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Absolute Truth

19 Mar

Absolute Truth

Romans 1:19-22    because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,

My heart hurts for the nation I live in. We are consistently turning our backs on God. We are headed down the road of moral decline wrapped up in the ideals of we know what is best for ourselves and others. We are legalizing everything that appeals to one, under the guise that it will offend another. We are living in a day of rapidly descending morals & integrity at an alarming rate. All has been lost in what our nation was founded on; “One nation under God”. The moral decay has infected our rulers, our leaders, our schools, our churches, and therefore has infected our families with incredible divorce rates and damaged our children at early ages. My nation is headed down the road to total destruction as a result of turning our backs on God and the absolute moral truths we have been given.

I researched Absolute Truth. We see the evidences of God all around us in creation every day. Satan has planted the idea of evolution into society, trying to weaken the proof of God before us. Inside us as the pinnacle of Gods creation lies a conscious; an inner proof of Him that we must willingly decide to rebel against these evidences. Romans 2:14 for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them. Do you realize that tug of sin that you deny you feel so you can experience the pleasure of that sin is denying God? I lived my life in that denial for most of my life; I know you have to feel it.

Our leaders are being forced by deny Christ by these self appointed unions. Being told they may pray to a God, but not to their God Jesus Christ. They are being told that it offends, therefore if it does it must stopped. There is no such thing as truth that they must answer for and to. I pray these leaders stand their ground for Christ, that they do not deny Christ, that they sacrifice for Christ. Would you? Would you stand your ground at all cost if you were to claim Jesus’ name, or to deny Him and get a free pass? That day is happening in the world right now in religious persecution that involves imprisonment and even death. When some come to know Jesus they are ostracized from their family and live their lives in fear. Would you? You are only here for a short time; the immeasurable time is spent where the evidence of your lives were spent here; hell, or paradise. Would you take a stand for Jesus?

 
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Posted by on March 19, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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Thicker than water

24 Feb

Thicker than water

Obadiah 1:10 “For violence against your brother Jacob, Shame shall cover you, And you shall be cut off forever. 15 “For the day of the Lord upon all the nations is near; As you have done, it shall be done to you; Your reprisal shall return upon your own head.

The book of Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament; it is a direct prophetic book to the nation of Edom, a single theme of the coming judgement and destruction by the Lord. The nation was a descendant of Easu, (Jacob’s brother), and they constantly were scheming against their brothers nation Israel. Repeatedly throughout history they turned their backs on their brothers in their time of need. At the time of Obadiah’s prophecy, Israel was under siege and they were fleeing for their lives. Their own family was turning their backs on them, blocking their escapes, killing them, or selling them into slavery. They were turning their backs on them at the time of their greatest need.

I have been seeing and learning of these examples recently; of families at such odds they cast one another out onto the street. We all may differ, we all may quarrel, but we as a family must hold together that bond. I know no matter how bad things in life might get, I could go to my family for the necessities in life. This should have happened in the time of Edom and Israel; put aside their differences and helped out in the time of need. The pride and arrogance of the Edomites caused this proclaimed judgement of the Lord that Obadiah proclaimed. 11 On the day that you stood aloof, on the day that strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like one of them. 12 But do not gloat over the day of your brother in the day of his misfortune; do not rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their ruin; do not boast in the day of distress. 13 Do not enter the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; do not gloat over his disaster in the day of his calamity; do not loot his wealth in the day of his calamity. 14 Do not stand at the crossroads to cut off his fugitives; do not hand over his survivors in the day of distress. (ESV)

Step back and take a look at your family. Are there any of them that you know are in a time of need? Are you ignoring the knowledge of that need for any or multiple reasons? Are you pretending that you don’t know or can’t help? What if God treated you with the same disregard that you are treating them? Verse 15 shows the nation of Edom that they will reap what they have sown. The day that we must stand before the Lord and account for all our lives is certain. I personally believe that how we handle our family affairs will be held in high regard at that day. The Lord placed us in that circle for a reason, and we should seek to fulfill His Will for our lives by pouring our lives into those closest to us; not turning our backs upon them.

 
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Posted by on February 24, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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One thing remains

14 Dec

One thing remains

Hebrews 13:7-8   Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

It is a whole lot easier to follow than to lead. This statement could go into almost any aspect of your life. I always related it to racing bikes; you could pick the lines and the speed of the guy in front of you much easier because you were not making those split second decisions; you were following his lead. As a business owner every decision you make directly affects your employees, and most likely their families. As a leader in your family every decision directly affects the family unit. We all make mistakes, and their is always a consequence to that action. We must learn from these mistakes in preparation for the next time; and their will be a next time.

The writer of Hebrews is speaking of our leaders in the church; those that teach the Word of God to us. Those who lead us are held to a higher standard by God. James 3:1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. They must answer to the CEO of the universe when they fail, and they will fail, for they are human too. Their hearts should be a heart for God alone, and to emulate Christ in every aspect of their lives. They should have love as the bond that holds them together. They should pray to keep pride at bay, and we should do all we can to pray for our leaders, and all the struggles they face in that position.

The writer of Hebrews shows us in the following verse who will never change, and will never fail us – Jesus Christ. Those who lead us here may fail; Christ will never, ever, fail us. If we keep our eyes on Him in all of life’s trials; all of life’s trials will simply draw us closer to Him. Whatever you are facing, you are either looking upwards to Christ, or hanging your head looking down into the trouble. We should seek to keep our focus even in the good times on Christ. These times strengthen us for the trouble to come. Hebrews 13:6 So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

Please watch this encouraging video that brought me to tears of thanksgiving before 6am today.

 
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Posted by on December 14, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Heeerrrrre’s your sign……….(in my best Bill Engvall voice)

17 Nov

Heeerrrrre’s your sign……….(in my best Bill Engvall voice)

Matthew 24:6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

I am not the “news nerd” I once was. I now usually watch the first 15 minutes of the local news to catch the weather, for it plays a major roll in my business load and schedule. Many times I have to change it and come back to the weather to shield the mayhem from my boys. The world scene I catch mostly by chance online and radio. But the world scene this week has demanded greater attention with the imminent outlook of escalating war in Israel. The stage is being set for an elevated warfront during a time of uncertainty of allies and leadership of that region and abroad. Israel is known throughout the world as God’s people, and God promised Abraham that He would protect them eternally. Genesis 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” The Bible is full of proof of this promise of God to the Jewish nation.

We all know of how fragile our nations economy is right now. Most likely many of us have felt it’s pain on a very personal scale. The world’s economy is teetering also on the brink of collapse. We have seen weather phenomena recently that have seemed extraordinary;  great storms, fires, and earthquakes of recent years. All of these are signs of God’s power, not mother nature. He is in control and He is giving us signs to point us to Himself. Are we living in the times of Matthew 24? Matthew 24:7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. Can you see how much of this could fall onto the timetable of today’s generation?

How can we turn our back blindly on what we see unfolding before us? How can we not be pressed to share the hope that lies within us? Those around us just may seem to not notice, or worse yet to deny God’s work around them. Christ tells us in Matthew His return will catch many by surprise; and they will pay for their mistake eternally. 37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. The signs are here, the time is now. Can you really afford to go about your day and pretend it is not really happening? It is not too late, until it is.

 
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Posted by on November 17, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Satan’s hole in his camo

12 Nov

Satan’s hole in his camo

2 Timothy 2:3-4   You therefore must endure[ hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

This is a day we remember those who were and are serving our country in our military. They are those who dedicated their lives to obtaining the goal set before them at all costs. No veteran should be so weak as to not lay down their life for their cause. It is instilled in them in training for their focused purposes that may lay ahead. They are to be honored for their service in the face of all types of dangers to protect what so many take for granted in the freedom we so cherish. They serve with a honor and dignity under their commander for the nation they are sworn to protect. It mostly comes with a cost; pain and sometimes death; but that is what they understood upon offering themselves up as a soldier for our country.

The Apostle Paul is writing to Timothy to encourage him in what he knows he will face in the difficulties of being a disciple of Christ’s; even as a soldier for Christ. He is encouraging him to remain focused as soldier to please his commander; to accomplish the goal through any hardships he may endure; to press on. When you begin to step forward in your walk with Christ; that is when it may get difficult. Distractions come in all sorts; but they will come to take your eyes off the mission at hand; to spread Christ’s gospel to those in your circle of influence. The affairs of this life may seem to be blessings, anxieties, timetables, sickness, pain, the list goes on. All of them to take your eyes off Christ; all of them from the enemy as John 10:10 says; 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.

I live a life of being pulled in all directions. A husband, father, business owner, sole provider, student. I struggle just like all of you in time management with all these titles and more. I am indebted to lenders, indebted to my family, but ultimately indebted to Christ. Being a soldier for Christ does not mean you remove yourself from the world; it means you show Christ to your world. It means that in everything you do, in all that you face, you take that opportunity to share your faith. God gives you opportunities to witness where Satan seeks to bring distractions and strife. When you begin to see and understand all that you face has passed through God’s hands; it becomes easier to remain focused on sharing your faith with those around you. 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. A good soldier for Christ can see Satan’s camouflaged distractions and press on to the goal that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

 
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Posted by on November 12, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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More than a political savior

06 Nov

More than a political savior

Revelation 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Today is the day we can exercise our freedoms protected by our soldiers throughout history, and vote for our next leader of our country. It has been pressed into our minds of how this may be the most important election in history. That would be debatable, but the truth is that our country is struggling and needs strong leadership. This election is one of the choices of the lesser of two evils. One is a Mormon and Mormon’s are not Christians. One believes in same sex marriage and abortion. I do not believe either will run this country from their knees seeking my God in prayer. This country desires a political savior; and neither candidate has that ability to save.

What do you want out of life? Bigger question: what do you want after this life? We are all wired with the inquisition of what comes next. The pursuits of the afterlife may be behind many decisions you make unknowingly. All things were created by Christ; all things flow through Christ; and all things point to Christ. Christ will return soon and this election will no longer be so important. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. The day is approaching where we must all answer how we lived our lives; of what the focus of our lives rested on. Was it political; was it career; was it self; was it____________? Where is your focus?

You and I are sinners; we cannot escape that reality. We are born into sin and if we do not see the Light of forgiveness, we will die in that sin and go to Hell. To understand the Good News you must first understand the bad. A payment for that sin debt is owed to God who is a righteous judge. The only way to pay for that sin debt was a perfect sacrifice that He provided in Jesus Christ. When Christ died on the Cross, all the worlds sins were place on Him for eternity. All you must do is humbly accept that sacrifice and remove the pride where you feel you can earn it yourself. The acceptance and realization of all of this should draw you to a life of service to Him as His disciple; sharing what you have with others. He gives us what no president can; Saving Grace. John 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. My prayer is that you will place your hope in the only leader of your life that will never disappoint; never break promises; and reward you eternally for your short time of life focused on Him here.

 
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Posted by on November 6, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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1-My Savior 2-My wife 3-My boys 4-My business 5-Me

09 Oct

1-My Savior 2-My wife 3-My boys 4-My business 5-Me

Matthew 11:28-30 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

I was talking to a friend yesterday about my life load. The “to do” list; the things pressing with owning a business, going to school, and being a dad and husband. His question was how do you do it; my reply was I don’t know. I always jokingly comment, “I am working on project 369, section 4, article b.” To be honest I have a list on my computer of my order of priorities:
1-My Savior 2-My wife 3-My boys 4-My business 5-Me
There are daily struggles for constant realignment of that list. Mostly from a business that still tries to command #1. I have come to the point in my life of realizing what is important, and therefore the list. Do you have a list? Do you stick to it? Should you make one?

In these passages Christ was speaking to the Jews who were living under the legalism that the religious leaders of the day had placed on them. The requirements of the “to do’s and don’t do’s” almost boarder on comical. They were pressured to believe they could not go to heaven if they did not follow the rules; yet there were so many rules no one could go. The laws of the system were to point them to the need for a Savior, and He stood before them. He was about to satisfy the Law they lived under; so they could rest in the grace that He was about to provide. Colossians 2:14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

This world we live in can be overbearing. We live in a world of expected immediacy, expected slavery to our careers, expected success and material prizes; expected to keep our eyes on all the temporary stuff that will all perish when we die. Nothing you do today will be carried with you to the next life other than your investment in your relationship with Christ, and your investment in those around you starting with your family. Nothing can replace the gift of teaching your children about Christ and priorities in life by living that example before them.

 
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Posted by on October 9, 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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DNC

02 Sep

DNC

Ecclesiastes 9:17 Words of the wise, spoken quietly, should be heard Rather than the shout of a ruler of fools.

Charlotte is about to become the center of the worlds political attention this week with the DNC in our town. I try to not mix religion and politics, but I am worried about our future. I have spent this past week of school in study of Old Testament rulers of Israel, when Israel separated due to civil war. They were few Godly leaders, and many evil men. Their lives and their kingdoms were fed by their means of control of their people. We are headed down the road of Socialism and deepening government control right here at home by a man clothed in secrecy if there is not change. The choices however are questionable when another candidate open believes in a faith that twisted Christianity; a faith that wrote their own bible, a faith that is not Christian. I only say all of this because at the root of your every action, as one of my best friends once told me, “you are what you believe.”

Many of us are blinded to the truth around us. We have our own little world we live in, and we choose to not become involved in the political arena. I am somewhat guilty of that, and as I have said before; I pick religion over politics. May I plea to you to move your focus to God and not who will be our next president. Cast your vote however you wish, but move your focus from these puppets to their Creator. The apostle Paul was encouraging Timothy to keep his focus on Christ as we must now. 1 Timothy 4:8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. 10 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. 11 These things command and teach.

Politics divide; Christ unites. Politics speak of all that is wrong with the other party; Christ speaks of love of all; 1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” When is the last time you heard another candidate speak of a good quality of his opponent? You have never heard it. Christ speaks of loving your enemies; 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. We are always going to sit under a ruler, but we are all going to answer to their God; just as they will, realizing or not.

 
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Posted by on September 2, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Time management 101

20 Aug

Time management 101

Mark 13:33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.

We all have the “to do” lists. There are multiple lists for work, play, and even the dreaded ‘honey do’ lists at home. We are bombarded continuously in every arena for precious amounts of our time. We are expected to pack eight days into a seven day week in todays society. And mostly because of the instantaneous satisfaction this world demands, we are expected to do it now. Time management is at the top of every to do lists. I have to explain my time management as a ‘triage’ list like the TV show MASH many times: consistently re-prioritizing. This does not fair well in a self centered society.

Does God and the things of God make your lists? Do you make time for Him? What will you say before Him when He asks you how you managed your time? How will you explain all the things that were more important than Him? His return could be at any time, but His return will be a surprise and not predicted as some have tried and failed. 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. In the book of Revelation Christ is speaking to John about the church at Sardis and of their dead faith. Many had backslidden away from their church and into the world. Their focus was not on Christ and He strongly warned them of their hypocrisy. Revelation 3:3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.

God knows your heart and there is nothing you can hide from Him. There is a day coming that everything will be refined by fire. We all must account for our every action, word, deed, and thought. I dread that day, but I rest in the assurance of that day that Christ has covered all my sin at Calvary by sacrificing Himself for me, and you. How can we not seek to honor the ultimate sacrifice by sacrificing our time and putting Him at the top of all lists? I would hope to stand before God and say I tried, rather than ‘well you see I had to _______” . Make today a day you manage some time to spend seeking Him in His Word and prayer.

 
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Posted by on August 20, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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