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Where was I going?

18 Sep

Where was I going?

James 4:13-15 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”

What were we talking about? Who, where, what was I supposed to remember? If I were to be open with my struggles with memory this would be a five page paper instead of a OneMinuteMinistry. My problems with memory terrify me from a genetic standpoint, and it is truly becoming a challenge almost daily. I believe stress is the nutrient that feeds the disease. I am under a huge strain like many of you, and my escape is the Word of God. It is where I find comfort and peace in an out of control world. What is your crutch?

The book of James is one of the oldest books in the New Testament, and one of the most practical books on how to live your life as a Christian. James puts much of this epistle bluntly and as a “how to” book. When you need answers for real problems we all face; the book of James is a great place to go. The scriptures above speak to me with weight as the planner and over-thinker I am. I think things to death, and always looking into causes, solutions, and outcomes. Trying to plan and see 10 steps ahead. James puts it bluntly in closing; James 4:16 :But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.

James 4:1-6 speaks directly to pride, and even as a planner pride is woven deep into that fabric. Trying to plan our daily destinies leaves God out of the picture. Trying to plan without seeking God is prideful and evil. James 1:6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” A prideful heart thinks it directs its own steps and futures through its own abilities. A prideful heart is a heart far from God, but a heart that can be cleansed. James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. The next time you can’t remember where to go, remember to go to the book of James.

 
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Posted by on September 18, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Can’t you see?

17 Sep

Can’t you see?

Matthew 12:46-50   While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. Then one said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.” But He answered and said to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”

My heart hurts when I hear and experience these things. Of how the stories become too common to those who draw near to the Lord and their lives are changed. They desperately want to share with those closest to them the love of Christ. But many times a deaf ear is turned to Christ’s saving grace through the testimonies of those sharing it. It can be those closest to us that see the change in us; yet deny the possibility of the change in them. It hurts us deeply when those closest to us live for this world and not for Christ.

When Christ really grabs ahold of you to the point that nothing else matters, there is no turning back to the world. The world behind you wants to remind you of where you came from; the life of sin; the life before Christ. Even Christ as God living sinless in the flesh was unaccepted before those closet to Him. Luke 4:22 So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?” It hurts when those closest to us cannot forget the past, or worse yet cannot see the gospel we are trying to share with them. The stories I hear of those close to God seem to all have family members that either deny Christ, or simply have a facade for their faith. These stories all are extremely painful, and graduate level discipleship. Christ is asking us to keep our eyes on Him, even when those closest to us are falling away.

Christ even spoke directly to this struggle in Luke 4:24 Then He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country. We must continue to share our faith with those closest to us, but yet we must also understand we are not in control and cannot argue them into Christ. We are told we must put Christ before ANY thing else in our lives if we are to be His disciples. Luke 14:26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. Only He can do the work He must in their heart; and they must respond to that call. We are only called to be a living example and testimony to His saving grace, unending love, and hope He has placed within us.

 
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Posted by on September 17, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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The Broom

16 Sep

The Broom

1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

1st Timothy is believed to be the Apostle Paul’s last letter when he was in prison about to be executed for his faith. His letter to Timothy is to encourage him and speak to him regarding how to lead the church. Paul had lived an incredible life; a life transformed from murdering Christians to leading them. He had an incredible testimony of the saving grace of God. He realized his depravity before Christ, and his struggle to pursue Godliness after Christ. There comes a day in your growth as a follower of Christ you come to realize the weight of your sin. That conviction you feel tugs a heart to repent, and ultimately leads to worship in thanksgiving.

16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. Paul realized how long Christ had put up with his persecution of Christians, but he also realized the example of grace that his salvation showed. There is nothing that you have ever done that you cannot be forgiven for. Paul realized the reason God showed him grace as that example. Satan will be in your ear telling you that your sin was too great, but Christ is tugging at your heart telling you He will forgive. Whom will you listen to?

17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. There is a great work of worship in a heart that realizes the life before and the life after Christ. Of how we did not deserve what we were freely given (Grace). Of how we were not given what we truly deserved (Mercy). A heart that sees these things is a humble heart that is moves to thanksgiving and praise. A heart that sees a life everlasting with it’s Savior is a heart that is swept into worship? Do you see the before and after in your life? Do you feel that need to give thanks? If not; prayerfully examine your relationship with your Savior. He will open your heart to that realization painfully, and you will come away with an inexpressible joy swept by His grace.

 
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Posted by on September 16, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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The steering wheel

13 Sep

The steering wheel

Matthew 16:25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

As I prayed this morning it was a prayer of thanksgiving. Of the grace and mercy I have been shown; of forgiveness and salvation; of how the realization of these gifts has drawn me to a focused heart that desires a closeness with Him. The realization of a life before Christ, and the life after Christ will pull you to worship. That life before was depraved and full of sin, but that was before; and this is now as a person who desires to hear the words, “well done good and faithful servant.”  I want to be close to the One who delivered me, the One who saved me, the One who gave His life for me, the One who Redeemed me.

Colossians 1:13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. Right there is the gospel of Christ in one sentence. Sin, sacrifice, and forgiveness for a humble repentant heart. This drives me now. It drives me to a place of worship for the act that delivered me from the pit of hell I was headed to. It drives me to a place of desire to know more, to feed on the Word He has given me. It drives me as a breath of life to my lungs every day. It drives me to seek Him when all else seems lost. It drives me to share with you every single day a changed heart; a heart that desires you to have everything I have experienced and all that is available to you too.

My heart is no longer driven by pride, but by humility in the understanding of my life before Him, and how underserving I am, yet of the great love He has for me. I want you to know all this is there for you too. I want you to know that you can have peace in an out of control world that is dying in sin all around you. I want you to know that He can place in your heart an eternal desire that drives you down this road of life headed into eternity with Him. Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. You have all that you need lying just within your grasp. All it takes is a humble repentant heart that desires to know Him and serve Him. Letting go and letting God become the steering wheel of your life will become the path to paradise.

 
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Posted by on September 13, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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9/11

11 Sep

9/11

Deuteronomy 5:1-4 And Moses called all Israel, and said to them: “Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your hearing today, that you may learn them and be careful to observe them. The Lord our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. The Lord did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us, those who are here today, all of us who are alive. The Lord talked with you face to face on the mountain from the midst of the fire.

I have lay away thinking of how to write of the events of 9/11. This is a day in our history that should never be forgotten. We have leaders of our country speaking of us as, “we are no longer a Christian nation’, all as a ploy to forget. Our nation has become so soft the future as a world leader is very unlikely; for our desire to not offend will leave us vulnerable for attack. The events and the loss of life on this day just over 10 years ago should still be fresh in our minds. Today is a day to honor those that died at the hands of evil, and they should never be forgotten.

Moses was entering his last years and he understood the importance of passing down your heritage to the next generation. The generations behind him had not seen the great acts of God and God’s delivering them out of slavery. They had been born out of slavery and into freedom, so how would they know unless they were told? It is a parents responsibility to pass our faith and our lineage onto our children before it is lost. 2 Corinthians 12:14 For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. The generations after Moses failed in this history and faith lesson. Israel forgot God’s deliverance and fell into great sin as a nation.

Spend time today reflecting on the events that morning 11 years ago. Of how as a nation we suffered an attack by evil and thousands of innocent lives were lost. Of hero’s that paid the ultimate price in the sacrifice of their lives for others. Of the countless acts of courage in the face of death. Of how your life can change in an instant, and of how the importance of your eternal security plays into that unknown. We can easily find ourselves facing evil today, just like we did that dreadful morn. Our Father I pray for peace and comfort for those families who lost loved ones that day. I pray that you will use the events of that day to draw others closer to You. I pray that those today will see the evil in this world and the need for a Savior. I pray that they understand their is only one God, and only one way to You. John 14:6 I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but through Me. Amen.

 
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Posted by on September 11, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Hoopla’

07 Sep

Hoopla’

Titus 3:1-3   Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.

Don’t we all ‘love’ this time of year that every four years brings? Every man against every man on the basis of political choices. How can they not agree with me? How can they not be argued into my viewpoint? Many times it becomes beyond heated. We have endured the DNC in our town and all the hoopla’ that came with it. Curiosity got the best of me at times during the local news broadcast and I saw all the hate as a result of the hoopla’. Politics bring out the worst in people, but we are all called to live and obey under those who rule.

Paul was writing Titus to the believers in Crete who were struggling with poor leadership. He speaks directly in Titus on the leaders of a church, and the conduct of the leaders and the church. The leaders of the day were leading them astray; Paul encourages them to remain focused on the Good News that Christ had delivered through Himself. Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. To live a life as a disciple of Christ; not pulled into the snares of the world, but to pursue God and the things of God.

We are about to enter into new president’s term with either candidate. Down either road we go, as Christians we are told we must “be subject to rulers and authorities”. We must obey the laws of the land unless they call us to deny Christ. We must seek to live peaceably among those we do not agree with. Matthew 5:44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. Through this pursuit of a Godly lifestyle you are reflecting Christ to a world that goes against Him. Through this pursuit He may use you to draw others to Himself, and to the saving grace he brings even them who oppose you and your political viewpoint. Together you are united eternally.

 
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Posted by on September 7, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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A glimpse

05 Sep

A glimpse

2 Kings 6:15-17 And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

“And he saw…..” The Lord gave Elisha’s servant a glimpse into a spiritual world that surrounds us every day, and very few have ever seen. The king of Syria had sent a great army after Elisha, but God had sent a greater army to protect him. Elisha was a man of great faith, and God used him in powerful ways throughout his life as Elijah’s successor. The servant in this story was about to hit the panic button when one of life’s situations came at him. He did not know which way to turn, but Elisha simply told him to look up; to focus on where his faith lied and the understanding that God was always in control.

Ephesians 6:12 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. We all get so wrapped up in our own little worlds and our focus of things in our daily lives. We have families, careers, desires, and the list could go on and on. The world through stresses and strains almost daily tries to us to drag our attention away, or to even readjust our focus to another. But all the strains of life will either take us simply one direction or the other. We will be pulled down into those anxieties of this world, or we will look up to our Lord for the strength He and His army provide. Can you imagine Elisha’s servant’s immediate leap of faith with that glimpse?

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. I openly battle anxiety and everything that comes with it. I return to God’s Word and prayer daily for the strength He provides through them. It is only through these things that I gain the strength and the faith to fight this war that I cannot see. I am not worthy to even be considered for the tasks my Lord may place before me; but as a soldier for Christ I am only to obey and to rest in the faith He is sovereign, and in complete control. The faith that Elisha’s servant, and even Elisha had is available to us. It will only come with a heart consistently looking upward, and not being dragged downward to the strains that lie before us.

 
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Posted by on September 5, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Master Craftsman

01 Sep

Master Craftsman

Hebrews 3:1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, 2 who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. 3 For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house. 4 For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God. 5 And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, 6 but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.

This is the only place in the New Testament that Jesus Christ is called an Apostle. The word apostle means “one who is sent”. Here it is showing that Christ was sent by God to reveal God to us. These scriptures are pointing to the faith of Moses; and the comparison of Moses and Christ. Early Israel followed the Law of Moses, but Christ had fulfilled that Law, and therefore the New Covenant established through Christ was greater than the covenant established through Moses.

What grabbed me was the scriptures speaking of the relation of a builder and a house, as I have been in construction for 20 years. The home may be incredible, but the owner most likely did not build it. A craftsman known as a general contractor, used his expertise to design the home. If it was a custom home there were changes along the way, and many disagreements with the direction of that design. Picture God as the builder of your life, and the changes He make to fit His overall design. 4 For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God. We don’t understand the change, until we see the finished product, and it all comes together well.

When God makes those changes, many times we are hurt or do not understand. We can’t see the final glory for the tears in our eyes. We would have rather put another coat of paint on the wall, than to tear the wall down and start over. God wants the wall perfect, and He wants to see His Son in you. We must get close enough to God that we seek to understand His motives, to make us more like Christ. We are the house of Christ, and God is still working on our custom building of it. Rest in the assurance of the Master Craftsman and the intricate details of His design.

 
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Posted by on September 1, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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You can do it

27 Aug

You can do it

1 Thessalonians 1:2-4   We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.

I love how God works. The more time I spend with God, the more He reveals Himself to me each day in different ways throughout the day. This is not any special gift for me, but a realization that He gives to anyone who seeks Him daily. I am nothing, nor do anything special, that is not available to any one of you. All it takes is a heart for God and the things of God, that seeks God first in all things. Matthew 6:33 Seek Ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you. This pursuit will lead to a growth of the relationship that you were created for by Him. The heart is changed in relation to this time, and the soul is fed in this pursuit. They together are where you are changed from the inside out.

God loves you and created you for that relationship. You are unique and special in His eyes, so much so His Son sacrificed His life to reconcile your sin before God. Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. God is calling you to live outside of this world; to live for Him focused on the eternal and not the temporary. A heart that pursues God daily is a heart transformed as in Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Make today the day you start your “labor of love” in your pursuit of God and the things of God. You will begin to see He has been with you all along, and now He begins to reveal Himself to you through other believers, His Word, messages, “coincidences”, books, and media. You will not find Him if you surround yourself with unbelievers, or fill your mind with worldly media. He is not of this world and this world seeks to dull your senses to Him. But He has given you the ability to hear as Elijah did that “still small voice”.

 
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Posted by on August 27, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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What comes First?

13 Aug

What comes First?

John 15:4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

You’re a Christian and you want to be closer to God right? You sporadicly pray or read the bible, and go to church on Sunday’s most of the time. Is any of this honoring God, or giving God your left-overs? John 15:4 shows us clearly we must seek to abide in Him first. He will reward us with a heart that seeks Him every day in all things. This is from my research paper:

One cannot abide without a consistency of time spent in God’s Word. One cannot claim an intimate relationship with someone they invest little or sporadic time with. Intimacy is found through invested time and communication. Intimacy with Christ is found in time, and the communication is found through prayer and His Word. As His disciple we take the lessons learned there and apply them to our lives though fellowship and obedience. “A Christianity that does not have as its primary focus the deepening of passions for God is a false Christianity, no matter how zealously it seeks conversions or how forcefully it advocates righteous behavior.” (JD Greear) You cannot abide without a humble obedient heart that obeys His words. A heart that is moved to obedience from love is a heart that abides. A heart that does this from duty is a works driven faith, and self reliant and prideful.

Matthew 6:33 Seek Ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.  It starts today with your pursuit, or lack thereof. Will today be the day that changes the rest of your life, when you change your habits and move to seeking God consistently? You will keep getting what you have been getting if you keep doing what you have been doing. (Alan Higgins)

 
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Posted by on August 13, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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