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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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Fasting?

15 Sep

Fasting?

Matthew 6:17-18  But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Have you ever fasted? Have you heard the term, but yet not understood it’s meaning? Fasting is simply denying yourself the pleasure of food as a means to consecrate your body and focus on God. You replace that physical hunger with His Word and prayer. I know from personal experience the rewards of extended fasting. You will gain a closeness to God you have never experienced before, and when the fast is over you will desire that closeness again. Fasting was prevalent throughout the Bible, but our self indulgent society hasn’t the mindset for it today.

Fasting is not a diet, but it is meant to be only between you and God. The scripture above is speaking of that relationship and the sanctity of it. God knows your heart, and why you are doing this to honor Him. If the heart of the fast is a true pursuit of Him, He will reward you with a spiritual awareness and eyes that see Him more clearly. This passage falls right on the heels of how Christ taught us to pray in the Lord’s Prayer. Matthew 6 is a powerful chapter speaking of the relationship you were created for. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

I confided with someone about a fast once and they asked me how it was going. I replied, “I am missing the food, but loving the fellowship.” The more your body craves food, the more your heart craves God. Many of us have heard the scripture of “enough faith to move a mountain.” Do you know the verse following? Matthew 17:21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” God sees and will honor that sacrifice you are making for Him. The time and depth of your fast depends on the desire of your heart for God. If you truly want to have your mind and heart opened to a closeness with God, try a fast. Spend time preparing for it in prayer and see where God leads you. Your spiritual walk will forever change. You cannot do an extended fast and see God on the same plain as you did before it. Your relationship with Him will never be the same, for you honored Him with a sacrifice of yourself.

 
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Posted by on September 15, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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14 Sep

Discipleship 101

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

There is a revival happening at our church right now. They Holy Spirit is stirring in people’s hearts and the outpouring of love and good works is picking up steam. Many people are wanting to know how to serve God in their communities; to share their love for Him and the good news He brings to a dying world. To know how to be more than a spectator in the stands, but to be a player on the team. They want to get in the game of becoming disciples of Christ. It is exciting to witness and be a part of what is going to become a great move of God I believe.

Are you living a life of a disciple? Do you possess that desire to show what Christ has done for you and how your life has changed? We all have a testimony of our lives before and after Christ. This sin filled world has it’s grip tightly on the lost right now. Satan has deceived many through his evil ways; and even those that may feel good about themselves stuck in religions that preach tolerance and that all ways lead to God. They need to hear the truth, and they can hear the truth when you reach out into those you see every day. Your circle of influence is where God can use you today. When God places someone before you, and you feel that need to share, move forward with it. Don’t be scared; He will guide you along the way. When you don’t, you grieve Christ’s Spirit living in you. Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Ephesians 2: 1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. There is an outline from God in scripture of your testimony. God loved you so much that He pursued you while you were a sinner just like everybody else. We all have lived for the lusts of this world, but now we can share how we were saved from them. Our good works can be that co-worker who we can’t stand; but we now swallow our pride and share Christ with them. They can see the change in you, that they want to know what makes you different. That simple step in your growth as a disciple will draw you closer to God and He will give you more opportunities to become a light in a dark world.

 
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Posted by on September 14, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Duplexes

10 Sep

Duplexes

Exodus 20: 3 You shall have no other gods before Me.

Oh, but I don’t Lord. I will get back into church and my pursuit of You after I ______________. After I get the project done, the game played, the work completed, the rest I need, the..the..the… It was a while into my walk as a Christian that I began to see and somewhat understand this scripture. I felt good about myself and trying to better my life by going to church and seeking God. But God also began to reveal what I was placing BEFORE Him, and that I was giving Him my left overs. Much more than just Sunday, or even if you think about it only a couple hours on Sunday, is putting 164 hours a week ahead of God.

Pastor Jack yesterday so passionately conveyed that everything we have comes from God in a heartfelt plea. Romans 1:20 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. There has to be a point in your walk as a Christian that you come to this realization. Without this realization you will never move forward in your growth and worship. You must realize there is no “me” in all your achievements, but Him in the provision of them. The longer the me stays in your mindset, the pride of those thoughts chain you down from growing in your relationship and faith that eternally saves. Pride kills any chance of becoming a true disciple of Christ. I believe Jacks quote was, “His place in your heart can never be a duplex.”

Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Unfortunately in our society this is many times our idol; the pursuit of success and stuff. As a guy I know that hobbies can turn into idols for that is a huge part of my testimony. Anything that we put before God can become an idol, or in reality already is if we realize it comes before God and our pursuit of Him. If you can’t see it before your eyes, spend some time praying for God to open them. But realize He will show you, and call you to obedience of the removal of the idol in your life. Once it is revealed, leaving that idol in your life at that level is direct disobedience to the scripture above. Break the chain that is holding you back from gaining all you desire with God through the removal of what you place before Him.

 
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Posted by on September 10, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Don’t give up

09 Sep

Don’t give up

Hebrews 10:28  Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?

The book of Hebrews is unique in style, but it is clearly written to address those who had doubted their conversion to Christianity. Many came from the faith of Judaism and the sacrificial system to God under the Law of Moses. The “if you do this, do this” type of faith that God used to point them to Himself. Then Christ came and fulfilled the Law, and under His perfection and sacrifice we now were saved eternally by His grace. Many struggled and wavered on these lines of faith. How could they be saved without any good deeds or works?

An apostate is someone who renounces religion, or worse yet someone who defects.  The sin in verse 28 above was when someone was stoned to death for the worship of idols in Moses’s time. This was apostasy and punishable by death. But what about those of us who come to faith in Christ and then much more than backslide? We are all going to fail; we are all going to sin; we are never going to achieve perfection under God’s sight. But He sees us through Christ’s sacrifice, and a heart that turns from sin is a heart that is pursuing God and the things of God. But an apostate heart that renounces their faith in Christ will pay a high price eternally. Hebrews 29:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

If you are trying to live your life for Christ, and doing the best you can in this world we live in, He sees it and knows your heart. We will all fail, but as His children we can all repent and ask for forgiveness for our failure. Living as a child of Christ is about a pursuit of becoming a better person through the trials of life and His grace we rest in. The words that God spoke to Solomon about the sins of Israel still ring true today. 2 Chronicles 7:14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Live your life in this pursuit; never giving up and denying Christ, but resting in the assurance He is in control.

 
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Posted by on September 9, 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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Christianity is not a spectator sport

06 Sep

Christianity is not a spectator sport

Luke 24:46-47   Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

You can’t sit under Dr. Ed Gravely and not see the gospel in wherever he might be teaching from at that time. Of how it is woven into the entire Bible, and the way we are to share it. We are starting a study of Acts, which I label a book of action. The book of Acts is a book full of the reassurances of our risen Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit He has enabled believers with. We have Christ residing in us; and the evidences of Him are everywhere in the book of Acts. The  book of Acts and the gospel of Luke go hand in hand and written by the same author; the great physician Luke.

Are you living a life of action in relation to what you believe? Are you professing Christ, but yet living in sin? Are you claiming heaven, but yet never sharing your faith? Are you ashamed or fearful of sharing that faith you proclaim? There are many direct warnings of denying Christ, but do you share Christ? An assurance of Salvation is the desire from deep within for those who are lost without Christ. From that desire comes a heart that lives for God and desires to share a hope that eternally saves. Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. We are by no means saved by works, but we are called to and judged by them. Can you imagine standing before God saved; yet telling Him you never shared or did anything?

You always hear of peoples death bed requests, or their dying words. Sometimes a summary of life’s lessons, and a word to live by for those left behind. A ‘charge’ if you will. Christ’s last words came from a man that had RISEN from the dead, and returned to edify and charge those He was leaving behind to do His remaining work. He not only charged them with the work, He in-dwelt a part of Himself with them to help them. His call to them was to spread His name throughout the world so that the world may be saved. His parting words were known as The Great Commission. Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. You too are called to action. Christianity is not a spectator sport.

 
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Posted by on September 6, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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BC Circle

04 Sep

BC Circle

1 Corinthians 5:9-13 I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner–not even to eat with such a person. For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.”

There are so many roads to go down with this scripture. The company we keep; the company we don’t keep; witnessing to them; judging them; and even discipline of all. But a central theme in this passage is the BC (before Christ) and the AC (after Christ) in your life. If you have truly repented of your sins and accepted the grace He gives, your life will never be the same. Your views of the world and yourself before this Salvation & revelation will be much different. The world will reach out and try to tug you back into it’s grip with all types of enticements; but these are all a ploy to steal your soul by Satan.

Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. You are called to go before men and live your life for Christ. Your circle of influence before Christ is your circle of influence after Him. That circle will change and in many ways get smaller in relation to BC; but that is due to His work in you. We are not to become haughty but to become humble. Pride will ruin any testimony you have of change, because pride is the root of all sin. Although you may seem to reject the habits and people of your life before Christ, it is only because you are seeing them living in sin and a glimpse of how Christ sees them.

Don’t withdraw into a shell, but humbly share with those close to you how your life is changing. You don’t have to understand what is going on, but the evidence of change is in you and through you too all those around you. God may place one person before you in the BC time of your life that your heart bleeds for. You want them to share in what you now possess. Luke 15:4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? Begin to pray for yourself as a witness for Christ, and for Christ to use you to reach them. Prayer for someone close to you is an incredible experience to see God start to work in their lives also. Together you have walked down the road Before Christ, and together you can walk down the road to eternity with Him.

 
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Posted by on September 4, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Romans 12 Lifestyle

03 Sep

Romans 12 Lifestyle

Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

This scripture is a simple sentence in a powerful closing statement to the passage of Romans 12. This passage of scripture is the insight to how to live life as a Christian. Of how to go against the grain of the world and live your life as a disciple of Christ. The opening statement in Paul’s letter is, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 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. (Romans 12:1,2) To present yourselves as a LIVING sacrifice to God. To seek the will of God in your heart, mind, body, and soul. To pursue him with a heart that sees only the things of Him, and to seek to be obedient to what we see from Him.

When life reaches out and grabs us with its struggles, and it will,  remember Romans 12. That passage is a place to return to for God’s words on how to live your life as a Christian. It speaks of the struggles of life; of the different spiritual gifts we possess, and how to use those gifts for the glory of God. We must understand that their is strength in the light of God that we possess. We are told in Romans 12:9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. The more time you spend in God’s Word and seeking Him in prayer, the more light He places in you to defend yourself from the darkness. 1 John 1:5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

Romans 12 is the “self help guide” to keep for quick reference. It would be a great place to start your own Bible study; a place for you to dig deeper into God’s Word. A place for God to reveal much more of Himself and yourself in those scriptures. As you spend more than a few minutes reading through the passage, you are showing God your desire for Him. He will reward you with a heart that sees more of Him in the scriptures. He will meet you there and your life will never be the same for when you find those encouraging words at just the right time; at some point you realize it is a word directly from God; and you get it.

 
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Posted by on September 3, 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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