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Changed but remained the same

05 Jan

Changed but remained the same

Matthew 6:33 Seek Ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you.

This past week brought a big change in my families life. Most of you know that I have been a lay pastor at Lakehaven church for just over a year. The first half of that year was an incredible high, but the second half was incredibly tough. I had been seeking God in prayer, his Word, and counsel for months; the Lord answered my prayers in his Word a few weeks ago. I stepped down as the pastor at church. Difficult does not even crack the door on how tough this decision was. Without doubt, the most difficult of my 47 years, for I will answer for it eternally. It was only after the peace that I felt in the book of Acts that morning, that I knew God was leading me elsewhere. It is in that peace that I knew it was OK. It was that peace provided in God’s Word, that no Godly counsel could provide. The answer to my question had to come from God.

My heart, my testimony, my desire second only to sharing the Gospel with you, is for you to spend daily time with God in prayer and his Word. Dr. Adrian Rogers once said, “I am no better than my devotional life.” There is nothing that anyone can ever say to you that will change you like the Word of God. There is no way that you can spend daily time with God and remain the same level of sinner you were the day before. If your resolution is to be a better person in any way, true change is only found and started in the Bible. There is no pill or 90 day plan that will morph you into something you want to be; God wired you with that desire to “be better,” and that desire is fulfilled by humbling yourself before him. It is only there that any true life change begins, for it is only there that you admit your need for him at any level, on the highest level.

I am not getting out of the ministry. There is no subject out there I would rather discuss with you than the gospel and spending time with God. There is nothing I desire more than to hear than what you have been experiencing with God. No joy is greater to me than to hear about the joy that God brings someone else, and especially if He has allowed me to play any small role. Lord willing, I am going to concentrate on this OneMinuteMinistry, social media ministry, my workplace ministry, and seek God on the glimpse I believe he has given me of a Simple Church. We as a family are going to take time to heal and invest in quality time together, and even visit some churches in our area. We understand salvation is not found in our church attendance record, and we even had a great Bible study at home yesterday. Change may have come, but it still remains the same also. All I seek to do is encourage you to spend daily time with God any time we meet.

 
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Posted by on January 5, 2015 in Daily Devotions

 

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Lord I seek you

12 Nov

Lord I seek you

John 15:7-8 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

One of my favorite pastors Dr. Adrian Rogers once said, “Preach with anguish, not anger.” I have also been told that week after week I will pour out my heart pleading for people to “get it,” and I must begin to understand that they won’t. I cannot begin to explain the weight of these…… It does not matter where God has you in your Christian walk, once you “get it,” your life is never the same. You desire so much for others to see and know Jesus as you do. You desire to spend time with God in prayer and his Word so that you may feed more on this knowledge of him. It is evident to all that are around you that something has changed. If your life is no different that when you became a Christian, are you a Christian at all?

You can sign a card, say a prayer, attend any elevated worship service you wish, but if you are not spending daily time with God in prayer and his Word, you are not a disciple of his. You cannot be a disciple if you are not spending daily time with God. Only his disciples will bear fruit of his, and if you are not bearing fruit……you had better read John 15. Christ’s last words to us as he ascended into heaven were to “go and make disciples.” Go and share your faith with all that will hear and bring the Good News that he came and died to save the world from sin. That is one simple sentence that describes being a disciple, sharing the Gospel, and producing fruit. If that is what Jesus has commanded that you do, are you obeying him?

Your life will never change until you spend daily time with God in prayer and his Word.
If you will only understand this one thing, this one thing will change everything in your life.

Lord I seek you
I want to be closer today,
Lord I seek you.
Show me the way.

Lord I seek you
Lead me where you may,
Lord I seek you
Show me each day.

Lord I seek you
In your Word you will show
Lord I seek you
As your disciple I go.

Lord I seek you
In prayer you will guide
Lord I seek you
My life to abide.

 
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Posted by on November 12, 2014 in Daily Devotions

 

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Merciful Life

14 Apr

Merciful Life

Proverbs 11:24-26    There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty. 25 The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.

These wise words of Solomon could be taken in many contexts, and the commentaries seem to lead to them speaking to wealth and how we handle it. God’s monetary system operates outside of our understanding. We are called to give when we have nothing to give. We are called to have faith in the knowledge that He will provide for our needs. In this giving we see His hand at work when our wells never run dry. I have lived that experience over recent years in both my business and personal life. It is truly amazing to see the monetary blessings that seemingly come out of nowhere as God provides over and over again; just in time, right on time.

In the study notes we are pointed to how this scripture may apply to God’s mercy. Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. God will place us in situations in our lives where we must forgive many things; we must not repay with what is due. We are to extend the mercy in a similar, but much smaller form that what He has given us. Mercy has been described as not getting what you deserved. Grace is getting what you do not deserve. (Adrian Rogers). Can you look at those situations in life as God looks at yours? Can you forgive over and over again just as He has done and will continue to do for you? This test of our ability to show mercy is a measure of our relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We have all heard of the Golden Rule that states, “Do unto others as you wish they would do unto you.” That scripture is Matthew 7:12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Can you see how this Golden Rule is woven into those other scriptures? Can you see how that our lives can reflect the God that redeemed us and He is whom we serve? Can you see how a selfish, bitter heart that claims His promises, yet denies those in need is a hypocrisy? How you live your life may be the only Bible that those around you may ever read. A life that extends mercy on those in their time of need, or even those who do not deserve it shows the love you have for Him in your heart. In these selfless acts God is using you to draw others to Himself. Live your life today merciful; for you have life today because of it.

 
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Posted by on April 14, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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Take a deep breath

19 Sep

Take a deep breath

Colossians 4:5-6  Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Wack! Or maybe Thump, Thump, Thump would be a better description. Any ideas? We can offend and drive away those we are trying to draw near by our approach. We can come across too strong in our condemnation of sin, and become judgmental and self righteous to those who are lost. And probably even hypocritical in many ways. We can never argue a person to Christ, but we can argue a person away from Christ by hardening their hearts against Christians by our actions.  We must walk in wisdom prayerfully by protecting ourselves to not be drug down their paths of disbelief.

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. Adrian Rogers said we must preach in anguish and not anger. There is a BIG difference. A heart that pains for the lost soul before you pleads with them rather than screaming at them. Our speech is to point to sin, but it should be with the love and grace that Christ provides. Matthew Henry put it, “ Though it be not always of grace, it must be always with grace; and, though the matter of our discourse be that which is common, yet there must be an air of piety upon it and it must be in a Christian manner seasoned with salt. Grace is the salt which seasons our discourse.”

I lived a life so far from God for so long, it pains me to see those I know still far from God. The realization of my sins past, present, and future humbles me.  It pains me to the point of anger, but it hurts me to the point of anguish. Do you see that we are living in the last days? Do you know we must answer for our lives to a righteous judge for an eternal sentence? Do you know you may stand before that judge as white as snow, washed by the blood of Christ’s sacrifice for you? It is never too late; until it is.

He came. He died. He arose. He ascended. He is coming back

 
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Posted by on September 19, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Thank you Jesus for……

16 Jul

Thank you Jesus for……

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

I believe it was Adrian Rogers who said, “Grace is God giving us what we do not deserve. Mercy is God not giving us what we do deserve.” You are born into sin, and your heart is bad no matter how much of a good person you feel that you are. There is a false religion out there saying we are all good at heart, and why would God make us bad. Our freedom of choice is where we fell into sin in the garden with Adam and Eve, and like it or not you are a descendent of them; therefore you are born into sin.

Now the good news: A humble, repentant heart can be saved from eternal punishment by the way of Christ. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever will believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. This paves the way for us to obtain that grace and mercy. Matthew Henry summarizes it well. “Mercy and grace are the things we want; mercy to pardon all our sins, and grace to purify our souls. Besides our daily dependence upon God for present supplies, there are seasons for which we should provide in our prayers; times of temptation, either by adversity or prosperity, and especially our dying time. We are to come with reverence and godly fear, yet not as if dragged to the seat of justice, but as kindly invited to the mercy-seat, where grace reigns. We have boldness to enter into the holiest only by the blood of Jesus; he is our Advocate, and has purchased all our souls want or can desire.”

The scriptures before Hebrews 4:16 are speaking of the power of God’s Word. Both in the context of Christ as the Word, and the context of His written Word. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.You must come to know Christ in your heart before the written Word is revealed to you. His Spirit will dwell inside of you and begin to reveal His written Word as never before. You can’t have one without the other, and grace and mercy are found in both.

 
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Posted by on July 16, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Grace and Mercy allow us there

20 May

Grace and Mercy allow us there

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

I was discussing with my best friend the other day of how it must have been so hard living before Christ with a heart and the desire to pursue God. All of the Law,  and the rulers of the Law, consistently pointing to the inability to fulfill it’s requirements. It simply would have caused incredible mental strain at “the tasks”. But Christ has come to redeem the world and we can approach God at the Throne of Grace in awe and reverent fear; for Christ sits at his right hand to intercede for us. In the scriptures prior to this the author is speaking of the “rest” that we have in Christ, or even peace and assurance I might add that give us rest.

This scripture is speaking of approaching God in prayer. Matthew Henry said, “Mercy and grace are the things we want, mercy to pardon all our sins and grace to purify out souls.” I believe it was Adrian Rogers who put it, “Mercy is God not giving us what we deserve. Grace is God giving us what we don’t.”  Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus. When you are truly needing, truly seeking God, humble yourself and realize how Christ has provided you the pathway to enter into His presence. That humility and reverent awe allow your prayers to be heard, and your heart to be felt when approaching God. There is nothing hidden from God, He knows and sees all, even discerns your heart and thoughts It is through the “lens of the gospel” (Ed Gravely) that you begin to understand your intercessor in Christ, and the ability only He provides to approach God. When you accept Christ, that peace and rest will come with an understanding of your security and ability to approach God.

 

 
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Posted by on May 20, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Yep, we can’t do it ourselves

05 Mar

Much of what I have been watching and listening to recently has dealt with this. The feelings in today’s society of the “deaf ears” to sin. The idea that we are living overall good, overall better through our good deeds, and finding ourselves in Gods favor. There is even the idea out there that all ways lead to God, that Coexist idea. All ideas do not lead to God, and that idea is WRONG. Their is only one way, through Christ, and all others will pay for their mistakes for eternity.

 

Yep, we can’t do it ourselves

 

Romans 3:23   for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

I say this in love, or as Adrian Rogers says in anguish, we really are all that bad. We all have, and all will sin every day of our lives. If we awake a day determined to make that day perfect we fail and sin in that beginning thought. There was only One, that could and did achieve that, Christ. We must realize and accept our depravity, for we are born into sin from the great falling away in the Garden of Eden. But if God only accepts perfection, He also provides the Way to become justified in His sight. Justified is a legal term that means declared righteous, or not guilty.

Romans 24-25 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed. Through the sacrifice of His perfect Son, the door was opened for us to spend eternity in paradise with Him. We must realize our sin, and the unattaiaibility  of our justification through any good works that simply make us feel better about ourselves. That comfort that you feel when you do your good work to attain Gods favor outside of the acceptance of His Son as the only pathway; that comfort is from Satan. Satan wants you to feel as though you can earn your way into heaven. He places those thoughts inside your head. Once you humble yourself realizing you cannot obtain God’s grace outside Christ through any good deed, you can accept Christ knocking at your door as the only Way. John 14:6 I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but through Me. You can’t do it by yourself….you can’t.

 
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Posted by on March 5, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Grace and Mercy 01/15/12

26 Jan
I hope you all are having a great weekend, finding time to spend in God’s Word, finding time to worship today, and spending some time with family. May you have a day of rest.
Grace and Mercy

Hebrews 4:16       Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

I believe it was Adrian Rogers I heard say “Grace is God giving us what we do not deserve. Mercy is God not giving us what we do.” Grace is a word that can separate some denominations. Grace is what God has given us through Christ. There was no other way. There are some out there who rest of God’s grace, living their worldly ways, resting in the idea that a merciful God will rescue them before it is too late. But if they had truly have a repentant heart, they will no longer have that desire to walk in sin and rest on God’s grace.

As sinful as we are at heart, we could never keep the Law of the commandments to perfection. God demands perfection, so He provided us the only way to attain it, through Christ. Matthew Henry said “Mercy and grace are the things that we want, mercy to pardon all our sins and grace to purify our souls.” We cannot live without either for our time here, or for the life hereafter.

 
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Posted by on January 26, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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