Memorial Day

Today is a day in which we recognize and remember those brave American men and women who gave the ultimate price for our freedom.  They gave their lives so that we could have the opportunity and blessing to live in freedom.  We must never take for granted the blessings that we have come to enjoy in this great nation; God has shed His mercy and grace upon our nation and we need to recognize the sacrifice that our military has given so that my family and your family still live in the "land of the brave and the home of the free." Many of these brave Americans stand watch today and they are prepared to give the ultimate sacrifice if necessary. 

We need to take time to thank a Veteran today for his or her service to our nation.  My father is a WWII veteran.  He is 84 years old and still serves his nation through his work in the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) association.  Until recently he served as the Chaplain of his local chapter; some health issues caused him to take a different approach to his service in the local DAV but he still has a desire to assist people who are in need.  It is the approach of that generation of Americans that has helped make our nation the greatest nation on earth.  Oh, I understand that our nation is facing a set of unique challenges at this moment in our history.  But I am believing that another "greatest generation" will arise with spiritual and moral fortitude and face the challenges of our day.  You and I can not afford to wait on someone else to accept the challenge of these moments.  We could be compared Queen Esther in the Bible, we are in the "kingdom for such a time as this."  Who will accept the spiritual challenge that lies before us?  Will we respond as Isaiah did in Isaiah 6, "Here I am send me."

Historical information:   Memorial Day is unique to our nation.  The Memorial Day observance was begun during the Civil War.  Some concerned ladies decided to decorate the graves of those who had bravely given their lives in the destructive civil conflict between states.  They not only decorated the graves of the Confederate soldiers they also noticed that the graves of the Union soldiers were also bare of flowers.  These ladies understood that these soldiers had freely given their lives in this divisive conflict yet they deserved the honor and respect of having their grave decorated with beautiful flowers.  This day in America needs to be more than just a Holiday for cookouts and the beginning of summer vacations.  It is is because of these brave men and women of our military force that we are able to gather in churches all across America and lift our voices in praise to God, our Heavenly Father.  Let us offer sincere praise and honor to God with thankful hearts for all of His many blessings on our nation.

Here is a verse from a Toby Keith song entitled American Soldier.
  "And I will always do my duty no matter what the price
   I've counted up the cost, I know the sacrifice
   Oh, and I don't want to die for you, but if dying is asked of me
   I'll bear the cross with honor, cause freedom isn't free." 

Let us remember that "freedom isn't free."



 

Need vs. Supply

Many of you who read this blog are facing specific needs in your lives or someone that you know is facing their own unique set of circumstances.  Some of these other people are our family or close friends that are walking a difficult road at this time in their life.  How do we stay encouraged and how do we encourage others who are facing the challenges of life?  I have always desired to be an "encourager"; as a matter of fact I list that "calling" on the business card that I use to introduce myself.  I have come this morning to encourage myself as well as encourage you.  There are several members of my immediate family who are facing some difficulties this morning but we have to remember that God is in charge of our lives and that He is working to bring us through these moments of test and trial that we are facing.

A familiar passage in the Bible has been on my heart the past few days.  I was awakened this morning with this verse being rehearsed in my mind.  It is found in Philippians 4:19, "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (NKJV).  We base our faith on the knowledge that God declares that He has the reservoir of riches to meet the demand of the needs of humanity.  We base our faith on "His riches" and not on the ability of the flesh or the strength of man.  The guarantee on our automobile, our appliances, etc. are based on the ability of the company to stand behind the guarantee that the company has made.  We can place our confidence in God; He has the resources to stand behind the promises that He has made.  My challenge is to continue to believe; I see my need, but I must not forget His resources!  We must remember that His resources are greater than my need or the need of others that I know.  I must continue to trust in the promises of God and remind myself that He has already provided for me on previous occasions.  Let us remember to offer praise and thanksgiving to God as we ask the Father to meet our needs in these present moments of challenge.  He was with us in our yesterdays, He is with us today and He will be with us in our tomorrows.

Greatness of God

This morning finds me reflecting on the greatness of God.  God has spoken this reminder to me on many occasions since the beginning of 2010.  I have felt that the people of God must commit themselves to purposefully declaring the "greatness of God."  A.W. Tozer made this observation about what we are able to see and what we need to see; "We must shift our interest from the seen to the unseen.  For the great unseen Reality is God."  If we only look at life through the eyes of the flesh we will soon find ourselves overwhelmed; but if we look at life through the promises of God that we find declared in the Word of God we are then able to see victory in the midst of our adversity.  We must find ourselves truly trusting in the resources of God. The resources of God are even greater than we can imagine; we just need to apply ourselves to hearing and responding to those promises of God when they are declared in our hearts.

The Apostle Paul gave to us some wonderful insight to the greatness of God in Ephesians 3:8; "To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ." (NKJV)  God truly has an inexhaustible supply of riches which are able to meet the needs that we face on our journey through life.  We must remain focused and connected to those "riches" as we face those moments in which our faith is being tried and tested.  If those moments have not come to you they will eventually make their way into your life.  It is during those moments that we are given the wonderful opportunity to draw from the awesome resource of the riches of God.  Many of you may be facing some of those "moments" today.  Take a moment and allow the Spirit to remind you of the resources that are at the disposal of God and realize that He stands ready to release these resources into your life.

Weekend Services

This week finds me in Clemson, SC at East Clemson Christian Fellowship.  Fred and Betty Fisher serve as Pastor of this local congregation.  I have been privileged to have served this congregation as Evangelist on previous occasions.  It is always a privilege to be invited to return to a local church and share the Word of God.  The services on Sunday went very well as we gathered to worship and honor the Lord.  Pastor Fisher reminded us of the privilege to "enter the courts of the Lord."  David gave us some instructions concerning our entrance into the presence of the Lord.  Psalm 100 encourages us "...Come before His presence with singing; Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise; Be thankful to Him, and bless His name..." (NKJV).  What if we took the approach of Psalm 100 as we gather in corporate celebration of our Savior?  What if we put into practice the instructions of Psalm 100 as we began to turn our hearts toward God in praise and worship?  I challenge each of us to remind ourselves of the challenge of Psalm 100 as we enter into the presence of God.

I truly believe that these are days in which we need to hear direction and encouragement from God.  We can not afford to go to church and operate our services in the power and strength of the flesh.  We must have the fresh anointing of the Spirit and we must recognize that God has the Word to speak to each of us.  I am convinced that God will speak to us if we will take the time to listen to His instruction.  I truly believe that God has much to offer His people in this time of great challenge and spiritual attacks.  I sense this encouragement from God as I continue to pray and seek after God for personal direction as well as ministerial direction.  As believers we must turn to God with all of our hearts; we must refuse to become content with the "routine of church."  God has so much more to offer to those who are willing to pursue Him with genuine faith and spiritual hunger.  Will you join the throng of believers who are willing to lay aside all hindrances that the enemy will place in our path?  The reward is worth the risk of our faith and obedience to God.

Plans of God

I traveled home Wednesday evening after the service in Decatur, AL.  I firmly believe that God spoke hope, strength, and encouragement into the lives of those who attended the meeting.  There were several churches from the surrounding communities who participated in the meeting; their support and participation was deeply appreciated.  The Biblical principle of unity and agreement was demonstrated as people from various local churches gathered to lift up the name of the Lord.  The presence of the Lord could be sensed among us as we laid aside our "identities" and pursued the Kingdom of God.  It is such a blessing to be a part of a service in which we chose to lay aside our individual plans or agendas and seek for the plan of God.  There is a great reward of spiritual transformation when we are able to focus our attention on those things that God has planned for our lives.

Last night found me in Radcliff, KY at New River Ministries.  Once again the Lord reminded those in attendance of the plans that He has for us individually as well as collectively.  God has made preparations for our future.  He has planned for our spiritual maturity and our spiritual development.  I must constantly seek to surrender my will to God's will.  I must constantly seek to surrender my plans to His plans.  I must constantly seek to surrender my ways to His ways.  I firmly believe that I will notice a difference in my walk with God as I understand the true spiritual freedom that I can enjoy as I walk in the power of surrender to the Lord God Almighty.  Isaiah reminds us that the ways and thoughts of God are so much higher than the ones that I possess for myself.  I certainly desire to maintain the principle of surrender in my life.  Each of us need to live in the knowledge that God has plans for our lives and those plans can be fulfilled as we walk in surrender and agreement with our Savior and Friend.  Take the step of faith today; renew your commitment to the plan of God for your life.  Let God know that you are prepared to follow Him into your present and into your future.  

Belief

It has been said that the longest distance in the earth is the eighteen (18) inches between the head and the heart. That is the distance that truth must travel before it becomes a part of us. Have we settled for "knowing" the truth without actually believing the truth and allowing that truth to become a part of our lives? The true effectiveness of truth is when we allow it to take full sway over our lives and we learn to allow that truth to have an impact on our walk with God. I want the truth to move from my head and settle deep in my heart. The people of God can not just settle for intellectual knowledge alone; we must pursue relational knowledge which is built on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Each of us must pursue that continual development of our relationship with Christ. He is still the only Hope of this generation!

Reaching for a Miracle

Last night's service was an inspiration to me.  The presence of the Lord was very near to those who had gathered in the Decatur church to worship the Lord. It is amazing what can happen when people come determined to lift up the name of the Lord.  Once more I will take this opportunity to remind each of us of the need to offer our sincere, heartfelt worship to the Lord.  I truly believe that God is calling forth the "worshippers" in this hour who are determined to offer their best praise to the King of Kings.  It is in the presence of sincere worship and adoration that the ministering presence of the Spirit is released.  We must resist the temptation to go to church and just go through the motions.  God is looking for more than just religious routines and rituals; He is looking for our hearts to be turned toward Him in faith, response, and obedience.

Once again the Spirit reminded us about the faithfulness of God.  The Spirit encouraged us to prepare our hearts to respond in obedience to the call from the heart of God.  During the altar service people with various physical elements responded to the "encouragement" of the Spirit.  It is a blessing to all of us when the Spirit encourages us to obey God; the Spirit will allow us to understand that the provision of our needs has been met through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  The Spirit touched my heart as we began to pray with these individuals; they were believing God for a miracle and they were looking for me to join my faith with them.  They were asking for the other believers to join them in their faith journey; would we be willing to answer that call?  The Lord reminded me of that question this morning during prayer.  Am I prepared and willing to release my faith alongside of those who need a "miracle" in their life?  It is so easy to become an observer in a service rather than a participant.  I desire to participate with God and with other believers as we release our faith believing that God can do the impossible.  Be prepared to release your faith as you enter your next worship service experience; you might be amazed at what will happen when we truly turn our hearts toward God!