Big Talk

1 Kings 20:11, And the king of Israel answered, “Tell him, ‘Let not him who straps on his armor boast himself as he who takes it off.’”

There is an obvious difference in saying you are something and actually being that thing. We can talk big about how strong, humble, or faithful we are but how do we fare in the battle? The battle ground, not the parade ground, is the proving ground. Strength in marriage is not proven in the good days but through the trials. Our love is not demonstrated clearly when we are loved but when we are hated.

1 Thessalonians 3:12&13, "and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, 13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints."

Lord, establish my heart in holiness. I pray for my church that You would establish all our hearts as blameless in holiness before You. When the greatest test and strongest gaze of perfection falls upon us make us stand firm on Christ. Do not let us who are strapping on the armor boast as he who takes it off. Give us all that we need to be faithful and fruitful. Guard our consciences from pulling up short of faithfulness like Ahab did. Make our report like the report of the Thessalonians, "standing fast in the Lord."

In Jesus' Name
Amen

Can you believe this guy?

But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.

For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

Great Father of mercies, give me boldness. Give Your church boldness. Though I suffer and though I be shamefully treated I pray for strength to declare Your gospel even in conflict. I pray for strength to declare Your gospel especially in conflict. Do not let me shy away from what is important. Do not let me sacrifice what is true for what is easy. Give me a hunger for Your gospel and a willingness to humbly defend it. And Lord I pray for gentleness. Too often I swing from cowardice to brutal pride. Make my exhortation, encouragement, and charge to Your people like that of a father to his children. Give me boldness and give me gentleness. Give me the mind of Christ. He is my glorious Savior and my perfect example. Christ is my all in all. Christ is worth my all. May I stand firm for Him.

In His name
Amen

What do people pray for you?

Have you ever given thought to how people pray for you? It is an unfortunate tendency among Christians to tell people we will be praying but then not pray. As Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica he was sure to pray for them. He prayed for them because of some specific things.

1. Their work of faith, labor of love, and steadfastness of hope in Christ was evident and clear in his mind so Paul prayed.
2. Paul prayed for them because he knew they were loved and chosen by God.
3. Paul prayed for them because they were imitators of right faith full of endurance and the joy of the Holy Spirit.

Why do people pray for you? Do your prayer requests always deal in the negative or physical? In a humble way do you ask people to pray for your work of faith, labor of love, and steadfastness of hope in Christ? Do you remember to pray for people for no other reason than they are loved and chosen by God?

Father, I want to pray today for Pat Barrett and Commissioner Roan. Pat's work of faith, labor of love, and steadfastness of hope in Christ are so evident and clear. It is obvious that You love her and have chosen her. As she imitates right faith full of endurance and sets the example with the joy of the Holy Spirit please guide her. You know the Comissioner's Court is meeting next Monday to rule on funding the road project in Brazos River Acres. Be with Commissioner Roan as he makes his case and request. Guide the ministry that Pat leads. Guide Mambrino Baptist Church. Guide Brazos River Baptist Church. May we set the example. May You see fit to use us. May our faith go forth everywhere. May Your glory shine forth.

Because of Christ

Amen

Seek and Set

Colossians 3:1-4, "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

What are you going after? What do you want? Are you seeking the things above? Do you want Christ? What is your mind set upon? What do you imagine or think about? Are you set on earthly things or are you set on heavenly things? If you are a Christian then you have died. The power of Satan and this earth of you has been broken. Your inability to please God has been cured. You are hidden with Christ in God. You are a new creation because of Christ. When He returns then you will be with Him. Dwell on these things.

The struggle

I think we struggle so much in our lives physically and spiritually because we are not dedicated to struggling for others. Because our energies are not funneled correctly those energies end up being consumed in an ineffective manner. Think of Paul's words in Colossians 2:1-3

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

As Christians, and if you are reading this, it's safe to assume there is some level of effort on your behalf to grow yourself spiritually. That is a very good thing. Do you want to step up that growth? Do you want to bear even great fruit? Struggle for someone else. Give yourself to encouraging someone in Christ. Serve and give so that it will lead to the knitting together of the church body in love. Speak of Christ and teach His gospel so that others will reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and knowledge of Christ. Find the treasure map and take someone with you as your pursue all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Pursue Christ.

Why Christ?

9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

Father, show me who You want me to serve and struggle and sacrifice for. Show me who You want me to pour my energies into. Give me the energy to follow Your will. I want to know You. I want others to know You. I want to grow in Christ and I want my knowledge of Him to be fruitful. I don't want to waste my life or the opportunities You give me. I have been given wonderful gifts in Your Son: spiritual circumcision, baptism, the resurrection, new life, total forgiveness, all debts canceled, and removal from the rule of Satan. Your Son and His cross are amazing! Thank You Father. Send me to people and bring people to me who need to hear and grow in the truth of Christ.

Use me Father for Christ
Amen

Hear and Understand

Colossians 1:5&6 "Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,"

Jesus has left us the blessed calling of discipling the nations. We must take the gospel to all of creation. Every person must hear the good news of Jesus Christ. What will mark the Christian as different from the lost person, both after hearing the gospel, is the understanding of grace in the Christian. The Christian will see his need for grace. The Christian will see the free provision of grace in Jesus. The Christian will understand his need for and Christ's provision for forgiveness. We must speak of the preeminence of Christ. The glory of our holy Head should be constantly before our eyes.

Pray to the One who is all that you need.

Paul knew what Jeroboam didn't

I'm not referring to the work of Christ specifically but the contentment of trusting in God. In Philippians 4 Paul wrote, "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me." He had learned to trust the sovereign God who gave what was needed. Paul understood at times what was needed were difficulties and trials which exposed and strengthened the heart. Jeroboam was worried about losing his kingdom. He was more concerned about his earthly stuff than he was concerned about his heavenly Father. Paul trusted and obeyed; Jeroboam did not.

Heavenly Father, the One to whom belongs all honor and glory forever and ever amen. I pray for contentment in You. I pray for my church that You would give us a deep hunger for Christ and provide for us a lasting satisfaction in Him. Do not let me get wrapped up in keeping what I perceive as my kingdom. Do not the church be concerned about keeping their kingdoms. Instead, may we joyfully serve and faithfully give so that Your kingdom would advance. Give us true contentment in Christ so that no matter the plenty or lack we will trust in Christ who gives us strength.

In His Name
Amen

Pray for your Pastor

Here are some specific requests from Philippians chapter two that would be good consistent prayers for your pastor.

From 2:5 "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,"
Father, give my pastor the mind of Christ which is already his in Christ. Give him humility, remove rivalry in his heart, remove rivalry from our church. May there be no hint of selfish ambition but the pleasing aroma of sacrifice. Make my pastor like Jesus.

From 2:16 "holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain."
Father, hold fast to my pastor that he may hold fast to the word of life. May the gospel be his joy and the subject of his preaching. Fill his times of prayer with hope in the gospel that his work might fill your church will the hope of the gospel. Do not let him labor in vain. Do not let him waste his time or energy.

From 2:20 "For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare."
Father, give my pastor a strong pastor's heart. Give him a love for all the curch. May he be genuinely concered for the new members as well as the old. May be be genuinely concerned for the nursery, the children, the youth, the young adults, and the mature adults. Guard him from ignoring people and guard the church from wanting pastor to play favorites.

From 2:30 "for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me."
Father, give my pastor the energy, desire, and love for the work of Christ. Do not let his work be tedious. May his work be joyous. Give him eyes to see the work of Christ so that pastor will even risk his life so that nothing will be lacking. Guide our church and lead our pastor.

Praying Biblical Prayers

Use this in your time of prayer today. Pray this for yourself, for me, and those in your family.

Ephesians 3:14-21

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family [11] in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

We'd have nothing without Him

As I read through Ephesians 1 this morning my need for Christ became evident again. These are the things that I have only in Christ. We're it not for Him none of this would be mine

1. Every spiritual blessing (v.3)
2. I have been chosen in Christ (v.4)
3. My election is for the purpose of being like Christ- holy and blameless (v.4)
4. I have been predestined for adoption through Jesus Christ (v.5)
5. I have grace because of the purpose of God's will and to His praise (v.5&6)
6. In Christ I have redemption through His blood (v.7)
7. In Christ I have forgiveness of my trespasses (v.7) and this not according to works but according to the riches of God's grace
8. God has lavished grace upon me (v.8)
9. God has made known to me the mystery of His will, according to His purpose, which He set forth in Christ (v.9)
10. In Christ I have obtained an inheritance (v.11&14)
11. Because of Christ I now exist for the praise of Christ (v.12)
12. In Christ I have been sealed with the promised Holy Spirit (v.13)

So what do we do now? We pray for and seek a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ (v.17). The fruitful Christian life can only be lived as we seek to know Christ more. Fruitfulness is tied directly to abiding in Christ. We do not know hope aside from daily abiding in Christ. We do not know the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints aside from abiding in Christ. We do not know the immeasurable greatness of his power or the working of his great might aside from abiding in Christ.

Father, enlighten my eyes to see Your greatness today. I want to see Jesus. I want to be changed I want to live a life that is to Your praise. I want to worship Christ Jesus with all that I do. Constantly remind me of what Christ has done and what I have in Him. Do not let me grow prideful thinking I deserve Your gifts or I have earned some blessing. Lord, I need a passion for Christ. I need a strong heart so that I may love strongly. I need my Brother's heart. Father, make me more like my Brother. Focus the eyes of my heart on what is true and what is best. Raise up Your church to be what You call it to be. Raise us up to be the outworking of Christ's rule on this earth. Help us God.

In Christ's Name

Amen

Don't look for the easy road

First, forgive me. I have not been able to connect to blogger for the past two days. On to what really matters.

After coming to Christ and seeing the work of God we should not expect an easy end. Look at David and look at the church at Galatia. If anything, the final years of our lives will bring greater temptation because the pressure will lessen. Most will retire and no longer feel the strain of performance and production. Most will have an empty nest. The constant work of raising Christ-centered children will change as they age and move out of the home. With the absence of children in the home the temptation will be to back out of ministry at church. The retirement years bring a strong temptation to coast. Sit back, count the troups, and take it easy.

Father, keep us from returning to the law and keep us from wasting our lives. Guard our hearts from desiring fruitless trees and fields without production. Keep our eyes open to the temptation of returning to the law. Increase our understanding of grace and the gospel. May we be so full grace and may we live in gratitude to the gospel of Jesus Christ that legalism would never be an option. Increase Christ in our lives that foolishness and legalism are seen as they truly are, empty and tragic. Increase Christ in our lives so that we may always do faithful work and live truly abundant lives.

In Jesus' Name
Amen

Called by Grace

In the Apostle Paul's testimony he mentions being called by God's grace in Galatians 1:15. Verse 16 tells us then that God revealed Jesus Christ to Paul. These two elements must be involved in everyone's conversion. Without them there is no true conversion. We must be called out of darkness. God must draw us to himself. Here, when confronted with the holiness of God we become convicted of sin. God could have left Paul in his sin and selfrighteousness but because of His grace God did not. And God did not leave Paul in helpless conviction of sin. God revealed to Paul the true work of Christ. Paul knew the story of Jesus. He knew the claims of Jesus. The problem is Paul did not believe they were true. He did not believe Jesus was who He said he was. And Paul didn't believe Jesus did what He said he would do. Until the call of grace and the revelation of Christ there is no Christian.

Father, use me this day and all the days of my life to bring people to faith in Christ. Give me boldness with Your Word. I long to see people saved. I want to be a part of You calling people by Your grace. I want to be a part of You revealing the truth of Christ Jesus to the world. Use me today I pray.

In Jesus' name
Amen

Examine Yourselves

Are you in the faith? Am I in the faith? How can I tell? Let's use our Old Testament reading for some insight. From 2 Samuel 20 we have the test of following the king. Do you want to rule yourself or do you want to be ruled by the king? In 2 Samuel the test of belonging to Israel was following the true king David. For us today the test of being a Christian is following the true King Jesus. Like Amasa do we disobey? Like Sheba do we revolt? Do we do what is right (2 Cor 13:7)? Do we go on sinning against the truth or do we seek to obey the truth (verse 8). Just as in Old Testament days there is a severity at times in the use of authority. We do not spill out entrails or lope off people's heads. Instead there are warnings, removal of members, and both of these only when the evidence is established by two or three witnesses. And in all of these we are seeking restoration. We are seeking the restoration of the individual and the restoration of God's Kingdom.

Are you in the faith? We're not looking for perfection in ourselves. We are looking for a love for Christ that drives us to consistently seek obedience to Him. When we fail, when we sin, we repent. Do not look for sinlessness in yourself. Look for true repentance. Aim for restoration in all spheres of life because of the work of Jesus Christ and His presence in you.

Change my heart O God, make it ever true. Change my heart O God, may I be like You. Gracious and merciful Father, You are the Potter and I am the clay. Mold me and make me so that I reflect to my wife, children, church and world, the image of Christ. Give me honesty as I examine myself to see if I am in the faith. Do not let me run from the duty to search my own heart according to Your commands. Father, stir up Your church. Make us a people who rejoice. Make us a people who aim for restoration, comfort one another, and agree with one another. Give us Your peace and make us a people who live in Your peace. I want you to be with me and with us. I want Christ to be worshiped and exalted in us. Not just in word but in deed, expand the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ in us. Expand Your love in us. Teach us to seek and live in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. God please move in Your church.

In Christ's name
Amen

Boast

2 Corinthians 10:17&18 “'Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.' 18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends."

When is the last time you boasted in the Lord? When is the last time you pointed to the glory of your Redeemer? Do we cherish the powerful and life giving work of Christ for us or do we cherish how well we can complete some job?

What we value we talk about. It has amazed me how much God has grown me spiritually since becoming a pastor years ago. My growth in the pastorate has been far greater than my growth during seminary. Those days where days of boasting in myself and boasting in theologians. These have become days of learning to boast in Christ. Those were days of learning to defend truth. These have become days seeking to know Christ who is the Truth. It is not for me to boast in accomplishments. It is not for me to boast in knoweldge. It is my joy to boast in Christ.

Father, I thank You for Christ. I come to You in prayer only because of Christ. I will come to You in death only because of Christ. You are my Father and my Savior only because I belong to Christ. Thank You my King and I pray that You will use me so that others will boast in Christ. I want others to know the joy of forgiveness and hope. I want others to know the strengthening and convicting power of the Spirit. Lord use me I pray so that others will see Your glory.

In Jesus' name
Amen

The Grace Foundation

Last night in our adult bible study we emphasized the foundation of grace for all giving. 2 Corinthians 8 opens with this statement, "We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia." 2 Corinthians 9 verse 8 continues the idea, "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." And then verse 14, "while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you."

If our giving is going to be generous, if your ministry is going to endure, we must be people who love, cling to, and experience God's grace. God's grace is God's favor giving us what we do not deserve. Grace is not limited to the first prayer of faith and repentance. Life is not intended to be lived on left-over grace. Just as Timothy needed grace, mercy, and peace so also do you. To live in grace we have to order our priorities- seek first the kingdom and His righteousness. To live in grace we have to realize that we need grace. Admitting we cannot do what God desires for our life and experiecing God's forgiveness through Christ and the Spirit's power is a large part of living in grace.

Lord, show us grace today. Show us our sin that we may see your grace. Bring us into ministry that is over our heads so that we may experiencing your grace that overflows our cups. I don't want to live a life ignorant of grace. I don't want to live a life that is inconsequential for your kingdom. I want to live in grace. I want to give generously. If I am to be poor so that others may pour out grace then Lord make me humble. Raise up generous givers and humble receivers. Make us a church who sees needs and meets them. Make us a church that lives according to the grace that Christ provides.

In His name
Amen

How to give

Everybody and every church wants us to give. Do you understand that God calls us to give? But how are we to do that without growing bitter or resentful toward others in need or toward others who won't give?

"they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us" (2 Cor 8:5).

Right giving does not start by understanding all that we have been given belongs to God. Right giving starts by understanding all that we are has been give to us by God (1 Cor 4:7). God does not call us to give a portion of our stuff. God does not call us to give all our stuff. God calls us to give ourselves first to Him and then by His will to others. It is a God honoring thing to give out of our abundance to others. It is a work of the Spirit to give ourselves to others.

Father, break my love and attachment to this world. Forgive me for wasting myself and what You have given me on things that will not last. Teach me what I know, may I take it to heart. I am not my own but You bought me with the life and blood of Jesus Christ. I want to honor You with all that I am and all that I have. Help me Father to honor You. Help me to no longer live for myself but for Christ who loves me and gave Himself for me.

For Christ my Redeemer
Amen

Don't Miss This

2 Corinthians 7:9-13 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.
10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 11 For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter. 12 So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God. 13 Therefore we are comforted.

Pray for the spiritual wisdom that distinquishes between godly and worldly repentance. Search your heart and discern the motives and means of your repentance. We are easly tricked by the ways of Satan. We are too quick to quiet our consciences with things other than the perfect work of Christ. Spend time searching yourself.

The Gospel in 6 Minutes

Check out the above link; it is well worth your time.

Sin: from desire to hatred

2 Samuel 13 details in a horrific way the progress we all go through when tempted. Amnon saw something beautiful and good but potentially sinful. If he would have asked, if he would have acted appropriately Tamar would have been given to him as his wife. But with all sin we are not concerned with what is lawful but with what will quench our desires. He is influenced by a worthless man (see Psalm 1) and concocts a sinful scheme. Amnon lies to his father, his servants, and his sister. He then rapes his sister. He achieved his goal. Amnon quenched his desire. Then a horribly remarkable thing happens. Tamar, the one who used to make him sick with desire now makes him sick with disgust. Once Amnon took what he thought he could not live without he realized he could not live with it. So it is with every sin. We become consumed with desire and convince ourselves it would be wrong to do with out. We lie, cheat, and steal to attain what we want. When we get it; it's neither what we need nor what we want.

My Father in heaven, give me eyes to see things as they really are. Do not let me deceive myself with lies about sin. I do not want to be an Amnon. I do not want to be full of sin and full of disgust. I want to be like Christ. I want to be full of righteousness and full of joy. Guard me from worthless men and guard me from becoming a worthless man. Make me as disgusted over my sin as I am over Amnon's. Satisfy me with your presence. Feed me with your word. Guide my feet on path's of righteousness.

In Jesus' name
Amen

Prayer Request & Update

Last night, Wednesday, a little girl named Casey had what appears to be a seizure. A helicopter took her to a hospital in Fort Worth and see remains there as of this morning. She is much improved, the breathing tube has been removed and she is talking. Her grandmother said her eyes are read and she's a little groggy. Pray for Casey and her family. The neurologist is coming some time today because the tests last night revealed no cause for the episode. Pray that her body would be healed. Pray that God would open the eyes of her little heart to understand the truth of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray that the hope of the gospel, the promises of Jesus Christ, would comfort her mom and grandmother throughout this day and throughout all eternity. God is able; let's pray.

Thanks
Paul

Prayer

God said to David:

"Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever’” (2 Samuel 7:11-16).

David said in response:
"For you, O Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, have made this revelation to your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house.’ Therefore your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you. 28 And now, O Lord God, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant. 29 Now therefore may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you. For you, O Lord God, have spoken, and with your blessing shall the house of your servant be blessed forever” (2 Samuel 7:27-29)

Paul wrote:
"Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many" (2 Corinthians 1:9-11).

Then he wrote:
"For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory" (2 Corinthians 1:20).

All our prayers must be based on God's promises. David prayed in response to God's promise to establish his offspring. Paul called on the church to pray in response to God's promised deliverance. The climax of prayer and promise comes in the person of Jesus Christ. All the promises of God, on which we base our prayers, find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. Jesus promised, "Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it" (John 14:13&14). Our prayers should not be grounded on our needs, God knows our needs. Our prayers must be grounded in Jesus Christ the one who fulfills all the promises of God. Jesus is the reason for prayer. Jesus is the reason God answers prayer. Jesus is the reason God hears our prayers. Jesus is king forever. Our prayers will be heard forever and those that are based on Him will find their Yes forever.

In the name of Jesus Christ I pray to You my God and Father. Through Jesus Christ You have given me forgiveness and life. Thank You in Jesus' name. Through Jesus Christ You have given me hope for today and for all eternity. He has experienced Your rod of discipline because of my sin. He has taken my place. You have made Yourself a people and I am a part of that people because of Jesus. Father, I praise You for the marvelous work of grace You accomplished for me in Christ Jesus. When I pray to You, when I seek Your forgiveness, You tell me Yes because of Christ. Keep me near to Christ. I want to pray according to Your will and I want to pray so that I glorify my Savior. Help me Father. Do for me what I cannot do for myself.

In the name of Jesus
Amen

Opportunity & Adversity

1 Corinthians 16:8, "But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries."

In Colossians, Paul urged the church to pray God would open doors of opportunity for the gospel to go forward. He saw the open door amoung the Ephesians but he also saw opposition. It is promised, "all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Tim 3:12). When God's people advance in holiness and faithfulness there will be opposition from the world and the god of this age. When God's people take the gospel to their community their will be opposition. Unfortunately, opposition generally takes the form of persecution.

David saw opposition from Saul and David saw opposition from Michal, his wife. Resentment, bitterness, anger, and misunderstanding creep in quickly and quietly. What the Christian does and thinks is foolishness to the world. Sadly, what the Christians does and thinks can been seen as foolish even by those in their family. This should be our response, "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love" (1 Cor 16:13&14).

In love, watch for what is right and watch for what is wrong. In love, stand firm in the faith for the truth and against error. In love, act like men. In love, be strong.

Father, my love for ease so often keeps me from following You through the doors of opportunity Your provide. Forgive me by the blood of Jesus Christ for not watching and following You. Forgive us, Your Church, for loving comfort more than we love faithfulness. You have such wonderful opportunities for us to bring hope and change to our community and world. You have given us the gospel, the ministry of reconciliation. May we be faithful to proclaim it wherever we go. May I be faithful to proclaim it wherever I go. Teach me what it means, and teach the men of Your church what it means, to be men. Teach us the joys of watching for Your call and watching out for Your truth. Teach us the joys of standing firm in the faith and acting like men. Fill us with the love of Christ.

In Jesus' name
Amen

The Resurrection

1 Corinthians 15:32, "If the dead are not raised, 'Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.'”

If there is no resurrection we should live like the world. If there is no resurrection we should not exercise faith we should live quietly doing nothing of eternal significance. If there is no resurrection we should never attempt the difficult or engage the enemy. Simply put, if there is no resurrection we should live like we are living. But if there is a resurrection:

54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”55 “O death, where is your victory?O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Father, Son, and Spirit give me hope in the resurrection so that I always abound in Your work. Fill my life with You so that my life will sing Your praise and bear fruit for Your kingdom. I don't want to live a wasted life. I don't want to be a part of a church that lives a wasted life. I want to grow. I want Your people to grow. I want Your kingdom to grow. Remove my fear of death by showing me the glory of the resurrection. Remove my fear of adversity by showing me the power of the Spirit and the endurance of Christ. Open my eyes Lord, I want to see Jesus.

For Jesus,
Amen

Every gift for the common good

And David knew that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel (2 Sam 5:12).

If anyone in history could have thought his influence and wealth was for himself it would have been David. Yet David knew his kingdom had come to power for the good of the people. This was not about David sitting on a throne. This leadership was about God's kingdom and God's people. David did not trust himself to ruthless men who murdered people on their beds. David trusted in God who brought him out of every adversity.

In the middle of the storm it is hard to see God. The blowing rain, the flash of lightening, the pain of being tossed about darkens our eyes. But when the storm ceases we see God's hand. When David was running and hiding every day, when David the annoited was eating the priest's bread instead of feasting in the king's hall, and when he was fighting another people's battles there would have been opportunity to doubt. But as it were, the presence of God and the faithfulness of God gave opportunity to believe.

The Church

We need you to be a part of the church and exercise your gifts. We don't need you to act important. We don't need you to make demands for your own benefit. We don't need you to pull rank or put people in their places. We need you to be what God is making you. We need you to use your own gifts to challenge us to do the same. We need you to exercise your gifts in a way that shows us the strength, beauty, mercy, courage, help, endurance, correction, wisdom, holiness, and care of Jesus Christ.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good (1 Cor 12:4-7).

But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together (1 Cor 12:24-26)

Father, help us get over ourselves. Help us get over our fears and help us get over our little pet ideas that matter very little and cause great damage. Show us how to use our gifts. Open our eyes to the needs that are around us. Help not ask what we can get out of the church but how we can use our gifts for the good of the church. Help us show Christ to others. Help me show Christ to others.

In HIs name
Amen

The Lord's Supper

Over the past two days we have seen the Spirit's emphasis on different characteristics of the Lord's Supper. Yesterday, from 1 Corinthians 10, the meaning of the one loaf was at the forefront. I Cor 10:16&17, "16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread." Lord, show us the glories of Your church when it sees itself as one body. I long for the church to come together around Jesus Christ. May it truly be our desire to know Christ and make Him known.

In 1 Cor 11 the Lord's Supper is again mentioned. This time the emphasis is not one loaf but eating the supper together as a unifed body. A unified body that is concerned about each other and meeting together meeting the needs of the body. Out of selfishness they had begun to despise the church of God and humiliate those who had nothing.

The Lord's Supper is a tangible display of the work of Christ. The blood of Christ was spilt and the body of Christ was broken to redeem men and women. Men and women were redeemed in order to be a part of the body of Christ. The work of salvation transforms the sinner into a saint and the outcast into a beloved son. When we observe the Lord's Supper it must be done with redemption in Christ and unity by Christ in our minds, songs, and prayers.

Great Father full of mercy, unify Your church. Unify Mambrino Baptist Church. Remove our selfishness that keeps us from serving and sacrificing. Remove our pride that keeps us from being honest about our sins and finding the help we need. So many people don't care about the church. Make me a man You can use to build Your church. I want Your Kingdom, the Kingdom of Your beloved Son, to advance in Granbury. I want us to be used to bring the good news of Jesus Christ into every home. Unite us Father. Make us one body. Make us family. Make us the body of Christ. Great Father of mercy, thank You for Your covenant love. Thank You for Your crucified Son. Thank You for my resurrected Savior. Come Lord Jesus. Come Lord Jesus.

Amen

A Sad Day

MSN reports concerning the release of 12 of the 19 remaining South Korean hostages:

"To secure the release of the church workers, South Korea reaffirmed a pledge it made before the hostage crisis began to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan by the end of this year. Seoul also said it would prevent South Korean Christian missionaries from working in the country, something it had already promised to do" (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20473825/).

This is definitely a call on the Christian church in South Korea to disobey the government. We must pray that God would raise up men and women like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abadnego, and the Disciples who respected the government but not obey the government.

Acts 4:19-22, "19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old."

For my daughter, Abigail

Father, I pray this morning for the daughter you have given me. I pray for my Abigail. May you make her discerning and beautiful. Please God, send Your Holy Spirit to adorn her with eternal life and true beauty. I long to see Abigail walk with You and know Your perfect Son. I desire to raise her in Your wisdom so that she may know Your will. I want to be a father who is faithful. I want her to know she is loved by her earthly loving but more importantly I want her to know she is loved by You. When difficulties come, be her strength. When young men come, be her beauty. When hard situations come, give her wisdom. Be to her everything that I cannot be. Be to her a true Father. Give me a love for her and a love for Christ that drive me to show her everyday in everyway who You are. Thank you for my Abigail. She truly makes my heart rejoice.

In Christ's name
Amen

What David had that the other guy didn't

1 Samuel 24 and 1 Corinthians 5 give us a helpful comparison in our walk with God. Here is David's story, "Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul's robe. 5 And afterward David's heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul's robe." Here is the story of the church and a sinful man in 1 Corinthians 5, "It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife. 2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn?"

Where David was convicted and repented concerning his sin the Corinthians were wallowing in their sin. This lack of concern for true spiritual things brought a sharp rebuke from the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul. This is where the church should come in. If an individual does not own up to and turn from his sin, like David did, it is the church's responsibility to follow up seeking repentance. If he does not repent he needs to be cast out of the church so that his flesh will be destroyed and his spirit saved. The sad truth is we would rather have people we know go to hell than confront them. To do nothing is to tell them, 'go to hell.'

Father, give us hearts that turn quickly from our sin. Make us like David. Give us a heart like David's. Let us not be like the church in Corinth. Make us a church full of Your people who love You, love holiness, and love each other. For far too long we have acted selfishly and cowardly. Change us through the blood of our Savior to be selfless and bold. May we truly love our neighbors with the tenacity by which we love ourselves. May we love Christ with the tenacity by which we love ourselves. Forgive us Father. Change us Father. Make us the Church.

For Christ
Amen

The Scum of the World

1 Corinthians 4:9-13 For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. 11 To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, 12 and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13 when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.

This passage is difficult if you are a pastor or ministering faithfully and seeing little results except for opposition or indifference. We can begin to see our weakness, disrepute, poverty, labor, persecution, slander, and lowliness in the world's eye as a red badge of courage. We begin to glory in our shame. I must preach to myself and you must preach to yourself that it is not our sacrifice which makes us something special. It is Christ's sacrifice that makes us something special. I have not known the weakness, disrepute, poverty, labor, persecution, slander, and lowliness that Christ knew. Christ has a PhD with years of experience in these areas. I am only a little brother who watches his big brother go off to preschool. I know very little of these things though at times I want to label myself a master. Do not trust in yourself. Do not glory in your pain. Instead, trust in Christ. Instead, glory in your Redeemer; the one whom the world knows as the refuse of all things, the scum of the world.

Father, I thank You for Your grace through which I have been given eyes to see the glory and value of Jesus Christ. What He has done for me is indescribable and the world could not contain the pages of words of thanks to do 1/2 justice to His great work. Father, I do at times feel my weakness, disrepute, poverty, labor, persecution, slander, and lowliness. May You use those moments to point me to Christ who is my strength and great wealth. Focus my mind on Christ who alone exalts and makes new. Do not let me run from my lowliness. Do not let me deny my lowliness. Rather, my great God, may You teach me great things about Christ in my lowliness. Remove the wall of pride Your church has built. Remove the wall of pride that I have helped to build. Give us humility. Give us a desire to die for the lost.

Give us Jesus
Amen

And you are Christ's

So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future--all are yours, and you are Christ's and Christ is God's (1 Cor 3:21-23).

Our affections and our allegiances are far too small. We love so little and work so little precisely because we are focused on the little. David was afraid of Saul and it cost the priests of Nob their lives. David was afraid of Achish the king of Gath so he lied about his condition. In the church of Corinth the people were afraid of not being seen as important or spiritual so they all chose their champions. To understand this life and to live a fruitful life we must understand who we are in Christ. Because the Father is the creator and therefore owner of everything, because the Son belongs to the Father, and because we belong to Christ that means everything belongs to us. We are God's stewards called to exercise His sovereign goodness over everything. We are to be His ambassadors in every situation not trusting ourselves but trusting Him.

Father, help me today to understand and meditate on Your Word. Help me to do the hard work of memorizing Scripture that I might understand who I am in Christ. I don't want to be afraid of man, life, or death. I want to be useful to You in everything. Guide me oh thou great Jehovah, hither by Your help I come. Equip me and use me for the expansion of Your kingdom. Use me to lay the foundation of salvation in the lives of men and women. Use me to build on that foundation all the days of my life. Use me Father.

For Christ
Amen

Division in the Church

Father, we join together today as Your church to pray for the removal of selfishness and pride from Your church. We confess we are more apt to follow a sinful man and his teachings than we are to follow Christ and His teachings. We choose favorites and we fight to the death. We act out of pride and we fight to the death. We even use the name of Christ as an excuse to exalt ourselves. Lord, wash us and make us clean. Expose our pride for the poison that it is. Give us hearts that are quick to turn from sin. Give us mouths that are quick to speak the truth. Give us devotion to Christ that is full of sacrificial love and humility. Do not let us exalt ourselves any longer. Send Your Spirit to humble us. Send Your Spirit to humble me. Work in us so that Your great Name and Your Church would be exalted. We must decrease and Christ must increase.

For Christ
Amen

Nothing can hinder the Lord

Jonathan said to his armor bearer in 1 Samuel 14:6, "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 Lord will work and accomplish His will though the army be large or small. But how magnificent would it be if the church became what God intended it to be? What if we realized that "we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another"? What if love became genuine in our midst? What if the church truly abhored what is evil and held fast to what is good? What if the church became what God intended?

Father, thank you this morning for renewing my vision for the church. Thank you for coupling with that renewal the reminder that the number of workers is not the issue; faithfulness to You is the issue. Raise up a vast army characterized by genuine love, hatred for evil, and devotion to good. Do not let us get lazy but be filled with zeal. May our concern no longer be that people see us and honor us. Instead, make our concern all about showing honor to others. Help us rejoice. Give us patience. Make our prayers constant. Raise up the generous. Show us how to be hospitable. My King, make us like Christ and give us strength to show Christ to others.

Come quickly Lord Jesus
Amen

A call for grace

Romans 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” 35 “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

In every attempt to understand or explain the work of God there must be humility. We truly see through a mirror dimly until the day when we are physically in the very presence of God. On matters that are clear and of 1st priority we must be dogmatic and gracious. Matters such as the eternal diety of the Trinity, the virgin birth/incarnation, substitutionary atonement, salvation by grace through faith, the physical resurrection of Christ, and the bodily return of Christ. I also believe we must unashamedly hold the inerrancy of Scripture in this group. On these we must not budge or compromise and on these we must not be vindictive or combative.

Too often we make enemies out of friends because they do not agree with us on the best bible translation or if the 2nd coming is before or after the tribulation. We agree on the fundamentals but because of a difference on secondary matters we want to slit throats. Where the bible is clear we must be clear. Where the bible does not speak in the plainest of terms we must not demand the drawing of terms of war.

Those of us who believe in and love salvation by grace do we truly know what grace is? Those who truly know what grace is are those who give grace.

Infinite Father, I don't know Your mind. In fact, I can't know Your mind. You are so much higher, better, smarter, stronger, and gracious than I am. I don't know Your every rationale but I know Your every move is good so I will trust. Because of Your power and goodness You have no need of my counsel and I have every need of Yours. Give me Your counsel. You owe me nothing and I owe You my life. Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord to Thee. Consecrate me by the blood of Jesus and by His righteousness. Everything is from You and everything is moving toward reconciliation in You. For this I trust You and praise You and submit to You. Do not let me break Your commands like Saul. Where I break Your commands bring conviction upon me quickly that I may way with You. Help me Father to give grace. Help me Father to know grace.

Give me Christ
Amen

An Amazing Lesson from Saul

Let me back track a bit-

1 Samuel 10:26&27, "Saul also went to his home at Gibeah, and with him went men of valor whose hearts God had touched. 27 But some worthless fellows said, 'How can this man save us?' And they despised him and brought him no present. But he held his peace."

1 Samuel 11:12&13, "Then the people said to Samuel, Who is it that said, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring the men, that we may put them to death. 13 But Saul said, 'Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the Lord has worked salvation in Israel.'

If worthless fellows mocked me, I saved them, and then was given the chance to exact revenge/judgment on them what would I do? Would I speak of my rights or would I speak of salvation? Saul had the opportunity to strike back and none would have thought the less of him but he held his hand.

Father, make me a man full of mercy. Make me a man who in wisdom and grace does not give what is deserved. May I be quick to hold my hand and hold my tongue. Give me Christ's grace so that I may have the wisdom to know what to do and what not to do. Father, I'm more concerned with my honor than Yours. Forgive me and straighten my priorities that they may reflect Yours.

In Christ
Amen

God works all things for good

We know that for those who love God all things work together for good. So, let's be specific. How does God work for good Israel's sinful desire for a king?

1 Samuel 8:7, "And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them."

Matthew 2:1&2 "Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, 'Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.'”

John 19:19 "Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, 'Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.'”

Revelation 19:16 "On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords."

We praise You, Christ our King. You are our Ruler, our Redeemer, and our King. You are full of strength and full of mercy. Your judgments are correct and infinitely wise. Your kingdom is one that cannot be defeated. You are my King. My Christ, I worship You and bow to serve You. Show me how to be useful in Your kingdom. Show me where to be useful in Your kingdom. I have no desire to remove Your power over me. My desire is to magnify Your power of me. Help me today to do that in my family, my job, and in all my life.

For my King
Amen

By the Word of the Lord

As I read back over the last several verses of 1 Samuel 3 I came again to a truth that is too important to not mention.

1 Samuel 3:21, "And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord."

God showed up, manifested His presence, or made Himself known to Samuel through His word. This is precisely why it is crucial for the church to read the Word, pray the Word, sing the Word, and preach the Word. God reveals Himself to us through His word. This is exactly why we must all dedicate ourselves to reading and memorizing God's word. Do you want more of God? Get more Scripture into your mind. Mediate on the word. Talk about the word when you sit down, rise up, or walk along the road. God has made Himself known to us through His Son who is the Word. The Spirit inspired inerrant Scriptures are the word through which God continues to reveal Himself to us. May we not long after 'visions' or 'new revelations' but let us hunger and thirst for God's Word.

Psalm 20 verse 7 shows us Israel's terminal illness exposed in 1 Samuel 4, "some trust in chariots, and some trust in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." The Hebrew people trusted in the ark. They did not trust in the God whose glory hovered over the ark. Without God the ark was worthless. They couldn't see that. Without Christ Sunday worship is worthless. Can you see that? Can I see that?

Faith will be counted to us as righteousness "who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification" (Romans 4:24)

My God, reveal Yourself to me through Your word. Show me Your holiness and Your grace. Show me Your coming judgment on the unrighteous. Show me Your great love for the righteous. Show me the requirement of faith. Show me the sufficient Savior who fills all my requirements. Set my devotion and loyalty on Him. Do not let me be loyal to my strength or the strength of some army or the strength of what others might say. Make me loyal to Christ who is the seed of Abraham. Make me loyal to Christ who fulfills all Your promises. Reveal Christ to me.

In His name
Amen

No Innocent Bystanders

God said to Samuel, "And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons where blaspheming God" (1 Sam 3:13).

The condition of our church has weighed heavily on my heart and I fear we are no different than the majority of other Baptist churches. We have some many on our roles who have made a profession of faith and linked arms with God's people but now have nothing to do with God's people. Generally we have a pretty good idea of why they are gone. Often there are financial problems, relationship problems, or they have found something better than the Church. We may not know the specifics but we know there is iniquity. And now we know there are no innocent bystanders in the church. We are responsible for each other whether we admit it or not. We can deny God's standards all day but that does not dissolve our responsibility or God's righteous judgment.

"By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or in talk but in deed and in truth" (1 John 3:16-18).

Father, help us to love each other in Your church. God give us eyes to see what You want for Your church. Give us strength and endurance to work for what You want for Your church. Do not let us turn a blind eye to the problems. Do not let us turn a deaf ear to the cries for help. When a brother or sister separates himself/herself from the brethren I pray You would give us hearts that are concerned. Father, I am concerned about the trials and strife pursuing people will bring. Some will return gladly to the church and others will go further away taking offense. Give me love, patience, gentleness, boldness, and endurance. Make me like Your Son. Make Your church a healthy body. I want us to be fruitful for You. I want us to be a church not just a once a week gathering of people. Show us the way and give us the strength to walk on it.

In Christ's name
Amen

The Redeemer

Boaz was the redeemer. Christ is The Redeemer. It's not that He had to but that He wanted to.

Father, thank You for Christ the Redeemer. Thank you not that He died in some vague sense for the sins of the world. Rather, thank You that He died for my sins. Thank You for my Redeemer.

In my Redeemer's name
Amen

Christ our Redeemer

Unfortunately, the story of Ruth and Boaz has been made out only as a romantic love story of faithfulness, hard work, blessing, and a happy ending. As far as this goes it is true. But it does not go far enough. Boaz is adding depth to the picture of what will one day be the Messiah. Boaz is not just a caring redeemer of his relative. Boaz is on Old Testament image of what the Christ will be. Ruth is not just a woman who loves her mother in law and picks grain. She is a woman caught in a time when she desperately needs help. She needs another to care for her and do for her what she cannot do for herself. Though she may work hard it is not enough. She needs a redeemer.

Father, as I read of Ruth and Boaz teach me about Jesus. Do not let me romantize a story that it meant to teach truth about Christ. Show me and Your church how desperately we need a redeemer. Show me how much I need Jesus to do for me what I cannot do for myself. Thank You Father for my Christ. Thank You for faithfulness, obedience, worship, love, and complete unfaltering devotion to Your will. You have given me a Redeemer. You have given me Life.

In His name
Amen

The Help that Comes from God

Acts 26:22 "To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: 23 that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”

Do you ever feel like God is calling you to do something you cannot do? Have you ever heard of a ministry opportunity and thought to yourself, "I would like to be a part but I don't have what it takes"? If you have thought these things then do not despair and certainly do not turn away from ministry. Instead, turn to God for the help that only He can provide. He gives strength. He gives wisdom. He gives endurance. He opens doors. He does through us what we could never do on our own. The next time an opportunity comes about, the next time you hear of a need, don't turn to yourself. Instead, turn to God and the help that comes from Him.

Father, help me today to rely on You. Help me to rely on You for today and for tomorrow. I don't want to live a wasted life worried about what I can and cannot do. I want to live a faithful life fully relying on You. Use me God to show others that You are faithful and strong. Use me to encourage Your church to not shrink back but to exercise faith. Show me the help that only You can provide.

Because Christ died for me
Amen

Weird, Strange Even

Often the Bible leaves me with my jaw on the floor. Even passages I have read previously shock me again when I return to them. That's the case for Judges 21. They killed all the available women for Benjamin and they had vowed not to give Benjamin their daughters. This created a problem. The solution? We'll go kill the men and women of another town taking the virgins for Benjamin. When that doesn't fill the need? Go and snatch young girls while they dance in a festival. When their families get ticked we'll tell them to be gracious to us because we killed all the other available women. Don't worry either, because we know you swore an oath not to have your daughters marry into the tribe of Benjamin but you did not give them Benjamin took them. You are not guilty of anything wrong.

The fundamental principle of interpreting the book of Judges is the repeated statement, "Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." What the Bible describes is far from being prescribed. What is right in man's eyes and justified in man's mind is not necessarily right. The overarching lesson to be learned from Judges is we cannot trust our hearts. We cannot trust the collective 'wisdom' of the people. We must humbly subject ourselves to the word of God, the Scripture. We are so often guilty subjecting Scripture to ourselves when we respond, "that can't be what that says" or "I've never heard that before" meaning, that can't be right and I must be right. May we humble ourselves and submit to God.

Father, Your word is from You. It is not born of man's wisdom or the product of his thought. God I know it is Your wisdom and the product of Your thought. Since it is from You it is different from me. It is pure and I am not. It is true and I am not. Sanctify me by Your truth; Your word is truth. May I understand Scripture the way Christ did. May I honor and seek to live according to Scripture the way Christ did. In my disobedience give me forgiveness and credit to me Christ's obedience. In my foolishness give me grace and Christ's wisdom. In my pride wash me and give me Christ's humility. Show me today how Your word must shape my life. Show Christ to me today through Your word.

By His blood
Amen

Church Discipline Old Testament Style

The gut-wrenching history of Israel continues to unfold. Brother fighting against brother. Levites leading in idol worship. Levites being anything but compassionate to their own wives. Cutting up dead bodies. War.

And it's not like people get to this position over night. You do not go to bed walking with God and wake up the next morning a homosexual of Gibeah. The process is generally the same. A person, or group of people, moves from spiritual strength to mediocrity and finally to gratuitous sin. Israel lived this and the author of Hebrews warned against this.

The large scale response by the people of Israel was costly. Their response was the right thing to do; God told them daily to do it. But once the conscience has been seared you can count on either miraculous repentance or a fight to the death. What troubles me is this is not the case just of Gibeah in the past but is indicative of the church in America today. As a whole, we have moved from strength to mediocrity to gratuitious sin. We must rise up and seek God's will. How would God have us to deal with our time?

Our Father in heaven, bring great praise to Your name. Bring Your kingdom, speed the return of Christ to this earth. I long to see Your will done with joyous perfection. I want a heart that desires joyous devotion to Your will. Satisfy me and make me content with what I need. Give me forgiveness and make me forgiving. Open my eyes and give me strength that I might see and turn away from temptation. One glaring temptation is the temptation to remain mediocre in the church. Just keep the doors open. Just keep the lights on. Let people sin and let them all come in; but nobody wants to come in. God, raise up Your church in holy devotion to Christ our king. Satisfy us with the glorious of Christ so that we will persevere in our worship and witness. Make us men of courage. Make us women of service. May we do Your work and never walk in the ways of Gibeah.

Believing in Christ
Amen

The Wicked Priest and the Faithful Witness

As the story of Micah unfolds it goes from bad to worse. The sickening thing to me is the bullying that went on and the fear in response. The majority gets to make the decisions and the majority gets to make the theology. The priest saw a better opportunity (meaning a better name and better salary) so he left. Micah, without his carved image, was nothing against the larger forces so he had to cow down and go home empty handed.

As the story of the Apostle Paul unfolds it goes from bold to even more bold. The encouraging thing is the faithfulness illustrated again and again. The majority opposed Paul yet he would not let the majority make the decision or make the theology. He saw the opportunity to proclaim Christ so he took it. Paul, with his God, was a powerful witness to the work of Jesus Christ.

Father, today as I go about errands and leisure activities do not let me cow down. Open up doors for me to faithfully proclaim Jesus Christ. Give me clarity as I speak. Make my mind sharp and stir my spirit to obey. I want to be useful. I don't want to follow the crowd unless the crowd is following You. Give me boldness. Give me Your Holy Spirit.

For Christ
Amen

Changes

I guess the way my wife likes to occasionaly rearrange the furniture is the way I like to occasionaly rearrange the blog. The biggest changes (which are really small) are that I changed the blog title (not address) and I added a list on the right of helpful resources on & for prayer. I want the title to better reflect what's going on here so I changed it. The list is a work in progress because my prayer life is a work in progress. I've read books on prayer but haven't found any truly stellar and worthy of the "you must read this" recommendation. I'm currently reading Graeme Goldsworthy's Prayer and the Knowledge of God and then I plan on reading John Bunyan's book on prayer.

I regularly us the IMB's resources to keep informed and pray for our missionaries. I receive email updates and would recommend you do the same. I ordered Piper's seminar on pray and found it very challenging and helpful. It would be a good use of your valuable time to listen to the seminar.

I'm interested to hear what you have found valuable. Please leave a comment if you have something you have found helpful (books, sermons, articles, blogs, advice, etc.).

Micah, the Levite, and Today

In a recent conversation the topic of spiritual warfare came up. I made the comment that if Satan can tempt us with something good for a time which will lead us to even greater evil that is a price he is very willing to pay. That temptation and evil seems to be working well in Judges 17. Micah gets convicted over his sin and seeks to make it right. In response and gratitude his mother makes an idol in honor of Yahweh. Micah sets up a shrine, ordains his son, and then along comes a Levite. This Levite should have taken swift action to rectify the sinful situation but instead with the offer of a paycheck, room, and board he joins them. The end result of all this obvious sin? Verse 13, Then Micah said, “Now I know that the Lord will prosper me, because I have a Levite as priest.” I've got God's man so everything's going to be all right.

How many of us, God's men and women, have sold out or 'bent the rules' to make life more palatable or profitable? We neither speak out against what is wrong nor speak up for what is right. We do nothing thinking we're not making a contribution but our contribution is huge. By going along at work, at home, and at church we are giving a vote of approval. By doing nothing we are saying that we agree.

Father, please convict me of my sin. Bring to mind now any attitude or action that might bring dishonor to Your name. I do not want to point people away from You by being harsh or by being silent. Fill me with Your grace. Fill be with the grace purchased by Jesus Christ that I might have the boldness to point people to Jesus Christ. Shut my mouth when it needs to be shut. Open my mouth when it needs to be open. Give me the wisdom and strength to know what is proper. God, I don't want to be another Micah who sold out into sin. I want to be like the Apostle Paul who stood up for the truth no matter the hurt he incurred. I believe in Jesus who is the perfect Doer and perfect Speaker. I trust in Him to fill up my doing and my speaking. Show me Your will that I might walk in it and bring glory to Your righteous name.

In Christ
Amen

Sound familiar?

An angel of the Lord visits a woman and promises, "you will bear a son." The young man grew, the Lord blessed him, and the Spirit stirred him. The young man became a strong man doing many great things. But the strong man was captured in the night; betrayed by one he loved. He was tortured and beaten. The leaders and the people mocked him. He prayed to God for strength. He accomplished much in his life but by his death he accomplished so much more.

When we teach and speak of Samson what is our emphasis? Don't be a lover of self? Don't eat honey out of dead lions or kill people with donkey bones? Don't trust a material girl?

Remember, the Christian life is neither first nor foremost about being like someone (Apostle Paul) or not being like someone (Samson). The Christian life is first and foremost about believing in someone (Jesus Christ). It is not enough to be like Jesus or Paul and not be like Samson. It is not enough to do anything or everything required. We must first look to God's grace. We must believe in the Doer of everything required. We must hope in the Fulfiller of all righteousness. We must see the magnificence of Jesus even compared to other mighty men of Scripture. Even Moses and Abraham do not compare but were only shadows of the perfect one to come. Be careful of imitation. Be strong in trust. Repent to God and put your faith in Christ.

Father, I thank you that I am not required to be my own savior. I thank you God that my savior is not a sinful self-centered man like Samson. I praise you that my savior is not a man who is with me for some time and then leaves never to return again. Thank you God that my savior is Jesus Christ. The perfect God-man is my king. The perfect God-man is my high priest and my sacrifice. The perfect God-man is my prophet. Thank you Father for Jesus. Help me to make Him known. Give me great strength to proclaim your whole council. May I pay careful attention to myself and all the flock. May I become like Christ because of your great grace.

In His name
Amen

Something I've never seen before

Take a moment to read these texts and then ask yourself what's the difference in Samson and Paul? I'm not looking for 'Paul had the Spirit' or 'Samson was before Christ.' What was the difference in the way they lived their lives?

Luke 9:23 “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."

1 Corinthians 15:31 "I die everyday"

Galatians 2:20 " I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Galatians 5:24 "And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."

Philippians 3:8 "Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ."

And God Listened

What an amazing statement from Judges 13:9, 'And God listened to the voice of Manoah, and the angel of God came again to the woman as she sat in the field.' I pray that we will all be captivated by the wonder of the fact that God listens to us. He listens to us and in His good wisdom and providence answers our requests. Let us pray that God will raise us a new group of Bereans. May we see everyone around us as part of God's creation and in need of redemption. May we be quick to rush the gospel to them. May God grant them hearts that search the Scriptures and in conjunction with faithful preaching bring about salvation. The church desperately needs more people like Barnabas that are full of encouragement and the church desperately needs more people like Paul that are ready to preach with faithfulness.

My great God, thank You for listening to my voice. I know it is only because of the work of my Savior that I desire to pray and it is only because of the righteousness of Christ that You hear me when I pray. He is my all in all and You sent Him for me. Thank you Father. Please hear me as I pray for men and women who will take joy and persevere in encouragement. May you raise them up from among us. Please hear me as I pray for men and women who will study the gospel fo Jesus Christ faithfully and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ faithfully. Help us to make the most of every opportunity. Help us to make the most of every day. May the good gifts You have given through Your Spirit not be wasted. Show me Your will and give me the strength to follow it.

Through Christ
Amen

God if You do ______ then I'll do ________

Fundamentally, God is a person who keeps His word. We need Him to do what He says. He must be trustworthy. As we are changed into the image of His Son, who is equally trustworthy. God demands that we also keep our word. That means we must be mindful of every word and we must be diligent to keep every word. What promise have you made to God that you have not kept? Seek God's forgiveness and strength to fulfill your promise. Keep your word even to your hurt.

Father, make me a man who keeps his word in every instance. Forgive me and strengthen me to fulfill every pledge I've made and have not kept. Show me the path of righteousness. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. May all I say and do bring honor to You.

In Christ's name
Amen

A return to boldness

If you've spent much time in the church you've probably heard someone talk about getting back to the way the 1st church did things. Usually that a reference to devotion to the Apostle's teaching and prayer or caring sacrificially for each other's needs. What often gets overlooked, however, is the repetition of boldness.

Acts 14:3 So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

The early church was ready to speak. They knew God and they knew His Word. They had walked with Christ and they knew what it was to be changed by the Spirit. Based on their knowledge and daily walk with the holy Triune God they opened their mouths to speak truth and to do so with boldness. Where is our boldness? It is connected to our relationship with God. Where our relationship with God suffers so will our boldness. When our relationship with God grows so will our boldness. With eyes wide open we need to realize that boldness often brings an increase in the church and an increase in persecution.

Father, meet with me. As I humble myself and pray to You, my Creator, meet with me. Send Your Spirit to make my heart burn as I read of Jesus. Make Your Word a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Give me boldness and give me direction. Cleanse me of my sin and fill up my weaknesses that I may be useful to You. I want to live for You. I want to make You known. I want people to be changed and Your church to grow. Do not let me be like the Israelites who traded You for false gods. Make me like Paul and Barnabas who when the people tried to worship as false gods pointed the people to You. Make Your church bold.

Make Your church like Your Son
Amen

Led by a bramble bush

The Old Testament has a number of rich parables; one of them we read today. Jotham's parable of the trees and demand for good faith and integrity are important. Who do we want to lead and why? What standards should our leaders be held to? What about our men, our fathers, our leaders, and our pastors? In the spring the bramble does have a beauty when it is full of leaves and the appearance of life. But in the late fall and winter the bramble is revealed to have nothing but thorns and the power to choke out life.

Without use of a parable the Apostle Saul, also called Paul, makes the same statement to Elymas. "You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?" (Acts 13:10)

Father, give us and make us godly leaders. Do not let the bramble bush rise up but instead raise up the olive, the fig, and the vine. Give us useful and wholesome leaders. This morning God, we pray for our pastors. We ask that You would make them holy, useful, and focused men. Men like Paul and Barnabas who spoke out boldly for the truth. Men who know who Jesus is and are able to urge others to come and walk with Him. Raise up a church full of joy and the Holy Spirit. Over and over in our reading today I saw the truth of Christ's resurrection. Fill me with the hope that Jesus' resurrection brings. Remove my fear of sin, take away my unrighteousness, and replace my fear of judgment with hope in You. Make me and Your church useful.

In Jesus' name
Amen

But the word of God increased

Ephraim gets his feelings hurt, Gideon makes an idol, the people make Baal-berith their god, James the brother of John is martyred, Peter is arrested, miraculously released, and flees Jerusalem, and still the word of God increased and multiplied. If God's love depended on our faithfulness then there clearly would be no love. Our sin and the trials of this world would gradually loosen our grip on God. That's the mercy and grace of God. His love for us does not depend on the strength of our grip on Him. True, we are told to cling to God but this clinging is in response to and because of His great love and grip on us. We cling to God because Gold clings to us; it will never work the other way around.

My God, I thank you this morning for the testimony of Your faithfulness to your faithless and struggling people. I thank you for this testimony because often I consider myself in the camp of the faithless and struggling. Fill me today with wonder because of Your steadfast love. Fill me today with awe because of the great things You do and have done. Number me among those who offer up earnest prayers to You. You did great things to establish Your people and Your church; You sent Your Son to die. Father, for the sake of Your name and the name of Jesus do great things in Mambrino. Use us my King to glorify the name of Jesus.

Through Him
Amen

Be a Barnabas

We are told often to "be a Barnabas." In Acts 4:36 we learned that Barnabas means, Son of Encouragement. Clearly then, it is a good thing to want to be be a Barnabas by being an encouragment to others. The problem is that being a Barnabas gets lost in translation. How am I supposed to be a Barnabas? What does it look like? Where do I start? What is my aim? In Acts 11 we are given an explanation of what it means to be a Barnabas.

"When [Barnabas] came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith" (Acts 11:23&24).

Being a Barnabas means

1. Rejoicing over the outpouring of God's grace no matter who God uses. It wasn't about Barnabas being used to do great things it was about God doing great things.
2. Encouraging others to remain faithful to the Lord. Our encouragement, like Barnabas', should always have God as it's goal and God as it's foundation. Better than, "it's going to be okay" or "God didn't know this was going to happen so it's not His fault" are the promises of Scripture found in Matthew 10:29-31 and Romans 8:28-39. If God doesn't know the future and cannot act to redeem the past He is not worth our faithfulness. Don't short change God.
3. Encouraging others to remain faithful to God with steadfast purpose. The NASB translates the phrase "with resolute heart." The NKJV says, "with purpose of heart." It is our calling as the church to get to others' hearts. To just address the feelings is to pull up short. To only exhort others when we feel like it falls short. We must seek God's wisdom and strength purchased for us by Christ. We need that strength to have steadfast hearts; hearts that love our brothers. And we need that strength to get involved in the lives of people whose hearts are faltering.
4. Being full of the Holy Spirit. Seek daily the Convictor of sin, righteousness, and judment. Seek daily the Comforter. Seek daily the one who points us to Jesus. It is the Spirit who will guide us into God's will through Scripture. It is the Spirit who will strengthen us to complete God's will through His indwelling.

Father, I want to be a good man, full of the Holy Spirit. I want to be an encourager. Please show me where and how. Remind me again and again that I am here to feed Your sheep. They are not mine but Yours. They need to be fed. They are sheep. Lord, to be faithful in any area of ministry we need You to make us like Barnabas. Remove our hearts of division and selfishness. Replace those desires with a desire to encourage others to follow You. Raise up a church that is bold in it's confession of sin and bold in it's confession of grace. Build Your Church my God. Make me a Barnabas. I know Jesus died and defeated death so that Your Kingdom would expand. Make me useful by the blood of Christ for Your enternal Kingdom.

In Christ,

Amen

Mad at God

As I read Judges 6 and Gideon's response to the angel of the Lord I saw myself. In verse 13 Gideon says, "Please, sir, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, 'Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?' But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian."

Gideon, in response to being told 'the Lord is with you,' asks if God is with us then why are we in this predicament? If we are God's people, if this is God's church, then why are we struggling?
The angel of the Lord then says in verse 14, "Go in the might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do I not send you?" Okay then, do something about it. I'm sending you to make a difference. To which Gideon responds, "not me, I'm scared and small."

You see, we all like to dream about how good the church could be. We all like to complain about how bad things are and how wrong everyone else does church. But when it comes down to investing in the church and sacrificing our time we get scared. We don't think we're smart enough, spiritual enough, energetic enough, old enough, or young enough. We become arm chair quarterbacks for Jesus; if there is such a thing.

If you see a need; fill it. If you see something wrong; fix it.

God help us to get in the game. Help us not to be afraid but instead trust in your strength. I thank You for those at Mambrino who are getting in the game and I pray you will forgive me for holding back. Give me eyes to see that the call You give is a call to lose my life and in the losing find life. May we all grow sick of the American Dream. May all that is comfortable make us ill. Raise up men and women who will give everything so that Jesus Christ will be praised by all. Show us how one person can make a difference. Raise up people who will be the church. Raise up churches who will reach their community. God, help us reach Mambrino. God, show us how to reach out and show Christ to our city. We want to be useful. We don't want to be afraid. We want You to build your Church. Build Your church Lord Jesus.

Amen

Our bags are packed

I will be on vacation through the weekend and then with our youth at camp for the week of July 15-21. I'll try to post if I can get internet access but I make no promises.

Please pray for me and my family that we would use this time to draw close to God in Bible reading, devotional reading, and relaxation.

Thanks
Paul

Righteous and kind

After reading the list of kings Moses defeated and killed with the addition of the 31 kings Joshua defeated and killed Psalm 145 takes on much more meaning. When we consider the fact that it was not just kings who were killed but soldiers, fathers, mothers, children, the elderly, and infants it makes me cringe. Why God? Why the children? Why the babies?

Psalm 145:17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works. 18 The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. 19 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. 20 The Lord preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.

Father, I want to understand You. I want to understand your ways not so I can defend You but so that I may know You. I want to see Your righteousness and Your kindness but there are times that I struggle. Times in my own life and times throughout history. Remove from me my tendency to set up other ways of salvation. Do not let me justify sin and rebellion in anyone at anytime in history. Replace that with a passion for proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every man, woman, boy, and girl. May the end of the wicked never appear normal or satisfying to me but always as cause to press on in prayer, service, and evangelism. Help me to understand You, proclaim Christ, and serve the world.

Amen

From bad to worse

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They did not leave any who breathed.

As I have read through Joshua and talked about it with others (thanks Sam) the gruesome nature of this war came through. I'd like to digest a while on the impact of the war and hopefully as we read more of how the Israelites handled themselves will become evident. What did become clear in our reading today is who was responsible for all this war and death. In our attempts generally to defend God we want to point to people's choices and to their own sin. We feel like God is on the hot seat of the world's court and we need to get Him off. Scripture does not treat God like we do.

Joshua 11:20 For it was the Lord's doing to harden their hearts that they should come against Israel in battle, in order that they should be devoted to destruction and should receive no mercy but be destroyed, just as the Lord commanded Moses.

I preached last night from Hebrews 10:23-25 and emphasized the need to encourage each other more and more as the Day approaches. This Day is the Day of the Lord of which Joel had a great deal to say. Take a moment to read the book of Joel and hear Joel 2:30-32

30 And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. 32 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the Lord has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls.

Father, give us hearts that desire the quick coming of Your Kingdom. May seeing Christ be a priority in our lives. With that I pray that we will have a sense of urgency for souls. Wake Your church up God. God wake me up. With Your judgment there will be great sorrow but on that day there will be great rejoicing because everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Give us faith and a strong work ethic to pursue those who will be saved. May we hunger to know those You will call out from among the survivors. May I and all Your church understand both judgment and salvation. Show us the glory of Christ in both.

Amen

They did not ask

Joshua 9:14 So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the Lord. 15 And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore to them.

Psalm 141:8 But my eyes are toward you, O God, my Lord; in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless!

Satan is the master deceiver and those who are not God's people are useful to Satan. From the Gibeonites to the slanderer with mischievious lips all oppose God and do the Devil's will. Our response is not to let go and let God. Instead our response must be to set our eyes on Jesus. It is to be intentional in prayer.

Psalm 141:3 Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! 4 Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies!

Lord, do not let me be tricked by words that appear to be full of wisdom but are really full of death. Let me hear the words of life instead of poisonous words. Guard my mouth from speaking venomous words. Keep my heart from leaving Your holy center and tilting toward any evil. Guard my schedule. Do not let my feet fall into the trap of Godless business. Show me the glory of Your will that I might not fall in with men who love wicked deeds and work iniquity. Don't let my mind be tricked into believing their lies of delight. Let my mind feed on the delicacies of Christ and His truth. May I be consumed with You and not be tricked by men.

Amen

Hemmed in

Psalm 139:5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.

Psalm 139:9 If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.

Father, help me to understand and rest always in the truth that You will not leave me nor forsake me. Comfort me with the awesome scope of Your perfect knowledge and infinite power. Surely, You who gave Christ to redeem me will not abandon me to the ways and trials of this world. You created me, You know me, You redeem me, You guide me, and You watch over me. My strong Father, please help me to grow and use me to bring growth to others. Make me like Christ in every way so that I may please You in every way. You are my strength and my song; my portion forever.

Amen

Thinking About Death

Early this morning, around 2AM, a neighbor and regular church attender past away. His name is Wayne Rose and his family is grieving. God calls me to give them hope in Christ. Let me share some of my hope with you.

As I prayed this morning the Spirit brought the story of Lazarus from John 11 to my mind. There Jesus teaches us great lessons that are balm for our mouring souls. First, we are to understand that God is sovereign over death. It was Christ's decision not to heal Lazarus before death so that good would come from this sad event. We are not in control. Doctors are not in control. Satan is not in control. God is in control and He is merciful and gracious. Second, we are to understand that even in death Christ will be exalted. When our hearts long to see Christ high and lifted up death is one of the most pointed avenues for His exaltation. We exalt Christ when we put our trust in Him and our hope in Him in response to the death one whom we dearly love. The reason we can put our trust in Him is because Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die" (John 11:25-26). Here is great hope. Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Those who hope in him hope secure. Christ has defeated death so death is not final. Christ may raise a person from their death beds or He may raise them from the graves. Either way, because of Christ he will be raised.

Verse 26 ends with a question which Jesus posed to Martha, "Do you believe this?" He poses that question to us today. Do you believe this? Do you believe Jesus is the resurrection and the life? Do you believe He is the conqueror of death? Do you hope in Him when hope in everyone and everything else is lost?

Father, I pray to You to day that You would send Your Spirit to speak to Wayne's family. Speak to Hazel, Jackie, Ethan, and Haley. God, may they please see that Christ is the resurrection and the life. God, may they hope in Your Son. May they rest in His power over death. May they dwell secure. Your Holy One is in Zion. Our hope is at Your right hand. Show us that. Teach us that today. Show us Christ.

Amen

Jesus and the Jordan

The priests went into the Jordan for the people. The priests stayed in the Jordan until all the people had passed over. The priests were the first ones in and the last ones out. Because the priests were there and because the priests were obedient the people were able to enter into God's promises. It is the strength of God and the generosity of God that should amaze us. He has done great things because He is able to do great things. Think on who He is and what He has done:

Joshua 4:23 For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over, 24 so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.

Psalm 130:3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,O Lord, who could stand?4 But with you there is forgiveness,that you may be feared.

Father, please turn the scorn of the world into understanding. Please turn the hearts of my neighbors and friends from despising the cross to loving the work of Christ for them. God, show us all that if You should mark iniquities and cause us to give a reckoning none would be able to even raise their eyes in Your presence. I would not be able to even look at You from far away. Thank You God that Christ brings me near. It is Christ who dries the Jordan river of my sin so that I may cross over into Your presence. Thank You for Christ.

In His name
Amen