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Monthly Archives: October 2013

It won’t fit

30 Oct

It won’t fit

Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Have you heard a sermon, or a word that God really stirred your heart recently? Have you heard something that promoted intrigue into the word of God? Has it tugged at your soul; have you felt conviction of sin; have you felt the need for Him like never before? There are so many questions and desires that the Holy Spirit can place in your heart when you heart is stirred by hearing God’s Word. These are the works that can only be accomplished by hearing and reading God’s Word. There are many a preacher that can come up with many a sermon that feel good to you, but at their root it should have been the scripture that stirred your heart. Are you listening to ministers that are only promoting their opinions; are they preaching just enough of the Gospel to veil their hidden agendas? There are many of a preacher in the limelight today that have thousands of followers that are being led astray down all sorts of roads that do not preach the sacrificial life of a disciple that Christ called us to be. Our time here is to be one of service to our Savior, not one of reaping earthy rewards in the name of a king.

Even by these wayward preachers Christ is found in the hearts of believers. It is when one begins to seek God every day in prayer and his Word, that discernment is gained. It is through this discernment that one begins to seek a deeper understanding and knowledge of Christ. Paul speaks of this in 1 Thessalonians 2:13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. Paul had come with pure motive; to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them. He had no hidden agenda, he sought no fame or fortune, his heart was only for the lost and those God placed in his path. 1 Thessalonians 2:3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed–God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.

There have really been some sad newsworthy publishings of public pastors in recent days. It has truly shown where their hearts are at. Many are being deceived and led astray down paths of prosperity by them. They are preaching feel good sermons to those in need of hope. My only hope is that they do find Christ under these preachers,  gain the discernment of the Holy Spirit, and flee their ministry. My hope is that they move their lives to a life of a disciple of Christ, with a servants heart, and focus on the eternal, and not the temporal pleasure of the world. It is easier for a camel to go through that needle, than a big house……..

 
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Posted by on October 30, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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Heart of Love

29 Oct

Heart of Love

1 John 5:1-5     Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (ESV)

I have been spending some time in 1 John 5 in preparation for a sermon this week. 1 John is a book full of love; John uses different forms of love 46 times in only 5 chapters. All throughout this epistle are the evidences of God’s love for us, and our hearts love for him as his children. John points to the proofs of one’s saved soul in their love for their fellow man; well more directly here their fellow brother in Christ. It is almost an inexplicable feeling when you are consumed by God’s love; it is so life changing not only to feel a heart tug for those in faith, but to feel a heart tug for those out of the faith. You are torn in anguish for the lost souls that you encounter. You feel a bond with those that will share eternity with you. You begin to gain a discernment from the Holy Spirit, reading good and evil, for those you encounter; it is all bound in love. The more time you spend cultivating your relationship with your Father in his Word, and prayer, the greater your discernment becomes, the greater your faith becomes, the greater your love for Him and those in the faith.

2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. How can this be put any clearer? There comes a point in your faith that you LOVE the changed life you lead. The fleeing from sin and the life you have been rescued from. Why would you return to the temporal pleasure that condemns, when you can deny it as a proof of your love for the One who freed you from it. Matthew Henry’s commentary is powerful on this faith that overcomes the world. “Faith is the cause of victory, the means, the instrument, the spiritual armour and artillery by which we overcome; for, (1.) In and by faith we cleave to Christ, in contempt of, and opposition to, the world. (2.) Faith works in and by love to God and Christ, and so withdraws us from the love of the world. (3.) Faith sanctifies the heart, and purifies it from those sensual lusts by which the world obtains such sway and dominion over souls. (4.) It receives and derives strength from the object of it, the Son of God, for conquering the frowns and flatteries of the world. (5.) It obtains by gospel promise a right to the indwelling Spirit of grace, that is greater than he who dwells in the world.”

Do you have that heart of love? Do you have a feeling of brotherhood with those of the faith in Christ; do you have that anguish for those that do not know Him? The heart that has this is the heart of Christ; the heart that has this has conquered the world with Him. The heart that has this knows that eternal paradise awaits them with Him that created, saved, and sustains this temporal world where we live for only a speck of sand in the hourglass of eternity.

 
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Posted by on October 29, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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3 Absolute Truths

28 Oct

3 Absolute Truths

1 John 5:18-20   We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him. 19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

Three absolute truths
Three verses in a row,
Affirmations of our faith
We know, we know, we know.

John points to our sin
We must stop living in such,
We turn from our old ways
Where Satan can’t touch.

We flee from sin now
We do the best we can;
We turn our heads from old pleasures
We seek to be a Christ-like man.

The closer we draw to God
The more help we get from Thee;
Those desires begin to dwindle
More of Him and less of me.

We know that we are His
We know we are secure;
Our desires to flee from sin
To seek to become pure.

John points to our idols
Each of our lists would be great;
This world preaches selfishness
All others must wait.

It is not by chance that John closes
A warning from idol sin;
That hidden hearts pursuit
Comes from deep within.

God knows your heart
Battles with idols and sin;
Only through his strength
Will you ever win.

Three absolute truths
These proofs we come to know;
A true heart & life for God
Will have that eternal glow.

 
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Posted by on October 28, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

It came by Grace

27 Oct

It came by Grace

1 John 3:17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

This morning I have a troubled spirit about me……I was reviewing my sermon last night and I felt this same feeling. I have spent time in prayer and in 1 John in the Word this morning. This scripture spoke to me this morning; reflecting on some conversations that I had yesterday. How tightly does the world have on your heart and your possessions? If God has blessed you, are you passing those blessings onto others in need? God has given you everything you hold dear. He has allowed you every accolade by any worldly standard. Solomon wrote in Proverbs 8:15 By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice. 16 By me princes rule, and nobles, All the judges of the earth.  James continued in the New Testament writing, James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Take a look at your life today and what you have and hold dear. Can it be used, no can you be used, to bless someone else through it? That is how you know the love of the Father is in you.

This is an excerpt from my message today:

The more time you spend with God each day, the more you abide in Christ.
The more you abide in Christ, the more you reflect him to others.
The more you reflect Him to others, the more others are drawn to him.

When your relationship grows deeper with God through that time cultivated in His Word and prayer, you truly begin to see things and life differently. What once mattered, no longer does. Priorities change.

What once you never gave a second glance, now tears at your heart.
What once you took for granted, you now see as precious.
What once you thought you earned, you now grasp Grace.

 
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Posted by on October 27, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

Play Ball

26 Oct

Play Ball

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

I have got two boys playing in their semi-final playoff games today in the Rec. Fall baseball league. Both of them are struggling getting the bat on the ball, and it has gotten in their heads. I had a pretty stern talk with them last night about the mental side of sports. Any sport of any kind is won or lost in your mental strength. Ability will get you only so far; you must possess the mental strength to thrive on the pressures of these situations. I am trying so hard for them to understand this; it is truly one of these life lessons that we want our kiddo’s to learn in the arena of playing sports. The mental strength, the positive attitude, the ability to work or even thrive on the pressure situations.

This scripture in Philippians is so “abused”. We claim it in any way and every thing to seemingly use God to get what we want. It could be so abused in that “name it & claim it” sects of religion. Why wouldn’t God want me to have that BMW? The apostle Paul is writing this letter to the Philippians as a letter of thanksgiving. He is so humbled and thankful for all they have done for him while in prison. It is not the material gift that they sent, but the thought and the reward that Paul tells them that will come as a result of it. Paul is humbled to the point in his service for God here; he has learned to be content in all things that he faces; he understands God’s Sovereignty. Philippians 4:1 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.

There is in that understanding of God’s Sovereignty, found contentment and strength. He has you right where you are, facing whatever you are, by his design. When you grasp that, you breath a sigh of relief. The book of James tells us to gather strength in all that God allows us to face. James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. Even under the pressures of sports, and the pressures of life, when we are squeezed, what comes out? Is it the strength and peace of God that allows us to face these tough situations? It is in the time cultivated in His Word and prayer daily that prepares you for whatever situation you may face today.

 
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Posted by on October 26, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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Test Only – No content

25 Oct
 
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Posted by on October 25, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

Do you abide?

25 Oct

Do you abide?

John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Yesterday when I was working on the mission statement for church, I was here in John 15. This passage is the last of the “I am” statements by Christ. It is part of John’s gospel known as the Farewell disclosure by Christ. He was in the upper room spending quality time with his disciples. He knew he was in his last hours with them and was about to be arrested. He “gets to the point” on many of the truths that they had been evident to as his disciples. He was charging them as his disciples. There is so much weight in this passage in John, that you truly must spend time reading it word for word yourself. I can never articulate the power that comes when God opens your heart to these truths found here. This passage is central in your relationship with your Savior. The word abide simply defined is a “state of being”. Are you in that state of being in Christ? Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the truths found here and spend time slowly reading this passage. There are many promises and many warnings for those that abide.

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servantdoes not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

 
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Posted by on October 25, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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Lakehaven Community Church’s Mission Statement

24 Oct

Lakehaven Community Church’s Mission Statement

We seek God daily in prayer and his Word, to abide as disciples of Jesus Christ, sharing the Gospel to a dying world.

Last night God woke me up in the middle of the night to talk to me. There is something about that 2-3am time window that He clearly speaks to your heart. I had a lot on my mind with church, and one of the primary things has been a mission statement for the church. That was clearly what dominated my thoughts early this morning. As I lay there God simply put the pieces of the puzzle together, to reveal it above. Let me break it down:

We seek God daily in prayer and his Word – Matthew 6:33 Seek Ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Spending daily time with God is a root of my testimony, and God uses our testimonies to reach others for Christ. All that He has allowed in your life can be used to point others to God; yes, even forgiveness of great sins point to His mercy and grace. If you want change in your life, change begins with Jesus. Change begins with putting Him first in everything, every day. If you will simply follow this scripture daily, God will take care of the rest. A changed life begins with a changed heart.

To abide as disciples of Jesus Christ – John 15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (Study John 15) Abide is a word with deep meaning; simply put it is “a state of being”. When you begin to spend time daily with God, you being to become more like Christ. The sanctification process grows as God molds you into the image of his Son; you move closer to being, in a state of being in Christ. This naturally draws us into discipleship, living our lives for Christ. We seek to do the Will of the Father, and what he reveals to us in the time spent daily in his Word and prayer.

Sharing the Gospel to a dying world – Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. As disciples of Christ, we seek to share the hope that lies within us. These are Christ’s last words before he ascended into heaven. We are as disciples of His, to share the Gospel and make other disciples. The Gospel is defined as Good News; the good news that Christ died for our sins and provided us a way to stand justified before a Holy God. The Good News is found when you understand the bad; without Jesus Christ as your Savior, you will pay for your sins eternally in Hell. We believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to enter into heaven; only by that free gift of God’s grace, not of any works we can accomplish on our own. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

 
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Posted by on October 24, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

He holds the map

23 Oct

He holds the map

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18     Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

I told someone last week that I guess I should have known it was coming. I wrote about spiritual warfare that morning, and that day, and that week were a full on, frontal assault. Yesterday I wrote about keeping your mind on heaven, and the world came at me wide open too. My spirit is focusing on church, and a sermon, and just the daunting tasks list in that portion of my life. My mind was pulled away to the demands of running a heating business during the first cold snap. All day long I felt torn……

Do you have days like that? The inner stresses and strains of all the demands of life just physically wear you out? The inner self seemingly running a marathon ,while the outer self feels its effects. My brain, and my body is tired today, and I have both a physically hard day ahead, and a great mental strain to deal with also. What is God doing? I know you have days when you wonder the same. Trials of any shape, size, variety, or load, all will do one thing or another; they will either push you away from God, or draw you closer to him. He either designs, or allows all of it in your life. When you feel you can’t go anymore, or can’t cope any more, do you reach for an earthly remedy, or get on your knees?

I stood in the pulpit last week, overcome with emotion, and asked those before me to pray for me and my family. I am learning the hard way the demands of my new life where God has placed me. But that is the root of what I am saying; you are where you are today by God’s design. Understanding that will cause you to not flee, but to draw nearer to Him when you are seemingly facing too much. If you are seeking Him with all your mind, body, and strength, you rest in that scripture in Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Even when we get so tired that we seemingly struggle to find the words to pray, that is ok; sit at his feet silently. Know that the Holy Spirit is going before God for you.

 
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Posted by on October 23, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

What is on your mind?

22 Oct

What is on your mind?

Colossians 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

That question is so large, it would likely get the reply, “huh?”. I would call it a loaded question, one that could go down many avenues. It really would require category titles with many sub-titles. Our minds are so preoccupied with so many things we simply would not know how to answer. We get so wrapped up in problems, pleasures, and demands upon us, that many times what we are trying to concentrate on, becomes even a greater challenge, because really our mind has moved on to something else. Many times we cannot give the task at hand 100%, because our mind is worrying about something completely unrelated. The later in life we get, the more our memory is affected by the built up demands on our minds. We were not designed by God for this; the world and all the sin and demands of it are simply taking toll on our bodies. The stress of the demands of this world are a proven killer, time and time again.

The apostle Paul’s exhortation here to the Colossian church is simply a direct one; focus on eternity and not the demands of life today; pursue Christ and the things of Christ with a heart, mind, body, and soul for Him. Mark 12:30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. The false teachers of the day were teaching the demands of religiosity of the day; attempting to keep all the demands of the law and ceremonies to keep one’s heart right with God. Religion kills, for it teaches the things you must do to justify yourself before God. A relationship saves, for it realizes the work Christ accomplished on the Cross that you could never, but that God’s grace in that act is giving you freely what you do not deserve. The peace in that understanding forms that relationship with your Savior that your heart and mind seek to continually grow in his Word and prayer every day. Matthew 6:33 Seek Ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

I made a big change in my life this week, the elimination of a distraction. I no longer participate in Facebook. I kept my page open to share what Christ is doing in my life, and this daily ministry He has given me, but I no longer look at it every day, all day. Everything in this world that takes your mind off Christ, is a tool of the enemy. All the worries that you face, all the demands of your time in so many areas, can you see how the enemy uses them? Even if you simply look at them as tiring you out every day, to the point you fall into bed without prayers; sleep as late as possible to face the day without starting your day with God; in the encompassing demands of the day it is a victory for Satan. Will you set your mind upon Him today? Will you find, no will you make time, for Him in both prayer and his Word? Can you really afford not to?

 
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Posted by on October 22, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 
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