Pastor Kevin Craig

2011-08-10T12:21:00.002-04:00

No matter what is happening in your life today, as a believer in Jesus, you have a reason to be excited about your future! "But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day"(Proverbs 4:18, ESV). Don't you just love this scripture! Our path, as the righteous, only gets brighter and brighter! I think I want to shout!

If things seem dark right now, know that the dawn will soon appear. The key is you have to remember that you are not here by accident. You have a purpose and destiny to fulfill, and He isn't finished with you yet. Your best days are not behind you; your best days are out in front of you. One thing I know is that God is a God of increase. He has greater things in store for your future than you have experienced in your past.

A Pastor friend of mine says it this way, "His dream for your future is so much bigger than your own. He wants to take you places that you've never dreamed and open up doors that you've never imagined. He wants to bring talent out of you that you didn't even know you had. He wants to increase you and cause you to be a greater blessing to the people around you." I say, AMEN!
Today, get your faith up and get excited about your future! Begin to thank Him for what He has in store. Keep standing, keep believing and keep moving forward because God has explosive blessings in store for you!

Blessings,

Pastor Kevin

More Grace

2011-07-21T15:53:00.000-04:00

So many people today live in guilt and condemnation over their past mistakes and wrongdoings. They have this attitude that they are too far gone or they've made too many mistakes. They think that if they walk into church, the roof will cave in. If that's you, nothing could be further from the truth! It doesn't matter what you've done, it doesn't matter where you've been; God's grace is enough. Scripture says that we are saved "by grace through faith" (Ephesians 2:4-10). Grace is His unmerited favor upon you. You can't earn it no matter how "good" you act, but He's offering it to you as a free gift. His grace is what empowers you to change and live the life He's called you to. Don't you just love Romans 5:20, "...But where sin increased, grace increased all the more".

Today, don't live another minute in regret, condemnation, heaviness or despair. Receive His grace. It's as easy as opening your heart and inviting Him to change your life. Remember, there's nothing you could ever do that His grace can't bring you through. So open your heart to Him and receive it today!

When you have a chance today pray this; Heavenly Father, thank You for Your grace upon my life. Thank You for receiving me no matter what I've done. I receive Your love and forgiveness. I commit myself to You today and all the days of my life. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

God Bless You,

Pastor Kevin

A REMOTE MOUNTAIN

2011-07-20T21:20:00.000-04:00

It’s amazing what can be accomplished when all the normal routines and distractions are removed. In quietness and rest, we can hear God with real clarity. We hear Him speak about our destiny and give us comfort and encouragement in our struggles. Maybe that’s why God told us to rest weekly, just sayin! This past week, I had the chance to get away to the mountains of North Carolina for rest and golf. When I first arrived, the mountain cabin we reserved had a broken air conditioner and it was hotter than… (I’ll let you fill in the blank). The room they moved us to was significantly bigger, but more remote. More remote, on the side of an already remote mountain seemed way to remote. Did I tell you it was remote? Because it was. The 15 inch TV had non-functioning rabbit ears. So, I decided it was a great opportunity to talk to the Lord.

The first night, I ran across a passage of scripture that really encouraged me. Psalm 13:5-6, “I've thrown myself headlong into your arms —
I'm celebrating your rescue. (6) I'm singing at the top of my lungs, I'm so full of answered prayers.” (THE MESSAGE.) David is in the middle of several chapters of telling God how hopeless and bad the circumstances are. His conclusion is this; when you have a ton of trouble and feel like your enemy has looked down his nose at you long enough, totally trust (I've thrown myself headlong into your arms) and worship loudly (I'm singing at the top of my lungs) your Heavenly Father. The result is awesome: we celebrate His rescue and are full of His answered prayers. Sounds like a dance party to me! Remember, God is still at work in your life. Keep your hopes up. Keep expecting. Keep believing. And find a remote mountain somewhere.

Blessing,

Pastor Kevin

You Don’t Have A Chance!

2010-06-21T14:31:00.001-04:00

With that title you are probably asking yourself, “Where is the good news?” Let me start with encouraging you to read the 46th Psalm and then I will show you the good news.

Psalm 46:(1) God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. (2) Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, (3) though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
Selah (think about it)
(4) There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. (5) God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day. (6) Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. (7) The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah (think about it)
(8) Come and see the works of the Lord, the desolations he has brought on the earth. (9) He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire. (10) "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." (11) The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. (NIV)

Israel is surrounded by and being attacked by wicked warring nations. The psalmist starts by reminding God of His rightful place in his life. A refuge, strength and ever-present help in trouble. The natural outcome being; there is nothing to be afraid of because God is in charge. Then something amazing happens, God speaks back! In verse 10 God says, “Be still, and know that I am God…” I have heard this used as a worship scripture. God wants you to be still. While rest and be still are in His word and for the believer, it is not what God is saying in Psalm 46. Actually, God is speaking to those wicked warring nations. He says to them, Cease and desist (be still); it is I, God, who will be exalted in victory; you do not have a chance. God speaks and says to our enemies you don’t have a chance. THAT’S THE GOOD NEWS!

If your enemy is fear or doubt, lust, depression, fatigue, sickness, loss of employment, hopelessness or addiction remind it today, “You don’t have a Chance”. Stay in faith, keep trusting your Heavenly Father and keep your eye on the prize because He will give us the victory.

Double Up!

2010-06-16T11:30:00.000-04:00

I always hate when I read the parts of the Bible where Jesus promises that we will experience trouble in this world. I know God has a plan in all circumstances, but it would be fine with me if I could skip the difficulty and fast forward to the blessing part. This is the bottom line though; I know more of God's faithfulness in times of trouble than in times of blessing. In those seasons of difficulty and trouble some encouragement is always helpful. I have great news for YOU today, God will give us double for our trouble!
Isaiah 61:7 (The Message)says, "Because you got a double dose of trouble and more than your share of contempt, your inheritance in the land will be doubled and your joy go on forever." In the Old Testament when this scripture was written, God's people were going through a very dark time. They were being held captive against their will and mistreated by other nations. God sent this word to encourage them, and give them hope for their future. When the time came, God was faithful to His Word!
Are you going through a difficult and troubled season? Let this word bring you encouragement! He is the God of restoration-that means, He's not going to just repay you for every wrong done, but will go above and beyond and make things even better than they were before.
If we are facing challenges today or going through a time of adversity, just remember, it is always darkest before the dawn appears. Our days are destined to shine brighter because God is faithful. As we stay in faith and are obedient to His Word we'll receive double for our trouble, and see His promises come to pass!

THE WAITING GAME

2010-03-09T13:19:00.001-05:00

It doesn't take very long to discover that God's timing is not always our timing. It's easy to question and wonder why you've been waiting for your breakthrough for 15 years and your neighbor got their breakthrough in 15 minutes! In the Bible, Abraham waited 20 years for his promise, and in the upper room they waited about ten days. I don't know how long you'll have to wait, but you've got to understand that God has your best interest at heart. This is really is the question of faith. Do I believe that God is who he says he is and do I believe that God will do ALL he has promised. Is God working for me? I know today that one of the motivations for me to work so hard is to provide for my wife and children what they need at the time that they need it. If that is my motivation and I am a man and God’s ways are higher than mine, then how much more God is working in my behalf!

I have always loved this scripture that I am about to share with you but I really love this translation. Maybe it helps explain the waiting deal a little better. “The Lord isn't really being slow about His promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake…"(2 Peter 3:9, NLT) He is being patient for our sake. He's aligning things and waiting for the exact right moment! If we'll just continue waiting with the right attitude, then at the right time, God will bring it to pass.

Remember, God is always working behind the scenes for our good. Just because we don't see any changes taking place doesn't mean they aren't happening. Stay in Faith, keep standing, keep believing, keep hoping because the breakthrough is coming for our sakes!

How to handle temptation

2009-10-21T10:12:00.001-04:00

When it comes to temptation, remember these seven things:

(1)God is Faithful and we never become so spiritual that we're immune.
1Corinthians 10:13-"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it"

(2)Keep Watch!
Because you haven't blown it yet, doesn't mean you can't. Satan is a master of timing, and he's in no hurry.
Mark 14:38- Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

(3)God’s Bread is all we need to live!
Your flesh is powerful; once indulged it will always want more. Feed Your Spirit More!

(4)Understand that we are responsible.
Sin is a choice. When you choose to abuse God's grace you pay the price, either now or later.
Galatians 6:7- "Do not be deceived...whatever a man sows, that he will also reap"

(5)We're not helpless pawns.
We can’t change what happened yesterday, but your choice, empowered by God's grace, will determine what happens today and tomorrow.
2 Peter 1:3

(6)If you've sinned, there's hope. God will forgive you and use you again.
Jesus told Peter, "I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren" (Luke 22:32 NKJV).
Romans 7:1-6

(7)Stay close to God.
James 4:7- "Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."

2009-10-15T09:04:00.001-04:00

Perilous Times!

2009-10-15T09:03:00.001-04:00

A little boy was asked by his geography teacher about the shape of the world. He responded, “My daddy says it is in awful shape.” In 2 Timothy 3:1, Paul stated, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come.” “Perilous” means “difficult, painful, hard times, times of stress.”

The Bible gives us guidelines in times like these. Here are a few:

1. REMEMBER THAT GOD IS WITH US. God has declared in Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you.” A television announcer was interviewing a six-year-old girl and queried, “Do you know where God is?” The youngster’s omniscient answer was prompt: “Do you know where He isn’t?” Psalm 94:14, “The Lord will not abandon His people.”
2. MAKE PRAYER AND GOD’S WORD A REGULAR ACTIVITY. In Luke 18:1, we learn that if we do not pray, we will “lose heart.” Hebrews 4:12 says the Word of God is “powerful.” “Powerful” means “energizing.” D. L. Moody testified, “I know the Bible is inspired because it inspires me.”
3. VALUE FRIENDS. At least 26 times in the New Testament, we find the expression “one another.” A London newspaper offered a substantial cash prize to the one who gave the best answer to the question, “Which is the shortest way to London?” The answer that won the prize was, “The shortest way to London is ‘good company’.”
4. DECIDE TO MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ATTITUDE. Studies suggest that only about 25 percent of the tendency toward optimism is carried in the genes, the rest is developed by the individual. Paul exhorted, “Whatever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of a good report…meditate on these things,” Philippians 4:8.
5. LIVE ONE DAY AT A TIME. Three times in Matthew 6:24 – 34, Christ, when addressing our material needs, stated, “Therefore, do not worry.” Then, He promised that if we will seek first His kingdom, “all these things will be added to you,” so, “do not worry about tomorrow.”
6. HAVE FAITH IN GOD. The Jews used the phrase “I AM,” “Yahweh,” as their way of identifying God throughout the Scriptures. “Yahweh” appears more than six thousand times in the Old Testament. It is the expression of the One who lives eternally, from everlasting to everlasting, without beginning or end.

Remember, “We may face situations beyond our reserves, but never beyond God’s resources!”

"Live a life of love

2009-08-15T11:40:00.001-04:00

When we take stock of our day-to-day actions there's often a big gap between what we say we value, and how we spend our time, money and energy. Couples spend four times as much time watching television as they do talking to each other. Parents spend an average of four hours a day watching TV, one hour shopping, and six minutes playing with their children. And with each day lost, the gap widens.

In the movie City Slickers, actor and comedian Billy Crystal stands before the children in his son's school class and decides to teach them a lesson they are perhaps not ready to learn: "Value this time in your life, kids, because this is the time in your life when you still have choices, and it goes by so quickly. When you're a teenager you think you can do everything, and you do. Your twenties are a blur, your thirties - you raise your family, you make a little money, you think to yourself, 'What happened to my twenties?' Your forties - you grow a little potbelly, you grow another chin, the music starts to get too loud, and one of your old girlfriends from high school becomes a grandmother. In your seventies you spend most of your time wandering around malls looking for the ultimate in soft yogurt and muttering, 'How come the kids don't call?'... Any questions?"

If we sense a growing gap between what we say matters most to us and what we are actually doing with our life, take action. Get radical if we have to, but seize this moment while we still have it. The call to love rarely comes with urgency.

So lets do as Paul says, "Live a life of love." Ephesians 5:2 (NIV)

When it comes to giant-problems

2009-08-13T17:24:00.002-04:00

A champion went out from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath." 1 Samuel 17:4 (NKJV) When it comes to giant-problems there are solutions if we look closely!!!!

Problem number (1): Their size can intimidate you. And it doesn't help when everybody around you, including your leader, is running for cover.

Solution 1: This is when you need to recall the victories of your past: Red Sea-sized ones, Jericho Wall-sized ones. How big is your God?

Problem Number (2) Their words can cause you to doubt. "When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were...greatly afraid" (1Sa 17:11 NKJV). Words like, "The tumor's malignant, the company's down-sizing, I don't love you any more, our child is hooked on drugs, the bank is foreclosing."

Solution: How do you handle such words? By turning to the living, life-changing Word of God which transcends all circumstances and trumps all opinions. "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever" (Isa 40:8 NKJV).

Problem Number(3) A small opening and a well protected giant. It was said Goliath could throw his spear half the length of a football field, so that's probably how far David was from him. Furthermore, Goliath had body armor protecting him from head to toe, except for a small opening between his eyes and his forehead. That's what David aimed for.

Solution 3: When you ask God for a solution, it may come as a small opening rather than the size of half a football field! When He shows it to you, trust Him to get you through it. God's response to you is not designed to increase your sense of comfort, but to build your confidence in Him. That way you'll not only be able to handle this giant, but the ones waiting for you in the future.

You are a giant killer, Have faith in God!!!!

Quick to Listen

2009-08-10T17:15:00.001-04:00

'Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak.' JAMES 1:19

Ever think about this, God gave us two ears and one mouth because we need to listen twice as much as we talk. Learning that means being 'quick to listen, slow to speak.' Good listening builds relationships. But good listeners aren't born, they're bred!
So here are a few suggestions to improve your listening:

1) Listen without interrupting. Resist the temptation to jump in and finish the sentence, or hijack the floor. Rein yourself in - just listen.

2) Listen to understand. Try to understand their point of view, feelings, thinking and needs. Good listening is hearing what they actually think, mean or feel, not what you imagine they do. Instead of guessing, ask, 'Am I understanding you correctly? Do you mean...? Are you feeling...?' In other words, don't assume - verify.

3) Listen without judging. Don't rush to conclusions. If what they say doesn't quite add up, keep listening. 'He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him' (Proverbs 18:13 NKJV). When you hear more, it may make sense.

4) Listen without correcting, countering or devaluing. Saying, 'That's not the way it was,' or, 'What did you expect? If you hadn't...' or, 'You're just being too sensitive,' puts people on guard and stops real communication.

5) Validate the speaker. Accept their perceptions and feelings as valid expressions of a valued person. 'If I understand you correctly, you're thinking...feeling...Am I right?' Ask them to help get you on the same page with them. 'Given what you've told me, I can see why you'd feel what you feel,' is very validating and will increase their confidence and willingness to consider the solutions you may offer.

When walking in the Dark

2009-08-04T12:07:00.000-04:00

Who is among you that fears the Lord, that obeys the voice of His servant, that walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God"
(Isa 50:10 NAS).

Yes, even the godly who "fear the Lord" and who "obey the voice of His servant," will at times walk where there seems to be no light to guide their footsteps and no warm glow to comfort their troubled senses. These are not times of punishment, retribution, or abandonment. No, they're times when God is working out the next important stages of your development, aligning you for greater advancement in His kingdom!

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, men who feared the Lord and obeyed His Word, were ordered to be burned alive for refusing to worship the king's golden image (See Da 3). Listen to their faith confession:
(1) "Our God...is able to deliver us" (v 17). They never doubted God's ability.
(2) "And he will deliver us." They never doubted God's intention.
(3) "But if not...we will not... worship the golden image" (v 18). They never considered an alternative of faithfulness to God.

They had to go through to get through, and they did! You will too.
"Trust in the name of the Lord and rely on (your) God."
He has the last word, not the Devil, circumstances or people.
Like the three Hebrews, you will come out refined as gold tried in the fire.

He has made everything appropriate in its time." Ecclesiastes 3:11 NAS

The roller-coaster ride of life

2009-08-02T06:59:00.002-04:00

Some of my kids like roller-coasters and some don't. It seems I don't enjoy them as much as I used to, but I will do it to have fun with them. Something I noticed about all coasters is they go up and down, take all kinds of twist and turns but ultimately arrive back at the station safe, hopefully!!! This is exactly what God does with the issues of our lives. They may go up and down but we will arrive home safe, certainly! Ecclesiastes 3:11 declares, "He has made everything appropriate in its time."

The song says: "I beg your pardon; I never promised you a rose garden." Neither did God, so beware of "rose garden" theology. The Christian life is not an either or experience, where either you're a believer and life is problem-free, or an unbeliever and life is tough. It's a both and experience, bringing times you'll enjoy and times you'll endure. The Bible's heroes experienced both the thrill of victory and the sting of defeat, some, like Elijah, even wishing to die.

Consider the paradoxes of God's Word. Jesus was a "man of sorrows" (Isa 53:3).
Yet He was also "anointed...with the oil of gladness above (His) fellows" (Heb 1:9).

Paul said he was "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing...poor, yet making many rich...having nothing, and yet possessing all things" (2Co 6:10 NKJV). These were his thoughts when he said, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Php 4:13 NIV).

In Proverbs 17:22 (NKJV) Solomon says, "A merry heart does good, like medicine." In Ecclesiastes 7:3 he says, "Sorrow is better than laughter: for by sadness...the heart is made better." In Ecclesiastes 7:14 (NAS) he writes, "In...prosperity be happy...in...adversity consider - God has made the one as well as the other."

Rejoice! In our both and world, God is still on the throne. He's controlling the mix of joy to sorrow, peace to conflict, loss to gain, want to satisfaction, tragedy to triumph, with our best interests always foremost in His mind.

The cure for want!

2009-07-20T18:29:00.002-04:00

A pastor friend of mine once preached about contentment out of the book of Colossians. He challenged us to hunger after the things of God and not the things of this world. I found my notes this week and thought I would share them with you. Warning, they are quite challenging.

(1) "Don't be greedy for the good things of this life, for that is idolatry" (See Col 3:5 NIV). Stop craving things we don't need. Instead, try enjoying what we've got.

(2) If we're not tithing, start now! We'll be switching from the world's faltering economy to God's fail-safe economy. When we tithe He promises to protect our interests and send blessings "there shall not be room enough to receive" (See Mal 3:8-12).

(3) "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it" (Ps 24:1 NIV) and He guarantees to "supply all our need" (Php 4:19). So before we go shopping, try praying! Ask God for what we need, then wait for Him to respond.

(4) Begin giving away some of what we've got. "It is possible to give away and become richer...[and] to hold on too tightly and lose everything...the liberal man shall be rich" (Pr 11:24-25 TLB). Go ahead, do it! Obey God, be patient, and watch what happens.

I am strengthened in my own faith after re-reading these notes. God Bless you.

Treasure in Earthen Vessels.

2009-07-14T14:19:00.003-04:00

When God calls us to do something, it means we're called to a higher level of accountability. Jesus said, "Unto whom much is given, of him shall much be required" (See Luke 12:48). But this is where we get it wrong. We think those who are called, are not cut from the same bolt of cloth as others. Wrong! Just because someone prays powerfully and delivers God's Word skillfully, doesn't mean they don't struggle in certain areas. Their struggles may be unseen, but they're still real. We must be careful to make the distinction between the treasure and the vessel. If we're a leader, we should never allow anyone to expect us to be the treasure. Paul says: "We have this treasure," he didn't say we are the treasure!

Let's face it, God uses people we wouldn't use, like Rahab, working the red light district of Jericho. But when she placed her faith in God He used her to win the battle of Jericho, then included her in the family of Christ. Or how about Jephthah who was born to an unwed mother, rejected by his family, and lived in a cave with his own gang of private mercenaries? God used him to deliver Israel and become the nation's youngest judge. Isn't grace amazing?

God specializes in restoring broken vessels. He takes things that aren't productive - marriages that don't work, people with "issues" - and teaches them how to be victorious and fruitful in His service. Knowing this gives us the strength and tenacity to face whatever comes, because we know that when God places His treasure within us, He prizes, protects and prospers it. Paul declares, "We have this treasure in earthen vessels." (2 Corinthians 4:7)So God, let the prize, protection and prosperity flow.

Be careful what we say

2009-07-09T11:08:00.000-04:00

Here is a great proverb for the day. "The tongue of the wise brings healing." (Proverbs 12:18)
Careless words can hurt people. Not only can they influence a person's self-worth, they can actually shape that person's destiny. If you doubt that, consider these two stories:

(1) One day in a small country church an altar boy accidentally dropped the communion wine. The officiating priest slapped him and shouted, "Leave, and don't come back!" That boy became General Tito, the brutal communist dictator who ruled the people of Yugoslavia for years.

(2) In a big city cathedral another altar boy dropped the communion wine. His bishop turned to him and whispered reassuringly, "It's okay, some day you'll be a great priest." That boy became Archbishop Fulton Sheen, whose sermons touched the hearts of millions on national television.

Your words either build people up or tear them down. Solomon said, "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Here's a truth we don't like to acknowledge; what comes out of our lips reveals what's in our heart, and all our "I didn't mean its" don't change that or undo the damage.

Eugene Petersen writes: "Every day I put love on the line. There's nothing I am less good at. I am far better in competition than love; far better at responding to my instincts to get ahead, than at figuring out how to love another. I'm schooled and trained in getting my own way. And yet I decide every day to set aside what I do best, and attempt to do what I do very clumsily - open myself to the frustrations and failures of loving, daring to believe that failing in love is better than succeeding in pride."

Let's shoot to speak and release words that elevate other people. It shapes their destiny and ours. God Bless you and see ya Sunday....

Longing for Heaven

2009-07-07T09:23:00.003-04:00

Mel Blanc was the voice behind the Warner Brothers cartoon characters in Looney Tunes. At the end of every movie Porky Pig pops up with the same send-off: "That's all, folks!" When Mel Blanc died guess what his family put on his tombstone? "That's all, folks!" But it's not, and deep down we know it. The Bible says God "set eternity in the hearts of men" (Ecc 3:11 NIV). It's a longing that won't go away. It's why the Egyptians built the Pyramids and the Greeks put a gold coin under the tongue of the departed so they could pay the ferryman to cross over the River Styx.

But our longing is not just for a longer life, particularly if longer just means more of the same. A Christian college once sent students door to door to talk to people about spiritual issues. Two of them knocked on one door to find a frenzied mother of three with a vacuum in one hand and a screaming baby in the other, food burning on the stove and a living room so messy it would have qualified as a Federal disaster area. "Are you interested in eternal life?" they asked. "Frankly, I don't think I could stand it," said the mom. We don't want more of just more of the same. We want what's wrong to be put right. We want suffering to stop. We want clean air, meaningful work, honest politicians, clear consciences, ceaseless beauty, and the end of loneliness and war. In other words, we want Heaven. And the good news is, when Christ is your Savior that's where you go when you die!

I love what Revelation 21:3-4 says about Heaven and everything being put right. "(3) And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. (4) He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

I am also reminded about the words that Jesus spoke that confirm just where our citizenship really is located. He said, we pass from death to life. Many act as though we pass from life to death but actually it is quite the opposite. Let a longing for heaven grow in your heart today.

Are you losing yourself?

2009-07-02T12:50:00.001-04:00

Luke records: "There met Him ten...lepers...they lifted up their voices and said, 'Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!'...He said to them, 'Go, show yourselves to the priests.' And...as they went, they were cleansed" (Lk 17:12-14 NKJV). Leprosy was a slow, painful death. First you lost your fingers and couldn't work, then you lost your toes and couldn't walk, then it attacked your internal organs. Every day you lost a little more of yourself. Here are five helpful insights from this story:

(1) If you feel like you're "losing yourself," turn to Jesus. He can restore what you've lost and give you back your peace and joy.
(2) "Lift up your voice." Away with dignity and decorum! Desperate people do desperate things. God promises: "You will...find me when you seek me with all your heart" (Jer 29:13 NIV).
(3) Whatever He tells you - do it. Don't lay down conditions to God. And don't seek an identical experience to somebody else. Jesus told the ten lepers, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." Why didn't He just speak to them or touch them like He did others? Don't question, obey! Faith doesn't demand explanations.
(4) Take a step of faith. Luke records, "As they went, they were cleansed." You've got to walk it out; each step brings you one step closer. But nothing happens till you take that first step of faith.
(5) Start praising God! Only one of the ten lepers returned to give thanks, and Jesus noticed it. You can go to God with confidence for your next answer, when you know you remembered to give Him thanks for your last one.

More Lazarus Lessons

2009-06-30T09:20:00.002-04:00

I have enjoyed reading the story of Lazarus the last several days. I shared some of this truth on Sunday as we received the offering. Here is some more revelation about this man that Jesus loved that will apply to our lives.

(1) God has a bigger and better plan in mind. Lazarus was dead four days when Jesus arrived. When the Lord waits, it's for two reasons:
(a) That He may be glorified. I found out this week while studying that the Pharisees believed that your spirit left your corpse on the fourth day after you died. So if Jesus had intervened earlier they'd have said, "He wasn't really dead." Hence He told His disciples, "This sickness is ...for the glory of God" (Jn 11:4 NKJV). It's in looking back that we clearly see God's hand at work.
(b) That our faith may be strengthened and built up. Jesus said, "I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe" (Jn 11:15 NKJV). We will always have some form of difficulty or crisis. Our next crisis will be different from our last one, but the thing that must remain strong is our faith.

(2) God will ask us to remove the hindrances and deal with the stench. "Jesus said, 'Take away the stone.' Martha...said to Him, 'Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days'" (Jn 11:38-39 NKJV). Are we praying for an answer in one area, while God's telling us to take away the stone and deal with a "stench" buried in another? Surrender, you can't win! When your heart's right with God your prayers will be answered.

(3) God wants to make us a living testimony. Everywhere Lazarus went, without even speaking a word, his life declared that Jesus is Lord. And the same should be true of us. God has saved and raised us up to be a testimony to His grace and goodness.

Lazarus Lessons

2009-06-29T11:43:00.002-04:00

Lesson one: Jesus knows how you feel. At Lazarus' funeral, "Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, 'See how He loved him!'" (Jn 11:35-36 NKJV). This story proves we serve a God who can not only raise the dead, but can "sympathize with us" (See Heb 4:15 NKJV). So if you're grieving today turn to God and allow Him to comfort you.

Lesson two: Jesus can give you back what life's taken from you. He can "restore to you the years" that life has stolen (See Joel 2:25). Claim that promise; take it to the place where you've lost so much, and ask God to replace and renew. Martha said, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You" (Jn 11:21-22 NKJV). Instead of saying "if only," pray "even now I know." It's not too late, God can move on your behalf.

Lesson three: Jesus can set you free. "He cried...'Lazarus, come forth!' And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes...Jesus said...'Loose him, and let him go'" (Jn 11:43-44 NKJV). God's Word is greater than the thing that has bound, limited or enslaved you. Even though your mind doesn't fully comprehend it, let your spirit respond to God. Pray with the Psalmist, "Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it" (Ps 119:34-35 NKJV). When you pray such a prayer your faith will grow, and the circumstances that seem impossible will be changed by God.

Complete

2009-06-27T14:28:00.001-04:00

When you disregard your positive qualities by telling yourself, "I'm too fat, I'm no good, I never do anything right," you'll always find verification of what you're looking for. Dr. Richard Carlson says: "Putting yourself down reinforces rather than corrects your imperfections by placing unnecessary attention and energy on everything that's wrong, rather than what's right with you.

Why would you do this knowing the only possible result is a negative outlook, more negative feelings and less appreciation for the gift of life? People who regularly put themselves down are often seen as complainers, not to mention the example they set. Everyone has aspects of themselves they'd like to improve, but this doesn't mean you should beat yourself up. Here on earth none of us is ever going to be perfect, but putting yourself down isn't the answer."

The Bible says God "has made perfect forever those who are being made holy." Max Lucado writes: "Underline the word perfect. Note, the word isn't better. Not improving. Not on the upswing. God doesn't improve; he perfects. He doesn't enhance; he completes...I realize there's a sense in which we're imperfect. We still err. We still stumble. We still do exactly what we don't want to do...that part of us is 'being made holy.' But when it comes to our position before God, we're perfect. When he sees each of us, he sees someone who has been made perfect through the One who is perfect - Jesus Christ." It's okay to work on improving yourself, but go easy; stop often and remind yourself that you're "being made new...becoming like the One who made you" (Col 3:10 NCV).

2009-06-24T10:29:00.001-04:00

Picture the wind blowing through the cedars of Lebanon and some of them "humming" in response. And the greater the storm, the sweeter their song. These were called humming cedars. And God uses humming cedars to build strong churches.

In Acts, a couple of humming cedars were incarcerated in a Philippian dungeon, their hands and feet locked in stocks, their backs flogged, the contempt of society heaped on them. How did they respond? "At midnight Paul and Silas were...singing hymns to God...Suddenly there was a great earthquake...the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed" (Ac 16:25-26 NKJV). One old preacher said: "God got so caught up in their praises that He began to tap His big foot. And when God taps His foot, you get earthquakes."

Praise breaks chains and opens doors; it's the strategy for victory. Satan will try to stop you from praising God because he knows:
(a) The importance of praise. "Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised" (Ps 48:1 NKJV). (b) The healing effects of praise. God's answer to "the spirit of heaviness" is "the garment of praise" (Isa 61:3). But like any garment, you must put it on.
(c) The power of praise in times of crisis. When Israel was outnumbered by the enemy, God told them to put a choir in front of the army and march into battle. And it worked! "When they began...to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the [enemy]" (2Ch 20:22 NKJV). Don't wait until the battle is over to shout; go to war with the praise of God on your lips and watch Him turn your situation around.

Fire Cedars

2009-06-23T18:26:00.003-04:00

My friend Jerry always prays for me and others that we would be the oaks of God. Big oaks start with small cedars. Solomon used something called fire cedars to build the temple. It's said that shepherds used it to make fires at night because it was saturated in oil, would ignite easily, and burn a long time. What a picture.

God gathered 120 fire cedars in the upper room, and "suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit" (Ac 2:2-4 NKJV). That day 3,000 souls were won to Christ!

The church was born in the fire and has been sustained by the fire - and we must not let that fire go out! Even in the days of the Old Testament tabernacle, God commanded His people to take the fire that burned on the altar and carry it with them wherever they went. In other words we need a true revival. When revival comes it will focus on who we are not what we do. Let's ask ourselves this:

(1) Is it scriptural? (See Isa 8:20).
(2) Does it magnify the person of Christ? (See Jn 3:30 NKJV).
(3) Does it demonstrate God's love? (See Ac 2:44-45).
(4) Does it win souls and turn them into disciples? "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples" (Jn 15:8 NKJV).

If we can have this kind of move of God, we will be the Oaks of God. Keep on praying Jerry!!!!

"It is well with my soul"

2009-06-18T13:37:00.001-04:00

The peace Jesus gives brings a sense of assurance that no matter what happens, you know "it is well with my soul." He says to us: "My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and...afraid." The peace Jesus gives doesn't depend on conditions and circumstances. It comes from knowing you're God's child and that your Father controls the universe, loves you and always has your best interests at heart. That's why people who've lost everything will often tell you they wouldn't trade what they've learned, even if it meant recouping all their losses.

Joni Erikson Tada discovered a supernatural peace when an accident confined her to a wheelchair, and Corrie Ten Boom found it in a Nazi death camp. Missionary Elisabeth Elliot found it ministering to the Indian tribe who massacred her husband. She wrote, "Only in acceptance lies peace...not in resignation."

There's a big difference! Author Creath Davis points out that: "Resignation is surrender to fate. Acceptance is surrender to God. Resignation lies down quietly in an empty universe. Acceptance rises up to meet the God who fills that universe with purpose and destiny. Resignation says, 'I can't.' Acceptance says, 'God can.' Resignation paralyzes the life process. Acceptance releases the process for its greatest creativity. Resignation says, 'It's all over for me.' Acceptance says, 'Now that I'm here, what's next, Lord?' Resignation says, 'What a waste.' Acceptance says, 'In what redemptive way will you use this mess, Lord?' Resignation says, 'I'm alone.' Acceptance says, 'I belong to you, Lord.'"

Today, let's accept what God has in store for us because we know it is good and not bad. Be Blessed....

Today, encourage somebody

2009-06-12T08:43:00.002-04:00

The nineteenth-century writer Walt Whitman struggled for years to get anyone interested in his poetry. In the midst of his discouragement he received a life-changing note from an admirer of his work. The note read, "Dear Sir, I am not blind to the worth of the wonderful gift of Leaves of Grass. I find it the most extraordinary piece of wit and wisdom that America has yet contributed. I greet you at the beginning of a great career." It was signed by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Whitman enjoyed a long career and is now considered one of the giants of American literature.

But when times were tough he needed encouragement to keep going. And he's not alone. When we're on the brink of failure, the right word at the right time can keep us in the game. When we're too tired or discouraged to keep going, an act of compassion can give us new strength.

Encouragement is one of the central themes of the Bible:

"Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad" (Pr 12:25)

"Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees" (Isa 35:3).

"For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you,'Fear not, I will help you'" (Isa 41:13).

Encouragement doesn't deny the problem; it enables us to overcome it. It doesn't validate stubbornness or stupidity; it simply corrects and guides us in the right path. It doesn't leave us alone to carry the burden, it lets us know that God is present to help and strengthen us. So today, encourage somebody!

If you want to succeed - prepare well!

2009-06-11T10:15:00.002-04:00

"Any enterprise is built by wise planning, becomes strong." Proverbs 24:3 TLB

What happens when you're not well-prepared? Things you hope won't happen, do, and they occur with greater frequency than the things you hope will happen. The dividing line between winning and losing - is preparation! Tennis champion Arthur Ashe said, "The key to winning is self-confidence, and the key to self-confidence is preparation." Singing, "If you wish upon a star" won't make your dreams come true; you've got to prepare yourself.

Ever wonder what Jesus was doing during those pre-dawn risings and nights of prayer? Preparing! If you plan to keep growing, preparation must become a way of life. We must never stop asking, "Lord, what do You want me to do? What will it cost me in time, effort and resources? What obstacles must I overcome?" If we live with that mindset we'll be well on our way to fulfilling God's purpose for our life.

Asked how long it would take to bring his ship to a stop, the Queen Mary's captain replied, "A little over a mile." Then he added, "A good captain thinks at least a mile ahead." Your success in any venture is determined by how important it is to you, and your ability to prepare for it. The Living Bible paraphrases it this way: "Any enterprise is built by wise planning, becomes strong through common sense, and profits wonderfully by keeping abreast of the facts." Alexander Hamilton, a founding father of the United States, said, "Men give me credit for genius, but all the genius I have lies in this: when I have a subject to hand, I study it profoundly." So, if we want to succeed - prepare well!

Man, I want to be better at this. We may not all have the same talent but we all have the same opportunity to make a supreme effort, be prepared and ready. Be Blessed. Remember this Sunday our new series, "Staying in Love"

Are you a good listener?

2009-06-10T11:23:00.002-04:00

Someone quipped, "God gave us two ears and one mouth because we need to listen twice as much as we talk." Good listening builds relationships. But good listeners aren't born, they're bred! So here are a few suggestions to improve our listening:

(1) Listen without interrupting. Resist the temptation to jump in and finish the sentence, or hijack the floor. Rein ourself in - just listen.

(2) Listen to understand. Try to understand their point of view, feelings, thinking and needs. Good listening is hearing what they actually think, mean or feel, not what we imagine they do. Instead of guessing, ask, "Am I understanding you correctly? Do you mean...? Are you feeling...?" In other words, don't assume - verify.

(3) Listen without judging. Don't rush to conclusions. If what they say doesn't quite add up, keep listening. "He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him" (Pr 18:13 NKJV). When we hear more, it may make sense.

(4) Listen without correcting, countering or devaluing. Saying, "That's not the way it was," or, "What did you expect? If you hadn't..." or, "You're just being too sensitive," puts people on guard and stops real communication.

(5) Validate the speaker. Accept their perceptions and feelings as valid expressions of a valued person. "If I understand you correctly, you're thinking...feeling...Am I right?" Ask them to help get you on the same page with them. "Given what you've told me, I can see why you'd feel what you feel," is very validating and will increase their confidence and willingness to consider the solutions you may offer.

God makes the most important tip about being a great listener. In James 1:19, He says, "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak." I recommit myself today to be a great listener. It promises to build up our lives. Just think, If everyone is listening, the world would drastically cut down on noise pollution. Just being thoughtful of the environment. Be Blessed!!

2009-06-09T09:16:00.002-04:00

We don't always know the reason for our trials, but God revealed to Paul the reason for his "thorn in the flesh." It was to keep him from being "exalted" (See 2Co 12:7). Success can be intoxicating, and intoxicated people aren't known for being too bright or trustworthy!

What happens when you get a thorn in your flesh? It hurts. And you'll let everything else go while you focus on removing it. Three times Paul prayed for God to remove the thorn, but God had another plan. You see, God is at His strongest in us when we are at our weakest. When Paul discovered that God's power in his life was tied to the thorn that afflicted him, he responded, "I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities...For whenever I am weak, then I am strong" (2Co 12:10 NRS). In other words, "If it's for my good, bring it on, Lord!" If you've a thorny person in your life from whom you've prayed to be delivered and it hasn't happened, maybe God wants you to experience His grace and power through dealing with that person. But you won't experience this until you move from pain to praise.

The Bible speaks about "the sacrifice of praise to God" (Heb 13:15). A sacrifice means that something has to die on somebody's altar. So if we want to experience God's grace and power in our life, we must be willing to die to self-interest, ego, and independence. There's nothing wrong with asking God to remove our thorn. But when our prayer for deliverance turns to praise, we're on our way to power, because God is giving us grace.

Brokenness

2009-06-08T12:07:00.002-04:00

Sometimes God allows us to hit the bottom in order to discover that He's the rock at the bottom. Gideon faced an army of 135,000 troops with just 32,000 men. And 22,000 of them left the battlefield and went home when he offered them the chance. Do the math. Gideon's thinking, "There's no way we can win!" Then God explains: "The people who are with you are too many for Me to give Midian into their hands, for Israel would become boastful, saying, 'My own power has delivered me'" (Jdg 7:2 NAS). There it is again, the age-old battle of ego that we all fight daily. It's why the Lord's Prayer ends with: "Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen" (Mt 6:13). Where does our power come from? God! Who should the glory for our accomplishments go to? God! How long does this arrangement last? Forever!

God had to break Jacob of self-sufficiency so the "Israel" within him could come out. Sometimes God has to take you down before He can raise you up. Moses was called the meekest man on earth. But it took forty years of living as a shepherd in the wilderness to detox him of pride and get him submitted to God. Only then was he ready to stand before Pharaoh and perform miracles that demonstrated God's power - and vindicated Moses!

Brokenness doesn't mean being a wimp, suffering from an inferiority complex or having a case of low self-esteem. No, brokenness means praying, "Lord, if this job is going to get done, and done right, You're going to have to do it through me. So my trust is in You."

Psalm 51:17 declares, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit." What a great reminder of God's grace and provision.

Don't lose your peace

2009-05-28T09:30:00.002-04:00

One of the greatest promises in the Bible is, "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You."(Isaiah 26:3 NKJV) Who are we trusting to solve the problem, God or ourself? We need to live by the principle "Do your best, then let God do the rest."

Too many of us have the idea that it's wrong to enjoy ourselves while we have problems. We grow up believing that if we can't do anything else, the least we can do is worry, act stressed out and be miserable. The Bible addresses this: "Do not [for a moment] be frightened...for such [constancy and fearlessness] will be a clear sign...from God" (Php 1:28 AMP). This Scripture teaches us that when adversity comes (and it will) we must stay in peace. Satan doesn't know what to do with us when he can't get us upset; we've taken a powerful weapon out of his hands.

"For such [constancy and fearlessness] will be a...sign...from God." Keeping your peace doesn't exempt you from life's difficulties, it just allows God to have the last word. By trusting Him completely you are no longer at the mercy of circumstances, other people, or your own emotions and limitations.

I heard it said, from my Dad or some other wise person, "In times like these it's helpful to remember that there have always been times like these." The question is not will trouble come, but how will we handle it? The writer to the Hebrews says, "We which have believed do enter into rest" (Heb 4:3). When things go wrong - do what God leads you to do, then rest in Him and watch Him work on your behalf!

Grow In Grace.

2009-05-27T14:01:00.002-04:00

Winning gracefully can be harder than losing gracefully. When we win we're tempted by arrogance, power, insensitivity, gloating, and wanting to relive our success long after everyone else is bored by it. Gracious winners always remember what it feels like to lose. They are caught up in something bigger than their own wins and losses. I discovered a story of great grace demonstrated by Abe Lincoln during his time as President that I wanted to share with you.

Abraham Lincoln had the wisdom to place the good of the country above his own ego, appointing his worst political critic, Edwin Stanton, to run the War Department. Stanton, a brilliant legal mind, could be brusque and condescending. As Frederick Douglass put it, "Politeness was not one of his weaknesses." Lincoln, on the other hand, was keenly aware of his looks and his uneducated background. (When someone charged him with being two-faced during a campaign, he responded: "If I had two faces, do you think I'd be wearing this one?"). As outgoing attorney general of the losing party, Stanton had belittled Lincoln as "the original gorilla." How Lincoln treated Stanton is Civil War history. Lincoln trusted in him, confided in him, leaned on him, depended on him. And Stanton responded with unfailing loyalty and affection.

On the morning of April 14, 1865, Abraham Lincoln died after having been shot the night before at Ford's Theatre. The most famous words ever spoken after the death of a president were spoken that morning: "Now he belongs to the ages." The speaker was Edwin Stanton. Robert Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln's son, said that after his father died he was visited in his room each morning for two weeks by Stanton who "Spent the first ten minutes of his visits weeping without saying a word." When nothing else works, showing grace does!

The book of 2nd Peter says it best. "Grow in grace." 2 Peter 3:18

Stick to what you know!

2009-05-22T10:52:00.001-04:00

Our brain doesn't like blank spaces, so when it encounters questions without answers it searches for something to put in the blank spaces. And because we're driven by our own perceptions, needs and prejudices, we're not always objective. We're blind to our blind spots and think we "know," and the results can be disastrous for our relationships. "I know what your real intentions are. You think I don't know what's going on in that head of yours? I can tell by the look on your face exactly what you're thinking."

Such words indicate we've got the other person "pegged," and feel no need to consider the situation further because we couldn't possibly be wrong. Case closed. What about such Scriptures as, "He who answers a matter before he hears the facts - it is a folly and shame to him" (Pr 18:13 AMP). Or, "Be quick to hear, slow to speak" (Jas 1:19 NAS). Or, "Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive" (Pr 17:28 NKJV).

Before you "sound off," consider three things:
(1) "No one can know a person's thoughts except that person's own spirit" (1Co 2:11 NLT). You may suspect, guess, even feel strongly, but you don't know their thoughts or intentions.

(2) "Who art thou that judgest another man's servant?" (Ro 14:4). Much of our "knowing," is merely our own judgmental spin on things.

(3) If you think you know and need to deal with the issue, try saying, "I have some impressions (concerns, observations, etc.) I'd like to talk about." Then discuss your observations, feelings and impressions as your perceptions, not "gospel truth," leaving judgment to God.

Prayer Is - Amazing!

2009-05-21T12:23:00.002-04:00

One Bible teacher writes: "I read an interesting book by an unbeliever who attempted to 'do in' the Christian faith. Despite his lack of belief, I found insightful something he said regarding prayer. He called it 'the most incredible conceit in the history of humankind,' arguing that if you worked for General Motors as a lowly employee and wanted to see the boss, you wouldn't have the remotest chance...Think about it. What would happen if a citizen tried to speak to the President of the United States? I've thought about putting in a person-to-person call just to see what would happen.

I'd probably speak to an undersecretary to an assistant to somebody, but not likely the President...'And so,' says my skeptical friend in his book, 'what an incredible conceit to suppose that at any moment we can talk to the boss of 'the whole shebang.' And indeed the concept of prayer would be an incredible conceit...if it weren't true. But it is...and it's the most incredible condescension on the part of a gracious God. You could probably never speak to the highly placed people in this world, yet the most highly placed Person in the universe - 'the Boss of the whole shebang' - waits patiently to hear what you have to say.

We can come before God with freedom and without fear...through faith in Christ' (NCV). Don't you find that amazing? This day and every day you have the great privilege of prayer. You can talk to the Boss, tell Him your worries and cares, share with Him your triumphs and joys - and He always has time to listen." Prayer is - amazing!

I Love Teenagers!!!!!

2009-05-19T14:16:00.003-04:00

Having teenagers in the family makes for a different environment. It's no so easy for the teen either. It is difficult being a teenager and getting harder by the day. Teenagers are neither adult nor child, and can become either without notice. Flooding hormones and exploding neurons spark biochemical reactions in their heads and bodies. Words like, "What in the world were you thinking?" form involuntarily on our lips. In response come sullen teenage shrugs, followed by the incomprehensible, "I don't know." And they don't! What can we do? "Lock them up?" Sorry, that's illegal. But here are several things that can help us love and care for teens.

(1) Back off and slow down. "Be clear minded and self-controlled." One of the biggest mistakes we parents make is overreacting, which triggers an escalating battle of wills we're unlikely to win. Decibel levels rise, wisdom fails, our teen concludes we're the crazy one, and suddenly there's no adult present and nobody's "minding the store." We've become part of the problem, leaving our child angry and insecure, without a rational role model. Pray, breathe deeply and count to ten! For our child's sake, it's time for the clear minded and self-controlled parent to prevail.

(2) Remember, anger begets anger. "An angry person starts fights; a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin" (Pr 29:22 NLT). No one can infuriate us like a teenager trying to grow up. A look, a word, an attitude, and you're "hooked;" we're in a shouting match with our own child. How crazy is that? Emotionally charged exchanges hard wire our teenager's brain for automatic, long-term anger reactions. What's the answer? Use the carrot and stick approach of Scripture: "Provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture [love and encouragement] and admonition [character building discipline] of the Lord" (Eph 6:4).

(3) Tell them, "I Love you". Tell them, "I Love you". Tell them, I love you". Yes, I know I repeated it. I was actually trying to make this article longer so I threw a few extra in there for effect. (just kidding) I mean it, grab them tight and tell them you love them. This is so hard but really necessary. Keep them loved despite the problems so they don't look for love in the wrong place. It may feel like hugging a cactus, but getting stuck will heal and pay huge rewards.

For those with teenagers, good luck, we need it. Remember, tomorrow's leaders are about to emerge, so love and shape their life. Be Blessed.

Coming clean with God

2009-05-14T16:23:00.002-04:00

A therapist who graduated 34 years earlier called the University of Oregon and admitted she'd cheated on a final exam. Instead of revoking her degree the University asked her to write an article on integrity. A woman who completed a walk around the world confessed she traveled part-way in a support truck. "I shouldn't be remembered as the first woman to walk round the world when I cheated," she said. How many of us would even have admitted our deception?

The Psalmist said, "When I kept silent about my sin...Your hand was heavy upon me."

Confessing your sins:
(a) Lets us experience God's forgiveness: He already knows about them anyway, but He won't forgive us while we're busy making excuses and blame-shifting. John says, "If we confess...he will forgive our sins" (1Jn 1:9 NCV). The first move is up to us.

(b) Restores our emotional and physical energy: Nothing's more draining than denial and nothing's more invigorating than a clean slate. David said, "My strength...failed because of my iniquity" (Ps 31:10 NAS). Reflecting on his affair with Bathsheba, he said, "When I kept silent... my vitality was drained...I acknowledged my sin...and You forgave the guilt" (Ps 32:3-5 NAS).

(c) Allows us to move on: Confession allows us to hit the "reset" button and start again. It's also important to draw a line between the past and the future in case we're tempted to repeat our behavior.

(d) Lets us grow: Thomas Edison said failure taught him over a thousand ways not to make a light bulb! Making our mistakes work for us instead of against us, starts with confessing them to God and accepting His forgiveness.

God is so gracious and faithful to deal with us, if we just give him the chance. No need to worry or fret, just come clean. Be Blessed...

Debunking marriage myths

2009-05-13T11:40:00.000-04:00

The myth of the "right person," suggests happiness in marriage depends entirely on finding the right person. It's said to be a matter of luck, Cupid, the alignment of the stars, the moon hitting your eye like a big pizza pie, etc., occasionally even God. Just find the right person and they'll make your life supremely happy, romantic, excited, fulfilled, blissful. They will become, as the song says, "that old black magic" that holds you in its spell, leading you into the enchanted land of endless love. It's all up to them. And nothing ever felt more convincingly real or right!

Despite the advice of friends and family, we'll "give away the farm" and turn ourselves inside out to keep this addictive, magic happening. When it stops (and it does), three things happen:

(1) We cry, manipulate, bribe, and later blame, vilify and consider them phonies for changing on us and making us miserable. "He's not the man I married," we complain. He may not be the person you expected him to be (that person doesn't exist outside your myth) but he is the one you married and the problem isn't all his.

(2) We label him "the wrong person" and either search for the right one or give up on the opposite sex as being false, faithless and fickle.

(3) We learn the truth: there is no right person to make us happy always. At that point we're set free to find happiness by becoming the right person, the one God created us to be, giving generously, allowing others to be real, limited, changeable humans, and looking to God for our joy!

Turning stumbling blocks into stepping stones

2009-04-30T09:27:00.002-04:00

We don't hear much about Abraham Lincoln's defeats because his victories were so notable. But for much of his life the odds were against him. His mother died when he was nine. In 1832 he lost an election to the Illinois State Legislature. In 1849 he was rejected as Commissioner of the General Land Office. He lost Senate races in 1855 and 1858, and in between failed to win a vice-presidential nomination. However, his most painful losses were the deaths of his four-year-old and twelve-year-old sons. Born in the backwoods of Kentucky, Lincoln had only a few months of "blab school" - one without books where students repeated the teacher's words. He taught himself mathematics, read the classics and worked on his writing and speaking skills using the Bible as his model. His philosophy was, "I'll study and prepare, and when the time comes I'll be ready." He told a friend, "Bear in mind, your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing." His Gettysburg Address is one of the most notable speeches in history. During the darkest days of the Civil War he said, "I do the very best I know how...and I mean to keep on doing it to the end."

The Apostle Paul had some very dark and difficult days, but had this same resolution. Acts 20:17-24, tells us this story. (17) "From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. (18) And when they had come to him, he said to them: "You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, (19) serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; (20) how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, (21) testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. (22) And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, (23) except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. (24) But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy..."

Paul didn't say, "None of these things hurt me," he said, "None of these things move me." Big difference! Paul refused to let life's problems derail him. He understood that what happens in us is more important than what happens to us. He also understood that when we look to Jesus as our role model and draw strength from Him each day, He'll give us all that's needed to overcome in life.

Application: Become resolute in trusting the Heavenly Father. Be Blessed!!

Trusting God when there are no answers

2009-04-20T11:09:00.002-04:00

Life's losses leave us hurting and wondering. Cancer takes a young mother or father. Divorce strikes your happy home. Financial ruin devastates your retirement plans. A child goes to jail, is killed or commits suicide. Such times raise questions which are difficult, if not impossible to answer. We examine the circumstances again and again. We speculate about the details, searching for clues that might make some sense and make it easier for us to bear. We turn the spotlight on ourselves, others, even God, wondering what could or should have been done differently that might have prevented this. We turn to others to comfort us and what we receive feels inadequate for our need.

When answers don't seem forthcoming and the heavens are silent, what should we do?
Here are two Scriptures to help you in such times:

(1) "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us" (Dt 29:29 NKJV). When it comes to understanding things, we have our territory, God has His. And ours is limited to what He decides to reveal. At that point we must "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding" (Pr 3:5 NKJV).

(2) "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God" (Ro 8:28). God may explain it to us, or He may not. But He's "the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End" (Rev 22:13 NKJV), which means, He has a plan and He's working it out for our good and His glory. So trust Him!

I say again, "Let's trust Him"

Be Blessed......

Rules for handling anger- Keep it non-lethal

2009-04-16T15:35:00.002-04:00

Paul writes: "In your anger do not sin" (Eph 4:26 NIV). What do Paul's words mean? Don't let your anger escalate to the point of doing damage. Don't use your words as a weapon or a control mechanism. It's okay to express our emotions in a healthy way, but keep them in check. Our goal must be to resolve the problem and strengthen the relationship, not "sound off" and wound the other person. Is this easy to do? No. We'll need a good strong dose of grace to do it.

Words spoken in jest, sarcasm, self-righteousness or "righteous indignation" wound people, sometimes permanently. "Perverseness [of the tongue] breaks the spirit." (Pr 15:4 NKJV). "A crushed spirit who can bear?" (Pr 18:14 NIV). "The tongue can bring death" (Pr 18:21 NLT). Angry words, once unleashed, can: "Go down into a man's inmost parts" (Pr 26:22 NIV). Our words can live in the heart and memory of a person and go all the way to the grave with them.

We say, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me," but it's not true. A person can die of a crushed spirit, and the one who spoke the words can live to regret the damage they inflicted and never get a chance to undo it. On the other hand, anger properly handled never needs to be repented of.

So let's learn to differentiate between the anger we feel and the words we speak. Anger carefully thought through, can reveal important information about needed changes. Let's focus on that, and ask God to show us what needs changing in the other person - and us! Be Blessed!

When things look bad

2009-04-14T09:39:00.001-04:00

F.B. Meyer says: "The education of our faith is incomplete [till] we learn that God's providence works through loss...that there's a ministry to us through the failure and fading of things. The dwindling brook where Elijah sat is a picture of our lives! 'Some time later the brook dried up' (1Ki 17:7 NIV) is the history of our yesterdays and a prophecy of our tomorrows...learn the difference between trusting in the gift and trusting in the Giver. The gift may last for a season but the Giver is eternal. If the Lord had led Elijah directly to the widow at Zarephath, he'd have missed something that helped make him a better man - living by faith. Whenever our earthly resources dry up it's so we may learn that our hope and help are in God."

One author writes: "Sometimes there's not enough money to make ends meet; people tell us to budget and we chuckle. We look at the situation and say 'No way.' That's the time to trust God. Your possibilities are not limited by past or present circumstances. If there's not enough to pay legitimate expenses, do your best then let go. Trust God to supply your need, then look beyond your wallet. Look to your source. Claim a divine...unlimited supply...Do your part. Strive for financial responsibility in thought and action. Ask for wisdom and listen to God's leadings. Then let go of your fears and your need to control.

'Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding' (Pr 3:5 NLT). We all know money is a necessary part of living - and so does God."

"Happy is he...whose hope is in the Lord." Psalm 146:5 NKJV

Seeing God in your situation

2009-04-13T13:19:00.001-04:00

When you are in a crisis it's easy to lose perspective. It happened to Jesus' disciples on the Emmaus Road. Discouraged about His death, they were "going over all these things that had happened. In the middle of their...questions, Jesus came up and walked along with them. But they were not able to recognize who he was" (Lk 24:15-16 TM). When you take your eyes off Jesus, you begin to feel helpless about things.

Dr. Michael Youssef says: "Facing a major crisis... I tend to be the kind of person whose vision becomes blurred...my perceptions are shot...my contemplations one-sided...and I often shut out the very people who can deliver me...just like these two disciples...Their vision was blurred about the very person who was walking with them and talking to them. The One whose death they were mourning was alive...but they didn't realize it because their focus was on the wrong thing."

But everything changed the minute they recognized Him. "Within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There...the two...told...how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread" (Lk 24:33-35 NLT). Notice the words "within the hour." In an instant they went from fear to courage, pain to joy, and despair to hope. And that's the story of Easter. No matter how bad things may appear to be, when you set your eyes on Jesus He will fill you with hope. So Paul writes: "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened."

Wanna be First, Anyone?

2009-04-09T09:16:00.004-04:00

As Dan Mazur led his team of climbers up Mount Everest the conditions were ideal for reaching the summit. Then two hours from the top they came across Lincoln Hall, a climber who'd collapsed the day before on his way down. Alone and hallucinating, he had no equipment and was suffering from frostbite and dehydration. (They later learned Hall's team leader had called his wife to say he was dead!) Without hesitation they gave Hall their oxygen, food and water, and by the time help arrived, reaching the peak was out of the question. They sacrificed years of planning, weeks of climbing, and their lifelong dream to save another climber. Not surprisingly, today Mazur helps build schools and hospitals in parts of Nepal without roads, electricity, phones and running water. That's the kind of person he is.

Would you give up your dream to save another person? Ordinary people do it every day: moms and dads working two jobs to feed and clothe their kids; parents who turn down job transfers rather than uproot their families; round-the-clock caregivers whose loved ones are depending on them.

In God's kingdom, things are different. Jesus said:
If anyone wants to be first, he must [put himself] last. (Mark 9:35)
The least are considered the greatest (Luke 9:48).
The most honorable seat in the house is for the one we overlook (Luke 14:8-9).
We esteem others more highly than ourselves (Romans 12:10 & Philippians 2:3).
We give up our coat and go the extra mile (Matthew 5:40-41).
John the Baptist said of Jesus, "He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less" (John 3:30).

Still wanna be first?

Succeeding at home

2009-04-03T10:57:00.001-04:00

Building a good relationship at home is like building a wall: It's done brick by brick. And the mortar that holds it together is unconditional, un-condemning, unselfish love. The only way you'll know how good a job you've done is when it's tested by the storms of life. One of the most important keys to succeeding at home is - communication. So:

(1) Become creative. Spend time together as a family. Call your mate during the day and try to meet sometimes for lunch. Drive your kids to school or soccer practice so you can talk to them. Communication can happen anywhere, but it won't happen unless you make it a priority.

(2) Identify communication killers. Internet, cell phones and TV are the chief culprits. The average couple spends less than one hour a week in meaningful communication; they spend five times more each day watching television. This is a "screen test" you'll have to pass if you want to succeed at home.

(3) Encourage every member to speak their mind. And when they do, don't criticize or retaliate. Differences of opinion are healthy. Handled right, they can make things better.

(4) Be conscious of how you interact with your family. You may have unwittingly adopted a style that stifles communication. Stop and consider; do you:
(a) retaliate - that has a degrading effect;
(b) dominate - that has an intimidating effect;
(c) isolate - that has a frustrating effect.
(d) cooperate - that has an encouraging effect.

If you're in the habit of using any communication style other than a cooperative one, start working immediately to change it. You'll have to, if you want to build a good relationship with your family. God's word says, "Through wisdom a house is built." (Proverbs 24:3 NKJV) Let's use wisdom and start the building or in some cases re-building process.

"Above and beyond"

2009-04-02T12:40:00.002-04:00

In Roman times soldiers could make Jewish citizens carry their gear for a mile. But Jesus says: "If someone forces you to go one mile, go...two." Max Lucado writes: "We've a second-mile servant in our church. By profession he's an architect; by passion, a servant. Prior to each worship service he does his rounds through the men's restrooms...wipes sinks, cleans mirrors, checks toilets and picks up paper. He tells no one and requests nothing in return...

Let me tell you how to spot [second-milers]. They don't wear badges or uniforms; they wear smiles. They've discovered ...joy in the extra effort...satisfaction in helping others...that the real reward rests at the base of the second mile-post... Why? Liberation! They've passed from slave to volunteer. When 'Mary anointed Jesus' feet,' one-milers like Judas criticized the deed as wasteful. Not Jesus. He received the gesture as a demonstration of love, a friend surrendering her most treasured gift.

There's an elderly man in your community who just lost his wife. An hour of your time would mean the world to him. Some kids in your city have no dad to take them to movies or baseball games. Maybe you can. They can't pay you back but they'll smile like a cantaloupe slice at your kindness. How about this one? Down the hall is a person who shares your last name. Shock them with kindness...your homework done with no complaints...coffee served when they awake...a love letter written for no special reason. Alabaster poured out 'just because.'

Jesus chose the servants' quarters. Can't we?" John Gardner said, "When people are serving, life is no longer meaningless." You're not called to "get by," you're called to go "above and beyond." What an incredible challenge. Jesus said, "If someone forces you to go one mile, go...two." (Matthew 5:41 NIV) Find a place to be a second miler today. You will find you've moved from slave to volunteer.

Be blessed and we will see you on the weekend.

Eight principles to live by

2009-03-31T11:59:00.000-04:00

People who set goals accomplish much more than people of equal education and ability who don't. With that in mind, build these eight principles into your life. Good planning and insight...bring...you honor and respect." Proverbs 3:21-22

(1) Decide what you want. But first consult God. "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails" (Pr 19:21 NIV).
(2) Think on paper. Writing your goals down gives them a sense of permanency, plus it energizes you. "Good planning and insight... bring...you honor and respect." Wishy-washy objectives won't get you where you want to go.
(3) Establish a deadline. Without a definite beginning and ending it's easy to procrastinate and get nowhere.
(4) Make a list of what you need to do to. Keep it before you at all times; it'll give you a track to run on.
(5) Convert your list to a plan. Decide what you need to do first and what you can do later. An organized plan is always better than trying to carry stuff around in your head.
(6) Act immediately. "Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity" (Eph 5:15-16 NIV). Do something! A mediocre plan that's implemented beats a brilliant one that's not.
(7) Do something every day to move you forward. Build it into your schedule. For example, read systematically through your Bible, call a specific number of clients, engage in physical activity for a given time.
(8) Have a goal you're willing to devote your life to. And keep your eye on that goal at all times. "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom" (Ps 90:12 NIV).

Leadership

2009-03-30T15:58:00.001-04:00

"If a man's gift is...leadership, let him govern diligently." Romans 12:6-8 NIV

Good leaders have intuition. They "see it" when others don't; they "get it." We all fall into three intuition levels:

(1) Those who will never see it. Putting these people into a leadership role is like putting a square peg in a round hole; you can keep hammering and driving it, but it won't fit. When someone's gifted to work in a support role, it's a mistake to put them into a leadership role. Besides, every orchestra needs a good second fiddle. We're only responsible for the gifts God gives us, not the ones we want - or other people think we should have.

(2) Those who are nurtured to see it. These folks have the raw material; they just need to be nurtured and mentored. Dr. John Maxwell points out that the ability to think like a leader is "informed intuition." These people just need someone to inform, instruct and inspire them, and they'll become good leaders. The truth is, without intuition we're condemned to be blindsided by events and opinions all of our lives.

(3) Those who naturally see it. These are the ones who are born with true leadership gifts. They instinctively understand people and know how to move them from point A to point B. Even as children they act like leaders. Watch them on the playground and you will see everyone else following them. People with such God-given intuition can build on it, become great leaders and bless others.

Now, if you want to see leadership in its finest form study the life of Christ, who said, "the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life" (Mt 20:28 NKJV).

It-Takes-One-To-Make-One

2009-03-19T09:09:00.006-04:00

NCAA basketball tournament starts today!! March Madness to all us sports geeks. 65 college basketball teams, from very very famous and established universities to never heard of them before schools, all in the same tournament with an equal chance to win. One game elimination, thus the madness. Everyone is buzzing about their brackets and trying to figure who will be this years giant killer.

Ever thought about the history of Giant killing? Don't think it started with the basketball tournament. When David stepped out to face Goliath, do you think he said, "I wonder if this has ever been done before? This is a regular David verses Goliath situation".

Even more interesting question, How many giant killers were in King Saul's army? Answer- NOT ONE!!! When Goliath challenged Israel every soldier quaked with fear. Yet David, who came to bring food to his brothers, sized up the situation, recalled his experiences with God and went out and killed him.

Now, after David became king, how many other giant killers arose in Israel? I count at least three:
1. "Then Sibbecai...killed Sippai, one of the descendants of the giants, and they were subdued.
2. "And there was war with the Philistines again, and Elhanan...killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.
3. "Again there was war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature who had twenty-four fingers and toes, six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot; and he also was descended from the giants. When he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea, David's brother, killed him.

These were descended from the giants in Gath [Goliath's home town], and they fell by the hand of David and by the hands of his servants" (1Ch 20:4-8 NAS).

Why do you suppose there were no giant killers in Saul's day? Because Saul himself wasn't one! But under David's leadership they multiplied because David was a giant killer. This illustrates the "it-takes-one-to-make-one" principle that starts in Genesis and runs through the Bible. God shows us how He intends things to work in life:

"Let the earth bring forth the living creature...each according to its kind." Genesis 1:24

Each one of us is a product of our DNA and our environment. Be careful who influences you, and be careful how you influence others. What are you making today and what is being made in you. Be a giant killer, it is what God created you to be!!!

Lessons learned only in Life's Storms

2009-03-17T13:48:00.002-04:00

"Why are you so fearful?" Mark 4:40 NKJV

In the Gospel of Mark we read: "He said to them, 'Let us cross over to the other side'...And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, 'Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?' Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, 'Peace, be still!' And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, 'Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?' And they...said to one another, 'Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!'" (Mk 4:35-41 NKJV).

Here are two lessons we learn only in life's storms:

(1) We must trust what God has told us. When Jesus said, "Let us cross over to the other side" there wasn't a big enough wave to take them under, no matter how threatening. What has God promised us? Standing on that won't keep us from getting scared or soaked, but it'll keep us from sinking.

(2) We must remind ourselves who's in the boat with us. If the Lord can calm a storm, He can prevent one. So when He permits us to go through storms it's to show us that we don't have a problem He can't solve; that we may be powerless in the situation but He's not; and that through this experience we'll come to know Him in a way we have never known Him before. So learn these lessons well and come out stronger on the other side.

If you are someone who remembers things by writing them down, put this in a place that can be seen and then immediately remembered. "Why are you so fearful? God is in Charge!!!!

Guard against lust

2009-03-16T13:30:00.000-04:00

"Above all...guard your heart." Proverbs 4:23 NIV

Jesus said, "Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Mt 5:28 NIV). Why did Jesus say this? Because every lustful glance damages your marriage bond. The less you desire your mate, the more you'll look for things in them to justify your fantasies. And the saddest part is, you'll never know how good your marriage could have been.To win, you must decide once and for all to be fully committed to God.

Here are three Scriptures you need to live by:
(1) "I have made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully" (Job 31:1 NIV). Before David got into trouble with Bathsheba we read: "He saw a woman bathing...inquired about the woman...and took her" (2Sa 11:2-4 NKJV). Pay close attention to the progression: "saw", "inquired," "took." If what you're looking at is not yours, pull your eyes away immediately.

(2) "Take captive every thought...make it obedient to Christ" (2Co 10:5 NIV). Police your mind. Instead of giving in to your daydreams or the internet or magazines, etc. fill your mind with God's Word and memories of your best moments with your mate. "Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee" (Ps 119:11).

(3) "Above all...guard your heart." Work on strengthening your bond with your mate. Decide to love even when you don't feel like it, and your love will begin to blossom. And if you need to, find someone who can help you. "A brother is born for adversity" (Pr 17:17). Sometimes the difference between victory and defeat can be as little as five or ten minutes on the telephone, talking and praying with someone who understands.

The Path to the Throne

2009-03-10T09:02:00.001-04:00

"I have found David...a man after My own heart." Acts 13:22 NKJV

David was anointed to be king in his teens, but he only ascended the throne at thirty.

There's a pattern here:

(1) God calls the man. In spite of being unappreciated by his family and overlooked by the prophet Samuel, God picked David. He also picked Deborah to lead the nation in a male-dominated society. Stop trying to figure God out, and stop comparing yourself to others! "Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?" (Ro 9:21 NIV). We'd have rejected many of the people God used - which lets us know how much we don't know.

(2) God decides the plan. "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it" (Php 1:6 NKJV). Who decides it? Who performs it? Who should your confidence be in? God! God's plan for David involved years of ducking Saul's spears, living in caves and working with 600 misfits who redefine the word "dysfunctional." God trains you in a small sphere so you can handle a bigger one.

(3) God knows the span of time required. "Who through faith and patience [endurance] inherit the promises" (See Col 1:11-12). Endurance means standing firm under pressure. The prize belongs to the man or woman who's committed for the long haul. Joseph refused to let go of his dream; it's what enabled him to say no to the advances of Potiphar's wife and endure unjust imprisonment. But the day came when Potiphar and his wife knelt before Joseph.

So keep your eyes on the prize and don't give up and stay on the path to the throne.

My Father's Son

2009-03-09T13:32:00.004-04:00

Matthew 5:43-45

"(43)You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy; (44) But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (45) To show that you are the children of your Father Who is in heaven..."

Over the last 2 weeks, We have been talking about traps or Pit Falls that the enemy uses to distract us from God's purpose and plan. On this past Sunday, We discovered that fouls or offenses are one such trap. It robs us of power and authority. Not worth the loss in my opinion but when the offense is great or the wound by someone we love it makes matters more difficult.

I asked us to take the next 7 days to show mercy and kindness (forgiveness)to someone who offended or fouled us. I did mine today. I wrote and blessed someone who had fouled me. Man it felt really good.

I am my Father in Heavens son. Be Blessed!

The Prayer God Answers

2009-02-24T09:36:00.001-05:00

"Their cry for help...went up to God." Exodus 2:23 NIV

Just when the Israelites thought life couldn't get worse, it did! Pharaoh withheld their straw and ordered them to produce the same daily quota of bricks. At that point three things happened:

(1) "The Israelites groaned in their slavery" (v. 23). It's what we do when we feel so bad that words can't express it. We groan, first within ourselves, then to whoever will listen, finding relief in venting our frustrations. But lasting help requires more than just talking to yourself and others. So, they raised the decibel level and:

(2) "Cried out...for help." God had seen them grit their teeth and white-knuckle it through another day. But since they were talking to everybody but Him, nothing changed. However, as soon as "their cry...went up to God...[He] heard their groaning" (v. 24). He just wanted a prayer to answer. David declared, "He hears My voice and...has inclined His ear to me...I shall call upon Him as long as I live" (Ps 116:1-2 NAS). Instead of complaining, pray! Give God a prayer to answer and He'll answer it. "Why would God listen to someone like me?" you say. Because:

(3) "God remembered His covenant with Abraham...and...took notice of them" (Ex 2:24-25 NAS). God answered their prayers because of a covenant He made with their father. He took notice of them because they were Abraham's children. They got it "on credit." So do you!

"God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you" (Eph 4:32). God's mercy and favor is yours today because you belong to Christ.

"My Father will give you whatever you ask in my name... Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete" (Jn 16:23-24 NIV).

How good is that?

Succeeding on the job

2009-02-19T11:10:00.002-05:00

"He who looks after his master will be honored." Proverbs 27:18

Another Bible characteristic to acquire for job success is thoughtfulness. That's so, whether you're a general in the army or a "GI Joe," the company president or the nightshift janitor. Character is not class-conscious. You don't demand respect, you earn it every day. If you're in a leadership role, the Bible says: "Know well the condition of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds" (Pr 27:23 NAS).

Good employers and supervisors make it their business to know the needs, strengths, weaknesses, potential and motivational levels of their workers. As a result employee sick time is reduced, morale improved and quality and production soars. A pay increase isn't always the best motivator. Sometimes your thoughtfulness, understanding and interest in your employees are a more powerful motivator. The old "kick them in the pants" philosophy is a sure-fire way to generate resentment and undermining. Respect and caring invites cooperation, makes allies, not adversaries of employees and employers, and brings out the best in everybody.

If you're an employee God promises, "He who looks after his master will be honored." It's not cool to bad-mouth the boss, even if your peers egg you on. Ultimately those around you will distrust you because they know that at some point you'll do the same to them. Speak well of your boss, honor him or her and submit to their authority (See Ro 13:1-7). If you can't, say nothing and look for another job; otherwise you'll be judged for undermining them. In the parable of the talents Jesus said that the workers who took care of their boss's interests were rewarded richly. Yes, God will honor you for respecting even a difficult boss!

Definitely something to think long and hard about. Much reward hangs in the balance!! Blessings

Succeeding on the job

2009-02-16T14:40:00.001-05:00

"Go to the ant...consider its ways and be wise." Proverbs 6:6 NIV

When it comes to having a work ethic, "Go to the ant, consider its ways and be wise." These tiny giants of industry teach us valuable principles for living. Observe three things about them:

(1) The ant "has no commander, no overseer or ruler" (Pr 6:7 NIV). Nobody has to get it out of bed in the morning or coax it to get moving. Nobody supervises its work or enforces quality standards on it. Nobody needs to micromanage its time on the job or make sure it starts punctually, puts in a full day, pulls its weight and doesn't quit early. It's self-motivated and driven by its own high standards, not by rules, regulations or the fear of being fired.

(2) It "stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest" (Pr 6:8 NIV). While everybody else is complaining about the heat (the weather, the economy, politics, etc.), the hard-working ant just keeps preparing for the future. Later, in the more moderate temperatures of harvest time, it continues gathering. Disregarding the conditions, it works. Then while others are struggling to survive it feasts on the fruit of its labor. "Watch and learn," is God's counsel.

(3) The ant is no haphazard, disorganized drifter wandering around aimlessly, looking for something to do. He knows exactly what he's there for and where and how to do it. He's goal-directed, focused, determined and unstoppable. You can't keep a good ant down! "Consider...and be wise."

"But my job's a dead end," you say. As long as you're in this job do it "heartily, as to the Lord" (Col 3:23). Prove yourself where you are and God will promote you to better things.

Be a "builder-upper!

2009-02-06T09:34:00.000-05:00

"Encourage and strengthen him." Deuteronomy 3:28 NIV

God knew that Joshua would need all the help he could get in leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. So He told his mentor, Moses, "Encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land" (v. 27-28). God recognized that Moses was the best man to strengthen and encourage Joshua because he'd dealt with pressures and "people problems" at the Red Sea, and again in the desert when Israel grumbled against God - and him.

Everybody needs encouragement, including you! You need others to cheer you on when you've been battered by setbacks and circumstances. German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said, "Correction does much, but encouragement does much more." It rekindles your spirit and gives you the oomph to keep going. One well known pastor wrote, "Nothing can uplift more than the encouragement of a friend or loved one. It's the oxygen of the soul. Having run two miles, a person may need to pause and catch his or her breath before running another two. Before facing a formidable task, or even the wearying routines of life, a person needs to pause for encouragement before tackling the work ahead. So become oxygen to the souls of those around you. Strengthen them to persevere for the Kingdom. Encourage them with God's promise to work good in all things."

Stop and think about somebody who could use a little encouragement, and before today is over, make it a point to get in touch with them. "Let us pursue the things...by which one may edify [build up] another" (Ro 14:19 NKJV).

Learn to be content

2009-02-05T13:37:00.002-05:00

I found this article on contentment and it was a real blessing to me. I wanted to share it with you and hope it will be a blessing to you as well.

Sometimes contentment means:

(1) Learning to be happy with less. A hard-charging executive decided to spend a few days in a monastery. "I hope your stay is a blessed one," said the monk who showed him to his cell. "If you need anything let us know. We'll teach you how to live without it." Happiness isn't getting what you want, it's enjoying what God's given you. Paul said he had learned to be content, "Whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

(2) Reminding yourself things could be worse. Snoopy was lying in his dog house one Thanksgiving Day, mumbling about being stuck with dog food while all those humans got to be inside with the turkey and gravy and pumpkin pie. "Of course, it could have been worse," he finally reflected, "I could have been born a turkey." Reminding yourself "It could be worse" can be a powerful developer of contentment.

(3) Understanding that what you seek is spiritual, not material. Paul says to beware of "greed, which is idolatry" (Col 3:5 NIV). Our problem isn't just that we want more, it's that the condition which underlies all our wanting is that we really want God. As Augustine said, "Our souls will never rest, until they rest in Thee." Why would God let us feel at home, when this world is not our home? Our dissatisfaction, if we let it, can sharpen our spiritual hunger and cause us to pray, "Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Mt 6:10 NIV).

Michael Drosnin wrote a book about a man who wanted more wealth, so he built one of the biggest financial empires of his day. He wanted more pleasure, so he paid for the most glamorous women money could buy. He wanted more adventure, so he set air speed records, built and piloted the world's most unique aircraft. He wanted more power, so he acquired political clout that was the envy of senators. He wanted more glamour, so he owned film studios and courted stars. Drosnin tells how this man's life ended: "He was a figure of gothic power, ready for the grave. Emaciated, only 120 pounds stretched over his six-foot-four-inch frame...thin scraggly beard that reached its way onto his sunken chest, hideously long fingernails in grotesque yellow corkscrews ...Many of his teeth were black, rotting stumps. A tumor was beginning to emerge from the side of his head...innumerable needle marks...Howard Hughes was an addict. A billionaire junkie."

So here's the question: If Hughes had pulled off one more deal, made one more million and tasted one more thrill, would it have been enough? The illusion of gratitude is that we will experience it more, if we get more! No, making sure a child gets everything they want destroys their initiative and dulls their sense of gratitude and contentment. Don't you find it interesting that the man who wrote, "I have learned the secret of being content" also wrote, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1Thess 5:18)? You cannot make yourself a more grateful or contented person, but you can pray for it and open your heart to it.

"I have learned the secret of being content." Philippians 4:12 NIV

Deal With Unhealed Wounds!

2009-02-02T11:13:00.004-05:00

Physician, heal yourself!" Luke 4:23 NKJV

A few years ago, while playing softball, I slid into second base and ripped the skin off my right leg. A week later, it got infected and I had to swallow my pride (guys don't like going to the doctor) and go to the doctor to get medicine. The doctor asked me if I had considered taking up a less dangerous sport, considering my age. The nerve of that guy!! A few weeks later, our family went on a previously planned vacation with our friends Ryan and Jen Scott to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. We were so excited to take the kids white water rafting as one of the activities. We chose the extreme river to get the most thrill out of the adventure, actually the kids did the choosing. While shooting the rapids,(I've always wanted to say that) I hit my now scabbed over leg on this post in the center of the boat. It hurt so bad, that all I could do was hold my leg. Forget holding onto the kids, it's every hurt Dad for himself.

Did you know that in the Old Testament a priest could not serve in God's house if he had a scab, which is an unhealed wound or a bleeding sore (See Lev 21:20)? Why? Because when you've got a scab you're not up to par. You can't get close to others in case they bump into you and knock the protective cover off it. You're not at your best because the pain-drain is sapping your strength. You're afraid to talk about your scab in case people reject you, so you wear a mask, live on two levels and become insecure and controlling. Worst of all, you're so busy working for God and taking care of others that you don't think you've time to stop and take care of yourself. The Bible says: "Physician, heal yourself!"

Does this mean people with "issues" can't work for God? No, quite the opposite. It's the broken, who become masters at mending. But first you must take time to be healed. Jesus said that when the blind lead the blind they both fall into a ditch (See Mt 15:14). It's hard to talk about victory to others when you yourself are living in defeat. It's hard to bring emotional healing to others when you're still battling the unresolved issues of your past. When you are still bleeding, you can't treat people's problems with the same kind of aggressive faith you'd have if you'd already worked through the problem.

Is it wrong to have a wounded heart? No, but it's wrong not to deal with it. So, spend time with God and let Him make you whole so that He can use you to minister more effectively to others. Start by reading your bible everyday this week. I believe like the eunuch in Acts 8, God will send answers your way. Let the healing begin and lets shoot the rapids!!!

How long will this attack last?

2009-01-29T10:23:00.002-05:00

"Having done all...stand." Ephesians 6:13 NKJV

The size of the prize determines the severity of the fight. The enemy knows your vulnerabilities and he'll push you to your limits. When he does, remember: "Blessed is the man who endures...when he has been approved, he will receive the crown" (Jas 1:12 NKJV).

We recently had a brand new baby added to our house!! No, not a child, a baby bird. It is the product of our daughter Cassidy's 3 years of asking, begging and persistence. (Sweetly, may I add.) "Approved" means victory qualifies you for greater things. "Endures" means your staying power is being tested. She got the victory because of her persistence, despite the impossible (me) odds.

So, "having done all...stand." You say, "How long will this attack last?" The Prince of Darkness hindered Daniel's prayers for twenty-one days (See Da 10:13). Goliath defied the armies of Israel forty days and nights (See 1Sa 17).

Your enemy is relentless; you must be, too. When it comes to prayer, your persistence overcomes his resistance. "You have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise" (Heb 10:36 NKJV).

David didn't get into trouble with Bathsheba until he left the battlefield. It's the safest place to be. So stay there, keep fighting and God will come to your aid. When Joshua needed extra time to defeat his enemies, the sun stood still. God was saying, "As long as the sun doesn't go down you won't go down either, for the same power that's holding it up is holding you up." Isn't that great?

Jesus healed people in different ways. Some He spoke to, others He touched. One day He told ten lepers to go and show themselves to the priest. And the Bible says: "As they went, they were cleansed" (Lk 17:14). They were probably wondering, "When will it happen? How will it happen?" Faith doesn't demand details, it just keeps moving obediently forward, believing God for the right result!

Keep persisting. Our enemy will relent and God won't. Praise God!! See ya Sunday for part 2 of, "Play Your Position":Believe the Headlines!!

Need more strength? Wait on God!

2009-01-28T10:22:00.002-05:00

I've always thought of waiting as a painful event. Like, wait to open the presents or wait until everyone gets here before we eat. It means exercising some patience and willpower. Yet, God gives us a different view of waiting and something that comes other than pain while we wait. Isaiah 40:31 declares,"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength."

God usually doesn't tell us how He will answer our prayers, or even when. But He does promise those who wait on Him one thing - strength. The word "wait" in this Scripture pictures a Hebrew word used in the making of rope. Every rope starts out as a thread, and every strand added just increases its strength. So each time you wait on the Lord you add another thread to the rope; you get a little stronger, a little more able to cope. Do you feel like you're just hanging on by a thread today? Spend more time in God's presence and God's Word, and watch your thread turn into a rope. But waiting is not always passive, sometimes it's active, like waiting on a customer, seeing that his or her needs are met. In this case, waiting is not so much a position as it is a focus.

The Bible says, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee" (Isa 26:3). Whether it's sitting prayerfully in His presence or actively carrying out His will, you have God's assurance that your strength will be renewed.

If you're at the end of your rope today, grab hold of these three promises: (1) "Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord" (Ps 27:14 NKJV). (2) "Wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him" (Ps 62:5 NKJV). (3) "As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters...so our eyes look to the Lord our God" (Ps 123:2 NKJV).

Do you need more strength? Wait on God! Be Blessed while you wait. Only 331 more days until we can open our presents!!!!

Happiness Keys

2009-01-26T10:36:00.002-05:00

"If you know these things." John 13:17 AMP

One of the blessings the framers of the constitution tried to ensure that we could all have is, the pursuit of happiness. We sure do pursue it in interesting and crazy ways. Something profound hit me about this promise. It's only the pursuit that is promised!! The picture of a dog chasing his tail rushes to my mind. I believe they knew that it would be impossible for men to bring about happiness. It seems to me, it is a promise that must lead to God. In that light, I thought I would share a few things that I hope will help us live in happiness.

If you want God's best, don't just think about how to invest your money, think about how to invest your life. Jesus said, "If you know these things...happy...are you if you...[do them]." Living this way means:

(1) Making time for friends and loved ones. "Let no one seek his own, but each...the other's well-being" (1Co 10:24 NKJV). George Eliot wrote: "Oh, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person; having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but to pour them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then, with the breath of kindness, blow the rest away."

(2) Giving thanks. If you can't be grateful for what God has given you, look around you and be grateful for what He's protected you from. The enemy doesn't have to steal anything from you, just make you take it for granted. "From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another" (Jn 1:16 NIV). The excitement of a new car or a salary increase soon passes, but anytime you stop to count your blessings you start feeling better.

(3) Practicing contentment. A gardener who'd tried everything to get rid of dandelions wrote to the Department of Agriculture for help. "What can I try next?" he asked. "Try getting used to them!" came the reply. In life, you get what you focus on! That's why Paul writes, "Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise" (Php 4:8 NLT).

In a famous authors words, "Don't Worry, Be Happy"

Be Blessed and Happy.....

Cutting off ears

2009-01-22T11:34:00.002-05:00

"Keep your tongue from evil." Psalm 34:13

When Jesus was betrayed by Judas, He just stood there, even though He could have called twelve legions of angels to His defense. Then the mob came, laid hands on Him and arrested Him. Peter, ready to defend Jesus, drew his sword and cut off the High Priest's servant's ear.
Impulsive, quick-on-the-draw Peter was thinking, "We don't have to take this!" But Jesus said, "No, that's not how you handle things!" Then, "he touched the man's ear and healed him" (Luke 22:51).

Peter was talking when he needed to be listening, and doing things when he didn't need to be doing them. He needed to learn how to wait on God, to exercise humility and discernment. God had great plans for Peter, but if he wanted to reach people for Christ he couldn't do it by taking out his sword and chopping off ears when he felt angry. There's a lesson here.

Our abrasive words can cut off people's ability to hear. We can't just fly off the handle whenever we feel like it. We must be sensitive to God: If He tells us, "Say nothing," we must stand there quietly, even if it means letting someone think they're right even when we know they're not. We must say, "Yes, Lord," and accept that He doesn't owe us an explanation. How many times do we prevent somebody's spiritual growth, or God's blessings from coming into our own lives, because we don't control what we say?

Perhaps you think that compared to adultery or stealing this is no big deal? Think again: "He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin"
(Proverbs 13:3).

In other words, be slooooooooow to speak. This is in Southern talk, of course. Have a great day and see ya on Sunday. We start a new series on being in position for a God encounter.

Go back to where you met Him

2009-01-21T13:19:00.003-05:00

"Simon Peter said to them, 'I am going fishing.'" John 21:3 NKJV

When Peter decided to go fishing that night, he may have been making a decision to get away from everything and go back to where he first met the Lord. That's a good move! When you get discouraged you'll either go back to the One who can save, keep and satisfy, or you'll go back to whatever was going on in your life before you met Him. That's not a good move! Peter fished all that night and caught nothing. There's a lesson there for you.

God said to the church in Revelation: "You have persevered...and have labored for My name's sake and...not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works" (Rev 2:3-5 NKJV).

Has your love for God grown cold? If so, you need to go back to where you first met Him, to seek Him again like you did before you'd heard so much and seen so much, before the pressures of life had worn you down.

"But I'm busy doing the work of the Lord," you say. Busyness and barrenness go hand in hand together. It's possible to look like a saint in the courts of Babylon, yet be a backslider in the courts of Zion. Three times Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love Me?" Finally Peter said, "Lord, You know all things; You know [the extent to which] I love You" (Jn 21:17 NKJV).

Oswald Chambers said, "Beware of anything that competes with your loyalty to Jesus Christ. The greatest competitor of devotion to Jesus, is service to Him." Think about it.

God Bless You!!

2009-01-15T11:06:00.001-05:00

Cindy Zevollo forwarded this to me from Intecessors for America (ifapray.org) and I thought you would enjoy reading and praying it. God Bless You.

30 WAYS TO PRAY FOR PEOPLE IN AUTHORITY

By Gary Bergel

The life of every citizen is impacted by an estimated 500,000 or more individuals who wield significant influence each day. Consider the vast multitude of elected officials, appointed judges, lawyers, police officers, bureaucrats, officials, military officers, media elite, news anchors, publishers and educators, talk show hosts, business executives and managers, theologians, ministers, rabbis, priests, chaplains, elders, pastors, deacons, lay workers, para-church ministry heads, educators, professors, teachers, medical practitioners and hospital administrators, scientists, researchers, inventors and engineers, artists and designers, athletes, actors and entertainment figures. How might we pray for these individuals?

1. That they be God fearing and recognize that they are accountable to Him for each decision and act. (Prov 9:10)
2. That they be granted wisdom, knowledge and understanding. (Js 1:5)
3. That they be presented with the gospel and loving Christian witness. (Rom 10:14)
4. That they be drawn, if unsaved, to a saving encounter with Christ; if born-again, that they be strengthened and encouraged in their faith. (1Tim 2:4; Eph 1:17-23)
5. That they recognize their own inadequacy and pray and seek the will of God.
(Prov 3:5-8; Lk 11:9-13)
6. That they be convicted of sin transgression and iniquity. (Ps 51:17; Jn 8:9)
7. That they heed their conscience, confess their sins and repent. (Prov 28:13; Js 4:8)
8. That they read the Bible and attend prayer meetings and Bible studies.
(Ps 114:11; Col 3:2)
9. That they value and regard the Ten Commandments and the teachings of Christ.
(Ps 19:7-11; Jn 8:31,32)
10. That they respect and honor their own parents, if living. (Eph 6:2,3)
11. That they respect authority and practice accountability (Rom 13:1-7)
12. That they be given godly counsel and God fearing advisors. (Prov 24:6)
13. That they be honest and faithful to spouses and children. (Mal 2:15,16)
14. That they be practicing members of local congregations. (Heb 10:25)
15. That they desire purity and avoid debauchery, pornography, perversion and drunkenness. (1 Cor 6:9-20; Ti 2:12)
16. That they be timely, reliable and dependable. (Mt 21:28-31)
17. That they be honest in financial, tax and ethical matters (1 Cor 6:10; 1 Tim 6:6-10)
18. That they seek pastoral care and counsel when needed. (Heb 13:7)
19. That they seek out and nurture godly friendships. (Ps 1:1-3)
20. That they have thankful ad teachable spirits. (Rom 1:21)
21. That they be generous and have compassionate hearts for the poor and needy
(Ps 112:9; Lk. 10:33-37)
22. That they redeem their time and know priorities. (Eph 5:15-17)
23. That they desire honesty, integrity and loyalty (Ps 26; Prov. 11:3)
24. That they have courage to resist manipulation, bribery, pressure and the fear of man. (Prov. 29:25; 2 Tim 1:7)
25. That they be shielded from occultism, New Age cults, false religions and secret societies. (Is 1:29; 2:6)
26. That they be presented with biblical world views and principles. (Eph 3:10)
27. That they endeavor to restore the sanctity of life, families, divine order and morality in our nation Eph. 5:22-6:1)
28. That they would work to reverse the trends of humanism, socialism and statism in our nation. (1 Chr. 12:32; Is 59:15)
29. That they desire humility and meekness and be willing to serve and cooperate.
(Jn 13:124; Ti 3:1:2)
30. That they be prepared to give account to Almighty God. (Heb 9:27)

How To Receive God's Word!

2009-01-13T10:51:00.002-05:00

"All that the Lord has said will we do." Exodus 24:7 NKJV

How can you make God's Word more personal and effective in your life? By receiving it as a practical, not a theoretical Word. The Bible is not God's attempt to offer illuminating insights, interesting theories or good advice for our consideration. No, it's an authoritative, indisputable statement of eternal truth for us to live by. It's intended for real-world application.

"Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house upon the rock" (Mt 7:24 NKJV). The obedient builder's rock-solid foundation withstood the storm's violence. Conversely, "Everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them," Jesus says, is a fool, and the storms will erode his foundation (v. 26-27).

Now, Jesus didn't condemn this man for building an inadequate structure, or failing to hear, understand and believe His words, but for failing to act on them. "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says...the man who looks intently into the perfect law...not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it - he will be blessed in what he does" (Jas 1:22-25 NIV).

If we think reading, knowing, and even believing God's Word fulfills our obligation to it, we're self-deceived. Because it's God's Word, His intention for it must be fulfilled. That requires not just believing, but behaving the Word. James didn't say, "he will be blessed in what he believes," but "he will be blessed in what he does!"

When Moses read God's Word to the Israelites, they said, "All that the Lord has said we will do, and be obedient." Let's endeavor to be doers of God's word, for in the doing, blessing will assuredly follow.

I hate to steal someone else catch phrase but it's just what fits. JUST DO IT!!! Amen.

Start your day with God

2009-01-08T10:53:00.002-05:00

"In the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." Psalm 5:3 NIV

We think everything rests on our shoulders, but it doesn't! It's God's world, not ours. At the beginning of each day God reminds us that He has His way, that He controls outcomes, and that He cares about every detail of our lives.

The way we get up in the morning sets the tone for our entire day, so try this: first thing tomorrow, get alone with God for a few minutes. Don't try to make it last an hour, just start with five minutes. Go over your plans for the day. If you have a calendar, look over it with Jesus. As you're going through it you'll have some concerns. Just hand them over to Him. Maybe you'll notice a meeting or a particular problem you're worried about. Ask Him for wisdom. If He doesn't give you an immediate answer, realize that it's because He wants you to trust Him. He has something better in mind, something that you haven't thought of yet.

So many of us start our day anxious, hurried, fearful, or rushed. But we don't have to. We're going to start our day anyway; why not start it with Jesus? Do we have any better offers? We're going to have a first thought anyhow, a first word, so why not let it belong to God, before Whom all our anxieties flee? We can do this. We really can. We can start our day with God.

Take a moment and meditate on this Scripture: "Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days (Ps 90:14 NIV).

Giving up "center stage"

2008-12-11T10:25:00.001-05:00

"Let each of you look out...for the interests of others." Philippians 2:4 NKJV

The Bible says, "Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." In other words, give up "center stage." Now that's easier said than done because we tend to be preoccupied with one person - me!

You ask someone, "How's it going?" Thinking you really want to hear, they start sharing a recent success. That's your signal. You jump in mid-sentence, blow their light out and say, "Think that's something? Let me tell you about..." You're off and running, right over the deflated ego of your friend who's wishing they'd kept walking when they first saw you. They'd hoped to hear something like, "That's wonderful, tell me more." Instead they get treated to a litany of your opinions and achievements. Whatever happened to "Rejoice with those who rejoice" (Ro 12:15 NIV).

That command cuts across our preoccupation with self and says, "Get over yourself! Vacate center stage. Learn to focus on others." Practice saying, "Enough about me. I want to hear about you. How's your business...wife...health...church?" Stifle the urge to interrupt; just listen! Listen with your ears, your eyes, your mind and your spirit. Try to understand the feelings behind their words. If they're celebrating, "Rejoice with them." If they're hurting, "Mourn with those who sorrow."

The acid test of Christian character is our ability to celebrate another's success, or share their burden as though it were our own. There's no better way to serve and encourage others.

Practice courtesy

2008-12-10T10:15:00.001-05:00

"Be courteous...that you may inherit a blessing." 1 Peter 3:9 NKJV

Common courtesy is becoming less common every day. And that's not good, because the Bible says, "Be courteous...that you may inherit a blessing." Sometimes we're not sure how to go about pleasing God. Preachers have made it complicated: a series of long-drawn-out, deeply painful acts designed to appease a God who delights in making us squirm. The prophet Micah simplifies it: "What does the Lord require of you...to love kindness" (Mic 6:8 NAS). Could language be clearer? Here are ten "not-so-common" courtesies you should work on every day, and teach your children. After all, if they don't learn common courtesy from you, where are they going to learn it?

(1) Go out of your way to speak to people. "Pleasant words are...healing" (Pr 16:24 NIV). (2) Try to remember their names - it shows you value them. (3) Smile; it increases your "face value." (4) Be friendly and helpful. If you do, people will return it (See Pr 18:24). (5) Show genuine interest. You can find something good in almost anybody, if you try (Php 4:8). (6) Be generous with your praise and cautious with your criticism. (7) Be slow to judge. There are three sides to every story - your side, their side, and the right side. (8) Instead of "using" others, serve them: "By love serve one another" (Gal 5:13). (9) Start trusting people - it builds lasting relationships. (10) Be humble. Oswald Chambers said, "When a saint becomes conscious of being a saint, something has gone wrong."

Courtesy does two things: (a) It speaks well of your parents. Jesus said, "Live so that [people] will...praise your Father" (Mt 5:16 NCV). (b) It determines your level of blessing. "Be courteous ...that you may inherit a blessing."

Don't lose your passion for God!

2008-12-08T12:29:00.000-05:00

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart."
Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV

There's an interesting sequence of events leading up to Peter's denial of Christ. First, Jesus warned Peter that he was a target: "Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren" (Lk 22:31-32). Next we read that when the authorities came to arrest Christ, Peter "followed afar off" (Lk 22:54). Notice, Peter had grown distant from Christ. Then the man who swore he'd die for Jesus denied knowing Him. At that point the rooster crowed, Peter remembered his promise to Jesus, and "went out, and wept bitterly" (Lk 22:55-62).

Observe how it works: (a) You're unprepared for Satan's attack when it comes. (b) You allow work and family pressures to cause you to forget that your first commitment must always be to God. (c) You end up spiritually defeated. You say, "That will never happen to me." That's what Peter said! The reason "Satan hath desired to have you," is because he knows that when you become passionate about God's purposes, you're unstoppable. Indeed, the very desire that's burning within you right now is the fuel that enables you to withstand his attacks.

There's a reason the crucifixion has been referred to as "The Passion." The Bible says of Christ: "Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Heb 12:2 NKJV). Even as He was dying, Jesus was ministering to others. That's passion! So the Word for you today is, "Don't lose your passion for God."

HOW TO WORK IN ANY ENVIRONMENT

2008-10-23T14:25:00.002-04:00

My friend Jerry Boop sent this to me and I think it is an awesome reminder. Hope you enjoy this and are blessed.

HOW TO WORK IN ANY ENVIRONMENT
(By: T.D. Jakes)

1. Do not expect to be appreciated. Your only expectation should be to get a paycheck.
Do not come to work to have personal relationships. Do not allow what you do to affect who you are.

2. Do your job well, but remember your mission. God put you there to be a Light.

3. Seek opportunities to change the atmosphere without commenting on the problems.
You have a God to talk to. You are on an assignment. Quietness and competence shall be your strength.

4. Don't let your environment get inside of you. You should influence it, not let it influence you.Stop going to work to be fed. You did not come to receive, you came to give.

5. Increase your capacity to work with different personalities.
God will often bless you through people you do not even like!

6. Remember, where you are does not define where you are going.
This will deliver you from frustration.
God has a plan for your life. Keep your eye on the prize.
When Peter did this, he was able to walk in what other people sank in!

7. Get the optimum results with minimal confusion.
Be effective without making the environment worse.

8. Don't be associated with one group or clique. Labels limit your usefulness.
God wants you to work with everybody but be labeled by nobody.
Use all your gifts.

9. Always keep your song near you. Keep a consecrated place in your soul.
Hold on to your praise.

10. Understand that God anoints you for trouble.
Put on the whole armor of God before going to work.

Accepting yourself

2008-10-22T09:38:00.001-04:00

"Love others as much as you love yourself." Matthew 22:39 CEV

Only by loving yourself in a healthy way, can you love others the way God intended. When you don't love yourself you live with insecurity, and you keep looking to others for approval. When you don't get it, your self-worth shrivels. As a result, you live far beneath your potential. You are the only person you can't get away from, so unless you learn to accept yourself, you'll be miserable. Stop and think about the last time you were around somebody you didn't enjoy being with - how did it feel?

Whether good or bad, you project onto others the thoughts and feelings you have about yourself. So if you want people to think well of you, have a good opinion of yourself - one that's based on God's Word and nurtured by the right relationships. No question, the Bible cautions us about having an overinflated opinion of ourselves. But don't go to the other extreme! Living with continual self-rejection is an open invitation to Satan, who is always "sneaking around to find someone to attack" (1 Peter 5:8 CEV). Don't play into his hands!

Paul writes: "Nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature" (Romans 7:18 NIV). That means the good qualities you do possess, are evidence that God is at work in your life. So be sure to acknowledge them. The Bible says, "We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us" (2 Corinthians 4:7). Instead of focusing on your flaws and feeling bad about yourself, recognize the "treasure" of God's presence, power, and potential that lives within you, and build on it.

Blessings,

PK

Choose to live!

2008-10-21T09:42:00.002-04:00

Just wanted to share a daily devotional that I read. Thought it would be a great blessing to your life. Choose life.

"Do you want to be made well?" John 5:6 NKJV

He can't walk, the pool isn't easily accessible, and there are no motorized lifts. Then Jesus comes along and asks this man who'd been incapacitated for 38 years, "Do you want to be made well?" What a question! Now, Jesus didn't ask it because He didn't know the answer; He did it to direct his (and our) thinking along the right lines. He could just as easily have asked:

"Are you ready to assume responsibility for your life? Do you really want that promotion, or is it easier to just gripe about money? Are you ready for marriage, for somebody who'll share your life and make you reconsider your self-centered ways?" Answers to our prayers often come with a price. For example, the family of an addict sometimes spends years praying for change, then when it happens they experience their own crises. Because their lives have centered around drama and dysfunction, they've never learned how to live any other way. At that point they have a choice to make: to keep blaming their problems on somebody else, or to accept that they have their own issues to work on. "Do you want to be made well?"

Like it or not, asking God for solutions often means new challenges. A child might solve his need for pocket money by bagging groceries, but when he grows up, hopefully he'll be solving bigger ones, like how to provide for his family. But the good news is, solving bigger problems brings bigger rewards. So ask God to stretch you today by helping you "take up your bed and walk" (Jn 5:8 NKJV), burn your bridges of dependency and "learned helplessness," and move on to greater things. In other words, "choose to live!"

Blessings,

PK

THE TITHE

2008-10-19T18:08:00.002-04:00

"Bring...(the whole tenth of your income)." Malachi 3:10 AMP

When this passage starts talking about tithing it refers to robbing God. I believe it is talking about God being robbed of blessing us through our obedience. God really does what to bring unlimited blessing to our lives.

Whether you believe tithing to be an Old Testament law or a New Testament truth, one thing is certain, giving God the first tenth of your income demonstrates that He's first in your life. To those who practice tithing, God promises two things:

(1) His blessing. God said He will "Open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such a blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it" (Mal 3:10 NKJV). A farmer, who was a faithful tither, was prospering while others around him were barely getting by. When one of his neighbors asked, "What's your secret?" he replied, "No secret, I just shovel it into God's bin and He shovels it back into mine - but God's got a bigger shovel!" By tithing, you partner with God. Think what God's blessing could mean to your business, your family, your ministry or your future - your possibilities are out of sight!

(2) His protection. "I will rebuke the devourer...he shall not destroy" (Mal 3:11). "What's the devourer?" you ask. Anything that devours your blessings. The dishwasher breaks down for the third time in a month. The kids are ill and have to be taken to the doctor all the time. The day after the warranty runs out on your car, the transmission goes. One of the Hebrew words for tithe is charam, which means "marked for destruction." Your tithe literally becomes a force in the hand of God to destroy the works of the enemy. It puts a hedge of protection around you. "Is God after my money?" you ask. No, He's after your lack! He wants you to be blessed and protected every day of your life.

Be Blessed,
PK

PULL IT TOGETHER

2008-10-18T09:33:00.003-04:00

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart." Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV

Modern life is custom made for role playing. We live in a neighborhood all our lives yet we hardly know the family next door. We commute to a church miles away, walking in and out, never getting known, never getting involved or serving. We work with one crowd and play with another. The opportunities for undercover activity are almost limitless. Since no one knows us in any other context, we can reinvent ourselves in each one. Someone has said that our life is like a chest of drawers: a separate one for each interest, value or pastime - one for work, one for play and one for church. For each we have a separate set of values and a different language. With each new situation we add another drawer to ensure complete appropriateness and safety. Rather than having a oneness and integrity of character, we role play.

But God doesn't see us as a chest of drawers or a collection of separate performances, He sees us as a whole person. Who we are when no one is looking, is just the same to Him as who we are when we're standing in plain view. God asks for integrity in our lives. That's because life doesn't work any other way! God made us with one will, one mind, one heart, and one spirit. It's Satan's lie that we can "have it both ways," which leaves us mentally and emotionally fragmented, and worse - distant from God! "What is the answer?" you ask. The Bible says: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your strength." In other words, refuse to role play!

Everything we do, needs to be done as unto the Lord. My job, family, finances and future all lived through the view of His glory and purpose. Then, I live whole as God intended. What a wonderful way to pull it all together.

Blessings,

PK

That's grace!

2008-10-17T10:01:00.002-04:00

"Grace was given me." Ephesians 3:8 NIV

The word "grace," is so important that Paul mentions it three times more than any other writer. Remembering the violent life he lived, he writes, "Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach...the unsearchable riches of Christ." The word grace comes from the Greek word charis, meaning "pure joy." Although you didn't deserve it, God considered saving you a "pure joy." How about that?

In John, chapter 8, a woman is caught in the act of adultery. The law is unmistakable about her punishment. The Pharisees are ready to stone her. She knows that Jesus, being righteous, must agree. She has no lawyer to defend her, not even a character witness! Suddenly Jesus stoops and begins to write in the sand. Some scholars have suggested that perhaps He wrote down their sins, times, places, etc. Ouch! When He looks up, her accusers are gone. He says, "Neither do I condemn you...Go now and leave your life of sin" (Jn 8:11 NIV). Jesus lifted her from a position of undeniable guilt to one of unconditional pardon. She didn't deserve it, and didn't know it was possible. And that's your story too, isn't it?

One day Abraham Lincoln watched a plantation owner bidding for a slave girl. Figuring he was going to buy her and abuse her, Lincoln paid the price to set her free. "Does this mean I can say whatever I want to say?" she asked. Lincoln replied, "Yes." Again she asked, "Does this mean I can go wherever I want to go?" Again Lincoln responded, "Yes, you're free!" With tears streaming down her face she replied, "Then, sir, I will go with you." That's grace!

God's grace is so big, so huge and I know many fear the preaching of it. Fearing that it will encourage people to live a life free of boundaries. I believe this story is such a great illustration. When God sets us free from such bondage, we will want to go with Him not away from Him. Enjoy His grace!!1
Blessings,

PK

TAKEN FOR GRANTED

2008-10-16T14:13:00.002-04:00

People have short memories. It doesn’t take long in ministry to realize this. One day you’re leading someone to Christ, the next day they’ve left for the new church down the street. One day someone says they loved the sermon, the next day they can’t remember what it was about. Short memories are nothing new.

The Israelites had a short memory when it came to Moses. Just three days after the Red Sea miracle – at the very first sign of trouble – they started doubting his leadership. We think we’ve got it rough. God used Moses to split a sea, and the Israelites forgot him. If that happened to Moses, it can happen to us.

But it doesn’t just happen in ministry, does it? We live in a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately world. Children forget what their parents have done for them. Bosses forget what their employees have done for them. Spouses take each other for granted.

I read an article one time about a chief accountant for a millionaire. He was paid very well, but he committed suicide. His suicide note said: “I’m committing suicide because in 30 years I’ve never had one word of encouragement. I’m fed up.”

What do you do when you feel taken for granted? Moses gives us a great example to follow.

1. Don’t curse it. When Moses heard the Israelites grumble, it would have been natural to respond back in anger. Most of us would have done that. But Moses didn’t. Revenge just wasn’t an option. When people don’t appreciate you, choose not to strike back. Leave your frustration in God’s hands. When you let God settle the score, you are well represented. Romans 12:14 says, “Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse” (NASB). Instead of cursing those who forget you, speak positively about them.

2. Don’t rehearse it. Every time you review the hurt you feel when you’ve been taken for granted, it gets bigger. If somebody you’ve served selflessly criticizes you, it hurts. No doubt about it. But if you’re not careful, it’ll blow out of proportion in no time.
Notice that Moses never went back over the pain. He focused on the future. Rehearsing pain is a dangerous habit in ministry because soon you’re addicted to it. I’ve met some very bitter pastors who allowed experiences of their past to color their perception until they thought everybody was against them. You can’t allow that to happen.

3. Don’t nurse it. Don’t allow yourself to have a pity party. It’s OK to be angry. Anger is a legitimate response to hurt. But holding on to anger becomes sin. Ephesians 4:26-27 says, “Don’t get so angry that you sin. Don’t go to bed angry, and don’t give the devil a chance” (CEV). If you are a leader, you can expect to be misunderstood. It’s a fact of leadership. If you choose not to take the disappointment personally, you’ll avoid becoming cynical.

So, what should you do when you feel forgotten and taken for granted?

First, share your pain with God. Often we go to the wrong people with our pain. We go to the people who’ve mistreated us and remind them of their oversight. Instead of doing that, take your pain to God.

Second, expect God to reverse your disappointment. God is the master of reversing hurts. Remember the story of Joseph in the Old Testament? Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. Then in Genesis 50, 20 years later, he said, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Joseph had every reason to be cynical. His own family had sold him out. But he wasn’t cynical.

Moses had a similar experience. The people had been whining and complaining because they didn’t have water – and when they did get water, it was bitter. But where did God lead them after that? He led them to a land of abundant water. He reversed the situation.
Friend, I don’t know how you’ve been taken for granted, but I do know one thing. God has not forgotten you. He’s seen every act of service. Others may take you for granted. But God doesn’t. Never forget that.

Blessings,

PK

OUT WITH THE OLD...IN WITH THE NEW

2008-10-15T10:58:00.002-04:00

"No one pours new wine into old wineskins." Mark 2:22 NIV

Jon Walker writes: "A few miles from my house there's a convenience store that went through a make-over. However, the employees may have missed the make-over memo. The kid behind the counter wore a new uniform...but he also wore the same sullen look I'd seen before. It made me think about how we try to put new wine into old wineskins.

Jesus says we're bound to fail because 'the wine will burst the skins and both...will be ruined.' But don't we, do the same, when it comes to our Christian walk? The new wine of honesty-at-work, poured into the old wineskin of cutting corners. The new wine of unconditional love, poured into the old wineskin of hatred for the family two doors down. The new wine of worship, poured into the old wineskin of idolizing money, power, music or the latest video game. The new wine of Bible study, poured into the old wineskin of 'gotta-go-pop-tart-for-breakfast' busyness. The new wine of humility, poured into the old wineskin of conceit. The new wine of forgiveness, poured into the old wineskin of bitterness. The new wine of others first, poured into the old wineskin of selfish ambition. The new wine of joy, poured into the old wineskin of jealousy and factions. The new wine of peace, poured into the old wineskin of discord."

Any of these ring a bell? If they do, it's time we asked God to help us abandon the old wineskins of carnality and make us a strong, new, clean vessel. As a new creation, we're no longer defined by old behaviors; you're defined by your relationship with Christ.

So I vote for CHANGE!!! Out with the old and in with the new!

Blessings,

PK

HINDERED PRAYER

2008-10-09T09:19:00.001-04:00

"If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." 1 John 5:14 NKJV
Hindrances to answered prayer

Another hindrance to answered prayer is - praying outside of God's will. The Bible says: "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us and...we know...that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him." One of the best ways to make sure we are praying according to God's will, is to pray according to His Word. Use a verse, a passage or a principle from Scripture to back up what you're praying, for God says, "I am ready to perform My word" (Jer 1:12 NKJV).

Sometimes there are things we want to pray for, but we aren't sure whether those things are God's will for us according to Scripture. In this case we simply need to ask God to give it, if it's His will to do so - and to help us to be satisfied with His decision. St. Augustine said, "O, Lord, grant that I may do thy will as if it were mine; so that thou mayest do my will as if it were thine." D.L. Moody said, "Spread out your petition before God, and then say, 'Thy will, not mine, be done.' The sweetest lesson I have learned in God's school, is to let the Lord choose for me."

When we pray in harmony with God, we will have what we ask for. We may have to wait, because God's timing is part of His will, but it will come. We can say, "I may not see it yet, but God has promised it to me, so it's on the way." And if God doesn't give us what we ask for, He will give us something better, if we walk in faith and keep a good attitude.

Keep on Praying,

Pastor Kevin

A HINDRANCE TO ANSWERED PRAYER

2008-10-08T09:44:00.001-04:00

One hindrance to answered prayer is - sin! Lillian Pearsall says: "When I was a telephone operator, a customer talked overtime on a long-distance call from a pay phone. Even with my friendly reminders, he refused to deposit his overtime coins. Instead he slammed down the phone, irate and verbally abusive. A few seconds later he was back on the line - somewhat calmer. 'Operator, please let me out of the phone booth - I'll pay, just let me out!' Apparently he had locked himself in and mistakenly thought that I had control over the phone booth's doors. He gladly paid the overtime charge, and with my advice, gave the door a hefty kick and set himself free."
Unconfessed sin locks us in and shuts God out. If we have hidden sin in our hearts, we cannot pray with confidence that God will answer. However, if we ask Him to reveal our sin, He will. When He does, we must deal with it if we want to keep the lines of communication open. If God reminds us of a situation in which we didn't do the right thing, we can't just sweep it under the rug; we have to acknowledge it and receive His forgiveness.
What we call "little things," grow into sinful habits and lifelong patterns. So when God reveals our sin we need to repent and stop what we are doing. We need to take Him seriously - immediately! This means doing everything within our power to make sure our relationship with Him is unobstructed. That way our prayers will be heard and answered.

"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." Psalm 66:1

Blessings,

Pastor Kevin

DOWN TO MOTIVES

2008-10-07T08:55:00.002-04:00

"Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved." (Ephesians 1:5–6)

There are a lot of people who think they should keep the Ten Commandments because they are under the impression that God will punish them if they don’t. But the fact is that God loves us, and we should keep His commandments because we are aware of His incredible love. For example, I want to keep my marriage vow because of the love I have for my wife Kelly.

We need to know that God accepts us as we are. We don’t have to do anything to earn His approval. We don’t have to do anything to merit His love. In spite of our shortcomings and in spite of our sins, God loves us.

Some people come from homes in which their fathers never expressed love or showed any affection toward them. Therefore, they take that image of their earthly fathers and place it on their Heavenly Father. They spend the rest of their lives trying to earn the approval of God, who already has given His approval to them.

He loves us just as we are. Of course, He doesn’t want to leave us that way. We change because of our association with our Heavenly Father. The change is not because God is unhappy with me, but rather it is a return to the original intention God had for me.

Realizing this should cause us to want to love Him. As 1 John 4:19 says, “We love Him because He first loved us.” So instead of wanting to keep God’s commandments to earn His love, we should want to keep them because of His love for us. We should want to keep His commandments because we know they are right. It all comes down to our motives.

Be Blessed today,

Pastor Kevin

THE BLESSINGS OF GOD

2008-10-06T12:33:00.003-04:00

There is a fable about a man who found an enormous building in Heaven. Inside the building, he saw rows and rows of neatly stacked boxes, each tied with a satin bow. When the man found the box with his name on it, he quickly tore it open. Inside his box, he found all the blessings that God had wanted to give to him while he was on earth…but he had never asked.

In Genesis 12:2 and 3, God gave Abraham a sevenfold promise, and two of those were, first, “I will bless you,” revealing that God wants to bless us individually. Second, “And you will be a blessing.” The Hebrew is taken as an imperative. This is really a command. God blesses us so that we can be a blessing.

Augustine stated, “God is more anxious to bestow His blessings on us than we are to receive them.” In Psalm 21:3 David wrote of himself, “For You meet him with the blessing of goodness.” The word “meet” means “to anticipate, to precede, to foresee and fulfill in advance, to pay a debt before it is due.” Furthermore, in almost every usage, it implies something of pleasure. He claimed God’s promise of blessing.

Dr. S. D. Gordon wrote that he could never forget his mother’s paraphrase of Malachi 3:10. The verse begins, “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,” and ends, “I will pour.” Her paraphrase was this: “Give all He asks; take all He promises.”

God states in Isaiah 65:24, “It will come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.” David Wilkerson commented, “This verse provides us with an incredible picture of our Lord’s love for us. Evidently, He is so anxious to bless us, so ready to fulfill His lovingkindness in our lives, that He can’t even wait for us to tell Him our needs. He jumps in and performs acts of mercy, grace and love toward us. And that is a supreme pleasure to Him.”

Ephesians 1:3 reveals our heavenly Father is the source of our spiritual blessing. Philippians 4:19 tells us that He supplies our temporal blessings through Christ. Psalm 103 lists five of God’s benefits for His people. Someone has described them as: First, God’s court of law, “Who forgives all your iniquities.” Second, God’s hospital, “Who heals all your diseases.” Third, God’s safe haven, “Who redeems your life from destruction.” Fourth, God’s throne room, “Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies.” Fifth, God’s banquet hall, “Who satisfies your mouth with good things.”

“How thankful we should be that God’s blessings are dispensed according to the riches of His grace, and not according to the poverty of our faith” (Arthur W. Pink).

(by David Arnold)

“And this is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:

‘The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make His face to shine upon you,

And be gracious unto you;

The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,

And give you peace.’

So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”

(Numbers 6:23 – 27)

Blessings,

Pastor Kevin

NOW IS THE TIME

2008-10-01T11:56:00.001-04:00

The prophet Hosea wrote, “Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground. FOR IT IS TIME TO SEEK THE LORD, till He comes and rains righteousness on you” (10:12). Spurgeon stated, “Whenever God determines to do a great work, He first sets His people to pray.” He was also asked the reason of his marvelous power in the ministry. Pointing to the floor of the Metropolitan Tabernacle, he said, “In the room beneath, you will find three hundred praying Christians. Every time I preach they gather there, and uphold my hands by continuous prayer and supplications. It is in that room that you find the secret of the blessings.”

In James 5:16, we read, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” The word “effective” comes from a Greek root word that means “a fixed position.” It is suggestive of an unmovable, unshakeable mindset. “Fervent” speaks of boldness, built on solid evidence and absolute proof, that supports our prayers. Taken together, we have the exhortation to stand on God’s proven evidence that He will hear and answer when we pray. William Cowper was correct when he said, “Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees.”

A sincere lady questioned, “Pastor, I have sought a deeper experience with God all these years and I don’t have it. I have read books. I have read what to do, and all the rules, but I am nowhere yet. Does God have favorites?” Her pastor replied, “No, my dear, God does not have favorites. But he does have intimates.” Hebrews 10:19 tells us that we have “boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus.” “Boldness” indicates complete freedom of speech, without any reservation whatsoever. Someone wrote, “Prayer is the openness of the soul to God; the out-looking, up-looking of the soul to God; the humble sense of self, the silent and the spoken cry for the light and help of God.”

A new organ was installed in a New York City church. The first Sunday it was used, the electric current that was required to operate the console went off at a point early in the service. A hurried call for help brought a mechanic. Soon a note was sent up, and handed to the pastor. The note said, “After the prayer, the power will be on!” A prayerless church is a powerless church. A church that prays will do exploits.

Romans 13:11, 12, “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.”

“There have been revivals without much preaching, but there has never been a mighty revival without mighty praying” (R. A. Torrey).

(by David Arnold)

Blessings,

Pastor Kevin

GOSSIP

2008-09-23T15:40:00.001-04:00

Morgan Blake, a writer for the “Atlanta Journal,” wrote the following: “I am more deadly than the screaming shell from the howitzer. I win without killing. I tear down homes, break hearts, and wreck lives. I travel on the wings of the wind. No innocence is strong enough to intimidate me, no purity pure enough to daunt me. I have no regard for truth, no respect for justice, no mercy for the defenseless. My victims are as numerous as the sands of the sea, and often as innocent. I never forget and seldom forgive. My name is Gossip.”

In Proverbs 6:16 – 19, we read of seven things God hates, and three relate to the tongue: a lying tongue, a false witness, and sowing discord. Augustine had a motto printed on the wall of his dining room: “He that speaks an evil word of an absent man or woman is not welcome at this table.”

We read in Proverbs 26:21, “The words of a talebearer (gossip or slanderer) are as wounds, and they go down into the inmost parts of the body.” Someone stated, “Of all the wounds inflicted upon others, the hardest to heal are those made by the tongue.” Dr. A. B. Simpson declared, “I would rather play with forked lightning or take in my hands living wires, than to speak a reckless word against any servant of Christ, or idly repeat the slanderous darts which thousands of Christians are hurling on others to the hurt of their own souls and bodies.”

Christ said in Matthew 12:34, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” By examining the tongue of the patient, physicians find out the diseases of the body, philosophers discover the diseases of the mind, and God knows the sins of the heart. The Jewish teachers taught: “Four persons are shut out from the presence of God – the scoffer, the hypocrite, the liar, and the retailer of slander.”

A Greek philosopher asked his servant to provide the best dish possible. The servant prepared a dish of tongue, saying, “It is the best of all dishes, because with it we may bless and communicate happiness, dispel sorrow, remove despair, cheer the fainthearted, inspire the discouraged, and say a hundred other things to uplift mankind.” Later, the philosopher asked his servant to provide the worst dish of which he could think. A dish of tongue appeared at the table. The servant said, “It is the worst, because with it we may curse and break human hearts, destroy reputations, promote discord and strife, set families, communities, and nations at war with each other. “

“The proof that you have God’s Spirit in your life is not that you speak with an unknown tongue, but that you know how to control the tongue that you do know about,” (J. Sidlow Baxter).

Psalm 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”

(By David Arnold)

Be Blessed,

Pastor Kevin

THE PROMISES OF GOD

2008-09-16T12:38:00.001-04:00

George W. Truett, while serving as pastor of First Baptist Church, in Dallas, Texas, told his congregation, “The New Testament speaks of three precious things: ‘The precious blood of Christ’( 1 Peter 1:19); ‘like precious faith’ ( 2 Peter 1:1), and “exceedingly great and precious promises’ ( 2 Peter 1:4).”

Everek R. Storms, successful author and an active layman in the Missionary Church, in an article called, “Standing On The Promises,” stated, “The Holy Scriptures contain a grand total of 8,810 promises. How do I know? I counted them…There are 7,487 promises that God has given to man. This is about 85 per cent of all the promises in the Bible.” Peter referred to them as “exceedingly great and precious promises,” meaning “rich and wonderful blessings He promised” (TLB).

A missionary endeavored successfully to teach faith in prayer to his converts. He told them he would not accept any prayer request they brought to him, unless it was accompanied with a promise they had found in the Bible that matched the nature of their request. In Psalm 112, the Psalmist speaks of the person “who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments,” verse one. Then, in verse seven, we read, “His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” The word “steadfast” means, “grounded solidly on God’s promises.” In 2 Corinthians 1:20, Paul speaks of “all the promises of God.” “Promises” here means, “to summons, to proclaim and announce, to undertake, to do, or give something.” God’s promises summon us to proclaim them as ours.

A. W. Tozer stated, “Always remember this, that God is always bigger than anything God can say, because words are inadequate to express God and what God can do. Any promise that God ever made, God has to over fulfill it. The reason being that God is so great, and His heart is so kind, and His desire is so intense and tremendous, that language doesn’t express it. Not the Greek, not the English, and no language expresses God – it can’t. If language could contain God, the language would be equal to God. So, everything God says in the Bible must be understood to be a little greater than what He says, even as God is greater than language.”

Joshua 23:14, “Not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled.” (NIV).

(by David Arnold)

You are Blessed,

Pastor Kevin

YOU PICK LORD!!

2008-09-15T13:37:00.003-04:00

"He went on a little farther and fell face down on the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.” (Matthew 26:39)

There are some people who teach that we should never pray, “Not my will, but Yours be done,” because it supposedly voids what you have just prayed for.

What nonsense. If Jesus prayed this, certainly we should follow His example.

He gave us the same pattern in the Lord’s Prayer when He said, “May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done here on earth, just as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). I never need to be afraid to say, “Lord, Your will be done.”

Then there are those who say that we should only pray for something once; otherwise, we are demonstrating a lack of faith.

Yet Jesus taught His disciples, “Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened” (Luke 11:9). We give up far too easily sometimes.

We won’t always know the will of God in every situation. Then there are times when we will know the will of God, but we won’t like it. Finally, there are times when we will know the will of God, but we don’t understand it.

I like what the late D. L. Moody said, “Spread out your petition before God, and then say, ‘Thy will, not mine, be done.’ ” Moody concluded, “The sweetest lesson I have learned in God’s school is to let the Lord choose for me.”

Have you found that to be true? We must never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.

Remember, each time I trust God with anything, I have added to the currency of our relationship. God can be trusted.

(By David Arnold)

Blessings,

Pastor Kevin

BAD COMPANY

2008-09-11T13:01:00.003-04:00

Peter said, “I swear by God, I don't know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. (Matthew 26:74)

Peter’s denial of Jesus did not happen over a period of seconds or minutes, but over a period of hours. An hour had passed from the time the first person said, “You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean,” to the time Peter made his second denial. He had ample opportunity to hightail it out of there, but he remained in this situation.

It just reminds us of the fact that no person is safe from temptation except the one who flees from it. Peter, having been warned by Jesus himself, of all people, should have avoided any place where he could be weakened. He definitely should have steered clear of all roosters.

I would have said, “Are there any roosters here? Because I’m leaving if there are. The Lord mentioned a rooster.”

Greater men and women of God than most of us certainly have been compromised by lowering their standards and allowing themselves to be drawn into sin.

People like Solomon. Samson. David. They all found out the hard way. Are we better than they were? Are we more spiritual than they were? I don’t think so.

If someone like Simon Peter was capable of falling, then surely we are. 1 Corinthians 15:33 tells us, “Bad company corrupts good character. ” Peter was around people who were dragging him down spiritually.

Are you in a similar situation today? Have you entered into relationships where people are dragging you down? Maybe it’s a romance. Maybe it’s a close friendship. Are you finding yourself compromising your principles to fit in and not offend anyone?

My friend Kent Mattox from Word Alive in Alabama said to me that he thought that God worked both through inspiration and association to mature and grow us. I've always heard that if you are the biggest fish in your pond, it will limit how far you can go. Who we associate with does make a difference, it is a bible fact. People without faith can quickly drag you down. I am challenged to flee temptation and associate with those that inspire me to be better.

And NO, that does not mean we should not pursue lost people. I believe that our good associations will compel us to love the lost and hurting while bad associations make us get down in the mud with those that are running. Just something to think about.

Blessings,

Pastor Kevin

FINDING THE TRUTH

2008-09-10T14:36:00.002-04:00

Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find witnesses who would lie about Jesus, so they could put him to death. (Matthew 26:59)

We might wonder how the religious leaders of Jesus’ day could be so heartless as to take Him and put Him to such a quick death. Where was their compassion? Where was their sense of fairness?

Even if they didn’t accept Him as the Messiah, what was behind this hatred toward Him? Why did they desire such a quick execution?

We could take the same question and apply it to the broader issue of why people reject Jesus Christ without ever taking time to consider His claims.

Why do people reject the revelation of Scripture, when in most cases, they have never taken the time to read it for themselves? Why is that people refuse to give at least a fair hearing to the message of the gospel?

Jesus said, “Their judgment is based on this fact: The light from heaven came into the world, but they loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil” (John 3:19).

This is a hard but true fact, Sometimes people love the darkness more than they love the Lord. This keeps them from searching for Jesus and giving Him control of their life. Jesus tells us that this happens because of evil deeds. Our actions do indeed speak louder than our words.

I am not saying that people do not have legitimate questions to ask. I am not saying people do not grapple with some of these truths.

What I am saying is that when people are true seekers of God and they are presented with the answers to their questions, they will believe.

Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)

Let's be God seekers and then we will find our answers.

Blessings,

Pastor Kevin

BITTERNESS

2008-09-08T11:10:00.001-04:00

A mortician at Forest Lawn Cemetery in California told of a man who, many years ago, spent $ 200,000 on his own funeral. Having become bitter towards his estranged wife and children, he squandered all his money on his own burial and left them nothing. Because the casket and other expenses added up to only $ 100,000, he directed that the remaining $ 100,000 be spent on orchids! Sadly, only three people attended that memorial service. What a warped sense of value and waste of money. What a lesson to be learned from harboring a spirit of bitterness.

The writer to the Hebrews warned that “any root of bitterness springing up” can “cause trouble, and by this many are become defiled” (12:15). The words “root of bitterness” are used metaphorically, speaking of how bitterness produces bitter fruit. Helen Grace, writing of bitterness, stated, “It grows. It distorts reality. It keeps us chained to the past. Like bad air, it pollutes not just the bitter person, but those who come in contact with the person.”

Nothing is more counterproductive to the human spirit than bitterness and resentment. These two enemies of our lives have ruined people throughout history. Some go through life blaming their parents for their failures. Ministers have left their pulpits, and families have been destroyed because of resentment and bitterness being out of control. Pastor Dan Betzer wrote, “My friends in the medical profession tell me that bitterness often causes physical problems such as nervous disorders, heart disease, and ulcers. And mental problems such as paranoia have their seeds in bitterness.”

Bitterness corrodes the spirit. This was true of Judas Iscariot. Over time, he became so revengeful and bitter towards the Lord, that nothing could save him. Not even the sight of Jesus kneeling before him to wash his feet (John 13:5), and not even the final appeal of Jesus at the supper table (John 13:26). Sadly, his bitterness destroyed him (Matthew 27:5). Charles Buxton warned, “Bad temper is its own scourge. Few things are more bitter that to feel bitter. A man’s venom poisons himself more than his victim.”

Bitterness kills. Corrie Ten Boom, survivor of Ravensbruck, helped to establish hospitals in Holland to care for the sick who had come through Nazi concentration camps during World War 11. In her work, Miss Ten Boom observed a strange phenomenon. Those who refused to forgive the Germans for their cruelty declined in health, and a number of them died. However, those who chose to forgive their tormentors steadily improved, and eventually went home. FORGIVENESS HEALS.

(David Arnold)

Ephesians 4:31, “Let all bitterness…be put away from you.”

Blessings,

Pastor Kevin

MUCH TO DO TODAY

2008-09-04T10:56:00.003-04:00

I love receiving things that encourage as well as challenge me to be greater. Tim Holt forwarded this list of things to do everyday, to me. It's great, thanks Tim!!!! It is packed with great reminders of how we need to live our lives. The list strikes me in this way; I have so much to do that I don't have time to worry or fret or gossip or complain or waste. If you are trying to reach me, I will be busy working on my list. :):) Let's all use each day as the gift from God it is. God calls it the present because it is His gift. Be Blessed.

42 THINGS TO DO EACH DAY:

1. When you wake up in the morning, always start your day with a prayer/vision.
2. And then, complete the following statement, My purpose is to__________ today.
3. Take a 10 to 30-minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
4. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.
5. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
6. Drink plenty of water and fresh juices.Eat blueberries,salad, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds, etc.
7. Make at least three people smile each day.
8. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires,
issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot
control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present.
9. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone, so give the best of your kindness.
11. Take yourself seriously.
12. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
14. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about. Don't compare your partner with others either.
15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you. So, be happy.
16. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
17. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; Responsibility for all your actions.
18. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
19. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: In five years, will it matter?
Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.
Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and
fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will
last a lifetime.
20. Forgive everyone for everything.
21. Read more books and watch less TV than you did last year.
22. What other people think of you is none of your business.
23. God has everything you'll every need in life so hook up with Him.
24. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
25. In disagreements with loved ones, deal with the current situation; don't bring up the past.
26. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
27. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your family and friends will. Stay in touch.
28. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
29. Keep believing that the best is yet to come.
30. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
31. Each day give something good to others.
32. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
33. Sleep for 7 hours every day or whatever your body needs.
34. Don't trust someone who doesn't close their eyes when you kiss them.
35. Remember that the best relationship is one where your love for each other is greater than your need for each other.
36. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes ok.
37. Do the right thing!
38. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:
I am thankful for__________
Today I accomplished_________
39. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
40. Trust in God, but lock your car.
41. Realize that as you get older, you are not approaching death, but heaven.
42. Know that GOD heals everything.

Psalm 18:1-3
(1)will love You, O LORD, my strength.
(2) The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
(3) I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies.
(NKJV)

Have a Blessed Day,

Pastor Kevin

THE SCALE

2008-09-03T09:22:00.003-04:00

I ran across this article (David Arnold)and thought it was challenging for all of us. God's boundaries serve to help us spiritually. God Bless you today and remember, Pass the Test.

The Los Angeles Times ran an article about widespread petty theft. In it, an attorney admitted that he would wait for someone to purchase a newspaper from a vending machine and grab the door before it closed to get his paper without paying. He could afford the paper, so why would he do such a thing? He explained, “The newspaper makes so much money, taking one paper won’t matter.”

Solomon wrote, “Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord,” Proverbs 11:1. “Dishonest scales” is literally “balances of deceit,” and the word “abomination” implies an extraordinary degree of hatred and detestation. Charles Spurgeon told his church, “It is never to do a little wrong, to obtain the greatest possible good. Your duty is to do the right: consequences are with God; and after all it never can be, in the long run, a good thing either for you or for others to do wrong.”

Here are some dishonest practices condemned by the Bible. Using short weights and measures - Deuteronomy 25:13 – 15; Leviticus 19:35, 36. Cheating a seller – Proverbs 20:14. Refusing to pay wages – Jeremiah 22:13; Leviticus 19:13. Shifting landmarks – Job 24:2. Defrauding –Leviticus 6:2; 19:13. Borrowing without repaying – Psalm 37:21. Keith Miller spoke a word of concern when he stated, “It has never ceased to amaze me that we Christians have developed a kind of selective vision which allows us to be deeply and sincerely involved in worship and church activities, and yet almost totally pagan in the day in, day out guts of our business lives and never realize it.”

In Proverbs 20:23, we read that God “loathes all cheating and dishonesty” (TLB), and Paul wrote to Timothy about living a life of “honesty,” 1 Timothy 2:2. Madison Sarratt taught mathematics at Vanderbilt University for many years. Before giving a test, he would admonish his students, “Today I am giving two examinations – one in trigonometry and the other in honesty. I hope you will pass them both. If you must fail one, fail trigonometry. There are many good people in the world who can’t pass trigonometry, but there are no good people in the world who cannot pass the examination of honesty.”

“No legacy is so rich as honesty” (William Shakespeare Emerson).

Pastor Kevin

DON'T HOLD ON TO THE PAST

2008-08-29T11:35:00.003-04:00

The Bible talks in great detail about dreams. When I think about dreams, Joseph immediately comes to my mind. God gave him a dream that changed the course of his families as well as the nation of Israel's destiny. It brought great difficulties to him before it proved true but God really spoke through the dream.

I have really enjoyed having people in our church that are trained to interpret dreams. It is amazing the doors of ministry it has opened for the church to reach out into the community as well as meet need among our own congregation. What I have discovered is, God is really speaking to us through dreams.

While I don't claim to be one who has completed the course on dream interpretation, I do believe God gave me insight to a dream I had recently and its application. I have shared it with the congregation and now want to post it here on the blog site.

I saw 3 white cars in a beautiful parking lot. All 3 cars were in great shape but one was an older body style, one was current and the final one looked futuristic. All of a sudden there was a mass of people, that I only saw from the back, running to get into the cars. The cars cranked and got ready to move. Suddenly, the older one blew up and steam and liquid spewed from under the hood. The other two cars left the parking lot while the one was stranded. The people riding in that car got out and I saw several things. Some were upset and yelling while others were in pain.

The Lord spoke to me several days later about it's meaning. I have been diligently praying daily for increase in the gifts of the Holy Spirit and God revealed to me that this was a word of wisdom given to me in a night vision for our church body.

God said that anyone holding onto past things as the way to move forward would find themselves; burned, frustrated and stranded. I can think of many things in the natural to use as examples or illustrations but the Lord said that was all I needed to say.

I find often times that I get myself stuck dwelling on yesterday's provision. I need to cling to God's provision for today only. This has re energized my prayer life. I want to be found seeking God on a daily basis so God can keep me moving forward. I do want to remind myself of God's past faithfulness but at the same time, seek him for new provision today.

I am discovering that His mercies really are new everyday. Designed specifically for what today brings.

I encourage us to have a new experience with our Heavenly Father today. It will propel us forward.

Be Blessed,

Pastor Kevin

KNOW HIS WILL

2008-08-28T13:48:00.003-04:00

The question of knowing what God wants me to do is a big one in the life of the christian. I think all of us feel like if we knew what God wanted us to do, then we would be at peace and able to do our best. When we have a big question mark, I believe we pull back and get timid. God's word has an answer for discovering His will. Caution before you read this, you may not like it. Just wanted to give a little disclaimer before offering the scripture. God says...

"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)

We find in Romans 12:1–2 what we call a conditional promise. The promise is that you can know what the perfect will of God is for your life. The conditions are that you must present yourself to God and that you must not be conformed to this world.

Notice the order. First, you offer yourself as a living sacrifice, and then you will know the will of God. A living sacrifice!!!! Kind of sounds to me like an operation while you are awake without any medecine. In other words, not a whole lot of fun. We tend to want to know God’s will first and then decide whether we want to give ourselves to it.

It reminds me dinner time around our house. Kelly will ask him the girls “Are you hungry?”
Often the response is, “What are you cooking?” If it is vegetables, then they are not hungry at that particular moment. But if it is ice cream, then they are ready to eat.

In the same way, we will sometimes say, “Lord, what is your will? Before God reveals his will to us, He is looking for a surrendered heart. The revelation of purpose and vision will not be revealed until there is total surrender. The question is, are we going to do what He says? The part that makes this so challenging is that God sees the intentions and desires of our heart. He knows where our sincerity level is at all times. It has been said that the condition of an enlightened mind is a surrendered heart. I agree with the statement and God.

If you want to know the will of God, then you must have a heart that is surrendered. Present yourself to Him. Then you will know the good, pleasing and acceptable will of God. This is a powerful and awesome exchange.

Remember, this Sunday, we finish the series: "You want me to do what?"

God Bless You,

Pastor Kevin

Walking with Jesus

2008-08-19T08:03:00.003-04:00

It is so difficult to know God in difficult circumstances. A man named Greg Laurie is a minister who just lost his college age student. He has been writing about God's grace to him and his family in the circumstance. I thought this was a powerful revelation from a man walking through a deep valley. Be blessed today and remember to tell the people you love that you love them. I hope you enjoy his word.

"After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country." (Mark 16:12)

I think it’s interesting to note those to whom Jesus chose to appear after His resurrection. We don’t read about Him appearing to Caiaphas or Caesar. Now if it had been me, the first person I would have appeared to would have been Pilate: “Yo, Pilate! Remember me? Can’t keep a good man down, can you?” Or I would have appeared to Caiaphas, the high priest who, for the most part, orchestrated the crucifixion.

But it is interesting how Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus and joined them on their journey. We don’t know who they were, and they are not mentioned again in the Bible.
The Bible tells us that Jesus appeared in another form to them as they went into the country. In other words, He was going incognito. They didn’t know that it was Jesus. The last sight they had of the Lord was His beaten and bloodied body. Surely they wanted to get that image out of their minds. There they were, walking along, and Jesus was walking with them. It’s a reminder to us that at all times, even when we don’t realize it, Jesus is walking with us.

Isaiah 43:2 promises, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.”

Maybe when you are in church, you feel close to God. But wherever you go, you can know that Jesus is with you there too. When you are going through hard times, even when you cannot feel Him, Jesus is there.

Sunday, Part 2 of "you want me to do what?"

If schools are closed Wednesday, we will have no church that night.

Blessings,

Pastor Kevin

THE POWER OF THE CROSS

2008-08-18T11:29:00.003-04:00

Oswald Chambers is one of my favorite devotional writers. I always find great encouragement in the word found in, "My utmost for His Highest". I found this thought on the work of the cross and though it would be a blessing to our church today. More than just something to put here or to have something to write, I believe that understanding the in depth and complete work of the cross is essential in the life of a believer. It is the difference in life and death. It's the difference in whether you will live in grace or under the law. I hope God enriches our lives today to walk in freedom and grace.

Chambers writes, "We trample the blood of the Son of God underfoot if we think we are forgiven because we are sorry for our sins. The only reason for the forgiveness of our sins by God, and the infinite depth of His promise to forget them, is the death of Jesus Christ. Our repentance is merely the result of our personal realization of the atonement by the Cross of Christ, which He has provided for us. ". . . Christ Jesus . . . became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption . . ." ( 1 Corinthians 1:30 ). Once we realize that Christ has become all this for us, the limitless joy of God begins in us. And wherever the joy of God is not present, the death sentence is still in effect.

No matter who or what we are, God restores us to right standing with Himself only by means of the death of Jesus Christ. God does this, not because Jesus pleads with Him to do so but because He died. It cannot be earned, just accepted. All the pleading for salvation which deliberately ignores the Cross of Christ is useless. It is knocking at a door other than the one which Jesus has already opened. We protest by saying, "But I don’t want to come that way. It is too humiliating to be received as a sinner." God’s response, through Peter, is, ". . . there is no other name . . . by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12 ). What at first appears to be heartlessness on God’s part is actually the true expression of His heart. There is unlimited entrance His way. "In Him we have redemption through His blood . . ." ( Ephesians 1:7 ). To identify with the death of Jesus Christ means that we must die to everything that was never a part of Him.
God is just in saving bad people only as He makes them good. Our Lord does not pretend we are all right when we are all wrong. The atonement by the Cross of Christ is the propitiation God uses to make unholy people holy.

God Bless You today. Please remember to come the Sunday for part 2 of "You want me to do what?"

Also, remember that we will follow the Orange County public school decision for closure in determining our Wednwsday night services. We are believing for some needed rain only, to renew the land as this storm passes by the state of Florida.

Pastor Kevin

GOD GETS THE GLORY

2008-08-14T09:37:00.001-04:00

None of us enjoy suffering. I hate it personally and it sure makes us have to answer some hard questions about our faith. The really cool part is God is up to the challenge. It might all pass through His hands but know this; He is a loving and remarkable God. A few days ago we discovered that any kind of suffering makes us stronger. When the walls are strong, the city rejoices the bible declares.

Next, God can get glory through our suffering. Anyone can be at peace when the sun shines down from a blue and cloudless sky. But when those qualities shine out from the midst of a dark and destructive storm, that’s another matter entirely.
That, in essence, was the challenge Satan laid before God. “Job follows you because you have blessed him in every way, but if those things were taken away, it would be a different story. He would curse you.”

In order to show the falsehood of Satan’s argument—and to strengthen Job’s faith at the same time—God allowed these multiple tragedies to crash into Job’s life.
The result? Job not only refused to curse God, he actually blessed Him. What a rebuke to the enemy! What a witness to the world.
It is a powerful testimony when a believer can praise God while suffering. Remember the story of Paul and Silas, arrested for preaching the gospel in the city of Philippi? The Bible tells us that the jailer had them stripped and flogged. Then they were put in a dungeon, where their feet were fastened in stocks.

How did they respond? Here’s what the Bible says:
“But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” (Acts 16:25 nkjv) That word “listened” could be translated as listened with great interest. Why? Because they had never heard anybody sing praises to God in such a place. And that’s about the time the Lord sent an earthquake: “At once the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” (Acts 16:26-28 niv)
The jailer responded by saying, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” In effect, he was saying, “I’ve been watching you guys. I’ve seen how you have taken such terrible punishment without cursing. I’ve seen how you can worship in the worst circumstances, and how you could have escaped but didn’t. All I can say is, whatever you have, I want it.”

Your circumstances may not be as dire as those of Paul and Silas. But people are watching you. If you’re in the midst of a hardship or a difficulty, they’re watching to see if you will really practice what you preach, and live out what you proclaim. The way you handle suffering in your life can bring great glory to God.Paul the apostle also suffered from an unnamed “thorn in the flesh.” No one really knows what it was, but he spoke of it in his letter to the Corinthian church, and said that he had asked the Lord on three separate occasions to remove it. But God said no. Even though God had done miracles through Paul, bringing healing to others, He chose not to bring that healing in the life of His loyal servant in this particular situation. When Paul asked why, God gave him this answer: “My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9 nlt). Was Paul discouraged by this answer? It sure doesn’t sound like it! He goes on to say, “So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. Since I know it is all for Christ’s good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (vv. 9-10).

So God can be glorified through our weakness. His light and power can shine through the chips, cracks, and cracks in your life, drawing others to Himself.

To God Be the Glory!!!

Remember, Sunday we begin the series, “YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT?

Bless You,

Pastor Kevin

TRANSFERED

2008-08-12T14:27:00.003-04:00

Never forget that God is in control of all the circumstances that surround a believer’s life. God is in control of your life, and involved in all the details.

Your suffering has not escaped His notice. Your situation has not somehow been buried in His inbox. He is intimately aware of everything going on in your world, and no detail is too small to escape His attention. The word “oops” is not in God’s vocabulary.
And as we can so clearly see from the book of Job, the devil can do nothing in the life of the believer without the express permission of God.
Okay, you say, but if He’s in control, why does He allow these hurtful things to happen to me and to people I love?

One reason is Suffering makes us strong. I know what you are thinking, I don't like that either.
The apostle James tells us: “When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives, my brothers, don’t treat them as intruders, but as friends. Realize that they come to test your faith and to produce in you the quality of endurance. . . . you will find you have become men of mature character, men of integrity, with no weak spots.” (James 1:2-4 phillips)

God allows hardship in our life so that our beliefs will become more real to us, and less theory. We can start living out our faith-life in the real world.
I’m reminded of all the people you see driving big SUVs. Most of these fancy rigs have 4x4 capabilities. Some guys take it a notch above that, buying those big gnarly tires, and mounting huge lights on top And what do they do with these powerful vehicles? They brag to their buddies, and say, “Yeah, just look at this thing. Look at what it can do. I could drive this baby up the side of a building.” Do you notice though that most of them never get the truck out in the dirt and mud so it can do what it was designed to do. They want it without spot or wrinkle. (that sounds kind of Biblical doesn't it) So they never want to actually use that vehicle for its intended purpose!!!

We can be that way with our beliefs. I can imagine God saying, “You know, you have a lot of really great beliefs. You talk about them all the time. I think it’s time you started putting some of them into practice. You talk about how you trust Me. You talk about how you believe I can provide for your every need. Let Me put you in a situation where you have no other resources and really have to trust Me for that provision.”
You see, God can allow these hardships and trials and shortfalls in our lives so that we will exercise our faith muscles, and step out on trust alone. We need to transfer our faith from the realm of theory to reality. Let the transfer begin. I will add another reason tomorrow as to why God will allow suffering.

Remember Sunday!! We begin the series, You want me to do WHAT?

You are the Head and not the Tail,

Pastor Kevin

LOOKING LIKE GOD

2008-08-11T11:02:00.006-04:00

William A. Ward said, "We are most like beasts when we kill. We are most like men when we judge. We are most like God when we forgive." I found this incredible story of forgiveness and perspective and thought it would be a great blessing to our lives.

Hubert Humphrey, a Democrat, and Richard Nixon, a Republican, were long time political foes. In 1968, Nixon won a bitter presidential race against Humphrey. The two men hated each other. In January of 1978, Hubert Humphrey died, after a long battle with cancer. At his funeral, there was a most striking scene. Richard Nixon, disgraced by Watergate and forced to leave office, was seated next to Humphrey’s wife, Muriel. There is a story behind this scene.
Three days before Humphrey died, a friend came to visit him. He told his friend that he had just called Richard Nixon. Both surprised and alarmed, his friend asked why he had phoned him. This was Humphrey’s reply: "From this vantage point, with the sun setting in my life, all the speeches, the political conventions, the crowds, and the bitter fights are behind me. At a time like this, you are forced to deal with your irreducible lessons, forced to grapple with that which is really important. What I have concluded about life is that when all is said and done, we must forgive each other, redeem each other, and move on. I forgave President Nixon, asked him to forgive me, which he did. Then I asked him to sit with my wife at my funeral."

It is easier to go through life with an open heart, that a clinched fist. C. S. Lewis declared, "To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you."
The Apostle Paul wrote to the believers at Ephesus, "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you," Ephesians 4:32. Jesus said in Matthew 5:43-45, that when we forgive we most resemble our Heavenly Father. Not praying for the sick, not giving, not ministering or all the things that are like the Lord, but forgiving. God puts a really high premium on forgiving. I guess because the price of forgiving us and giving us the ability to forgive was very costly.

It may not be in the Bible, but there is God’s own truth in Alexander Pope’s proverb, "To err is human, to forgive divine." Remember to show off our family resemblance by forgiving. God Bless You.

We start a brand new series this Sunday called, "YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT, GOD? I am really excited about what God will do this week.

(David Arnold)

Remember to seek the Lord this week. It will bring irresistible joy and make God bigger. (Psalm 70:4)

Pastor Kevin

YOU CALLED ME!!!

2008-08-08T13:18:00.002-04:00

When Kelly and I first got married, we always dreaded the phone bill coming at the end of the month. We lived in Virgina and both of our families lived out of state and we loved talking to them. When the bill arrived, we didn't like it so much. A few years ago one of the carriers came up with unlimited long distance. What a great idea!! (wish I had thought of it years before) We were constantly trying to get our families to call us so they would have to pay the bill. You see the company always bills the person who places the call. You make the call, you take care of the bill.

Evidently, God feels the same way. In John 15:16, Jesus says, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you...". Jesus picked us out to place His great grace and favor on our lives. Since he placed the call then He assumes the responsibility for the payment. That just makes me smile while I sit here typing. Someone else has to pay besides me. When God takes responsibility, he fulfills all the letter of the agreement. He never runs out of resources, gets tired or decides to quit. HE IS RESPONSIBLE! Not out of obligation but because He really wants to be our caregiver.

Jesus goes on in this verse to say, "...and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you." God confirms His call by adding some pretty incredible benefits. He appoints us to be fruitful. An appointment can only be removed by the one who made it. God's commitment is fruitfulness that lasts. Early in the 15th chapter of John He says He will reposition us, prune us and even burn away dead parts to keeps us fruitful.

The other great part of this responsibility is the last part of verse 16. He gives us whatever we ask the Father in His name. That is AWESOME!! What else should we expect though from someone who is willing to pay a bill that's not His? He Called Us!!!!

See ya Sunday, Expect great things from our God,

Pastor Kevin

“THE SPECK, THE PLANK, AND THE HYPOCRITE”

2008-08-05T12:35:00.002-04:00

In the nineteenth century, two of the greatest English preachers were Charles Spurgeon and Joseph Parker. In the early part of their ministries, they had a good relationship, even sometimes exchanging pulpits. They were examples of unity among Christians in England. Even though differing on some doctrinal points, they remained dear friends. After several years, Spurgeon discovered that Parker attended the theater, and accused him of being unspiritual. Parker found out that Spurgeon enjoyed cigars, and countered that Spurgeon was unspiritual. Their disagreement became so intense that they stopped speaking. Innocent people were forced to take sides. Instead of remaining stepping stones for love and brotherhood, they became stumbling blocks.

The statement, "Think of your own sins, and you will be more understanding of the sins of others," is good advice. In Matthew 7:1, Christ admonished, "Judge not, that you be not judged." He then warned of focusing on "the speck," (referring to a straw, a piece of chaff, or a very small particle) in someone else’s eye, while we maintain a "plank," (logs, or heavy beams on which the temple was built), in our own eye. According to Christ, the person with a log in his own eye, who attempts to deal with a tiny fault of another, is a hypocrite, someone who pretends to be which he is not. Our obligation is to put out of our lives those glaring faults that prevent us from properly appraising the character of another, before we seek to deal with the small faults of someone else.

John Wesley wrote to a friend, "The longer I live, the larger allowances I make for others. I exact more from myself, and less from others." The more we grow in grace, the more we will see how far short we fall from the perfection which is in Christ, and demonstrate a more charitable attitude towards one another.

A young parishioner noticed on his pastor’s desk a smooth, polished rock inscribed, "The First Stone." When he expressed surprise, his pastor explained that it was a constant reminder of John 8:7, "He who is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone."

"If you judge people, you have no time to love them" (Mother Teresa).

(By David Arnold)

Walk in love,

Pastor Kevin

Don't Quit!!!

2008-08-04T11:34:00.004-04:00

A young college student, in his freshman year, was struggling with a course in French. He was so discouraged that he wrote home to his parents expressing his temptation to drop out of school. His dad sent him a poster of a young man, around nineteen years of age, in his football uniform. He was sitting dejectedly at the far end of the bench, covered with mud, his hair disheveled, and his face buried in his hands. The caption reads, "I Quit." Elihu Root said, "Men do not fail; they give up trying." Here are some thoughts about "Wanting To Quit," then some input on "How Not To Quit."

"First: Wanting To Quit."

1. Wanting to quit is a sign of success, because only successful people can quit.
2. The more you have to quit, the more you want to quit. Samuel Johnson declared, "Great works are performed not by strength, but by perseverance."
3. You can enjoy the luxury of wanting to quit if you know you’re not going to quit. Wanting to quit, and actually quitting are not the same.
4. Quitting is really changing. Sometimes we all need a change, but don’t quit on an unfinished task, calling it change.

Second: "How Not To Quit."

1. Burn the bridges behind you. Oliver Wendell Holmes said, "To reach the port of heaven we must sail, sometimes with the wind and sometimes against – but we must sail, not drift or lie at anchor."
2. Don’t expose yourself to what you do not want to be. Ten years from now you will be what you read, view, and listen to via the media, and the people you associate with. Albert Einstein warned, "Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds."
3. Don’t tell anyone you want to quit, when you want to quit (except for a close trusted friend, and, even then, be cautious).
4. Lock yourself in so you can’t quit. Have a fixed and determined spirit. Great people are just ordinary people who just don’t quit. Marylin vos Savant stated, "Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent."

Now, for the rest of the story. I began with the illustration about the poster showing a young football player, despondent and defeated, with the caption, "I Quit." However, down on the bottom of the poster is a little picture of a black hill outside of Jerusalem, with a very crude cross, and next to it these words, "I didn’t!"

Jesus did not give up on us. He is still pressing forward for the best in our lives. When you want to quit, remember that God is your faithful Father. His past faithfulness is a deposit of his future plans to intervene in your life.

(By David Arnold)

Kelly and I love you very much, DON'T QUIT!!!

Pastor Kevin