Author Archives: oneminuteministry

The “four letter” word WAIT

Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

The hardest “four letter” word in the Bible is in that passage; the word wait tests all of our faith at many times. God does not recognize the time he designed and bound us with. He sees the past, present, and future all at the same time. We can’t even wrap our limited minds around that statement alone. We can’t understand how it is even possible, yet alone the sovereignty of God’s control woven throughout the scope of eternity in it. We are so worried about the now, the problems of the day, the worry of the future, the weight of the past, yet if we saw the future…..all of that would disappear. We would see the results of countless events, and the worry would disappear. Faith lies in trusting God with it, through it, and by it our faith grows. I have heard there are 365 verses in the Bible about worry, one for each day, and that is of no coincidence, especially for someone who struggles with anxiety and depression such as myself.

2018 is a year I would like to put behind me. From a struggling business that has cost me hours of sleep, and taken years of my life in stress, to the weight of the personal side of me as a father, husband, and spiritual leader of my home. We are unhappy where we live, and I made the decision to put our home on the market, although I did not feel led by God to do so; I was not waiting upon the Lord. We just pulled it from the market, and had to move my business back into the home, to be able to survive. Without great detail, I do believe God clearly does not want us to move, and he has a purpose for us to stay here; I did not wait on God. The ministry side of my life has many sides; I am bold almost to fault, but I live out my faith daily. Our AG Comfort business struggles in a world led by corruption and greed, and we seek to bring integrity back to our industry as a ministry modeled business. God called me to preach at a little church for just over a year, took me to India to open my eyes to his power on a scale I can’t describe, and has brought my testimony full circle to motorcycle ministries. I am humbled beyond words to see how this Need Prayer? racing team is growing, how God is opening doors to conversations, to sharing faith with those who make dirt bikes their gods like I once did. I am amazed at how I see Him at work in my friends within that circle. I am amazed at how he even speaks through me at tracks to those who struggled just as I with what they loved to do, that always falls on Sundays; how I can encourage them to seek God beyond Sundays. I am humbled to see God use my sins, my failures, my struggles with anxiety and depression, all to reach the lost or those struggling with the same; all for his glory alone will I suffer, serve, wait, and point others to Him. I am a simple, uneducated, outspoken, country boy that loves Jesus, and all I am going to do is tell you to seek him every day too. If you will do that, He will take care of the rest. Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Wait may be a “four letter” word, but the reward is worth it.

Seek Painful Truth, not easy lies

Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

I awoke this morning about 530, with a burden on my chest. It is a worldly thing, worry that come around running a business, and the lack of money to do so. This is always a very tough time of year financially, but this year is much worse. I was determined not to start my day that way, so I stumbled through some prayer and opened my Bible app to start searching and reading. I spent much time in 2nd Timothy, reading of Paul’s encouraging words to his “son,” of how to remain focused and faithful to God’s calling on his life; the call to 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. This passage is so dear to me, for God used it powerfully in my life when I felt called to ministry; I have tear stains in my favorite Bible on that page. I continued on, reading of the context of where I feel we are in this world now; a passage that is clearly where the soft sermons that pack pews are being preached from mighty pulpits today, and many are being led away by these watered down gospels.

2nd Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. Have you ever questioned something you heard a pastor say? Something in your gut just didn’t seem right, or you didn’t understand, or you felt as through they were wrong? That may be God urging you to search out that question in his Word. That may be the Holy Spirit within you sending a warning to your mind through your heart. I spent quality time with a pastor friend of mine recently, and we both agree on the lack of biblical teaching these days; of repentance, or sin, of Hell, of expounding complete books in the Bible so as no excuse to skip over the tough ones. When your pastor picks and chooses topically, he allows himself the freedom to not address the scriptures that offend, and turn people away. Has your pastor ever preached through a book of the Bible, verse by verse, context and tackling the tough subjects? How simple it would be to preach about God’s love, financial gains, better marriages, how to be a better person, how to live a prosperous life….. while never touching on sin, Hell, repentance, and the true gospel of Jesus Christ who called you to be his disciple and lay down your cross every day to serve him.

I decided to not go into work today, to spend more time in God’s Word. I prayed and opened my Bible to John 9, and read of the blind man Jesus healed, and how he testified to the Pharisees. John 9:25 He answered and said, “Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.” 26 Then they said to him again, “What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?” 27 He answered them, “I told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?” He spoke boldly of Jesus, astounded at their dis-belief at what he told them. He was born blind, and now he looked at them directly and testified of the miracle – how could they NOT believe? Matthew Henry said of this; “Why this is the strangest instance of willful ignorance that ever was heard of among men that pretend to have sense.” How much do we see in the headlines of people seemingly believing things we cannot understand how they do? How many times do people defend their seemingly blind faith, when someone stands before them that can see? How can you tell me the sky is dark, when the sun is out? I know not, but it seems as though we are living in a time of strong delusion, or believing the seemingly unbelievable. The only way you will ever discern truth or not, is to listen to your gut, and to seek Truth out in his Word.

Delusional

2 Thessalonians 2:11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

What do you think? Do you think delusional would be a good word to describe society today? Do you think if you said no, you might be under delusion yourself – LOL….kinda. I under no means would prophetically speak here, would not use this passage out of context to fit some agenda, would not proclaim to accurately expound this chapter of second Thessalonians, much less be stupid enough to proclaim the second coming of Jesus Christ, because He doesn’t even know. Mark 13:32 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. But….how do we explain what we are witnessing in society today, outside of somewhat delusional in any context? How do we see people believing pretty much anything, even at the expense of everything? How can society have become so blind to simple truths, and become argumentative against any level of absolute truth? The answer might be somewhat in the passage above; we might possibly be the transitions phase of the 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first; It would be hard to present a clear defense of what we are witnessing today among us, the seemingly lack of any spine of truth, only the fluid movements of the moment, believing anything that feels good, doesn’t offend any, and works well for oneself in the given situation. 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
2 Timothy 3:1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

Being a Christian is not going to make you popular. Being a Christian is not going to make life easy. Being a Christian will likely make your life harder, because you have declared yourself an enemy against the ruler of this world, and have declared yourself a soldier for Jesus Christ, the One who defeats the ruler of this world. Are you willing to stand for truth, even when it becomes difficult? Are you willing to believe the Bible is the Absolute Truth, the measure by which you judge all of life around you? 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. If you truly pursue God daily in prayer and his Word, your eyes will be opened to the truth, and the delusions around you. You will begin to have God’s eyes, seeing things on a smaller scale than he sees, yet developing an intimacy with the One who controls all of life. You will begin to desire sharing these truths to all God places in your circle, and being used by God to rescue some from this crazy, delusional world we live in. #comeLordJesuscomequickly

Epitaph’s

Acts 13:22 And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’

This week we buried one of the great presidents of my time; a man of honor, respect, humbleness, and a great leader. George Bush had many people say great things about him, and from what I saw of his funeral, even a bolder Christian faith was proclaimed in a society steering away from it for the fear of offending someone. It had me wondering what people would say at mine. I have never been one to care what other people thought; plain and openly spoke what is on my heart, a filterless speech that has offended many. Do you care so much about what others think, you know not what you truly think or believe yourself? There is a fine line here of boldness or thoughtlessness. There is an abrasive tone that speaks not in love like Christ would. The delivery is as key as the message itself. Sadly I fail many times in both.

I have always related to David, to the lows of his sins, to the struggles of his anxieties and depressions, to the depth of his heart for God, and God knowing his heart. Psalm 139:1 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. O Lord, You have searched me and known me. 2 You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. 3 You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. I have always been open about my struggles with anxiety and depression, for I hope that you see how I deal with them through my faith, and not the pills that society dictates. I have labeled them my “thorn in my flesh” for I know they come from my enemy. They many times precede to distract, or most likely come on the heels of spiritual victories. They are spiritual fiery darts that torment the soul, for usually that are proportionate to the spiritual high. Being outspoken, I threaten my adversary with my speech, and the boldness to proclaim the truth to all whom God has prepared to hear. I struggle with joy in this life, because I see so much struggle around me in a world far from God. I am living in a time I am almost bold enough to say, is the beginning of the great falling away before Jesus Christ returns. You would have to be blind to not see the signs of the evil peaking before you; the murders on incredible scales; the world against Israel’s nationality; the false teachers in grand pulpits leading many astray; the seemingly delusional ability for people to believe things seemingly unbelievable; the incredible acts of nature as she groans for Christ’s return…..all of this is in the Bible, read it for yourself.

I am not smart enough to argue the topic of Eschatology with you; to debate your view of the end of time as we know it. You do need to have somewhat an understanding of it, to form your belief upon it, but as long as you know Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven (John 14:6), it matters not the timetable on how you get there. Do you know you will get there? Do you truly have a heart for God, or just going through the religious motions? Do you seek God more than just Sundays for a couple hours, or is he the Lord of your life? Do you seek him daily in prayer and his Word? Do you walk a life of repentance to keep communion with God? Do you live by the first and greatest commandment? 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. Why not read David’s Psalm 139 completely this snowy morning? Why not pray for God to search your heart before you even read it? Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; 24 And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting. Let God perform a heart check, and let today be the day you begin to be remembered like David too; one who had a heart for God.

Eschatology Link: https://www.gotquestions.org/Eschatology.html

Isaiah 12:1 And in that day you will say: “O Lord, I will praise You; Though You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me. 2 Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’ “

Truth be told, I don’t like people, and many of them don’t like me (keep reading LOL). Would you be brave enough to tell the truth and make that statement? If you really dig deep, you will see the level our nation is divided at, the angst you feel towards humanity. From the level of evil displayed, the political divided views, the religion’s differences, the selfishness on an incredible scale, the lack of moral character, the aggressive state of simple daily tasks such as driving or shopping, the social media posts that anger…..well, I will stop there since that is why many don’t like me. 🙂 We at our core, in our sin, struggle with not having anger issues in daily life. It is the world we live in, the sin we live in, the need for God to forgive us each day.

Romans 5:6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. The depth of that passage demands more than this short 1MM, but we are those ungodly Christ died for. We are those that today still harbor angst in our hearts, still some battle anger at elevated levels, the level of the battle of good and evil that is within us all. There are still those today that deny Jesus Christ, or that warp their views and religions of him, denying deity and belittling him from God to many number of things and ideals. There are those that hate him, but Jesus did not die for just a chosen few, he died for all that would choose him. He died for the sinner and the saint, even the example of the thieves on the Cross. You have done nothing that Jesus Christ will not forgive, nothing you have ever done exceeds or eliminates what Jesus Christ died for you to cover your sins with his blood to a Holy God. Sadly the worldly saints feel as though if they live their lives as good people, they will get to Heaven on their good deeds, while in reality denying what Jesus did for them. There will be many good saints in Hell, never grasping 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. “The two biggest lies our cultures believes today are that we are good people and that, because God is loving, he will not punish sin.” Francis Chan.

I get every bit as angry as you at my fellow human being. I get so mad daily, I say or post things I regret. I am appalled at the level of division over politics, and the victories Satan has in them. I am amazed at the religious people that act and post things that don’t reflect Christ. Hypocrisy was one of my earliest struggles even as a child in faith, and now the same as an adult trying to cope with this world, and the struggles of my own sins. But, I am nothing…..without love.

1 Corinthians 13:1-8 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

Good Books

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

I sit at my desk and observe
I ponder as I take a look
What is it within me
That has all these religious books?

What am I trying to attain
What is my goal as I read
Where do I want to focus
Who I am willing to let lead?

The books have a simple theme
They are connected by just One
Jesus is the root of my library
He is the one to whom I run.

This world gets me down
I battle a war from within
I do my best and yet can fail
I am wrought at the level of my sin.

My only hope is Jesus
My only focus is him
Even drowning is an ocean of evil
He is the air I gasp to swim.

I see Satan peaking in power
I witness evil everywhere I look
The selfishness of society’s pride
Has not been humbled by these books.

Society has turned away from God
Absorbed in themselves only you see
Teaching all paths lead to God
Preaching what God can do for me.

All paths do not lead to God
Jesus said I am the way the truth and the life
All other paths teaching just do good
Will lead to an eternity of strife.

Jesus did for you and me
What you and I cannot accomplish
He atoned for our sins to God
Gave you grace like you so wish.

Grace is getting what you don’t deserve
Mercy is withholding the punishment you do
The gospel is the story in these books
Of how Jesus died for me and you.

I pour myself into these books
Many versions of God’s living word
I preach it from the mountaintops when I can
From my mouth truth will be heard.

I try to teach it to my boys
I try my best to show them the way
I fail in my sins before them
Many times each and every day.

If there is one thing they know
If there is a light on they see
I am seeking God every morning
I am trying to be all I can be.

This world will steal your joy
This world will make you not look
But get up early each morning
And spend time in the only Good Book.

Put on the armor of God
Arise early each day to seek
Pray and seek God first
He will reveal himself to the weak.

Nothing, yet Everything

Romans 8:38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

What drives you? What gets you out of bed each day to experience another day on the roller-coaster of life? You know not if it will be a day of highs, or a day of lows, but something drives you to carry on, to move forward down this journey in life. Is it your family, your career, your desires, your passions, your pride, your stubbornness, your love, your……..how many reasons can we give; the list is personal and endless. For me it was likely pursuits of many sorts for a long time. Then a growing family, and then above all a love for my Lord. As God began to tug on my heart, and began to open my eyes to his Word, my focus changed to living and sharing my faith with all he placed before me. My most important ministry is my family, for they know and see all the highs and incredible lows my walk of faith brings. They know the struggles I face better than anyone, and they see me try to cope and pursue it through my faith, prayer, and pursuit of God in his Word in all of it. If nothing else, may they learn how to stay on the track and deal with all of life through their faith in God’s sovereignty.

I relate to so many guys in the Bible, so many stories of men who struggled in so many ways, yet God showed them incredible mercy and grace. The evidence of the scripture above is written throughout countless chapters and accountants of the lives of so many in the Bible. Seemingly endless examples of exactly what you are dealing with, played out centuries before, and the proofs of God’s work through them. You have always heard all you need to know is in the Bible, and I am hear to attest to that truth; it only takes your heartfelt pursuit to find them. Paul wrote openly of his struggles throughout his epistles; he wrote of how God could use all his personal struggles for God’s glory, to point others to their need for Christ. 2 Corinthians 12:9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. The depth of how that speaks to each of us individually should stir the soul, and openly sharing of God’s love and provision through it will deeply encourage others who hear of our testimonies to Him.

My list of struggles, of sins, of failures, will boggle the mind, and keep you from ever listening to me or reading what I write, but, if you are honest, your list is the same, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23) The great prophet Isaiah trembled at God’s revelation, for he knew his sin and those around him. Isaiah 6:5 So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.” Think about David, a man who had it all, and the failures before God that he did. But even when God chose him, He knew all that would happen, all that history writes of David, God already knew, and yet loved him anyway. Acts 13:22 And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.‘ Listen to me, read my words, hear me speak to that nothing can separate you from the love of God through Christ Jesus. Humble yourself, repent of your sins, and draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.

War……

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

This past weekend was a big answer to prayer, about prayer, a ministry opportunity that God laid heavily on my heart about three months ago. I shared it with a few prayer warriors, then I saw God open doors in ways I could not, and I found myself being allowed to pray to start a national race series we started running. I found myself incredibly nervous, which is so unlike me, yet I think I realized the depth of my testimony coming full circle back to what I idolized above God for many years. As I simply prayed with thanksgiving, and for our safety, I inwardly prayed God will form a trackside ministry from this simple obedience, to reach those like myself only a few short years ago. This weekend was a family high if you will, quality time together, unity, and a combined hope for the future ministry opportunities and racing. I angered my enemy, so he launched an attack.

As I sat last night reflecting, I posted on social media, “One of the hardest realities of boldness in your faith, is the directly proportional attacks from Satan. Highs=lows. #prayer #onedayatatime #realwar” Satan had come at our family through my words, through the power of the tongue, through words you cannot take back, the lion who seeks to devour was on the prowl. James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. (read James 3:1-11) Satan always seeks to divide, a simple military strategy in a heavenly war for your soul. A divided army, family, church, self…..is easily conquered. Satan always wants to knock you back down any spiritual mountain you have just climbed, but God is always in the valley to pick you back up again. Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. I asked my family for forgiveness, shared of what I am speaking of here, and sat last night and prayed….for myself. I asked God for a renewed heart, for sin struggles, for focus, for many things I cannot share, and I prayed for him to wake me up at 4:30, as an answer to my prayer…..I almost felt shook awake at 4:29.

Will you join me in this pursuit? Will you join me in seeking God more than just on Sunday’s for an hour? Will you join me in doing the only thing that will effect your eternity in life? Awake early enough to simply pray and open your Bible. That simple act shows your heart for God, will realign your focus on God, and will begin the transformation by God until he calls you to paradise. It matters not your age, nor the condition of your heart or spiritual life, that simple act at any point is life transforming; you cannot remain the same person, if you seek God first today. You will find yourself immersed in the same war as I, as all of God’s saints for centuries; you will say to Satan I am not yours, but Jesus’ who defeated you at the Cross, and the daily preparation will enable you to do battle, in a war you cannot see, but can feel the effects of. Be a good soldier, and dedicate your life, to the One who gave you eternal life. Then you will be on the side that wins the war, and have eternity to reap the spoils of victory in Christ.

Follow Me (Jesus Christ)

Matthew 7:21-23   “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Would you read a book that expounds on the scariest verses in the Bible in the first chapter? You might say, “yes,” because you think that was the hook that would get you to read the book. What if in it’s first chapter you began to question your faith, because of bold statements like, “If our lives do not reflect the fruit of following Jesus, then we are foolish to think that we are actually followers of Jesus in the first place.” What if the book made you question how you came to faith, and pointed to how soft and wrong so many churches have gotten the gospel of Jesus Christ? What if it made you realize that, “repeat after me prayers, signing cards, and raising hands” was just the beginning, but not just the get out of jail free card so many rest upon? But, what if you realized David Platt was right, and that he was just bold enough to biblically expound on Jesus’ greatest sermon, The Sermon on the Mount, and to proclaim an unpopular truth about Christianity today? Are we truly followers of Jesus that will spend eternity in Heaven, or, hear the words from Him above on our way to Hell? Would you keep reading the book and let God open your heart to a life more devoted that you could imagine, or put it down and return to the status quo and hope he was wrong?

I would not know where to begin, how to simplify, how to begin to explain the ministry God has called me to, except it is similar to David Platt. I grew up in religion, thinking I was saved because I went to church. Later in life, I discovered the true meaning of God’s mercy and grace, and the last ten years or so, have been a test of my faith. I am un-liked by many people because of my boldness; I feel like a prophet called to proclaim what God lays on my heart at all cost personally to me. My ministry is the church, one of repentance of the church, a call to proclaim true Christ following faith. It would be much easier with an evangelistic call, the one to the sinner, than to the prideful Christian. 13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Jesus closed his greatest sermon condemning those that had come to him in religion, those that wanted the blessing, but not willing to pay the cost of following him. Sadly many of us today fall into that category.

One of the clearest analogies I have heard to test your faith, is that of a courtroom. Simply stated, if you were tried in a court for your Christian faith, would there be enough evidence in your life to convict? What would others say about you? What would they be able to dig up on you in your home, online, banking records, phone calls, traveling, in your statements of faith and recollection of the Bible verses? Would you rest upon your church attendance record, and a sinners prayer alone? Would that hold up in a court or cast a reasonable doubt? Convictions come when enough evidence is proven to outweigh the doubt. Think about this in the word of “fruits” in the Bible. 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them. Jesus uses that term all through his ministry, and it is coined all through the New Testament. Are you producing fruit? Are you a true follower of Jesus Christ, going against the world and paying a cost for your faith? Do you stand your ground when your faith the pivot, or do you compromise? Read Jesus’ greatest message, The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5 – 7), and let the Word of God prick, pray for the Holy Spirit to convict and tug you to a repentant plea to become a true follower of Jesus Christ, to proclaim whatever he places on your heart to a world that desperately needs to hear.

Can You Relate? Then Participate!

Acts 13:2-3 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

I want to move to the middle of nowhere; I want to stick my head in the sand to ignore; I want to never watch the news; I want to disconnect from society; I want to scream from the rooftops what the $&#$ is wrong with you people……can you relate? I get so mad at the level of evil evident among us today. When you watch the news you see it played out locally and on large scales nationally and politically. I get so frustrated at the double-standards played out in the open, accepted just as if covertly seduced. I am appalled at the selfishness that breeds so many of these problems, yet I know the biggest problem is how far we have drifted from God. I know Satan is smiling as his limited power is peaking in my lifetime, but he will fall. I know Satan is smiling at the universalism and prosperity gospels that so many pastors are leading thousands to Hell with. Even Paul on this first missionary journey confronted the false prophet; 9 Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? The only way to know the difference in false prophets and Godly ones is to spend time in prayer and God’s Word yourself. You WILL BE given discernment to know the difference!

I miss preaching, the pulpit, the preparation, the gifts from God for the messages for his people. That season in my life brought incredible highs and lows, but all of it brought me closer to the Lord. My pulpit is now social media (until blocked again), and wherever my feet are for the day. My outlet is wherever and whoever God puts in my path. An evangelist spoke to me deeply on my first missionary trip. “We share about sports, the weather, and ourselves, why can’t we share about Christ? What if that was the last conversation someone had, and they didn’t learn about Jesus?” Sharing your faith does not mean a full gospel presentation every time. Sharing your faith is relative to the situation God has put you in with someone at that time. How does your faith relate and effect what you are dealing with, and how can you simply share it? It can even be as simple as, “Well, when I don’t know what to do, I always pray about it. Would you like me to pray?” Through that act, God softens hearts and you just might play a part in preparing someone for eternal paradise. God is always at work in the unseen, and uses those willing to be bold in their faith to do heavenly work with him. 1 Corinthians 3:6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. It is always God, not ourselves accomplishing the work of God, we are just blessed to be used by God doing his work.

You have a mission field. Those closest to you are where you start. Your family knows you better than anyone, and they know if you are living your faith seven days a week or for just a couple hours on Sunday. Your whole life should be filtered through your faith. Your actions, words, thoughts, decisions, acquaintances, work, and yes, your motives for each of these. If you proclaim Christianity, the world filters it’s opinion of you and your God through it. Everything you do is judged by those around you. How did they handle that as a Christian? How can they speak like that as a Christian? How can they post about their faith, and then their drinking on social media? How can they post about their love, and then their hate in the same day? I don’t know nothing, except the grace and love of my Savior, and I am blown away at why I (and you) have received both. But, I do want to spend my life telling others about Jesus, no matter how bad I want to run and hide. It is all about Him, and not about me. If you read verse two in Acts, everything we do, we are truly doing FOR God.