Sunday, October 30, 2011

Are you ready for a change? Psalm 15:4

Good morning everyone,
I would like to start the devotional off this morning with me asking each of you a question.  Are you ready for a change?  Psalm 15:4 says, 'in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the Lord; who swears to his own hurt and does not change.'  Several things stand out in this scripture and it seems as though they speak directly to each of us.  Fearing the Lord is a good thing because our own corruption only has one cure and that is honoring your Creator.  We all can see the condition of the mess we live in and without Christ, there is no hope.  He is the key to changing our hearts to be more like Him.  We will never be like Him here on this earth but it should be our desire to want to please Him in all that we do.  The beautiful thing is that He is ready to change us if we will just allow Him to do so!  The condition of the physical situation you find yourself in may be what you have to live with but the condition of your heart can totally be changed by you reaching out to the Heart Surgeon!  Neither you or I can know why and it is not our job to question the Lord on allowing satans attacks!  It is our job to live life for Him so that those attacks can be victoriously won to shine a 'light' on the Savior!  Most of us complain about the muck and mire that we find ourselves in but most of us do very little in 'Praising God' through it!  Character is a gift that God gives us through the trials that we are bombarded with if we will completely trust and obey!  If you trust and obey, you will find that there is no other way because Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6)!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Friday, October 28, 2011

My heart is spoken for! Psalm 27:3

Good morning everyone,
What an incredible promise we have in knowing that our hearts are spoken for and Psalm 27:3 can give you the confidence and the reassurance that God has you covered!  'Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.'  No one else but the Father Himself can give you that assurance!  Many of you are struggling right now just to pick up your feet and put them back down again.  You feel completely out of sink and out of sorts.  Let me encourage you as you start your day; give Him glory and honor first and see if that confidence and assurance doesn't come back.  Whether it be financially, physically, emotionally or just not knowing why you've lost touch with the Savior, remember that He has your heart!  Your surroundings sometimes are jumbled and just doing the basic stuff becomes a real challenge.  You feel as though you are having a heart attack and to be honest, you would prefer to having one and getting the discomfort out of your system.  Well, our Lord and Savior may have a different set of plans for you than the ones you developed!  Everything we endure is peanuts compared to what He endured and nothing is too much considering everything is the setup for what is to come.  Let the Heart Surgeon take your heart and completely restore your soul and He will help you see it through to completion! 
Your brother in Christ,
p

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Upholding the fallen! Psalm 145:14

Good morning everyone,
When you fall down, it seems as though sometimes it is hard to get back up!  You may feel as though you've been hit right in the middle of your gut and all the air has been knocked out of you!  Psalm 145:14 jumped out at me today because it gives me tremendous hope!  'The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down.'  When we call out to the Lord for mercy and fall on our knees in humble adoration to Him, He will restore you far better than you deserve.  It is His promise to each of us!  Falling on our knees is the least we can do when we enter into His presence.  When everything seems to be completly out of control, remember what He has done for you.  If you have good health, praise Him!  If your health is bad, praise Him!   It doesn't matter your condition; He is there in the midst of your celebrations as well as your miseries.  In the Scriptures, David messed up many times but he was identified as a 'man after God's own heart!'  No matter what he did, he realized he was broken and he ask God for restoration through forgiveness!  All of us need restoration and there is only One who can give that to us!  That is Jesus Christ!  Call out to your Lord and Savior today and ask Him to clear your mind of all the clutter so that you can serve Him with your whole heart.
Your brother in Christ,
p

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

The Day of the Lord! 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28

Good morning everyone,
I know it has been a while since you last heard from me and for that I apologize.  As my dad would say, "I've been busier than a one armed paper hanger!"  It seems as though time gets out of control sometimes and the older I become, the faster that out of control gets.  For today's devotional, I would like to address the urgency of being ready.  All of us have busy life styles and I think that is the toughest element in staying connected with our Savior!  According to 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28, we are all on borrowed time.  If you feel as though there is real peace and security in your life and you haven't trusted God as your personal Lord and Savior, let me encourage you to do so this very day.  None of us know the timing of His exact return, but we are to be ready as it states in verse 8.  "But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmut the hope of salvation."  Faith, hope and love are the keys to being ready.  No matter the situation we face, God has given us the weapons we need to face the giants!  It is satans goal to knock us off course and to get us caught up in the busyness of this world.  He doesn't want you to be ready, so for today choose whom you will serve!  Ask God to show you how to stay connected to Him.  When my time with Him wanes, I wander and before I know it, I'm lost!  Stay connected brothers and sisters and ask God to show you how to release the things that are not important (temporary) and to cling to the things that have eternal value! 
Your brother in Christ,
p

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Always Enough! John 14:8

Good morning everyone,
Are you one of those that is always yearning for more?  Are you a person that has never really been satisfied with the results of your life?  In John 14:8, even Phillip has a hard time associating Jesus as being Lord and Savior!  Phillip was one on the few that intimately spent time with Jesus, yet he still had doubts about who Jesus claimed to be!  He had to be reminded by Jesus himself.  At times, if we are brutally honest, we too probably doubt!  From the outside, after reading John 14:8, you probably wonder how Phillip could be questioning Jesus!  But we do the same thing and really we have no reason to.  If you yearn for anything, make sure that it is eternal!  The things most of us yearn for are what our neighbor has and those yearnings will end in disappointment 100% of the time!  Yearn to know Jesus intimately and He will never disappoint you!  Isn't it funny that we are so easily swayed into believing the lies of satan?  We think the next big job, the bigger home, the sparkly new car, and the list goes on and on will be the solution to our problems.  In order to get the satisfaction that Jesus can provide, you need to spend time with Him.  There are no shortcuts and there is no looking over someones shoulder in order to instantly get to the top!  Jesus will take you right where you are at and He wants you just like you are!  He made you so don't try and change your appearance to get ready for Him.  If you do delay, think of all the things that you miss that He has in store for you.  Don't let satan convince you into thinking that you are a boring and nerdy person by choosing to serve your Creator!  I promise you that your life will suddenly have a 'new meaning' when you choose Christ!  Choosing Christ will provide answers that you can find nowhere else!  Joshua 24:15 tells us to choose this day whom you will serve.  But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.  
Your brother in Christ,
p

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Count the Cost! Psalm 49:8

Good morning everyone,
I'm reminded of individuals that are struggling across our country to be able to just survive!  It doesn't take much for any of us more fortunate to look around and see all the people who are homeless and those who are wondering how their next meal will be provided!  Unless you have your head in the sand, more so than ever, the poverty of this country is right in your own front yard.  I know many people try and milk the system and are satisfied with taking advantage of welfare even though they are physically able to work.  Ladies and gentlemen, we were created to love folks right where they are at and many have lived generation after generation on hand outs.  It is a viscous cycle to get out of and the light bulb for some will never go on and I'm not trying to get you to feel sorry for folks who don't want to change.  What I am trying to get you to be aware of is the ones who are good folks and trying to get out of the cycle but those that seem to be stuck in a rut!  When you step out in Jesus name and you help someone, you may be the only Jesus representation that person has ever seen and possibly will ever see.  The next time you have the opportunity to help in some fashion, ask Jesus how you can help because He is the only one that knows the condition of the heart of the person you are helping.  It may just be that you come along side someone and just put you arm around them and pray for them.  Or it could be that you are providing a sandwich for someone that otherwise might not eat for the day!  Psalm 49:8 tells us that the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough.  Remind yourself that Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for you by dieing on the cross.  Every provision that has been provided is a gift that He allowed.  Don't you think that it is time that we go out in Jesus name and share the story of the one who paid the ultimate price for each of us.  And in so doing feed those that are hungry and if need be, provide food!
Your brother in Christ,
p  
 

Monday, October 17, 2011

Temporary Shelters! Leviticus 23:43

Good morning everyone,
I know that many of you experience pain and suffering in your life and it is hard to see any way out of those circumstances.  In Leviticus 23:43, God showed the Israelites that while they experienced the desert and temporary shelters for some 40 years, He ultimately would bring them to the 'promised land.'  The situation you may find yourself in may feel like you've been wandering for the last 40 years!  Just like the Israelites, God is ready to take you to the 'promised land.'  I know it seems as though the trials and tribulations that you face are just too much to handle but I'm here to share with you that God has made you a promise.  Give Him the glory in whatever you face, whether it is good or bad, and He will guarantee you that your suffering is only temporary.  The next time you have a setback, praise Him and trust Him and see what happens.  If you make it a regular routine, your attitude and your outlook on life will change dramatically.  Those things that you have control of are the things that you can choose in God's favor!  Those things that you don't have control of, let God control them for you!  Each of you are a blessing in my life because God gave me the opportunity to know each of you in passing or each of you personally!  Ladies and gentlemen, the body that you have been given is only temporary and know that no matter how long you live on this earth, your eternal body will not break down like your earthly body!  Praise God!!  Go out today and be a 'light' for the world to see Jesus Christ reflecting through you!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Pastor Appreciation! Ephesians 4:10-12

Good morning everyone,
For all of you, October is known as pastor appreciation month!  If you haven't told your pastor how much you appreciate them, make it a priority to do so this month.  Each one of you hopefully is being fed weekly by hearing the Word of God and letting that Word completely immerse your heart!  Ephesians 4:10-12 tells us, 'He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.  So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.'  Ladies and gentlemen, pastors across this country need to know how much you love them.  Everyday they suit up for battle to defend the One and only true God!  If they did not go to war for you, just think of the insurmountable bombardments you would receive from the enemy.  Spiritual warfare is doing everything possible to keep you from serving your Lord and Savior.  To get a more thorough knowledge of that, look around at all the things that are distractions that keep you from serving Him.  If you think you have it tough right now, just think what it would be like with no pastors.  The book of Ephesians goes into great detail on how to protect yourself from the spiritual warfare you are going to face.  If you are not involved in a regular weekly fellowship of believers that are getting fed and led by a pastor, let me encourage you to do so.  The more you get involved, the more you will see that pastors are a gift from God because their love for God goes much deeper than you can imagine.  They love God and in turn they have been instructed by Him to love you with their whole heart.  Spend time daily with the Father and before you know it, your life will be craving to know more.  If you give Him your heart, He will reveal to you what He wants you to know.  Your pastor does not want to beat you up!  He wants to meet you at the cross-roads you are at right now and hold your hand as he is directed by the Master to give you the instructions that have been laid out for you!  He loves you more than you will ever know and he goes to battle for you daily.  Isn't it time that we love our pastors back to show our appreciation?
Your brother in Christ,
p

Monday, October 10, 2011

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12

Good morning everyone,
When you look at your current situation, do you look at it with uncertainty or do you rejoice because Jesus has given you hope?  Do you easily get frustrated at the first sign of setback or do you show signs of being patient during your tribulation?  Do you use God as a last resort opportunity or do you call out His name frequently so that He hears you when you speak?  If you will read Romans 12:12, Paul reminds us that the signs of a true Christian should rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.  Ladies and gentlemen, He wants more than anything else for you to place Him first!  Before you say something that is unbecoming, if you will ask Him to intervene, He will honor your request.  I know that I have a hard time when it comes to arguing and making my point about what I'm thinking!  I need to ask Christ to give me different thoughts than what I'm thinking.  When I do that, I am more likely to give an image that is not the norm and more like Him!  When you pray first about any situation that you find yourself in, you will find that He gives you a totally different perspective than the one that satan tried to give you!  When I argue about something silly, I win nothing but I lose sight of what Christ wants me to imitate!  To sum it up, prayer is the key to staying connected to your 'Life Source' and that gives you the right way of thinking or Christ's way of thinking.  When prayer is lacking, it ends up your way of thinking and that will lead to trouble 100% of the time!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Friday, October 7, 2011

How long must I be with you and put up with you? Luke 9:41

Good morning everyone,
It is apparent to me that I get frustrated at times when there is very little I can do to change my situation.  God has placed me in the very place that I'm at to see how I will respond to things that go on around me.  I'm so busy being busy that I really miss what He is trying to show me.  I get frustrated at others when I have failed to see their dilemma because I'm so focused on my own dilemma.  Thinking back over the times that I've been frustrated at others, I'm reminded of the patience that my Father has for me!  Why can't I have the same patience for others that He has for me?  In Luke 9:41, Jesus asks the question, 'how long must I be with you and put up with you?'  Many times I'm sure that He has scratched His head and wondered will Paul ever get it?  In the heat of the moment, I say and do things that really shows my lack of sensitivity and caring for others.  Thankfully He isn't done with me yet and He gives me opportunity after opportunity to get it right!  1 Thessalonians 5:14-18 describes how I need to model my behavior.  'Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy.  Encourage those who are timid.  Take tender care of those who are weak.  Be patient with everyone.  See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to everyone else.  Always be joyful.  Keep on praying.  No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.'  
Your brother in Christ,
p

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Spreading the Good News results in bringing Joy! Psalm 67

Good morning everyone,
We are always looking at what brings us Joy but many times we fail to look in the right place!  According to Psalm 67, Joy comes from spreading the Good News.  'May God be merciful and bless us.  May His face shine with favor upon us.  May Your ways be known throughout the earth, Your saving power among people everywhere.  May the nations praise You, O God.  Yes may all the nations praise You.  How glad the nations will be, singing for joy, because You govern them with justice and direct the actions of the whole world.  May the nations praise You, O God.  Yes, may all the nations praise You.  Then the earth will yield its harvests, and God, our God, will richly bless us.  Yes, God will bless us, and people all over the world will fear Him.'  Amazing Scripture to remind us that as a nation, we should turn from our wicked ways, and praise the One and only true God!  I think God expects everyone of us to identify Him as the One that we are to tell the world about His Good News!  If we don't, then the result is going to be catastrophic!  I don't want to make this sound like a doom and gloom devotional, but while we still have life and breath, we should share with others what He has done for us!  If you claim Him now as your Lord and Savior, He will claim you when you are done here!  Simple and a matter of fact!!  See God has something that comes from no other source.  He has saving power and that tells me that there is still hope for a world that denys Him!  The result for those who spread His Good News will bring in a bountiful harvest.  For those who don't, they will fear Him!  None of us know how much time we have left here on this earth, but while you are here, don't you think that it makes sense to 'spread news' about something that is beneficial for all!  
Your brother in Christ,
p

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

How long do we need to struggle from despair? Psalm 13

Good morning everyone,
Do you ever feel like you are running on the same little cage that your hamster runs on?  The faster you run only results in running in the same place and getting nowhere!   Do you ever feel as though your praying for relief from despair and your trust in God seems to wain because He doesn't answer you immediately?  If you are really honest with yourself, probably all of us at times have felt that kind of despair!  David did and in Psalms 13, he prays up to God about relief from despair.  'O Lord, how long will you forget me?  Forever?  How long will you look the other way?  How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart everyday?  How long will my enemy have the upper hand?  Turn and answer me, O Lord my God!  Restore the light to my eyes, or I will die.  Don't let my enemies gloat, saying, "We have defeated him!"  Don't let them rejoice at my downfall.  But I trust in your unfailing love.  I will rejoice because You have rescued me.  I will sing to the Lord because He has been so good to me.'  The next time you feel defeated, deflated or just 'wore slick', don't hesitate from trusting God to restore you and even making you stronger!  Think about all and every setback as the stage to shine a light on the One who is capable of giving you a floodlight to show you the way!  Rejoice in the Rescuer before you see any signs of a rescue and before you know it, He will show you a way that you didn't even know existed!  An old hymn comes to mind and the words go like this;  trust and obey, for there is no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey!
Your brother in Christ,
p