really are. In 2 Corinthians 4 the Apostle, Paul, speaks of what he saw -
Prayer today: Lord, regardless of what I might go through, help me to see the "big picture" and know that mercy and grace will follow me all the days of my life!
Luke 8 Jesus heals a blind man and asked him the question, "Can you see now?" The blind man said, "Yes, I see people, but they look like trees walking around." This man's vision was distorted but when Jesus touched the man eyes again and the man opened his eyes wide, his eyes were healed.
Maybe the man just needed to open his eyes wide!
Maybe we just need to open our eyes wide and see the big picture and sees things as they really are. In 2 Corinthians 4 the Apostle, Paul, speaks of what he saw -
- trouble on every side - but not distressed
- perplexed -but not in despair
- persecuted - but not forsaken
- cast down -but not destroyed
- outward man perishing - inward man being renewed daily
- light affliction for a moment - much greater reward that will last throughout eternity
Prayer today: Lord, regardless of what I might go through, help me to see the "big picture" and know that mercy and grace will follow me all the days of my life!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
The End?
Someone said in Sunday school last Sunday, "As far as I know, the Word (the bible) never wears out!"
On my shelf sits a New Testament that was given to me for Christmas when I was a child. Many things that I have owned in my lifetime no longer exist but ironically this bible seem to have stayed in my possession. I didn't intentionally save this bible, it just happen to hang around. The cover is well worn and if you look in the front of it you will see the drawings that appears to be that of a small child...me!
I remember well those days of taking this bible and pretending that I was preaching to Mr. Bugs, Mr. Donald, and the rest of the stuff animal gang. (They were a rough bunch of overly stuffed animals.) I don't think any of them ever got saved, but they sure "got preached" the word! I felt a call on my life even then to preach the Word, but did not accept that calling until later in life.
In turning through this bible this morning reminiscing I noticed on the last page the words at the bottom imprinted "The End". Somewhere as a child I wrote beside it "No End". This morning in my devotion I was reminded of the scripture "Heaven and earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away"(Matthew 24:35). I quickly grabbed a penned and wrote, "Definitely No End." The bible may be worn but the Word lives on. It never wears out. It is always relevant. When it goes forth it will not return void and it will accomplish what it was sent out to do.
"So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it" (Isaiah 55:11).
Many has tried to destroy, compromise, or discredit God's Word but it has and will always stand the test. You can count on the Word, it will help you during this life's journey that you are on. Paul instructs Timothy to "Study, to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15).
My prayer today is, "Lord help me to be diligent in studying your Word."
On my shelf sits a New Testament that was given to me for Christmas when I was a child. Many things that I have owned in my lifetime no longer exist but ironically this bible seem to have stayed in my possession. I didn't intentionally save this bible, it just happen to hang around. The cover is well worn and if you look in the front of it you will see the drawings that appears to be that of a small child...me!I remember well those days of taking this bible and pretending that I was preaching to Mr. Bugs, Mr. Donald, and the rest of the stuff animal gang. (They were a rough bunch of overly stuffed animals.) I don't think any of them ever got saved, but they sure "got preached" the word! I felt a call on my life even then to preach the Word, but did not accept that calling until later in life.
In turning through this bible this morning reminiscing I noticed on the last page the words at the bottom imprinted "The End". Somewhere as a child I wrote beside it "No End". This morning in my devotion I was reminded of the scripture "Heaven and earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away"(Matthew 24:35). I quickly grabbed a penned and wrote, "Definitely No End." The bible may be worn but the Word lives on. It never wears out. It is always relevant. When it goes forth it will not return void and it will accomplish what it was sent out to do.
"So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it" (Isaiah 55:11).
Many has tried to destroy, compromise, or discredit God's Word but it has and will always stand the test. You can count on the Word, it will help you during this life's journey that you are on. Paul instructs Timothy to "Study, to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15).
My prayer today is, "Lord help me to be diligent in studying your Word."
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Missed Opportunities
A few weeks ago, after being on the disabled list, I was once again able to play softball with the church league. The last time I played I suffered from a broken wrist/arm in two places, and suffered wearing a cast for the next five weeks. As my cast was being removed I laughably asked the nurse practitioner if I could play softball, now that my cast was off. Surprisingly she said "yes", as long as you don't slide and you wear your brace." A answer I was not expecting to hear!
I must admit that fear came over me as I begin to remember the night of the broken arm. "Do I really want to do this again?" Will I be tempted to slide again?" I am a very competitive person and I know I will give it my best. Reluctantly I agreed to EH that night for the game.
First time up to bat, first pitch, first swing and I hit the ball out into the center field. A solid hit and probably the best hit for me of the season. I ran all the way to third base, and was noticing that the coach on third was waving me to go home. I got half way home and realized that there was a good chance I would be very tempted to slide, so I ran back to third. A triple was not bad after five weeks on the disabled list, but I could have had a in-park home run. It would have been my first, but I let fear cause me to miss the opportunity.
Every day of our lives God is giving us opportunities. Sometimes we get to third and we stop because we become afraid; afraid of being hurt, afraid of losing something, afraid of being embarrassed, or sometimes just of afraid of being afraid. Possibly never again will I hit a ball so well and have that opportunity. It was truly a Kodak moment that I missed.
My prayer today is: "God help me to take hold of every opportunity that you give me, and also help me to have courage to run home (if I ever hit the ball that well again!)
"For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
IT'S NOT ABOUT WORKING HARDER, BUT WORKING SMARTER
In the book of Haggai we read of workers that worked harder but not smarter. It had been several years that the temple in Jerusalem had been untouched. Men and Women was working hard in those days, but had their priorities in the wrong place. God sent the prophet Haggai to bring correction into their lives.
This story reminds me of my childhood days of doing "landscaping" (formally known as grass cutting), and "car detailing" (formally known as cleaning automobiles.) Isn't it odd how we can change the name of a profession and make more money.
I was always taught to work hard. In any job that I have ever done I was taught to give it my best. While this is and has not been a bad principle to live by, I must admit that sometimes if I had worked smarter instead of harder, I would have accomplished more in life.
My prayer is from a bookmark (author unknown) that I found in my desk drawer this morning.
John Maxwell says, "Activity does not always mean accomplishment. The issue is not, 'Will my calendar be full?' but 'What will fill my calendar?'"
Will it take a prophet like Haggai to say, "Think about what you have done..You have planted much, but you harvest little...You earn money, but then you lose it all as if you had put it into a purse full of holes...Think about what you have done. Go up the mountains, bring back wood, and build the Temple. Then I will be pleased with it and be honored, says ,the Lord." Haggai 1:7-8
"Lord, help me to work smarter and not necessarily harder."
This story reminds me of my childhood days of doing "landscaping" (formally known as grass cutting), and "car detailing" (formally known as cleaning automobiles.) Isn't it odd how we can change the name of a profession and make more money.
I was always taught to work hard. In any job that I have ever done I was taught to give it my best. While this is and has not been a bad principle to live by, I must admit that sometimes if I had worked smarter instead of harder, I would have accomplished more in life.
My prayer is from a bookmark (author unknown) that I found in my desk drawer this morning.
"Lord, I have too much to do, but's it's all important. Help me to set priorities so that I don't feel lost in the pace and the pressure. Give me wisdom and energy to accomplish what's necessary without wasting time or effort. And help me make the best use of my day, remembering that time is a precious gift from You."
John Maxwell says, "Activity does not always mean accomplishment. The issue is not, 'Will my calendar be full?' but 'What will fill my calendar?'"
Will it take a prophet like Haggai to say, "Think about what you have done..You have planted much, but you harvest little...You earn money, but then you lose it all as if you had put it into a purse full of holes...Think about what you have done. Go up the mountains, bring back wood, and build the Temple. Then I will be pleased with it and be honored, says ,the Lord." Haggai 1:7-8
"Lord, help me to work smarter and not necessarily harder."
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
That Old Buzzard
One Sunday morning recently, while driving back from Savannah, Georgia (USA), I had a buzzard almost fly into the side of my red convertible mustang. I caught myself ducking...and thinking about my next blog.
In case you're not familiar with what a buzzard is they are sometimes called vultures. Vultures are scavenging birds, feeding mostly from carcasses of dead animals. If he is frightened away from his "buzzard feast", he will return as soon as he feels it is safe.
I begin to research "buzzards" and quickly found that there is a book out titled, "The Buzzards Are Circling, But God's Not Finished With Me Yet", by Stan Toler. Another book on the market about buzzards is "Don't Let the Buzzards Get Your Children" by Barbara Middletonand. In reading the review of this book it appears to use the story in 2 Samuel 25 (The Bible) about a mother by the name of Rizpah. (For my preacher friends, this is a great sermon for Mother's Day). "Oh Lord, I Wish I Was A Buzzard" and "Where Buzzard's fly" was two other books on the market.
So I am not the first to use the analogy of a buzzard. But what can I say? A buzzard is a buzzard no matter what species they are and from what part of the world they are from. A buzzard is not something that many folks want as a pet. I don't see any pictures hanging on your walls of a buzzard! Most folks consider them an ugly creature. No one tries to dress up a buzzard. It is like putting perfume on a skunk. It is still a skunk.
Satan is who he is. No matter how this world may try to disguise him, he is still Satan. Like a buzzard he keeps circling his prey hoping to find opportunity to have a "buzzard feast". Jesus puts it a little kinder to Peter when he said, "Satan desires to sift you as wheat."
I guess the moral of this blog is, "when going through this life's journey watch out for that old buzzard (Satan). He is like a vulture looking for a place to land!
In case you're not familiar with what a buzzard is they are sometimes called vultures. Vultures are scavenging birds, feeding mostly from carcasses of dead animals. If he is frightened away from his "buzzard feast", he will return as soon as he feels it is safe.
I begin to research "buzzards" and quickly found that there is a book out titled, "The Buzzards Are Circling, But God's Not Finished With Me Yet", by Stan Toler. Another book on the market about buzzards is "Don't Let the Buzzards Get Your Children" by Barbara Middletonand. In reading the review of this book it appears to use the story in 2 Samuel 25 (The Bible) about a mother by the name of Rizpah. (For my preacher friends, this is a great sermon for Mother's Day). "Oh Lord, I Wish I Was A Buzzard" and "Where Buzzard's fly" was two other books on the market.
So I am not the first to use the analogy of a buzzard. But what can I say? A buzzard is a buzzard no matter what species they are and from what part of the world they are from. A buzzard is not something that many folks want as a pet. I don't see any pictures hanging on your walls of a buzzard! Most folks consider them an ugly creature. No one tries to dress up a buzzard. It is like putting perfume on a skunk. It is still a skunk.
Satan is who he is. No matter how this world may try to disguise him, he is still Satan. Like a buzzard he keeps circling his prey hoping to find opportunity to have a "buzzard feast". Jesus puts it a little kinder to Peter when he said, "Satan desires to sift you as wheat."
I guess the moral of this blog is, "when going through this life's journey watch out for that old buzzard (Satan). He is like a vulture looking for a place to land!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Route 95
Forty-five years ago I attended my grandfather's funeral in a small South Georgia (USA) church on a hot summer day. The nearest thing to air condition was the fans the funeral home provided. I remember at the end of the service crying as the Hearst, carrying the body of my grandfather, pulled away from the front of the church. My heart was broken. At the age of six I never dreamed that I would stand and preach to a group of people in that same church building.
But again, 15 years later, I traveled 200 miles to that South Georgia town to preach. It was so hot that day that the pastor of the church compared it with hell by saying "hell will be hotter than this." It was a great opportunity for me to preach in the church that my grandparent's use to attend.
This past week I traveled back to that same South Georgia town, walked back into that building, this time not to attend my grandfather's funeral, nor to preach as a young preacher, but to finalize the sell of the church property for the organization in which I am a part of. The church congregation had relocated and the money from the sell of the property will be used to improve the facility they are now using.
This is a new chapter in the life of this church, and I truly believe is a great move for this church. I am convinced that the building served it's purpose for the organization that I am a part of and it was time to release it for someone else to carry on the work in that community. I am thankful that I had the privilege to be a part of this transition. I journeyed back by the building one last time to give thanks to God for the many lives that had been changed during the time that we had this facility. I stood at the altar and asked God's blessings on the next group. I drove away feeling that this is a new beginning for the existing congregation that relocated as well as for this community. I know that somehow in God's sovereignty He has a plan.
This journey that God has us on may take us on a detour from time to time but some how we always seem to come back to our roots. If I live to be 95 (45 years from now), I wonder where this journey will take me - probably to the Nursing Home :)
"Lord, make me to know my end,And what is the measure of my days, That I may know how frail I am..." (Psalm 39:4 NKJV).
But again, 15 years later, I traveled 200 miles to that South Georgia town to preach. It was so hot that day that the pastor of the church compared it with hell by saying "hell will be hotter than this." It was a great opportunity for me to preach in the church that my grandparent's use to attend.
This past week I traveled back to that same South Georgia town, walked back into that building, this time not to attend my grandfather's funeral, nor to preach as a young preacher, but to finalize the sell of the church property for the organization in which I am a part of. The church congregation had relocated and the money from the sell of the property will be used to improve the facility they are now using.
This is a new chapter in the life of this church, and I truly believe is a great move for this church. I am convinced that the building served it's purpose for the organization that I am a part of and it was time to release it for someone else to carry on the work in that community. I am thankful that I had the privilege to be a part of this transition. I journeyed back by the building one last time to give thanks to God for the many lives that had been changed during the time that we had this facility. I stood at the altar and asked God's blessings on the next group. I drove away feeling that this is a new beginning for the existing congregation that relocated as well as for this community. I know that somehow in God's sovereignty He has a plan.
This journey that God has us on may take us on a detour from time to time but some how we always seem to come back to our roots. If I live to be 95 (45 years from now), I wonder where this journey will take me - probably to the Nursing Home :)
"Lord, make me to know my end,And what is the measure of my days, That I may know how frail I am..." (Psalm 39:4 NKJV).
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Several weeks ago, Bro. Tim asked me to consider posting an occasional guest blog. I didn’t think that I could adequately speak to a Lamb’s journey but agreed to try. I pray that he will soon be at full speed and again filling these pages with his own words. Bill Davis
I remember growing up in a small church in Empire; visiting speakers had to stay with people in the church. There was no Hampton or Holiday Inn Express and if there had been the church couldn’t afford to pay for it. Since it was only my mother and me in our home, often we’d have guests.
A missionary spent a few days with us when I was about five, or so. She was home on furlough from somewhere in Asia; China or maybe Hong Kong. She looked frail and undernourished to me. I overheard her tell my mother that the thing she had missed from home while she was on the mission field was whole milk. She was only able to get powdered milk. I was so sad to hear her say that when she got home, she couldn’t drink it because it was too rich for her body to deal with.
I asked her why she didn’t stay home long enough to get herself stronger so that she could again enjoy drinking milk. I’ll never forget her answer. She said, “My body is not my own, I was bought with a price.” She went on to say that she must take care of some necessary business and then go back to the mission field that God had called her to.
Even at that young age, at some level, I understood what she meant. Those words have stuck with me for many years and I understand them better now that I did then. God had clearly shown her what her calling was for that season of her life. What a blessing! Many times we don’t really know what we should be doing for the kingdom of God. Are we impatient? Are we not listening? Is our mission not to our liking, requiring more humility that we can muster?
Clara H. Scott took the words from Psalms 119:18 and said this more clearly than I can when she wrote:
Open my eyes, that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.
Refrain
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine!
(Suffering with a broke arm and a cast on, I appreciate Bill Davis being a guest writer for me this week. He is a greater writer that you would enjoy reading his blog at http://chickenroadwisdom.blogspot.com/) Tim Lamb
I remember growing up in a small church in Empire; visiting speakers had to stay with people in the church. There was no Hampton or Holiday Inn Express and if there had been the church couldn’t afford to pay for it. Since it was only my mother and me in our home, often we’d have guests.
A missionary spent a few days with us when I was about five, or so. She was home on furlough from somewhere in Asia; China or maybe Hong Kong. She looked frail and undernourished to me. I overheard her tell my mother that the thing she had missed from home while she was on the mission field was whole milk. She was only able to get powdered milk. I was so sad to hear her say that when she got home, she couldn’t drink it because it was too rich for her body to deal with.
I asked her why she didn’t stay home long enough to get herself stronger so that she could again enjoy drinking milk. I’ll never forget her answer. She said, “My body is not my own, I was bought with a price.” She went on to say that she must take care of some necessary business and then go back to the mission field that God had called her to.
Even at that young age, at some level, I understood what she meant. Those words have stuck with me for many years and I understand them better now that I did then. God had clearly shown her what her calling was for that season of her life. What a blessing! Many times we don’t really know what we should be doing for the kingdom of God. Are we impatient? Are we not listening? Is our mission not to our liking, requiring more humility that we can muster?
Clara H. Scott took the words from Psalms 119:18 and said this more clearly than I can when she wrote:
Open my eyes, that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.
Refrain
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine!
(Suffering with a broke arm and a cast on, I appreciate Bill Davis being a guest writer for me this week. He is a greater writer that you would enjoy reading his blog at http://chickenroadwisdom.blogspot.com/) Tim Lamb
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
I FEEL GOOD IN MY SKIN
I feel good in my skin was the words of a very successful pastor that I recently heard speak at a conference. By this statement I was challenged to examine my "skin", that is to examine where I am at with God.
Physically we may:
But the real question is spiritually. Do you feel good about your relationship with Christ? Do you feel a sense of satisfaction with where God has you? In the Bible, an Apostle by the name of Paul speaks about being part of one body but having different gifts, talents, etc. All of us have a place in that body. Have you found your place? I encourage you to find out where God wants you.
There is nothing better than knowing that you are doing what God has called you to do. This is not meant to be a boastful statement, but I do feel good in my skin. I know what it is to not be in the center of God's will, and I know the sense of satisfaction to walk in His will. At the moment, "I feel good in my skin."
Physically we may:
- Exercise to feel better about the skin that we are in
- Go to the beach and get a tan
- Or decide we would like to have a "tattoo" or have a "body piercing" to feel better about the skin that we are in.
But the real question is spiritually. Do you feel good about your relationship with Christ? Do you feel a sense of satisfaction with where God has you? In the Bible, an Apostle by the name of Paul speaks about being part of one body but having different gifts, talents, etc. All of us have a place in that body. Have you found your place? I encourage you to find out where God wants you.
There is nothing better than knowing that you are doing what God has called you to do. This is not meant to be a boastful statement, but I do feel good in my skin. I know what it is to not be in the center of God's will, and I know the sense of satisfaction to walk in His will. At the moment, "I feel good in my skin."
Tribute to a Man of Faith
"You are over exposing yourself" was the words of John W. Swails, which went to be with the Lord this past Saturday evening. According to one of the minister's that did the eulogy of this "hero of faith" he once stated that if you preached more than 30 or 35 minutes "you are over exposing yourself." And then he goes on to say "cut your sermon in 1/2 if you are preaching more than 30 minutes." (This is probably a lesson that a lot of us preachers could learn.)
Another quote that this hero of faith stated was "the devil is in the condemning business and he has helpers, but God is not in the condemning business." John W. Swails was a great man of faith and a bible scholar. I believe that God strategically places us around people that can help us in our walk with God, and I am thankful to know this man of faith.
Paul states in II Timothy 4:5 & 6 (New Century Version) says, My life is being given as an offering to God, and the time has come for me to leave this life. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." I believe that describes John W. Swails and others that allow God to use them to help reach others for Christ.
In my life time, if I can make half the impact that this man made on the life's of others, then I will be most grateful to the God that I serve.
To read more about John W. Swails click on the following link:
http://www.hughsnews.com/the-bio-of-john-washington-swails-jr-november-26-1915-june-12-2010
Another quote that this hero of faith stated was "the devil is in the condemning business and he has helpers, but God is not in the condemning business." John W. Swails was a great man of faith and a bible scholar. I believe that God strategically places us around people that can help us in our walk with God, and I am thankful to know this man of faith.
Paul states in II Timothy 4:5 & 6 (New Century Version) says, My life is being given as an offering to God, and the time has come for me to leave this life. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." I believe that describes John W. Swails and others that allow God to use them to help reach others for Christ.
In my life time, if I can make half the impact that this man made on the life's of others, then I will be most grateful to the God that I serve.
To read more about John W. Swails click on the following link:
http://www.hughsnews.com/the-bio-of-john-washington-swails-jr-november-26-1915-june-12-2010
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