Good morning everyone,
This past weekend, Pastor Bro. spoke on the prodigal son. Luke 15:11-32 describes what that son experienced before he realized his ways! He talked about it being highly unusual to distribute someones wealth before their death. In the story of the prodigal son, the youngest son would have been entitled to 1/3 of the estate upon his fathers death. But because he was anxious, he wanted it now! How many times do you feel like you deserve something and on top of your greed, you want it now? The father agreed to his sons request and the son went off and squandered it all in a short period of time. He went from the penticle of the center of attention to the absolute lowest form of living as he rutted around with pigs. Sometimes, when we get too big for our britches, the Father chooses to let us think and live like we don't need Him. Detachment in a sense is 'tough love' because it makes us decide who we are going to serve. Once we realize we are hopelessly lost, He comes to our rescue. He came to his senses and ran back to his father asking forgivness and praying that he would be accepted. Not only was he accepted; a party was given on his behalf because what was once lost is now found. True repentance is to humbly turn to the Father and ask Him to forgive your sins! We put off going to the Father because we don't know the reception we are going to receive. John 1:18 reminds us that love covers many offenses. He treats us as though we have never sinned; as though we have never been away. 1 Cor 13:4 tells us that love is patient, kind; not jealous, does not brag, and is not arrogant. To have a change of heart and a change of mind can lead to a change of action!
Your brother in Christ,
p
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Can you see it? Hebrews 11:1
Good morning everyone,
As you wake up today, I want you to consider what God has in store for you that you can not see! Hebrews 11:1 says that faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Even if you are not capable of doing something for the kingdom from a physical standpoint, ask God to show you how you can be used. It may simply be calling someone to encourage them or it may be penning someone a letter. If we feel as though we have nothing to give, we are completely missing opportunity after opportunity! See, God wants you to seek Him when it is not convenient so that you can see things more clearly and from His prospective. We are to trust Him when we can't see the road ahead of us because of the confidence that He gives us! Will there ever be scary times ahead? Sure! Jeremiah 17:7 says, 'But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.' See, when we do go through periods of doubt, we need to seek shelter in the One we can trust. His track record of protection is 100% of the time if we truly trust Him! To know Him is to close your eyes and still see Him, even in the scary times.
Your brother in Christ,
p
As you wake up today, I want you to consider what God has in store for you that you can not see! Hebrews 11:1 says that faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Even if you are not capable of doing something for the kingdom from a physical standpoint, ask God to show you how you can be used. It may simply be calling someone to encourage them or it may be penning someone a letter. If we feel as though we have nothing to give, we are completely missing opportunity after opportunity! See, God wants you to seek Him when it is not convenient so that you can see things more clearly and from His prospective. We are to trust Him when we can't see the road ahead of us because of the confidence that He gives us! Will there ever be scary times ahead? Sure! Jeremiah 17:7 says, 'But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.' See, when we do go through periods of doubt, we need to seek shelter in the One we can trust. His track record of protection is 100% of the time if we truly trust Him! To know Him is to close your eyes and still see Him, even in the scary times.
Your brother in Christ,
p
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
What it means to be a Christian! 1 Peter 4:16; 1 Peter 4:12
Good morning everyone,
To label yourself as a Christian does not free you from having obstacles in your life. In fact, that can lead to suffering and ridicule just like Christ endured. He never said it would be an easy road but He did assure us that it would be a road with great rewards. To be a Christian says you are linked to Jesus Christ. Linked means to be connected, associated with, or an extension of. You can't be plugged into Jesus Christ and still be connected with the world's ways or you will short circuit. 1 Peter 4:16 says, 'However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.' 1 Peter 4:12 says, 'Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.' See, when we become Christians, there could be ridicule and testing of all sorts to see if we really are genuine. Think for a moment and recall what Christ endured on the cross! He loved us so much that He gave His life for each one of us. It wasn't a quick death. It was slow, agonizing, painful and yet, He showed that the 'real reward' came from that suffering. Are you willing to suffer, knowing that the same reward is available for you? The world is changing and many of those changes don't include following Him! Don't let the appeal of those changes steer you away from what He has called you to do!
Your brother in Christ,
p
To label yourself as a Christian does not free you from having obstacles in your life. In fact, that can lead to suffering and ridicule just like Christ endured. He never said it would be an easy road but He did assure us that it would be a road with great rewards. To be a Christian says you are linked to Jesus Christ. Linked means to be connected, associated with, or an extension of. You can't be plugged into Jesus Christ and still be connected with the world's ways or you will short circuit. 1 Peter 4:16 says, 'However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.' 1 Peter 4:12 says, 'Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.' See, when we become Christians, there could be ridicule and testing of all sorts to see if we really are genuine. Think for a moment and recall what Christ endured on the cross! He loved us so much that He gave His life for each one of us. It wasn't a quick death. It was slow, agonizing, painful and yet, He showed that the 'real reward' came from that suffering. Are you willing to suffer, knowing that the same reward is available for you? The world is changing and many of those changes don't include following Him! Don't let the appeal of those changes steer you away from what He has called you to do!
Your brother in Christ,
p
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Reason for needing to be clean! Matthew 8:1-13
Good morning everyone,
From unclean to clean; from unsaved to saved; from discouraged to encouraged. Brother Kenny Culpepper preached this past weekend at the church I called home for the first 18 years of my life. He spoke on the 4 R's of needing to be clean! First, we need to recognize that we need to be clean; secondly, we need to request to be clean; thirdly, we need to receive our new set of clothes; finally, we need to go out and report it to those that we meet. Matthew 8:1-13 is a great text for all of us to read to remind us of those steps. Our testimony is vital so that others can see there is hope for them also! Many people get close to realizing that they are in need of something much bigger than their past but are too stubborn to letting the above process work! Have you ever thought about 'those days that almost never happened?' Over the course of time, there have been many events that almost never happened. One of the most famous is when Neil Armstrong (first man on the moon) was testing out a lunar landing craft just months before his famous moon walk. He narrowly escaped death by ejecting out prior to it crashing and bursting into flames. One of the people injured in the shooting massacre in Aurora, for all intensive purposes, should have died from a gun shot wound. But because of a brain defect, a small canal diverted the bullet that had entered her brain. God has huge plans for your life and regardless of the events that take place around you, He is ready to take you through a process so that you too can be clean! Don't delay, because your day of reckoning may be sooner than you expect. For the two above individuals, they have an opportunity to speak of His amazing grace! Until God takes you home, you have that same opportunity!
Your brother in Christ,
p
From unclean to clean; from unsaved to saved; from discouraged to encouraged. Brother Kenny Culpepper preached this past weekend at the church I called home for the first 18 years of my life. He spoke on the 4 R's of needing to be clean! First, we need to recognize that we need to be clean; secondly, we need to request to be clean; thirdly, we need to receive our new set of clothes; finally, we need to go out and report it to those that we meet. Matthew 8:1-13 is a great text for all of us to read to remind us of those steps. Our testimony is vital so that others can see there is hope for them also! Many people get close to realizing that they are in need of something much bigger than their past but are too stubborn to letting the above process work! Have you ever thought about 'those days that almost never happened?' Over the course of time, there have been many events that almost never happened. One of the most famous is when Neil Armstrong (first man on the moon) was testing out a lunar landing craft just months before his famous moon walk. He narrowly escaped death by ejecting out prior to it crashing and bursting into flames. One of the people injured in the shooting massacre in Aurora, for all intensive purposes, should have died from a gun shot wound. But because of a brain defect, a small canal diverted the bullet that had entered her brain. God has huge plans for your life and regardless of the events that take place around you, He is ready to take you through a process so that you too can be clean! Don't delay, because your day of reckoning may be sooner than you expect. For the two above individuals, they have an opportunity to speak of His amazing grace! Until God takes you home, you have that same opportunity!
Your brother in Christ,
p
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Inspiration! What inspires you? Isaiah 41:10; 1 Thessalonians 1:3
Good morning everyone,
Are you inspired? All of us have something deep inside of us that God is ready to reveal so that the whole world can see! Are you ready to know what it is? Inspiration comes from knowing Him and having a passion to serve Him! Even if you don't feel you have any inspiration, let me beg to differ with you. Isaiah 41:10 tells us to not fear, for He is with us; to not be dismayed, for He is our God. He will strengthen you and help you; He will uphold you with His righteous right hand. 1 Thessalonians 1:3 says, 'We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.' When we do anything honoring our Lord and Savior, we will be inspired in ways we didn't know existed. If you hope in the Lord, you have the foundation that really matters. The definition of inspiration from a theological prospective is to have a divine influence directly and immediately exerted upon the mind or soul. God is ready to fill you with the things that really matter because He wants to use each of us to give hope to a world that has forgotten what it really means to be inspired from His prospective!
Your brother in Christ,
p
Are you inspired? All of us have something deep inside of us that God is ready to reveal so that the whole world can see! Are you ready to know what it is? Inspiration comes from knowing Him and having a passion to serve Him! Even if you don't feel you have any inspiration, let me beg to differ with you. Isaiah 41:10 tells us to not fear, for He is with us; to not be dismayed, for He is our God. He will strengthen you and help you; He will uphold you with His righteous right hand. 1 Thessalonians 1:3 says, 'We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.' When we do anything honoring our Lord and Savior, we will be inspired in ways we didn't know existed. If you hope in the Lord, you have the foundation that really matters. The definition of inspiration from a theological prospective is to have a divine influence directly and immediately exerted upon the mind or soul. God is ready to fill you with the things that really matter because He wants to use each of us to give hope to a world that has forgotten what it really means to be inspired from His prospective!
Your brother in Christ,
p
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Even in work, praise His name! Psalm 33:1; 1 Chronicles 16:9
Good morning everyone,
As I was leaving the hotel for work yesterday morning, I ran past one of the employees as she was cleaning the room next to me. I could hear Christian music playing and she appeared to be singing along with the tune. I commented to make sure I heard correctly by asking her, 'Is that Christian music you're playing?' Her response was, 'I'm not sure!' I said, 'I liked it' and 'God Bless you.' At that moment a huge smile appeared on her face and she said, 'Thank you!' Isn't it sad that we can't shout from the roof tops that Jesus is Lord and Savior for all without fearing that someone will take offense? We live in a world messed up and confused about who He is and what it means to be a Christian 24/7. Go out today and live for Jesus and it just might be your day to encourage someone you come across. Listen with that attentive ear that He gave you so hope can be your gift to someone in need! Psalm 33:1 says, 'Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise Him.' As long as you have breath to breathe, praise His name! 1 Chronicles 16:9 tells us to sing to Him, to sing praise to Him; to tell of His wonderful acts! As you begin the journey that He has laid out before you today, make sure you ask Him how you fit into His schedule and not how He fits into your schedule!
Your brother in Christ,
p
As I was leaving the hotel for work yesterday morning, I ran past one of the employees as she was cleaning the room next to me. I could hear Christian music playing and she appeared to be singing along with the tune. I commented to make sure I heard correctly by asking her, 'Is that Christian music you're playing?' Her response was, 'I'm not sure!' I said, 'I liked it' and 'God Bless you.' At that moment a huge smile appeared on her face and she said, 'Thank you!' Isn't it sad that we can't shout from the roof tops that Jesus is Lord and Savior for all without fearing that someone will take offense? We live in a world messed up and confused about who He is and what it means to be a Christian 24/7. Go out today and live for Jesus and it just might be your day to encourage someone you come across. Listen with that attentive ear that He gave you so hope can be your gift to someone in need! Psalm 33:1 says, 'Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise Him.' As long as you have breath to breathe, praise His name! 1 Chronicles 16:9 tells us to sing to Him, to sing praise to Him; to tell of His wonderful acts! As you begin the journey that He has laid out before you today, make sure you ask Him how you fit into His schedule and not how He fits into your schedule!
Your brother in Christ,
p
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Adversity and connectivity! Ephesians 6:13; Proverbs 3:26
Good morning everyone,
It has been sometime since I have written a devotional on the blog and I feel a little disconnected or like something is missing; yet, the last couple of weeks have brought me closer to my Lord and Savior. There have been times of adversity and those times have created a greater connection to Him! Have you ever felt as though you had a God moment and then it was followed by times of, for lack of words, a great 'void?' In that period of void, we become vulnerable to satan and his schemes, so we need to be prepared. Ephesians 6:13 says, 'Therefore, take up the full armour of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.' It is not hard to stand firm when we are in His place. It is difficult when we start the battle! Recently Deborah had surgery, our daughter Ariel came to live with us, I had an MRI on my shoulder, my traveling has intensified, I'm in need of a second MRI, and in some ways life seems to be out of control; especially on the smaller scale! But on the larger scale, those 'curve balls of life' have caused me to wait patiently so that I could hit 'head-on' what was not hittable! They have brought me closer to my Lord and Savior, my wife, my children, and to each of you. It has given me a sense of clarity and a sense of appreciation like never before. When I see the immediate problem, God sees the solution. Am I connected to Him well enough to see it also? Proverbs 3:26 tells us that the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught. Realize that the closer you get to God, the more important it will be to have on His full armour!
Your brother in Christ,
p
It has been sometime since I have written a devotional on the blog and I feel a little disconnected or like something is missing; yet, the last couple of weeks have brought me closer to my Lord and Savior. There have been times of adversity and those times have created a greater connection to Him! Have you ever felt as though you had a God moment and then it was followed by times of, for lack of words, a great 'void?' In that period of void, we become vulnerable to satan and his schemes, so we need to be prepared. Ephesians 6:13 says, 'Therefore, take up the full armour of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.' It is not hard to stand firm when we are in His place. It is difficult when we start the battle! Recently Deborah had surgery, our daughter Ariel came to live with us, I had an MRI on my shoulder, my traveling has intensified, I'm in need of a second MRI, and in some ways life seems to be out of control; especially on the smaller scale! But on the larger scale, those 'curve balls of life' have caused me to wait patiently so that I could hit 'head-on' what was not hittable! They have brought me closer to my Lord and Savior, my wife, my children, and to each of you. It has given me a sense of clarity and a sense of appreciation like never before. When I see the immediate problem, God sees the solution. Am I connected to Him well enough to see it also? Proverbs 3:26 tells us that the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught. Realize that the closer you get to God, the more important it will be to have on His full armour!
Your brother in Christ,
p
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