Gracious Works

Gracious Works: Starbucks and the Providence of God

2011-08-06T08:08:00.000-04:00

Gracious Works: Starbucks and the Providence of God

Starbucks and the Providence of God

2011-08-06T08:01:00.004-04:00

As I write this, I am in Vero Beach, Florida. Holly and I drove down yesterday afternoon, and are going back to Steinhatchee this morning. The purpose of our quick trip, was to witness the baptism of our seven year old grandson, John William Andersen IV. God saved Johnny a few months ago, and he followed the LORD in baptism last night, along with three other young men.

I woke up this morning at 4:45 AM, and didn't want to wake the rest of the house trying to make coffee in an unfamiliar place, so I decided to grab a shower and head to Starbucks, where I could drink some coffee and have my morning devotions.

Upon my arrival at Starbucks at about 5:40 AM, I noticed only one other car in the parking lot, and a young man sitting at the table outside reading by the lights of the parking lot. I got out of my car walked up to the door, only to find it locked. They weren't open yet! I peered through the window and saw that there were workers in there, so I knew it wouldn't be long. I looked at the book the young man was reading and noticed that it was the Bible. I am affectionately referred to by my family as "the greeter" (at least I think it is affectionately), because of my tendency to speak to strangers. I asked the young man what he was reading, and looking up at me with a quizzical look, simply replied, "The Bible." I said, "It's good isn't it!" Looking up again, this time with an even a more quizzical look, simply said, "Yeah it is." I said, "Where are you reading in it?" He replied, "Samuel." I said,"Yeah, Samuel had a great mother but lousy sons."

By this time, they were turning on the lights and unlocking the door. Come to find out, they were running about 15 minutes late, just long enough for me to have this conversation with this young man.

After we got inside, I introduced myself, and found out his name was Jason. Jason, a young man in his mid to late 20s, was saved about 10 months ago, and gave testimony of all that God was doing in his life. He shared how that God had totally changed him, given him a job at Publix, and a Christian girl friend who had become his fiance. They are to be married in January.

As we continued our conversation, he shared with me that of late he had been experiencing a lot of opposition from the enemy, and was very discouraged. I was thankful that I could share with him, many things that God has used to in my life to bring me encouragement over the years. He had many questions, particularly about his upcoming marriage. I shared with him that Holly and I are celebrating 31 years of marriage on Monday, and some truth from Ephesians 5, that I have found helpful through the years.

Jason said that he normally would not be in Starbucks that early on a Saturday morning, but that he had been awake since 3:00 AM and decided to come to Starbucks at about 5:00 AM, and read his Bible and drink some coffee. I normally would not be at that Starbucks at all. But God in His providence had arranged for our meeting, and I was encouraged by it, and I believe he was as well.

When we got ready to leave, I asked if I could pray with him to which he heartily replied, "YES!" We prayed, exchanged cell phone numbers, and promised to keep in touch.

As I write this, I am back at Jeremy's and still haven't read my Bible yet, but I believe I have met with the LORD through fellowship with one of my brothers in Christ. Now to get in the WORD!

The Mothers in My Life.

2011-05-07T22:49:00.001-04:00

Tomorrow is Mother's Day. I have been working most of the day getting ready for the services that we will have at the church that I serve. I have been thinking all day about the mothers in my life. Tonight I want to write a tribute to them.

My mother Wanda Turner, was a godly, practical woman, who had much common sense. She was one of the hardest working people I have ever known. She was responsible, and she loved us kids unconditionally. She went home to be with the Lord two years ago, and there is not a day that goes by that I don't think about her. I am thankful for her and wish I could talk to her tonight. I always remembered her on mothers day, but I wish I would have done more for her.

My oldest daughter Rachel Andersen. I fully realize that she is my daughter and not my mother! My mind doesn't work as good as it used to but I am not that bad off yet! However she is the mother of two of my grandchildren. And I must say that I have profound respect for her as a mother. She loves her children and her family, and takes wonderful care of them. She loves the LORD, and is one of the best writers I have ever read. I am so proud of her! I love you Rach!

Cheryl Turner is my daughter in law, and the mother of two of my grandsons. I am thankful for how you love and take care of Preston, and Zac. as well as how you love Jeremy. You are a wonderful mother, and wife. We are blessed to have you in our family! I thank God for you!

Waynette Turner is my daughter in law and the mother of one of my granddaughters, one of my grandsons, and soon to be the mother of my youngest grandchild. Thank you for how you love and take care of your Alena, and Luke, and how you love Joel. We love you and are glad that you are in our family!

My youngest daughter Bethany Goddard. She is the mother of one of my grandson, and one of my granddaughters. I have seen you walk through very deep water in the last several months and come through stronger and more godly than even before. I am so thankful for how God is working in your life, and how you are a godly mother to your children, and as well as a godly wife to your husband. I pray for you daily, and love you more than I can say!

I have saved the best for last. Holly the mother of all my children. There is no way that I can put into words what you mean to me. I have the deepest and most profound respect for you. Your influence on our entire family cannot even be measured. You are the wife of my youth, and I am enjoying growing old with you. You make me very happy. You are the greatest mother I have ever known. Thank you for filling our lives with your smile, and your love! Your family deeply loves you!

The Blessedness of Confession

2008-08-12T08:47:00.008-04:00

“For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up* as by the heat of summer. Selah I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.” (Psa 32:3-5 ESV)

Two time presidential candidate John Edwards has been very much in the news for the last several days because of an affair that he had with Rielle Hunter. After denying the affair, he finally confessed to it in an interview with Bob Woodruff of ABC News. In that interview, he said that he had "made a mistake" and that he had confessed that mistake to his wife, and to his Lord, and had found forgiveness. I couldn't help but think about this incident when I read this text this morning as part of my Bible reading schedule.

The purpose if this writing is not to criticize or cast judgment on Mr. Edwards. I sincerely feel sorry for his wife and family. My hope is that he really does know the Lord Jesus Christ, and that he truly has received forgiveness, not only for the sin of adultery, but for all of his sins. The truth is, there is no one reading this, including the writer or is without sin, and in need of God's forgiveness through the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ.

But this incident reminds us of some truths about confession--truths that are found in this psalm. Allow me just to list some of them for you.

Happy is the man whose sin is forgiven. “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity,” (Psa 32:1-2 ESV) There is no greater joy, than knowing that all is well between you and the Lord, and that all of your sin is confessed and forgiven, and no longer held against you!
Miserable is the Christian who is living with un-confessed sin. “For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up* as by the heat of summer. Selah” (Psa 32:3-4 ESV) They are the recipients of God's chastening hand. They are acquainted with Godly sorrow, because the Spirit of God that lives within them is grieved, they are going to be grieved!
Confession involves more than saying "I made a mistake." “I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,”” (Psa 32:5 ESV) Notice that the psalmist did not say, "I confessed my mistakes" but rather, "I acknowledged my sin...I will confess my sin." A mistake is something that you did not intend to do. A sin is on purpose. It is rebellion against the commandments of God. It is much worse than a mistake. Jesus Christ did not die for our mistakes, rather He died for is sins!
God is faithful to forgive when true confession is made. “and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah” (Psa 32:5 ESV) This is something that we should stop and think on. God has forgiven you dear reader of every sin, if you have truly confessed it in dependence upon Christ! Therefore you can pray with confidence! “Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him.” (Psa 32:6 ESV)
Confession of sin gives confidence in time of trouble. “You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” (Psa 32:7-8 ESV) One of the most important elements of this is the confidence that God will lead and guide us!
Confession of sin restores our ability to enjoy our God. “but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD. Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” (Psa 32:10-11 ESV)
Confession of sin is evidence that we are truly trusting the LORD. but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.

"Father, please help us to confess our sins to you, and not live in the misery of unconfessed sin. Thank you for the promise of your Word that tells us that if we confess our sins you are faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousnesses." Thank you for the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have forgiveness of our sins."

How Do You React to Bad News?

2008-08-11T08:10:00.003-04:00

“As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. And I said, “O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your dispersed be under the farthest skies, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’ They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” Now I was cupbearer to the king.” (Neh 1:4-11 ESV)

How do you respond to bad news? Our automatic first response to bad news can tell us a lot about our hearts. In Nehemiah's case, his response was to weep and mourn, which are understandable human responses. But that is not all that he did. He prayed and fasted. This tells us where Nehemiah's confidence was. It could have been said of him, “He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.” (Psa 112:7 ESV)

Prayer and fasting indicate that we are in fact trusting in the LORD.

Notice several elements of his prayer.

1. He recognized the greatness of the God to whom he was speaking. “O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments," It is very important for us to realize that when we pray we are not just saying words in the air, but talking to the "great and awesome God" who is faithful to keep His promises.

2. He requested that God hear His prayer. "let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants,"

3. He confessed sin. " confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses." If we confess and repent of our sin, no matter what they have been, God will hear and forgive. This will put us in a position to get our prayers heard and answered.

4. He claimed a promise. "though your dispersed be under the farthest skies, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’" There are so many faith strengthening promises to claim, all of which God will be faithful to keep and honor.

5. He made His request. "They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.”

This pattern is so often repeated in Scripture that we dare not overlook it but pay close attention to it.

What problems are you facing today dear reader? In closing consider the following promises of God from todays reading in Psalms.

“Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind! In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men; you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues. Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city. I had said in my alarm,* “I am cut off from your sight.” But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to you for help. Love the LORD, all you his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride. Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!” (Psa 31:19-24 ESV)

The Hand of the Lord His God was Upon Him.

2008-08-08T05:42:00.002-04:00

“this Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses that the LORD the God of Israel had given, and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was on him. For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” (Ezra 7:6, 10 ESV)

The phrase, "The hand of the Lord his God was on him." means that God worked in his life in such a way that Ezra was successful in what he set out to do. It means that what he tried to do, was in the will of God, and therefore it was successful. But notice several things about him:

He was very knowledgeable of the Word of God, "skilled in the law of Moses"
He had set his heart to study the law of God.
He had made up his mind that he was going to do the law of God and teach it.

I believe that if those goals are our goals, that the Lord will put his hand upon our lives, and make whatever we do to prosper as well.

"Lord give us a heart not only to seek your word, but to do it, and teach others to do it as well. Help us to be disciples, of yours, and make disciples of yours."

Having the Support of the Prophets

2008-08-07T06:35:00.002-04:00

“Now the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel who was over them. Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak arose and began to rebuild the house of God that is in Jerusalem, and the prophets of God were with them, supporting them.” (Ezra 5:1-2 ESV)

A prophet is one who speaks for God to men. He utters God's words to the people. Prophets aren't perfect. Not everything they say is correct. Not all of the ways of thinking are correct. They are not infallible. However, they are the means that God uses to get His message to His people.

It is interesting to me that when Jerrubbabel, and Jeshua began to rebuild the Temple, The Bible says that the "prophets of God were with them, supporting them." They were not just taking on this project on their own. This was not just a whim of theirs. This was the will of God, and the prophets of God were with them supporting them.

How we need the prophets of God to be with us in our lives and supporting us! Those who truly speak the words of God to men, are the ones whose presence and support we need in our lives.

This means that anything that we undertake to do, needs to be something that Scripture would support. “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2Pet 1:20-21 KJVS)

But this also means that we need the support of those men, through whom God speaks today, as they proclaim the Scriptures, and as the Holy Spirit speaks through them to particular situations in our lives.

As we build our homes, our marriages, our businesses, we need the support of God's Word, and God's men in our lives.

I thank God for the elders in my church who speak into my life, and support me and help me. I am especially appreciative of my pastor, and friend Russell Taylor, who loves me enough to meet with me and speak into my life, and hear my confessions of sin, and pray for me.

I am thankful for Terry Spears who loves me and speaks into my life almost daily. I have watched this man go through very difficult trials, and stay steadfast in the Lord.

I am thankful for the Scriptures, those written words of the prophets of old who spoke the message of God. I have not been as faithful to them as I ought for several days. These men have been faithful to gently remind me to get back into the Word. I am thankful for them.

Dear reader, you need the support of the prophets in whatever endeavors you are engaged, especially when you are inundated with the cares of this life, and struggling. Opposition is going to come just like it did for these two men. But blessed is the man, who, when facing opposition in his endeavors, has the support of the prophets of God.

"Father, thank you for giving us those through whom you speak to us. Grant us the wisdom to seek the support and presence of the prophets in our lives."

Thank God We are Under a New Covenant

2008-07-19T12:34:00.002-04:00

““And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.” (1Chr 28:9 ESV)

“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.” (Ezek 36:26-27 ESV)

I am thankful this afternoon, that I am no longer under the Old Covenant, but under the New Covenant. Under the Old Covenant men were required to obey the commandments in order to have the blessing and presence of God in their lives. Under the New Covenant is is the blessing and presence of God that causes men to walk in the commandments of God.

It is the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit that enables men to delight in, and walk in the commandments of God. We don't obey the commandments in order to get the Holy Spirit, but the Father has given us the Holy Spirit in order that we can obey the commandments of God.

I can live a life of obedience, because the Holy Spirit lives in me. God will bless my obedience, but the truth is my obedience is evidence that He has already blessed me !

"Father, thank you for the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, that was shed to cleanse me from my sin, and cause me to be pure, so that the Holy Spirit now indwells me and empowers me for obedience. Thank you that you bless obedience, and the obedience is a sign that your blessing has already been poured out on me."

A Tribute to my Gift from God

2008-07-16T05:43:00.002-04:00

“House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.” (Prov 19:14 ESV)

In my Bible reading this morning, there are many things that I could have written on, as there were many thoughts that the Lord gave me.

In my particular schedule, the last thing that I read is in Proverbs. When I came to this verse, I knew that the thing that I wanted to write about was my wife (and your mother). She is a "thing" “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.” (Prov 18:22 ) :)

Your father can give you an inheritance, but he can't give you a wife. If he did, she would be your sister, and who wants to be married to their sister? :)

My wife is truly described in this verse. It is very hard for me to believe that we will soon be married for 28 years! I am sure that I know here better than anyone else in the world. And I know that this verse really describes her! She is from the Lord to me, and she is prudent.

Consider some of the different shades of meaning to this word "prudent"

Circumspect hence intelligent
Expert
skillful
worthy to teach
understanding
a wise guide

I am indebted to her for being all of these things to our family.

I love you Holly!

No God, No Sun, No Stars, No Hope

2008-07-09T09:53:00.003-04:00

Acts 27:20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.

One of the passages in my Bible reading for today is Acts 27:1-20. It is interesting that in this particular passage, nothing is said bout God, or the Lord Jesus Christ, or even the gospel. There is much about weather conditions, geographical locations, and sailing plans. There is also a warning from Paul, that was not heeded.

The passage ends in a most solemn way. No sun, no stars, and much wind, but no hope. Stuck in the middle of the sea, with a ship that is threatening to break up, and no where to go, nothing that can be done. And the situation just drags on and on, day after day.

Sometimes that is the way our lives are. We go through seasons of great fear, insecurity, and no Sun, and it seems like there isn't even a God. He is silent and just lets us go day after day in what appears to be a hopeless situation. But I am glad that this isn't the end of the story.

Finally after many days, God appeared to Paul and spoke to him:

“and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. But we must run aground on some island.”” (Acts 27:24-26 ESV)

They had to follow the instructions that God gave them through Paul, but in the end, when they did they were saved.

We need to remember this, so that when we are in one of those times, we will wait with hope to hear from God, and trust what He says and do it.

"Lord, help me to wait on you, and trust you in the hard, difficult, and dark times, knowing that your purpose for my life will be fulfilled. Help me to be willing to do what you say, when at last you do speak"

You have More Going for you than You Know!

2008-06-24T00:18:00.002-04:00

“When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” (2Kings 6:15-17 ESV)

What a scary site it must have been for the servant of Elisha! They were surrounded by an enemy army whose purpose was the destruction of Elisha! Every where he looked he saw them. As a matter of fact the only thing he could see at that point was the Syrian army. He asked the question of Elisha, "What shall we do?"

There are times in our lives, when what we can see seems like we are facing overwhelming odds, and they are stacked against us. And we ask ourselves or those who are with us, "What are we going to do?" This servant could not see what Elisha saw, and therefore was afraid. But when his master prayed for him, the Lord was pleased to open his eyes, and show him that he actually had more going for him than he realized: "the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

When we walk by sight, it is a very fearful thing. But when we walk by faith, trusting in the provisions of God that we cannot necessarily see, we can have peace. Truly those that are with us are more than those that are against us. We can have peace and joy knowing that we have much more going for us than we can see.

"Dear Lord, open the eyes of our faith, and help us to trust in the One that we cannot see, especially when what we do see makes us afraid."

Is the Journey getting to Great for you?

2008-06-18T09:20:00.003-04:00

“And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. And the angel of the LORD came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.”” (1Kings 19:5-7 ESV)

There is no doubt about it, Elijah is in a bad way emotionally. First, Let's take a look and see what he is displaying in his life in this passage:

Fear “Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.” (1Kings 19:3 ESV)
Illogical thinking “And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”” (1Kings 19:4 ESV) In verse three He is running for his life, and in verse 4, he is asking the Lord to take his life! That doesn't make sense. If he wanted to die, why didn't he just let Jezabel do her thing?
Depression “And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”” (1Kings 19:4 ESV)
Exhaustion-“And he lay down and slept under a broom tree” (1Kings 19:5 ESV)
Lonliness-“and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”” (1Kings 19:10 ESV)

Secondly, let's take a look into his life and see what has been happening to bring him to this place.

A great exciting, emotionally draining spiritual victory in the slaying of the Prophets of Baal. (See 1 Kings 18:18ff)
The threat of Jezebel, (2 Kings 19:1-2)
He has been frantically running (v.3)
He has forsaken his servant (v.3)

Thirdly, Let's see what he needed in this condition:

Solitude-“But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree.” (1Kings 19:4 ESV)
Rest-“And he lay down and slept under a broom tree” (1Kings 19:5 ESV)
Food and Water-“And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again.” (1Kings 19:5-6 ESV)
Communion with God- “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.”

There is much more than can be said here, but I don't have time. But to summarize, we need to realize that many times when we are experiencing what Ellijah was experiencing, if we will take inventory of our lives, we will see what brought us to that place. But most importantly, we need to see what He needed, and realize that many times that is just what we need, rest, food, solitude, and communion with God..

"Prone to Wander Lord I feel it...."

2008-06-13T08:39:00.002-04:00

1Kings 11:9 ¶ And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice.

Without a doubt, one of the most amazing stories in all of the Bible is the appearance of God to Solomon, when Solomon first became King of Israel. He could have asked God for anything, but he chose to ask God for wisdom. God not only granted him his request for wisdom, but also promised him wealth, and victory over his enemies. There was a second time that God appeared to him, and that was after Solomon prayed the prayer of dedication for the temple.

Can you imagine having the God of the universe appear to you? Do you think that after that you could ever forsake Him, and become idolatrous? If you are like me, you are thinking right now that if God ever appeared to you, and granted you what He did for Solomon, that you would serve Him all of your days. You wonder how Solomon could do such a thing! But I must say, that the older I get, the less I trust myself. I am capable of forsaking the God who has already done so many wonderful things for me. If it were not for His persevering grace in my life I would have forsaken Him long ago.

There is a warning here for us. We must not trust our passed experiences with God to keep us faithful to Him, in the future! We must depend upon Him for fresh supplies of grace to keep us faithful. Also, I believe that we must guard our intimate relationships, and be sure they are the kind that brings us more near to God, and not the kind that causes us to drift from Him!

Finally, we must see that there is a cost for such forsaking. Solomon had the kingdom taken away from His posterity. Idolatry is never free, but is always very costly.

"Prone to wander, Lord I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love. Take my heart Lord take and seal it. Seal it for thy courts above."

The Gospel in the Words of an Ancient Woman

2008-05-29T05:12:00.002-04:00

“We must all die; we are like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God will not take away life, and he devises means so that the banished one will not remain an outcast.” (2Sam 14:14 ESV)

These are the words of the woman who was sent by Joab to King David, when Absalom had been banished from the kingdom. They are strikingly prophetic, and have application to the human race. This morning, I just want to "squeeze" each phrase, and make some comments.

We must all die: In one way or another, this is true about all of us. Unless the Lord comes first, we will all die physically. But at one time we were all dead spiritually, because of our sin.

Eph. 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

Those who do not repent of their sin, will die the second death and forever be separated from God, and the redeemed.

“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Rev 20:14; 21:8 KJV)

we are like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again.

This illustrates the impossibility of our being restored and saved through human means. We cannot possibly gather water up after it has been spilled on the ground. But thank God even though are restoration is impossible with men, with God nothing is impossible.

But God will not take away life, and he devises means so that the banished one will not remain an outcast.”

It is not God that takes away life, it is sin! God has made a way for those who are banished to come back to Him and be restored. We do not have to be outcasts any longer, we can come back through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christs and what He accomplished on the Cross for us!

Eph. 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Relationships--Vertical and Horizontal

2008-05-23T09:09:00.004-04:00

“For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.” (John 13:15 ESV)“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”” (John 13:20 ESV)

What a startling thing it is to realize that in John 13:15, the Lord Jesus Christ is commanding His disciples to treat one another in the same way that He has treated them. They are to do for one another the same things that He has done for them!

One of the first thoughts that comes into my mind when I think about this is, "Yeah, but He is supernatural--He is God Himself. How can I be expected to do for others what He has done for me?" Then the Holy Spirit reminds me that His Spirit is in me, to do through me what I cannot do myself.

The immediate context of this command is the washing of the disciples feet. But it would be unwise to limit this command to that act alone, since that act served as a symbol of the love and care that His disciples are to have for one another.

What has the Lord Jesus Christ done for His disciples, that they should also do for one another?

He has loved them. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” (John 13:34 ESV)
He has forgiven them and been kind to them “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Eph 4:32 KJV)
He has sacrificially supplied their needs according to His ability. “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.” (1John 3:16-19 KJV)

We could spend much time expanding on this thought, but time is getting away and there is one more thought that I want to point out in this post. Not only are we to treat one another the way He has treated us, but we must realize that how we treat one another is how we are treating HIM!

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”” (John 13:20 ESV)

There is no way to separate our relationship with Christ, from our relationship with His disciples. May the Lord help us to apply these truths in our relationships with each other!

An Illustration of How to Treat One's Enemies

2008-05-22T07:18:00.003-04:00

“David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead and said to them, “May you be blessed by the LORD, because you showed this loyalty to Saul your lord and buried him. Now may the LORD show steadfast love and faithfulness to you. And I will do good to you because you have done this thing.” (2Sam 2:5-6 ESV)

There are people in this world who don't like me. They speak ill of me. If they had the opportunity to do ill to me, they would. I would like to think that I am an enemy of no one. I don't want to speak ill of any one, and I can honestly say that in my heart I don't desire to do ill to anyone. There are some people that I would rather they just left me alone.

In this text from 2 Samuel, David illustrates for us how to treat our enemies. His greatest enemy at that time was none other than his king, King Saul. Saul had tried to kill him on a number of occasions, and even hunted him, and would have killed him if he could have caught him. David had two opportunities to kill him, but refused. He recognized Saul as the Lord's anointed, and therefore refused to do harm to him.

When David heard that Saul was killed, he mourned. He then blessed the people who had blessed and been loyal to Saul.

May we learn a lesson from this. May the Lord help us to be gracious and kind to our enemies, instead of vengeful and bitter. Isn't that what the greater Son of David commanded us to do?

“Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.” (Luke 6:26-30 KJV)'

Dear Lord,
Forgive me for the bitterness in my heart towards others. Help me to forgive them, and treat them graciously no matter how they treat me. Thank you that when I was your enemy, you poured out your grace and forgiveness on me.

God is Sovereign on the "bad days"

2008-05-21T07:20:00.002-04:00

“And when David and his men came to the city, they found it burned with fire, and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep. David’s two wives also had been taken captive, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel. And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul,* each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.” (1Sam 30:3-6 ESV)

Someone has said that there are some days that it is not worth getting out of bed. If David had such days, surely the ones described in 1 Samuel chapters 29-30 had to be some of them.

In his effort to escape Saul, David went into the land of the Philistines. It would appear that he actually was on friendly, and comfortable terms with them. So much so, that he was prepared to fight along side them against the nation of Israel! It would appear to me that David's willingness to fight with the Lord's enemies against the Lord's people was indicative of David's spiritual condition. He was not trusting the Lord, but in a backslidden condition. The fact that He left his family in a vulnerable position is also indicative of his not thinking clearly and correctly.

In such a state, God could have just allowed him to go the way he wanted to go, but the Lord had other plans. I am so glad that God doesn't just let us go! He works many times against our will to bring us back to where we need to be. In this case He used the distrust and the lords of the Philistines to thrust David back where he needed to be.

It was a good thing that David and his men came back to Ziklag when they did. The Amalakites had come and burned the city and took both David's and all of the families of the men with David hostage. Wow, you talk about hard times! They wept and his men were on the verge of stoning him! But David turned back to the Lord: "But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.”

David's turning back to the Lord was a turning point in his situation! He received assurance from the Lord that he would recover all! He not only recovered his family, their belongs, and that of the men that were with him, but a bunch of spoil as well!

No wonder he wrote:“I was pushed hard,* so that I was falling, but the LORD helped me. The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the LORDdoes valiantly, the right hand of the LORD exalts, the right hand of the LORDdoes valiantly!” I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD. The LORD has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death.” (Psa 118:13-18 ESV)

"Father, thank you for working against our will, when we are living against yours. Thank you for bringing us to the place where we are trusting you, and then delivering us from our enemies. Help us to rest in your sovereignty even during the bad times. May we endure your discipline, and grow from it." In Jesus Name I Pray!

Taking Risks

2008-05-13T06:45:00.003-04:00

1Sam. 14:6 ¶ Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the LORD will work for us, for nothing can hinder the LORD from saving by many or by few.”

The words that really "stuck out" to me in this verse are, "It may be that the LORD will work for us, for nothing can hinder the LORD from saving by many or by few.”

Jonathan could have been satisfied just to be under the oppression of the Philistines, but he stepped out in faith, and took action. In so doing he took a risk.

"It may be that the Lord will work for us." It could have also been that the Lord would not work for them. What he did could have been disastrous. When they discovered themselves to the garrison of the Philistines, they could have been killed immediately on the spot. If it had not been for the Lord's mercy, in delivering them, the would no doubt have been killed on the spot.

I have noticed that God seems to honor those who are willing to step out on faith and trust Him. He seems to delight in those who are willing to take risks in dependence upon Him. He seems to help those who put themselves in a position in which if He doesn't help them they will face disaster and failure.

How many of us find that we are unwilling to put ourselves in a position like Jonathon and His armor bearer did on that day? Are we willing to put ourselves in a position to where if God doesn't help us, we will fail, and maybe even face disaster and destruction.

May God help us to step out and take the kind of risks that honor Him, and give Him opportunity to display His glory.

It is never sufficient, but always enough!

2008-05-09T08:49:00.004-04:00

“Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii* would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten.” (John 6:5-13 ESV)

Though I have read this account many many times, yet this morning, I find fresh encouragement in it.

The Lord's requirement of His disciples was greater than what they could deliver with what they had on hand. They were facing an inadequacy! I have been thinking the last couple of days about my inadequacies. I don't have enough money, I don't have enough time, I don't have enough ability, I don't have enough discipline..... I have a little of all of the above, but not enough! This passage helps me to see that it is not what you have, or how much you have, but what you do with what you have that makes the difference.

They simply did what the Lord led them to do with what they had, and The LORD is the one who took what was not enough and made it sufficient. This is what it means to live by faith--doing what God says, with what He has given you and watch him take what is not enough and make it sufficient!

We must not allow our insufficiencies, our inadequacies to paralyze us and drive us into discouragement, and depression. Rather, we must look to the Lord for direction, and by faith step out to do what He is leading us to do, trusting him to take the inadequate and make it sufficient!

The Lord will never give us so many resources that we no longer have to trust in Him!

"Dear Lord, help me to be a good steward of my loaves and fishes, doing with them what you command me to do, trusting you to take what could never be sufficient in and of itself, and make it enough. Help me to realize that what you give is never sufficient, but with your power is always enough."

Who needs a Pool, when You have the Creator?!

2008-05-07T08:10:00.002-04:00

“When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.”” (John 5:6-8 ESV)

Though God often chooses to use means to work out His plan for our lives, it is not always necessary. Evidently, God had used this pool, at the stirring of an angel many times to bring healing to the sick and afflicted. It was this means in which the paralyzed man was hoping. Little did he realize that the one who called the world's into existence was right there before his eyes, and could simply command his healing!

Let us be careful that we are not hoping in the means that God uses, rather than in God Himself! God may not be using the means that we are praying that He uses, but may chose to bring the real desire of our hearts another way. May we trust Him, and never become frustrated because He isn't doing things the way we expect Him to.

Our God, Our Refuge

2008-05-05T07:47:00.003-04:00

Ruth 2:12 The LORD repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.

Prov. 14:26 In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge.

In the passages of Scripture above there is a phrase that has "stuck out" to me, and that is the phrase, "a refuge" Boaz said of Ruth that she had come to take refuge in the LORD. The writer of Proverbs declared that the children of the Lord will have a refuge.

The dictionary defines refuge as:
a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble;something providing such shelter.

The concept of trust is implicit in the phrase, "take refuge" One comes to trust in whatever they are taking refuge. The character of humility is also implicit, because one realizes that they are no match for whatever the danger is. And of course it is obvious, that there is some kind of danger from which we need to be sheltered or protected.

Over and over again, we find the scriptures referring to God as our refuge:

Deut. 33:27 The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.
2Sam. 22:3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
Psa. 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psa. 46:7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Psa. 46:11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Psa. 48:3 God is known in her palaces for a refuge.
Psa. 57:1 Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.
Psa. 62:7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
Psa. 62:8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
Psa. 91:2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Psa. 94:22 But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge.

Ruth illustrates some characteristics of those that have made God their refuge:

She worshiped her redeemer. "Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him..." (Ruth 2:10a)
She exhibited humility and amazement at the grace of her redeemer, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” (Ruth 2:10b)
She exhibited love for others who had taken refuge in the LORD. “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me,"
She was willing to forsake the natural refuges in her life. "and how you left your father and mother and your native land"

God is the only suitable refuge in which we must trust. All other refuges are fleeting, and idols.

Oh Lord, Thank you for being my refuge. Help me to consciously rest beneath your wings this day in everything that I do.

2008-03-11T07:11:00.002-04:00

“Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life. He will return the evil to my enemies; in your faithfulness put an end to them. With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you; I will give thanks to your name, O LORD, for it is good. For he has delivered me from every trouble, and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.” (Psa 54:4-7 ESV)

"Behold"- take heed, be aware.

What God is: "“Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life."

What God will Do: "He will return the evil to my enemies; in your faithfulness put an end to them."

What God has done: "For he has delivered me from every trouble, and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.”

What I will do in light of what God is,will do, and What God has done. " With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you; I will give thanks to your name, O LORD, for it is good."

I am Thankful for God's Holy Spirit!

2008-03-06T11:17:00.002-05:00

“for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 13:11 ESV)

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (John 14:16, 26 KJVS)

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” (Gal 5:16-26 KJVS)

Theology and Psychology

2008-03-03T10:41:00.004-05:00

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present* help introuble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah” (Psa 46:1-3 ESV)

What we believe about God, decides how we face the things that life puts in our path. Or to put it another way, our theology determines our psychology.

The dictionary defines theology, "the study of the nature of God and religious belief.
religious beliefs and theory when systematically developed."

To put it more simply we could simply define theology as what one believes about God.

The dictionary defines psychology: "the mental characteristics or attitude of a person or group the mental and emotional factors governing a situation or activity."

In our passage, the writer begins by declaring what they believe about God. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present* help in trouble." He then continues by declaring what their emotions and behaviour (psychology) will be:"Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah"

There is a reverse way of looking at this as well. Ones psychology (their belief and emotions) illustrates their theology (what they actually believe about God) It is very easy to say what we believe about God, but if we are emotionally out of control, and worried and fearful about our circumstances, that speaks volumes about what we believe about God.

"Dear Lord help us to believe correctly about you, and live accordingly."

Pictures of Grace

2008-02-28T10:23:00.002-05:00

Lev. 23:28 And you shall not do any work on that very day, for it is a Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before the LORD your God.

Mark 9:31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.

Psa. 44:3 for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them.

Psa. 44:6 For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me.
Psa. 44:7 But you have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us.

Chosen, and Called as HIs Possession for a Purpose

2008-02-27T08:18:00.002-05:00

“You shall be holy to me, for I the LORD am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine.” (Lev 20:26 ESV)

“who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (Titus 2:14; 1Pet 2:9 ESV)

There is much more in these verses than I will be able to bring out in the short time that I have this morning. But it is wonderful to realize that God set His love upon us. He purchased us, and separated us for His own purpose. He made us His own possession.

Our response? We should be holy, zeoulous of good works, proclaiming the excellencies of Him you call us out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Some interesting verses on Health and Healin

2008-02-21T07:36:00.002-05:00

““Speak to the people of Israel, saying, These are the living things that you may eat among all the animals that are on the earth. Whatever parts the hoof and is cloven-footed and chews the cud, among the animals, you may eat. Nevertheless, among those that chew the cud or part the hoof, you shall not eat these: The camel, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is unclean to you.” (Lev 11:2-4 ESV)

“And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse.” (Mark 5:25-26 ESV)

Mark 5:34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

Psa. 38:3 ¶ There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin.

The Sanctification and Glorification of God

2008-02-20T00:28:00.003-05:00

“Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD has said, ‘Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.’ ” And Aaron held his peace.” (Lev 10:3 ESV)

The context of this verse is the offering of strange fire by Aaron's two sons, Nadab and Abihu, and their death by the consuming fire of the LORD. It is interesting to me that God said that he would be sanctified among those that are near to him, and glorified before all people. Those who are near to God, must always remember that God is quite different, and set apart as Holy. The one who is our Father, is the Holy Majestic God of the universe. It seems that Nadab and Abihu lost sight of the holiness of God, and thought that they could just offer to Him what ever they wanted to, instead of offering to Him only what He had commanded them to offer. They thought that they could do worship "their way" and it cost them their lives.

By their very death God was glorified before all of the people. It is also interesting to see that Aaron never said a word about the death of his sons. I cannot imagine the Lord taking my two sons, and not being able to say one one word about it. It seems that he knew in his heart, that they had stepped over the line and their death was just.

“As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.” (Mark 5:18-20 ESV)

How precious it has always been to me, that this man begged Jesus that he might be with him! This is truly the mark of a regenerated person. They desire to be with the Lord Jesus Christ. It is wonderful to realize that we can be with the LORD, spiritually. “and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matt 28:20 KJVS). “for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Heb 13:5 KJVS)

But one day, praise the Lord, we will be with him in a much more profound way; “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:2-3 KJVS)

Just like this man though, at this time we have been left here to tell our friends what great things that the Lord has done for us, and how he has had mercy upon us, so that God will be glorified in their eyes.

2008-02-18T09:46:00.002-05:00

“*The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “If anyone sins and commits a breach of faith against the LORD by deceiving his neighbor in a matter of deposit or security, or through robbery, or if he has oppressed his neighbor or has found something lost and lied about it, swearing falsely—in any of all the things that people do and sin thereby— if he has sinned and has realized his guilt and will restore what he took by robbery or what he got by oppression or the deposit that was committed to him or the lost thing that he found or anything about which he has sworn falsely, he shall restore it in full and shall add a fifth to it, and give it to him to whom it belongs on the day he realizes his guilt. And he shall bring to the priest as his compensation to the LORDa ram without blemish out of the flock, or its equivalent for a guilt offering. And the priest shall make atonement for him before the LORD, and he shall be forgiven for any of the things that one may do and thereby become guilty.”” (Lev 6:1-7 ESV)

Some observations about this passage:

God speaks to man. “The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,” (Lev 6:1 ESV). That is a wonderful thing to realize. If God were silent to us and never spoke to us, we would be in grave danger. I am so thankful that the Lord speaks to us through His Word, By His Spirit on the inside, and through fellow believers.
God speaks to men about the practical areas of their lives in terms we can understand.
““If anyone sins and commits a breach of faith against the LORD by deceiving his neighbor in a matter of deposit or security, or through robbery, or if he has oppressed his neighbor... This is very practical instruction. This gets right down into where we live. It is not difficult to understand. We need not be confused about how to apply it.
A sin against our neighbor is a breach of faith against the Lord. There is no such thing as sinning against our neighbor without sinning against the Lord. Sin is the transgression of the Law, and God has given us commandments as to how we are to relate to other people. When we break those commandments we are sinning against both the Lord, and others.
Repentance includes dealing with the sin before our neighbor, and before the LORD. We must not only make things right with the LORD, but also with our neighbor.
Repentance includes restoring the loss, with 20% interest.
God has made a way for us to get right when we have sinned! Praise HIS NAME!

What is this that God Has done unto us?

2008-01-21T09:45:00.000-05:00

Gen. 42:28 And he said unto his brethren, My money is restored; and, lo, it is even in my sack: and their heart failed them, and they were afraid, saying one to another, What is this that God hath done unto us?

Joseph's brothers, had of course, many years earlier, sold Joseph into slavery. No doubt they thought that their deed would never be found out. After doing such a thing as this, no doubt they were still living with the guilt of it, when famine hits their land and forces them to go into the land of Egypt and buy food.

Never in a million years would they have ever dreamed that the person at whose mercy they were was actually the brother that they had sold in to slavery so many years before.

Now they are faced with this problem. They had to leave their brother in Egypt in order to be sold the food and now when they look in their sacks the money is restored! So they asked the question., What is this that God hath done unto us? It is not "What is this that God has done for us"

In one sense this was a question that sprang from faith. After all they were not like a lot of people in our day, who don't even acknowledge that the things that are happening in their lives are in fact the activity of God. But in another sense it was a question that sprang from guilt, and dout. They assumed that God was doing something to them, no doubt because of the guilt that they were feeling, and because of the adversity that they had faced in Egypt. But in reality, God was not doing something to them. He was doing something for them!

He was preserving their lives. He was preserving their posterity. He was ultimately going to reconcile them to the brother that they had treated so shamefully.

Dear Christian reader, it may seem like God is doing something to you today. But remember that God is actually doing something for you. He is causing all things, both the pleasant and the painful to work together for your good! Trust Him, and refuse to focus on the little picture, but rather focus on the big picture of HIs grace!

Some Encouraging Words from a Minor Prophet

2007-12-20T08:58:00.000-05:00

“Work, for I am with you, declares the LORD of hosts,” (Hag 2:4 ESV)
“My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not” (Hag 2:5 ESV)
“and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the LORD of hosts.” (Hag 2:7-8 ESV)
“And in this place I will give peace, declares the LORD of hosts.’ ”” (Hag 2:9 ESV)

The Essence of Complacency

2007-12-19T10:06:00.000-05:00

“I will punish the men who are complacent,* those who say in their hearts, ‘The LORD will not do good, nor will he do ill.’” (Zeph 1:12 ESV)

“She does not trust in the LORD; she does not draw near to her God.” (Zeph 3:2 ESV)

In the book of Zephaniah the Lord is leveling charges at Judah, making promises of judgment and then of restoration.

It is interesting to note that in the above texts we have a rather vivid description of complacency. These complacent people have become complacent because they do not believe that God will do anything. Therefore they do not trust God, or draw near to Him.

From this I gather that complacency is grounded in unbelief. What is it that makes life excitig and fresh? Living with the expectancy that God is going to act in our lives. It is drawing near to Him, trusting Him, watching what He is going to do for our good and His glory.

"Lord give us the faith that we need to be delivered from complacency"

What it means to Live by Faith

2007-12-18T08:48:00.000-05:00

““Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith” (Hab 2:4 ESV)

“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places. To the choirmaster: with stringed* instruments.” (Hab 3:17-19 ESV)

God's Accomplishments in our Storms

2007-12-14T05:18:00.000-05:00

“Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his god.” (Jonah 1:5 ESV) “Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows.” (Jonah 1:16 ESV)“Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish,” (Jonah 2:1 ESV)

I believe that the Lord always accomplishes more than one thing in everything that He does. Such is the case in this fierce storm that was threatening the lives of Jonah and his shipmates.

As is the case with most of life's storms, God brought this storm in order to teach men about Himself. It is very obvious from 1:5, that Jonah's shipmates had a theological problem. They believed that there was more than one true God, hence when they became afraid, "each cried out to his god." It is interesting to note that their crying out made no difference in the intensity of their storm. It wasn't a problem with their passion, rather it was a problem with their theology. But in and through this storm, their theology was corrected. By verse 16, they were no longer crying out to their gods, but were rather fearing the one true God, offering Him worship, and making vows to Him. Thus God used this storm to deliver idol worshipers from their idolatry, and bring them into a relationship of worship with Himself.

But these shipmates were not the only ones who needed a correction in their theology. Jonah thought that He could run from the presence of God. (v.3). How foolish to think that a geographical change, would result in an escape from God! In Jonah's case it would take something more dramatic than a life threatening storm to bring him to repentance. It would take being cast into a stormy sea, and then being swallowed by a great fish. Once in the belly of the great fish, Jonah's theology was corrected, and he realized that even there, the Presence of the Lord that He he had been trying to escape, became the only comfort that he had. He cried out to God, and was delivered to fulfill the assignment that He had been given.

May we remember that our storms are never without purpose. God brings them in our lives to accomplish many things, not the least of which is teaching us something about Himself.

"Dear Lord, Thank you for the storms that you have brought in to our lives. Thank you that they are indeed evidences of your mercy to us, in showing us our wrong thinking about you. Help us to learn what we need to learn, and change what needs to be changed through these difficult times."

2007-12-13T11:34:00.000-05:00

Rev. 4:11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

It is interesting, that in this scene from eternity, the fact that God created everything is the reason given for why He is worthy to receive glory, honor, and power. We must understand that the meaning of receiving glory, honor and power, is actually ascribing glory, honor and power.

We cannot give glory to God in the sense of making Him more glorious, but we give glory to God in the sense of recognizing and speaking of His Glory.

The King James Bible says, "and for they pleasure the are and were created." Creation exists for one reason only, to reveal the glory of God, and thereby to give Him pleasure. God's greatest pleasure is in His own glory! Creation mirrors back God's glory to Himself, and brings Him pleasure.

I am thankful this morning that God chose to give me existence, and then chose to save me and make me part of His Family. I must confess that my life doesn't always reflect His glory. I "come short of the glory of God" often. But when I confess my sin and repent, God's glory is manifested in that He shows me grace and mercy and forgives me.

I am thankful that my standing is in Christ this day, and therefore no matter what I am guaranteed acceptance with God.

Truly He is good!

Precious Practical Truths about The LORD

2007-12-12T11:33:00.000-05:00

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. “ ‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” (Rev 3:7-8 ESV)

There are several truths about the Lord Jesus Christ that I want to meditate on from this text.

The Communication of the LORD- The Lord Jesus Christ communicates with His people “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write" In this case and in our case, He communicates with His church in writing. The very life blood of the Christian is communication with and from the Lord Jesus Christ. If we fail to read that which He has written to us we will shrivel up, spiritually and be very susceptible to sin. If we had time we could spend an entire session on how the Lord communicates with His people, and the effect of His communication in their lives.
The Character of the LORD. ‘The words of the holy one, the true one," He is Holy, meaning that He is pure, sinless, and uniquely one of a kind. He is the "different"one. He is true, meaning that He is faithful, and what He says is accurate, and dependable. He will never forsake us or let us down, we can depend upon him moment by moment explicitly.
The authority of the LORD. "who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens." One who has the key is the one who has authority. When the LORD opens the door, no one can shut it, and when he closes the door, no one can open it. If it were not for the Lord opening doors for us, we could not proceed along the road that He would have us to walk down. It is wonderful to realize the no one, not even Satan, can close the doors that the Lord opens for us. It is also true that when the Lord closes the door behind us no enemy can get through it to us, unless He permits them.
The Awareness of the LORD. "I know your works... I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” The Lord know what we have done, and he knows that we have little power. He knows us! Thank God we don't need to have much power, because He has all power! Maybe you are feeling particlarly weak today. That is not a bad thing that is a good thing. In our weakness, His strength is made perfect.

"Lord thank you that you communicate with your people. You are Holy and true. You have all authority, and you are aware of what we have done, and how little our power is."

The Wise

2007-12-04T08:53:00.000-05:00

“And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above;* and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” (Dan 12:3 ESV)

Who are the wise? Before we can answer that question, we must understand the meaning of wisdom. In order to do that consider Paul's words in Ephesians: “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” (Eph 5:17) By contrast, Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, defines wisdom by contrast, as understanding what the will of the Lord is. In his prayer for the Colossians, Paul gives us another indication of what wisdom is: “and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;” (Col 1:9). In this text Paul defines wisdom by association as the knowledge of His will. Therefore we conclude, that wisdom is the knowledge of God's will. If wisdom is the knowledge of God's will, then the wise are those that know and do the will of God.

There is a distinctiveness about those who know and do God's will. They stand out like the brightness of the stars above on a dark cloudless night.

There is an beauty about those who are wise, just like the beauty of the stars above.

There is a steadfastness and durability of those who are wise. "forever and ever"

There is an accomplishment that only the wise can achieve, "and those who turn many to righteousness." Only the wise can turn many to righteousness. If one is not doing the will of God he is not wise, and he is not righteous and therefore cannot turn anyone else to righteousness.

"Dear Lord fill us with the knowledge of your will, that we might do it, and display your glory in such a way, that you can use us to turn many to righteousness."

The Fruit of Knowing God

2007-12-03T09:02:00.000-05:00

“but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.” (Dan 11:32 ESV)

“I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD!”” (Psa 122:1 ESV)

I, like many other people, am on a Bible reading program. This program contains a daily selection from the Old Testament, the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. It is amazing how that many times the Lord will emphasize in my heart a theme that seems to at least wind it's way through two of the four scriptures for the day.

Today is one such day. The theme that the Lord seems to have emphasized to me today is the idea of knowing Him.

What does it mean to know God? It means that we have a relationship with God. It means that God speaks to us, and we speak to Him. He has revealed Himself to us through this communication, and we get to the place where we know what he likes, and what He dislikes. We know how He is, as much as finite beings can know. This relationship is one of love, and trust. He loves us and we love and trust Him. He displays his affection for us, and we worship Him.

This relationship is made possible only through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Being sinful beings the only way that we can have this relationship with Him is through the merits and sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Those who know him are strong, they stand when others fall by the wayside, and they take action. The do amazing things because of their relationship with God. And they are glad when it is time to go to his house!

His house today is not a temple made with hands, but the church of the living God! Those who know him love to get with others who know Him, and spend time in worship and praise and adoration of them!

Some Observations about Fellowship (1 John 1:1-10)

2007-11-30T08:21:00.000-05:00

Fellowship is mutual participation. It is the sharing of common Life. The literal meaning of the word is, partnership, i.e. (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction: — (to) communicate(-ation), communion, (contri-)distribution,
Fellowship is based upon the experiencing of that life. i.e. hearing, seeing touching etc.
In order for fellowship to take place, their must be a willingness to testify to the experiencing of that life. “and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)” (1John 1:2 KJV)“that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us” (1John 1:3 ESV)
Fellowship is both vertical and horizontal. “so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.” (1John 1:3 ESV)
Fellowship is a pleasurable experience for all that involve themselves in it. “And we are writing these things so that our* joy may be complete.” (1John 1:4 ESV)“And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.” (1John 1:4 KJV)
Fellowship can take place through writing!
Fellowship requires that we walk in the Light “If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1John 1:6-7 ESV)

Dear Lord, may we walk in the ligh this day, enjoy fellowship with you, and others that are enjoying fellowship with you.

The Marks of an Excellent Spirit

2007-11-29T08:16:00.000-05:00

“because an excellent spirit was in him.” (Dan 6:3 ESV)

Faithfulness-“because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him.” (Dan 6:4 ESV)
Persecution-“Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and plea before his God. Then they came near and said before the king, concerning the injunction, “O king! Did you not sign an injunction, that anyone who makes petition to any god or man within thirty days except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered and said, “The thing stands fast, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked.”” (Dan 6:11-12 ESV)
Worship-“he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.” (Dan 6:10 ESV)
Prayer-“and found Daniel making petition and plea before his God.” (Dan 6:11 ESV)
Favor-“Then the king, when he heard these words, was much distressed and set his mind to deliver Daniel. And he labored till the sun went down to rescue hi” (Dan 6:14 ESV)““May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!”” (Dan 6:16 ESV)
Trust in God-“because he had trusted in his God.” (Dan 6:23 ESV)
Ultimate Deliverance-“Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him” (Dan 6:23 ESV)
Authentic Prosperity- So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Dear Lord make us people with excellent spirits!

Who do you think will be the next president?

2007-11-27T08:41:00.000-05:00

“The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.’” (Dan 4:17 ESV)

“till you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.” (Dan 4:25 ESV)

“until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.”” (Dan 4:32 ESV)

“At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”” (Dan 4:34-35 ESV)

“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” (Dan 4:37 ESV)

I know who is going to be president! Whoever God has planned!

Thanksgiving

2007-11-23T10:52:00.001-05:00

I realize that this is a day late for a Thanksgiving post, but I did want to write some things that I have been thinking.

I am thankful that this Thanksgiving, my niece and her family got to come down and spend some time with us. I had to sneak up and get this picture of her because she doesn't like her picture taken. :)

Things have really changed for Holly and I this year. For the first time in over 25 years we are not in full time ministry. I must say that I enjoy what I am doing, and am very thankful for the way the Lord has provided a way for us to make a living.

I am especially thankful for my partner Sid Baker. Sid's kindness, vision, and wisdom have really been very helpful to me these last few months. Sid is a Christian who loves the Lord Jesus Christ, and I am looking forward to working a long side him for many years to come.

I am also thankful for my son Joel, who is working with us. His insight into business owners, and advertising is very helpful to what we are doing. I am proud of him and his work at Southside. I am thankful for Waynette, who is a godly wife and mother, and of course little Alena Marie!

This year we saw the last of our unmarried children get married. I can honestly say we did not lose a son, but gained a daughter in law. We love Cheryl very much! We are so thankful that God has given Jeremy a godly wife. We have been able to spend some really good quality time with Jeremy and Cheryl in the last several weeks. Jeremy has been working with me also in graphic design for the websites that we have been building. His ability in design is amazing!

I am also very thankful for Nathan and Bethany. They have had a very difficult year but have persevered and are doing well in San Francisco. We miss them very much, and are looking forward to their coming home after the first of the year. Nathan has done very well in completing his basic training in the Coast Guard and is working on his advancement in rank.

It is hard to believe that John and Rachel have two children that are as big as they are! They are coming up next week, and spending 10 days with us while John goes to Europe on business. I thank the Lord for John and the way he takes care of his family. I wish we could spend more time together.

I am very thankful for the love of my live. It is hard to believe that we are working on our 28th year of marriage! She is more beautiful to me than she has ever been! I am looking forward to continuing to grow old with her. It has been amazing, just her and I the last several weeks. We are able to have lunch together, and spend quiet evenings together. I love our life together!

Finally, I am thankful for the Lord Jesus Christ! It is because of His marvelous grace and mercy that I have all of these things and many more for which to be thankful. One day my life on this earth will be over, and I will enter in to His Presence to spend eternity thanking, praising, and worshiping Him for all that He has done for me.

Seeking God by Seeking His Word

2007-11-21T09:47:00.000-05:00

“Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart,” (Psa 119:2 ESV) “With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!” (Psa 119:10 ESV)

It is interesting that the psalmist couples seeking the Lord with one's whole heart, with keeping his testimonies, and not wandering from His commandments.

There is a direct correlation between seeking the Lord with one's whole heart, and their relationship with His Word. Though reading, meditation on, and studying the Word of God are not the only way to seek the Lord, it is a very important way.

Many times in my life when I have felt distant from the Lord, I have prayerfully gotten in to His Word, and heard from Him, and was drawn closer to Him.

To me there is no joy or peace in this life with all of it's problems, apart from a joy giving, peace giving faith in the Lord. And where do we get that faith? Rom. 15:13 ¶ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Rom. 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

This Day can be a Day of Success!

2007-11-20T10:16:00.000-05:00

“This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Save us, we pray, O LORD! O LORD, we pray, give us success!” (Psa 118:24-25 ESV)

As I meditate on the passage of scripture above, three things come to mind.

This day that we are living in right now, has been made by the Lord. I notice that the focus of the psalmist is on just this day. We cannot rejoice and be glad in tomorrow, because it has happened yet. We cannot rejoice and be glad in yesterday because it is already gone. But we can rejoice and be glad in today, when we recognize that our Loving, Sovereign, Heavenly Father is the one who made it.
Rejoicing and being glad is a choice. The KJV put's it this way, "We will rejoice and be glad in it." This day with all of it's problems and challenges is still something that we can choose to rejoice and be glad in. There is much for which to be thankful, because the bountiful hand of the Lord has given much.
We should pray for our own success, realizing that our success comes from the hand of the LORD, and not our our cleverness or ability.

Let's rejoice in this day, knowing that our God made it, and let's depend upon Him for our success in it!

Vertical Worship, Horizontal Benevolence

2007-11-16T09:08:00.000-05:00

“Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” (Heb 13:15-16 ESV)

Throughout Scripture there is a dual emphasis on our relationship with God, and our relationship with other people. For example, the first four of the ten commandments have to do with our relationship with God, and the last 6 have to do with our relationship with man. When the Lord Jesus Christ was asked what was the first an greatest commandment, he replied, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind;” (Luke 10:27) But then he was quick to add, “And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matt 22:39)

In our text from Hebrews we find once again these two concepts put together. We find the offering of praise as a sacrifice to God, followed by doing good and sharing what we have with others. The writer simply says, "for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."

We must live our lives with both of these concepts in view. We must worship God, and praise Him with all of our hearts, through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ. But we must also do good, and share what God has given us in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Both are necessary to be pleasing to God. Both are necessary if we are going to live our lives with pleasure to our selves.

"Father help us by your grace to worship and praise you with all of our hearts, and do good, and share what you have given us with others."

Welcome Gracioius Fellowship Subscribers!

2007-11-15T21:14:00.000-05:00

You are at the right place! I have redirected the traffic of Gracious Fellowship.org to this blog for now.

I appreciate your patience with me. I have been struggling to determine what I need to do online, and have decided that for now the only thing I can really do effectively is keep up this blog, considering all of the other things that I am working on.

I will be posting links to weekly featured sermons that I have preached in the past shortly.

Thank you for your continued support.

Blessings!
Aaron

Before We Can Appreciate the Intmacy We Must Experience the Awe.

2007-11-15T08:18:00.000-05:00

“For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering,...for our God is a consuming fire. ” (Heb 12:18-22,29 ESV)

Do you fear God? Is God awesome to you? Our selection from Hebrews for this morning speaks of two mountains--Mount Sinai, and Mount Zion. Each of symbolic of a spiritual truth. Each are symbolic of a part of the nature of God.

When God gave the law on Mt. Sinai, it was a time of fear. There was shaking, thunder, lightning, and smoke. The experience was designed to strike terror in the hearts of the children of Israel. It was designed to produce in them an awe of the Holy God of the Universe!

But the writer says that we are no longer at that mountain. We are no longer at the fearful mountain where the law was given, We are at Mount Zion, the mountain of grace. To be sure there are angels present just like there were at Mount Sinai. But this time it is not a fearful thing but a festive time. This time it is not the blood of animals that is being shed, but the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ that has been shed! It is not a time of shrinking back in fear, but a time of celebration of the intimacy that only the assembly of the firstborn can enjoy!

What a privilege is ours, the privilege of calling this awesome fear inspiring God our Daddy! But we must always remember the same God that we call "Abba Father" is the God of Mount Sinai. When we remember that this God is an awesome, Holy, all powerful God, it enhances our enjoyment of the fact that He has called us His own, and we have an intimate relationship with Him.

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,” (Heb 12:28 ESV)

Don't Be a Glory Robber

2007-11-14T10:59:00.000-05:00

“Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will bring a sword upon you, and will cut off from you man and beast, and the land of Egypt shall be a desolation and a waste. Then they will know that I am the LORD. “Because you* said, ‘The Nile is mine, and I made it,’ therefore, behold, I am against you and against your streams, and I will make the land of Egypt an utter waste and desolation, from Migdol to Syene, as far as the border of Cush.” (Ezek 29:8-10 ESV)

In this text, God has commanded Ezekiel to prophesy against Egypt. I am sure there are many reasons for which God would bring judgment against Egypt. But it is interesting to note the reason why God was going to judge Pharaoh. It was because Pharaoh took the credit for, and therefore the possession of the Nile River. He claimed to be the one who created it and owned it. Since it was God who actually created it, and therefore owns it, Pharaoh was taking glory that belonged only to God. He was a glory robber!

God does not take lightly when we take the glory for, and possession of the things that belong to Him. This will bring the judgement of God faster than anything I know.

This reminds me of another king in another era. King Herod allowed people to call him God.

“And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.” (Acts 12:22-23)

Our wealth, our a abilities, our strength are all gifts from God, and not of our own making.

How we need to recognize all that God has done for us, and make sure that we are giving Him the glory and not taking it for ourselves.

Do Not Throw Away Your Confidence!

2007-11-12T07:52:00.000-05:00

“Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.” (Heb 10:35 ESV)

The original readers of the letter to the Hebrews were Jewish Christians, who were experiencing intense persecution. In this intense persecution, many who had previously professed faith in Christ, turned back to Judaism, and renounced their faith. Hebrews was written to those who had not turned back, but were in danger of doing so. They were in danger of throwing away their confidence in Christ.

I realize the my readers are not persecuted Jewish Christians. But in every age, there are factors that tempt the Christian to throw away his confidence. I believe that one of the greatest temptations that we have is to the temptation to lose hope and lose our confidence. We are tempted to lose our confidence that God is actually leading us. We are tempted to lose our confidence that God is going to take care of us and meet our needs.

Yesterday, our pastor, preaching from Nehemiah, talked about the intimidation of Nehemiah's enemies. They wanted to make him afraid. They wanted to cause him to lose his confidence. Nehemiah had the discernment to realize what was going on, and praying to God, determined to stay the course, and complete that task that God called him to do.

One of the prophetic words that was given, reminded us of the importance of "fueling" our faith with the promises of God. How vitally important that is to helping us to keep from throwing away our confidence.

Why is it that the enemy is bent upon trying to rob us of our confidence? Because our confidence has great reward! Through faith (another word for confidence) we have been justified. Through faith, we accomplish the goals that God lays out for us. Through faith, we chose to "suffer with the people of God rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season." The rewards are to great to lose!

Dear reader, do not throw away your confidence today. Press on. Trust God. Keep your eye on the reward!

An Update on Us.

2007-11-11T18:32:00.000-05:00

I am going to take a chance and assume that if you are reading this blog your interested in what is going on in our lives.

Well as many of you know after 7 years of being that pastor of Southside Baptist Church in Live Oak, Florida, I resigned. It was not because of any problem, as much as it was the conviction that the my gifts were better suited to a church planting ministry.

The Lord has provided a way for me to make a living by building websites. Joel and I along with two other Christian business men in our town, teamed up to form a new company called, InetMedia Marketing.

We have built many websites so for including sites for insurance agencies, many churches, as well as missionaries, and missions organizations. One of our most important websites has been the one for The Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce. Another website that we are working on is SuwanneeClassifieds.com

Recently, we have come to the conclusion that the Lord would have us to join Abundant Grace Community Church in Gainesville, Florida. Phil Courson, and Mike Gilland are the pastors of this church, and have been my good friends for almost 10 years. God has really used them in my life and the lives of my wife and children. Abundant Grace is part of a family of churches known as Sovereign Grace Ministries. We believe that ultimately the Lord would have us to help plant churches through that ministry.

We covet your prayers, as we need to sell our house so that we can move to Gainesville. I will be able to work from home there. Holly has applied for a job in the Alachua County Library System, and it would be wonderful if the Lord would see fit to give her that job. It is doing the same thing that she is doing here in Suwannee County, but it would be full time with benefits, and 2 dollar more on the hour than what she is making here.

We appreciate your continued prayers for us.

"Whoso is Wise, Let Him Attnd to these things"

2007-11-09T07:38:00.000-05:00

Psa. 107:43 ¶ Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.

I was going to write this morning on the things that God did for Israel for His name sake. Ezekiel 20:1-49 was the first passage in my Bible reading plan for today.

However, when I came to the Psalm for the day it was Psalm 107, which I must say is probably my favorite psalm in all of the Word of God. This psalm is really about the same thing as Ezekiel 20--God showing mercy to Israel because of His Name's sake.

If I am going to hope in God's mercy, I must look for the reason that God would be merciful to me in Him, and not me. There is absolutely no reason in me as to why God should be merciful to me. There is every reason in my as to why God should pour out His wrath, and cause me to suffer immeasurable. So I dare not argue for God's mercy because of who I am and what's in it for me. I must argue that God will be merciful to me because of what's in it for Him--namely His own Glory. He will be merciful to me solely on the merits of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.

He will do good things for me, because He is good and merciful. He can be good and merciful to me because the Lord Jesus Christ has paid for my sin.

In Psalm 107 we find God in His mercy answering the cries of those who are in distress, and delivering them. Many of them if not all of them were in distress of their own making, because of their sin and their rebellion against God. Yet when they were humbled by affliction, and cried unto the Lord, He saved them!

Are you wise? If you are you will consider these things, and hope in the steadfast love and mercy of God.

2007-11-07T10:14:00.000-05:00

Psa. 106:24 ¶ Then they despised the pleasant land, having no faith in his promise.

As I meditate upon this verse there are three things that I see.

They were in a pleasant land.
They despised it.
The reason that the despised it is because they had no faith in the promise of God.

I conclude from that that no matter what kind of place you are in, you cannot enjoy it, unless you do so by faith in the promise of God. Joy and peace do not come from pleasant surroundings, but by faith in our God.

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” (Rom 15:13 KJVS)

Of Righteousness and Judgement

2007-11-06T09:03:00.000-05:00

“And the word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, when a land sins against me by acting faithlessly, and I stretch out my hand against it and break its supply* of bread and send famine upon it, and cut off from it man and beast, even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver but their own lives by their righteousness, declares the Lord GOD.” (Ezek 14:12-14 ESV)

It is interesting that God calls sin "acting faithlessly" The New Testament says that whatsoever is not of faith is sin. That is the real issue. If we really trust God we will do what He says. It is our faith that actually produces obedience to God. When we sin against God it is because we think we know better than He does, and we trust us rather than trusting in Him.

Notice with me something further. Righteousness delivers from the judgment of God. Albeit, only the righteousness of the Son of God can deliver others from the judgment of God. As righteous as Noah, Daniel, and Job was their righteousness could only deliver them, and no one else.

One other thought is that famine in the land comes because of God's judgment upon sin. I fear that America is headed for this kind of judgment. O may God have mercy upon this land, and send repentance and revival!

Are you Afraid of Dying?

2007-10-31T09:25:00.000-04:00

“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.” (Heb 2:14-15 ESV)

I must confess that I am not looking forward to death. I know that I am trusting the Lord Jesus Christ for my eternity. I am going to go to heaven when I die. But still I am not looking forward to dying.

I am also disturbed by the realization of just how short this life really is. I get a melancholy feeling when I think of my past, and realize how long ago some of it has been. It it keeps becoming longer and longer ago!

I believe to some degree, what I have described above is normal. However, when the fear of death becomes a life controlling fear, then life itself has become an idol. People who have no hope for life after this life are particularly prone to become enslaved to this idolatry.

The Lord Jesus Christ became one of us. He subjected Himself to the hardships of this life, and the pangs of an angonizing death. He rose again from the dead. Why? Well among other things to deliver us from the slavery of this life controlling fear of death.

How could the martyrs of the past, as well as those of the present lay down their lives rather than denounce their Christ? Answer: Through faith in Christ they have been delivered from the fear of death.

As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we need not fear living or dying. We are the only ones who are truly free.

Remembering the Truths that Bring Hope

2007-10-30T08:18:00.000-04:00

“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;* his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.” (Lam 3:21-26 ESV)

In the first part of this chapter, we find the prophet Jeremiah, really describing how desperate his situation is. He ascribes his bad fortune as coming from the hand of the Lord. Over and over again, he says things like: “I am the man who has seen affliction under the rod of his wrath;” (Lam 3:1 ESV) “he has besieged and enveloped me with bitterness and tribulation; he has made me dwell in darkness like the dead of long ago. He has walled me about so that I cannot escape; he has made my chains heavy;” (Lam 3:5-7 ESV)

The very word "lamentations" expressions of regret or disappointment over things considered unsatisfactory, unreasonable, or unfair :

However right in the middle of all of these grieving and complaining, it seems as if Jeremiah remembers some things that bring him hope. He remembers who God is, and what God is like. God's love never ceases. His mercies are new every morning. He is faithful, He is good t those who wait or him, and the soul that seeks Him.

He concludes therefore, that it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of God.

How easily do we forget these things. How we need to remember them, and live in hope!

Mercy and Judgement-Something to Sing About

2007-10-29T11:11:00.000-04:00

“I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.” (Psa 101:1 KJV)

At first glance it seems that the two things about which the Psalmist said he would sing, seem to be direct opposites. And the truth is they are! Yet both reside within the perfections of our God.

Our God is a God of judgment, and yet He is also a God of mercy! He has never, nor will He ever exercise mercy at the expense of judgement. And every time that he has ever exercised His judgment, there has been at the same time a demonstration of His mercy.

When he exercised his justice by expelling Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, he demonstrated mercy, in that he kept them from eating of the tree of life, lest they eat and live forever in their fallen state.

When he exercised his justice in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, he demonstrated his mcrcy towards Lot, and his family.

The greatest example is of course the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. While pouring out His judgement upon His Son for the sins fo the world, He was demonstrating His mery for His people.

These are the things of which we should sing! We should be joyous in all of the perfections of our God, but these seem to be of greater significance to us.

May our hearts rejoice in both the mercy and the justice of our God.

Buying the Truth

2007-09-20T09:53:00.000-04:00

Prov. 23:23 Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

As I meditate on this one verse from Proverbs some thoughts come to mind.

There is a price to pay for truth. Truth is not given away freely. It cost in time, and even money, and in many cases the agony of painful life experiences.
Secondly, there is a temptation to sell it. If not then the writer of Proverbs would not have admonished us "do not sell it." We sell the truth when we live in a way that is not according to truth. We sell the truth when we compromise the truth out of fear, or selfish gain. When we know something is true, but we refuse to own it, or live by it, we are selling the truth. Implicit in the phrase, "do not sell it." is the thought that truth is priceless. There is nothing worthing trading for truth.
Lastly I see here that truth comes in different closely related forms. Wisdom, instruction, and understanding, though closely related are not the same.

For more meditation, look up the meaning of the words, wisdom, instruction, and understanding. How can you "buy" them?

Good morning

2007-09-20T08:56:00.000-04:00

I have decided to start a new blog! For those of you that know me, you know that this is something that I have done several times.

For the last several months I had been blogging in an effort to try to help families with the Southside devotional guide. But I believe that it has long since lost it's effectiveness.

I will be sharing thoughts on this blog from my devotions as the Lord leads, but also on other things that I want to write about.

I would like to thank my friend David McMullen for the interaction that we have had over the last several months on the Southside Devotional Guide blog. I hope we can continue here. Brother David, I encourage you to get your own blog brother. You have some great thoughts, that others need to be reading.