Thursday's Thoughts

I would like to share a portion of a letter that I sent to our church family on Wednesday. I am convinced that God desires to "AWAKEN THE CHURCH IN AMERICA." The Holy Spirit first deposited that "call" in my spirit over 12 years ago. The spiritual and moral condition of our land has continued to head in the wrong direction. BUT God is still our Hope and our anchor. I encourage each of us to continue turning our heart to God and allow Him to complete His work in our lives. 

1 Peter 5:8-9, “ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” (NIV)

I am writing this note with a heavy burden for the needs of others today. This note is not meant to discourage or overwhelm your faith and your trust in God. BUT IT IS MEANT TO SPEAK A NOTE OF REALITY INTO OUR HEARTS AND LIVES!! The scripture passage that I shared with you reveals to us that the enemy of our soul is not playing games. The word "devour" seeks to imply as well as reveal to us the true intention of satan. He is determined to use every tool in his tool box to completely destroy our relationship with God and "devour" our soul in the process.

This "burden" is not predicated on an attempt to stir your emotions by some form of spiritual hype or salesmanship. The texts, emails, calls and personal conversations shout out these concerns loudly to me as well as to you on a daily basis. People are struggling spiritually, emotionally, physically as well as financially. In some cases each of these struggles are all connected within one situation. And at the same time the enemy is seeking to lull the family of God into a state of "spiritual sleepiness." Satan desires for the church to settle for the routines of religion rather than the CONTINUING development of our personal relationship with God. We take time for everything that we view IMPORTANT yet we allow our relationship with God to grow distant, cold, stagnant and on spiritual life-support. I know these are strong words, but I am VERY CONCERNED about the challenges that families or individuals are facing at this very moment even as I am typing these words. WARNING: MANY CHRISTIANS ARE TAKING TIME FOR EVERYTHING BUT GOD!!

The Holy Spirit will not allow me to set idly by and observe the condition of our society and not raise my voice in opposition to the attacks of satan. A portion of my daily prayer cries out to God for a "spiritual awakening" in the church in America. I can sense and see the presence of God at work during our times of worship even in the midst of this dark, difficult, and challenging set of circumstances that we are facing. The Kingdom of God will win out but I must be involved in His Kingdom if I am going to receive the "winners crown." Our relationship with God MUST TAKE FIRST PLACE IN OUR LIVES!! We must seek Him and His Kingdom first and then observe God at work in all of the other areas of our needs. I understand that these words are challenging to say the least but I am also convinced that God is speaking to MY HEART and LIFE today!!

Chuck Swindoll: “And so, let us follow our earthly commander in chief with fidelity and loyalty. Let us walk directly into the sneer of the enemy with relentless resolve. Let us kneel before the Lord our Sovereign God with fresh faith. Let us trust Him through Jesus Christ our Savior with repentant hearts, with quiet confidence, and absolute dependence.”

Monday's Musings

I would like to reiterate a thought that I shared on our Facebook page over the weekend. It is truly my desire and hunger to connect with the heart of God. I believe that satan is doing everything in his power to interfere with our "connection" with God. I don't think that the devil is concerned about us knowing about God as long as we don't get to know God. I sincerely believe that there is a GREAT DIFFERENCE in knowing "about God" and "knowing God through a personal relationship. I do believe that it is possible that many believers in the present day church are trying to survive on knowledge rather than relationship.

It is also possible that many of us believe that just being "present" in church will satisfy that spiritual thirst that God has placed in all of us. The present day church attendance can also be very sporadic due to the fact that we place many "things of life" as more important than our time with God. But doesn't our relationship with God have more to offer than just being counted present? Jesus has promised us a journey that will produce "abundant life." Doesn't that  declaration sound like more than just getting a check mark by your name signifying that you WERE PRESENT AT AN EVENT? God has so much more to offer the present day church and I believe that it is TIME FOR EACH OF US  to stop settling for less and reach for more!!

The Spirit is challenging me to increase my level of faith which in turn will increase as well as strengthen my level of expectation. I sensed that "call" in service yesterday as well as in prayer this morning. Don't settle for the lies of satan! Don't settle for just going through the "motions" of a religious practice! Don't settle for the crumbs when Jesus offer so much more to each of us through the continuing development of our relationship with Him. 

I believe that far too many Christians have their spiritual relationship in PARK rather than DRIVE!! It is time for the present day church to move forward. Moving forward will move us out of complacency, excuse making, spiritual laziness, lethargy and a host of other fleshly actions that will move us away from God rather than near to God.

I would like to share some thoughts from John Maxwell.

"When Peter was a young fisherman in Galilee, no one would have thought he was destined to become the passionate leader of a world movement. After all, he had almost no education and probably would have been happy to live the remainder of his life in obscurity. But God had something else in mind, and when Peter met Jesus, his priorities began to change.

Like many leaders, Peter had to learn how to put first things first. In fact, Scripture reveals a lot about the inconsistencies of his behavior and his many irrational decisions. But the more time Peter spent with Jesus, the more he learned the difference between mere activity and accomplishment."

Thoughts on Thursday

I would like to share a passage pf scripture that has been speaking to my heart the past few weeks. This passage was the text for the message that I shared last Sunday and more than likely it will be the text for this weekend's message. I would encourage you take a moment and let the Truth of this passage be deposited into your heart. The Word of God is alive and powerful and NOTHING WILL EVER REPLACE THE ABILITY OF THE WORD OF GOD TO SPEAK TO OUR HEARTS!! I believe that is one of the reasons that satan desires for the present day church to be "spiritually illiterate." But I refuse to buy what the enemy is selling. 

Let the Word of God encourage as well as strengthen you today!!

1 Peter 1:3-9, “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, ⁴ and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. ⁵ And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. ⁶ So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. ⁷ These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. ⁸ You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. ⁹ The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. (NLT)

Rock or Sand

I believe that it is safe to say that we live in a world that is full of various ideas, opinions, concepts, and even the definition of truth. I understand that ideas, opinions, concepts, etc. have a definite role to play in our culture which is an important part of any era of civilization. But I am concerned when I see these ideas, opinions, concepts, etc. began to exert influence over our understanding of Truth. 

We live in a world in which people are being influenced, guided, directed, etc.by everything but the Truth of God's Word. The Bible has been identified as "out of date and out of touch" with the mainstream of society. Is it possible that mainstream society could be "out of touch" with God and His Word? 

Jesus taught us that it is important on which foundation we are building our lives. I would like to encourage you to read the words of Jesus found in Matthew 7. Jesus gives us an in depth teaching explaining the difference in building our house (life) on a rock or on sand. One house will stand and the other will fall.I can give you the Truth that Jesus spoke but it might be better if you took the time to read the lesson that Jesus shared. 

I will share my answer through the words of The Solid Rock. This song was written by Edward Mote.

1.      My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

o    Refrain:
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

2.      When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

3.      His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.

4.      When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

Thoughts on Thursday

The days of Holy Week have passed very quickly. Today is the day in which Jesus is preparing for His death on the cross. He prays in the garden. He prepares for the Last Supper (Passover) with the Apostles (even Judas who would betray Him). But there is one lesson that is often overlooked in the grand scheme of Holy Week. It is the action of washing the feet of the Apostles. This activity has undergone much discussion through the years in various denominations. But there is one "Truth" in this demonstration of Jesus that remains relevant from generation to generation. It is the "Truth" that the family of God is called to servanthood. We are called to serve each other in humility recognizing the fact that each of us needs a Savior and no one of us is more important to God than anyone else. 

I encourage you to let the Word of God speak to your heart today. 

John 13:1-17, “Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. ² And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, ³ Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, ⁴ rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. ⁵ After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. ⁶ Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?” ⁷ Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” ⁸ Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” ⁹ Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” ⁰ Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” ¹¹ For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.” ¹² So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? ¹³ You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. ¹⁴ If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. ¹⁶ Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. ¹⁷ If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. (NKJV)

Holy Week Reflections

2 Peter 3:1, “This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:” (KJV)

The original "Holy Week" took place over 2,000 years ago. Yet, the activity and actions of that week still resonate in the hearts of believers throughout this world even today!! Do the actions of Jesus still make a difference in our lives today? Does the story of the crucifixion as well as the Resurrection still speak to your heart? Does the Word of God still "quicken" your spirit in such a manner that you feel the need to act on what has been declared and revealed to you? Are the songs of praise, worship and adoration still flowing from your heart and out of your mouth as a sound of thankfulness and appreciation?

I truly believe that many of us do not spend enough time meditating on the revelation of Jesus Christ that is declared in the Word of God. There are believers who appear to know more about evil then they do the goodness of God. Is it possible that we spend too much time searching for information that proves the devil is at work and very little time acquainting ourselves with the work of our Lord and Savior? 

This week needs to be a week of reflection and remembrance. Take some time and ask God to re-open your eyes to the marvelous and wonderful story of the process of Redemption that was set in motion by our "Abba Father. We may be surprised at the difference this week of "Remembrance" could make in our lives!!

Friday's Encouragement

I believe that many people are very much aware of the challenging times in which we are living. We can see the onslaught of fear, distrust, worry, frustration, concern, and even doubt written upon the faces of our family and friends. Where will we chose to turn in this day and time? We must choose to turn to God and rely upon the promises that His Word declares. Paul made this declaration, “I know in whom I believe…” It is necessary that we take the time to truly “get to know” God so that our faith can grow stronger even in the midst of our adversities.

I read an interesting story today concerning a man named Edwin Mote. He was a Pastor/Song Writer. Jim Denison shares this story.

Mote grew up in London, where his parents managed a pub and he played in the streets on Sundays. Nevertheless, he came to faith in Christ, then worked as a cabinetmaker for thirty-seven years. At the age of fifty-five, he became a pastor.

He served his congregation for twenty-six years. In gratitude, the people offered him their building as a gift. He replied, "I do not want the chapel, I want only the pulpit; and when I cease to preach Christ, then turn me out of that."

Mote is best known today not for his preaching but for his hymn writing. Approximately one hundred of his hymns have been published. My favorite includes these lines:

When darkness seems to hide his face,
I rest on his unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the vale.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

Where do you need courage to serve Jesus in our "high and stormy" culture? Ralph Waldo Emerson was right: "A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer."

Hang in there, knowing that Jesus is hanging onto you (John 10:29).