God is greater than we could ever understand. He is loving, merciful, full of grace and compassion, pure, perfect, wise, good, forgiving, encouraging, faithful, and kind. He is also righteous, holy, just, jealous, passionate, mighty and powerful.
Often times we want God to fit into a mold that is comfortable for our lifestyle. When we are sinning we want a God of love mercy and grace. When some one hurts us we want a God who is just, mighty and powerful to pour out His wrath on our enemy. Yet He is so much more than all of this!
Unfortunately, we can't just pick the attributes of God that are convenient for us. We get all of Him all the time, and ultimately we are in His hands. The Bible teaches us that in the end it is God's word that will determine our eternity but we have to choose Him now.
In The Potter's Hands - July 1st
The fact is that everyone of us a broken and marred piece of clay. God desires to reshape us into something noble and useful to Him and His Kingdom.
Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God - July 8th
One day each of us will have to stand before the almighty and give an account for our lives. It is our life verse the Law of God. What chance do we have without someone to save us?
Sinners in the Hands of a Merciful God - July 15th
What happens when we deserve God's wrath but He desires to show mercy. How does God remain true to His character in the face of our sin? How do we bow ourselves to the mercy of God?
Children in the Hands of a Loving Father - July 22nd
Through Jesus we don't just receive forgiveness for our sins but we become children of God. God loves us as children just as we are, but he loves us too much to leave us where we are. How will we react to the Father's love as He molds us into the people He created us to be?
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Open My Eyes
Sometimes I recall those trips to the laundry mat as a kid. The sounds of the coin-feed washers and dryers, the unmistakable sent of bleach combined with all the various scents of laundry soap and fabric softener. I remember the rolling baskets that would squeak and wobble as you pushed your clothes from the washer to the dryer or the dryer to the folding table.
But, what I remember most about those trip is the little white wooden shack that sat outside, over by the old IGA. It wasn't much more than a box; a door on one end and a window in the front. At the window stood an old blind man (I wish I knew his name). As I got close to the shack my brother and I would always be greeted, "Hi, young men, how are you this fine day?" After exchanging greetings and talking this man would reach out the window and hand us a pack of Peanut M&M's.
This man stood in this box day after day selling candy candy, but as I look back I remember that we would by candy from him when we went to the grocery store but he never charged us on those laundry trips.
Years later I saw this old blind man again in a little restraint. He sat at the counter and ate his two eggs and toast and drank his cup of coffee. He then pulled out his wallet and asked the waitress what denomination of bill he pulled out. She told him it was a $5 He handed it to her. As she went and got his change he turned to me holding another bill and asked, "young man what bill is this?"
"A $20, sir." I replied. He smiled. He turned around set it on the counter got up and left without his change.
This man knew what it was to give with a cheerful heart. It didn't mater if it was a pack of M&M's for a young boy or generous tip waitress, he always gave with a smile. Yet, I never knew his name.
In 2 Corinthians 9:7 it says, "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
So often when it comes to giving our Tithes and Offerings we have this attitude of "This is what I have to do" or "Well here goes more of my money" or one of the 50 thousand other thoughts that pass through our minds other than "Thank You! Lord"
At Paul's time the temple had to containers to receive gifts from people. The first one was to receive each persons Tithe (the part of their income required by Jewish law) the second was a free-will offering. It is in regard to this free-will offering that the attitudes are being called into question. Not what you are expected to give but what you are giving over and beyond that. This is the giving Jesus is talking about when he points out the woman who gave everything she had. (Mark 12:41-44)
Lord my we be able to see like this. My our eyes be open to the spirit of giving with gladness in our hearts.
But, what I remember most about those trip is the little white wooden shack that sat outside, over by the old IGA. It wasn't much more than a box; a door on one end and a window in the front. At the window stood an old blind man (I wish I knew his name). As I got close to the shack my brother and I would always be greeted, "Hi, young men, how are you this fine day?" After exchanging greetings and talking this man would reach out the window and hand us a pack of Peanut M&M's.
This man stood in this box day after day selling candy candy, but as I look back I remember that we would by candy from him when we went to the grocery store but he never charged us on those laundry trips.
Years later I saw this old blind man again in a little restraint. He sat at the counter and ate his two eggs and toast and drank his cup of coffee. He then pulled out his wallet and asked the waitress what denomination of bill he pulled out. She told him it was a $5 He handed it to her. As she went and got his change he turned to me holding another bill and asked, "young man what bill is this?"
"A $20, sir." I replied. He smiled. He turned around set it on the counter got up and left without his change.
This man knew what it was to give with a cheerful heart. It didn't mater if it was a pack of M&M's for a young boy or generous tip waitress, he always gave with a smile. Yet, I never knew his name.
In 2 Corinthians 9:7 it says, "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
So often when it comes to giving our Tithes and Offerings we have this attitude of "This is what I have to do" or "Well here goes more of my money" or one of the 50 thousand other thoughts that pass through our minds other than "Thank You! Lord"
At Paul's time the temple had to containers to receive gifts from people. The first one was to receive each persons Tithe (the part of their income required by Jewish law) the second was a free-will offering. It is in regard to this free-will offering that the attitudes are being called into question. Not what you are expected to give but what you are giving over and beyond that. This is the giving Jesus is talking about when he points out the woman who gave everything she had. (Mark 12:41-44)
Lord my we be able to see like this. My our eyes be open to the spirit of giving with gladness in our hearts.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
The Beast Within
Sometimes I feel like a queasy messed up combination of the wolf-man and the Incredible Hulk. There I am going along just fine and then something happens and this beast within me rages to get out. First my blood starts pumping, my eyes begin to narrow, everything starts looking red, my skin turns green, I grow twice my normal size, then comes the beastly grow from somewhere deep within that I can't explain, and then I since the fear of my pray.
Well OK, that might be a bit of an exaggeration but I think we can all relate. In one form or another we can sympathize with Bruce Banner when he says, "You won't like me when I'm angry."
Today was one of those days. Everything was going well and then... (The clouds cleared from over the full moon) I was ready to break someone or something. I wanted to yell and scream and let the rage have it's way. At this moment I wanted to let people know exactly what I thought and how I felt and I didn't care what anyone thought about it, but I didn't.
Why? Why not just let the beast out? Isn't it better to deal with those feelings rather than hold them in?
One of my favorite books in the Bible is James. James is blunt a straight to the point, so as we look at the subject of anger I want to start there. In James 1:19-21 it says, "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you."
Though the Bible never calls anger a sin it does give some strong warnings about controlling our anger. One reason is because controlled anger can bring about some very positive changes in the world around us while uncontrolled anger can be very destructive. James says that a man's anger does not bring about the righteous life God desires. I believe that this is because our anger is usually rooted in selfishness.
Today I could have let my anger burn and created a nasty argument, point fingers, and tore down someone because of a mistake they made or I could remain calm and set a precedence of dealing with conflicts in the future as well as setting an example for my children and anyone else that might be watching.
In Ephesians 4 Paul tells us, "In your anger do not sin" (vs. 26) Even though it would be great if we could purge our lives of anger, Paul acknowledges that anger is an emotion that we are going to have to deal with at points in our life. What Paul really cares about is what out reaction is when we are angry. Why must we control our anger? Because if we don't we give the Devil a foothold in our lives. (vs 27)
The Devil would like nothing more then to have you blow your top and destroy the opportunities that you have to show others the love, mercy, grace, and peace that can only be found in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is instructing us through the pages of scripture to be people of self-control not controlled by the whims of some emotional response.
In Proverbs 29:11 we are told, "A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control." The fact is that no matter what we are facing or feeling at the moment we will accomplish much more with a calm, cool, and collected discussion than we will by yelling and screaming at someone. (Though it doesn't always seem this way. We are looking at a bigger picture here) In the end we will earn far more respect by remaining level headed then by raging out with our feelings.
Remember the advice from Proverbs 15:1, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
What is the end result that we are looking for? Do we desire to make the situation better or worse?
I have a friend that constantly fights to control his anger. He will blow his top and then quickly apologize. I remember one day hearing him tell someone that he was sorry for the way he responded and told them that would be praying for them. On this day I remember him being asked, "If your God is so great where was he when you were mad?" My friend just hung his head in shame.
Lord God, please give me the ability to have self-control when I am angry. Help me to be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger and quick to forgive so that your righteousness may reign in me. I know I am weak and I can't do this alone. Forgive me and guild me, in Jesus Name.
Amen!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Hell is Real (But I Hate to Admit It)
This is my first time writing a review of a book. The reason I chose this book to be my first is because the author Brian Jones was my very first mentor on my journey to serve God in the ministry.
Brain begins the book by sharing about his past. He shares about a time when he, as a pastor, didn't believe in hell. This is a story I haven't just heard but I also remember. I remember when Brian came before our church and asked for forgiveness and asked if we would allow him to remain as our pastor. This moment shaped me forever as a man of God. This moment taught me that God's word must be absolute for me as a pastor.
As the book continues Brian digs into what the Bible teaches about hell and why it is so important for Christians to believe what the Bible says. He goes into the reasons why we don't believe and the reasons why people don't believe in hell and looks at the reasons why those who do believe in hell don't respond it the apocalyptic urgency the a biblical understanding of God and hell should produce in us.
This book spoke deep into my heart, convicting me of my lack of urgency in leading people to Christ. I already had to repent 3 or 4 times before I got to the place in the book that Brian suggests that we repent.
What really makes this book a must read is the fact that Brian doesn't leave his readers with great knowledge and no application. Brian spends time helping his readers become effective at leading their unsaved friends to Christ. His advice is insightful and based on his real life experiences.
I highly recommend getting this book. It will challenge you to draw closer to God and encourage you to be able to share your faith with confidence knowing that God is in control.
Monday, September 5, 2011
One more step
I must say I enjoy running (most of the time). The fact is that I am slow, overweight, and often lack the self motivation to get out and do it. But when I do, I find this rhythm in my step, this peace in my soul, though this usually doesn't kick in until after my legs and lungs stop burning.
As I am running, my mind is drawn towards my creator, towards the intricate way that He put my body together. I am often amazed to find that my body is far more capable than my mind would like to believe. This is a lesson I first learned while at boot camp. I was in the delayed entry program for a year where we trained to run a mile and a half in 13 minutes. (I know this is slow for you big time runners out there. But for someone who was never a runner this was pushing it.
Our first day of PT (Physical Training) at Paris Island we had to run 1.5 in 13 minutes. I had myself so trained to do this that I ran it in 12 minutes 49 seconds. I had this down. On our second day of PT they told us we were going to do a formation run of 2 miles in 13 minutes and 30 second. Now if your mind works like mine (which may not be a good thing) you are thinking how in the world can you expect to run a half mile in 30 seconds. The real kicker is that this is the difference between 8 minute 40 second mile and a 6 minute and 45 second mile. Not only is this a faster running speed but we had to maintain this speed for a greater distance.
The amazing thing is I made it. (of course I was in much better shape the, and I can't reach that time now) The reason I share all of this is because God formed our bodies to do so much more than we think we can do. He has granted us the ability to push further, and work harder to accomplish thing we can only imagine.
So the real question is, what if we exercised our spiritual muscles this way. What do we do when our mind tells our faith we can't take another step?
In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Paul writes, " 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. "
As I have learned while running the next step may seem like the hardest but it may be the one that teaches you that you can go one more still. I hope your faith can teach your mind that "with God all things are Possible and that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
As I am running, my mind is drawn towards my creator, towards the intricate way that He put my body together. I am often amazed to find that my body is far more capable than my mind would like to believe. This is a lesson I first learned while at boot camp. I was in the delayed entry program for a year where we trained to run a mile and a half in 13 minutes. (I know this is slow for you big time runners out there. But for someone who was never a runner this was pushing it.
Our first day of PT (Physical Training) at Paris Island we had to run 1.5 in 13 minutes. I had myself so trained to do this that I ran it in 12 minutes 49 seconds. I had this down. On our second day of PT they told us we were going to do a formation run of 2 miles in 13 minutes and 30 second. Now if your mind works like mine (which may not be a good thing) you are thinking how in the world can you expect to run a half mile in 30 seconds. The real kicker is that this is the difference between 8 minute 40 second mile and a 6 minute and 45 second mile. Not only is this a faster running speed but we had to maintain this speed for a greater distance.
The amazing thing is I made it. (of course I was in much better shape the, and I can't reach that time now) The reason I share all of this is because God formed our bodies to do so much more than we think we can do. He has granted us the ability to push further, and work harder to accomplish thing we can only imagine.
So the real question is, what if we exercised our spiritual muscles this way. What do we do when our mind tells our faith we can't take another step?
In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Paul writes, " 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. "
As I have learned while running the next step may seem like the hardest but it may be the one that teaches you that you can go one more still. I hope your faith can teach your mind that "with God all things are Possible and that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
???FREE???
Throughout my life there have been a few statements that I have heard over and over again. One of those statements is, "nothing in life is free." It is amazing how this statement has affected the world in which we live and serve.
Yesterday (Saturday, August 20, 2011) LifePoint Community Church
had its first outreach as a new church. All we did was simply give out popsicles (so named, "Project Popsicle"), for free.
It's amazing how many people don't know how to receive something for free. One man asked me three times if it was really free. We didn't even require that people learn about LifePoint, though when asked, we did share with them.
This outreach was about getting out into our community, meeting and serving the people.
We provided a cold refreshment on a warm summer evening. That was it, no strings attached. And as a result, we got to meet 100+ people right in our own community.
You may be wondering why we would chose to do our first outreach in a way that didn't draw everyones attention to our church. The reasons are simple. In the grand scheme of things, it isn't about our church. It is about God and His love as displayed through Christ Jesus. Jesus came into the world to give a free gift. He laid down His life that we may experience the blessing of a saving relationship with God the Father.
As we simply give out a cold treat...
...hearts will begin to be prepared to accept the greatest gift of all: eternal life through Jesus Christ.
In Ephesians 2:8-9 it says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." There is nothing we can do to draw closer to God. Our salvation is a free gift of grace through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. It is the work of the cross that sets us free from sins penalty.
May we learn to accept that the best thing in life is free, because it cost so much.
Yesterday (Saturday, August 20, 2011) LifePoint Community Church
had its first outreach as a new church. All we did was simply give out popsicles (so named, "Project Popsicle"), for free.
It's amazing how many people don't know how to receive something for free. One man asked me three times if it was really free. We didn't even require that people learn about LifePoint, though when asked, we did share with them.
This outreach was about getting out into our community, meeting and serving the people.
We provided a cold refreshment on a warm summer evening. That was it, no strings attached. And as a result, we got to meet 100+ people right in our own community.
You may be wondering why we would chose to do our first outreach in a way that didn't draw everyones attention to our church. The reasons are simple. In the grand scheme of things, it isn't about our church. It is about God and His love as displayed through Christ Jesus. Jesus came into the world to give a free gift. He laid down His life that we may experience the blessing of a saving relationship with God the Father.
As we simply give out a cold treat...
...hearts will begin to be prepared to accept the greatest gift of all: eternal life through Jesus Christ.
In Ephesians 2:8-9 it says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." There is nothing we can do to draw closer to God. Our salvation is a free gift of grace through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. It is the work of the cross that sets us free from sins penalty.
May we learn to accept that the best thing in life is free, because it cost so much.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
"I AM"
Sometimes in my quiet time with God I like to reflect on a passage that I think I understand and I will ask God to move me into a deeper understanding of that passage. The other morning I woke up thinking about Moses and the burning bush. I was really drawn to Exodus 3:14.
God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
As I thought over this line again and again another verse came to mind. John 8:58 states, "“I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”
With these two passages on mind I thought back to Bible college where I was taught that God's introduction of Himself as "I AM" was a simple statement of God's eternal nature. The name "I AM" means the existing one. The one that lives from everlasting to everlasting. In college I learned that this statement was what separated the infinite from the finite.
As I was meditating on these passages I asked God what it means for Him to be the "I Am" feeling in my spirit that the simplistic view I had been taught in school was just that: too simplistic. (Though how simplistic is the concept of eternal?) As I was driving to work I began to feel a stirring in my soul. It was then that the Holy Spirit began to speak.
"I Am"
I Am goes so much deeper that just supplying an attribute of God. I Am defines who God is, in contrast to who we are. God is: our everything. He is our creator, our life, our breath, the food we need to live (the bread of life), our hopes, our dreams, our aspirations. He is the source of light, and rest. He is our comfort, our joy, our love (agape), our patience, our endurance, our strength, and our peace. God is all of this and much more.
He is a doctor for the sick, a Father for the fatherless, peace for the troubled hearted, assurance for the scared, courage for the fearful, justice for the downtrodden.
As I began to ponder the extent of who God is. (Knowing that I will never come close to rapping my mind around the depths of who God is.) I found myself in awe!
Then the Spirit spoke again and said, "but who are you?"
The fact is that the beauty of the "I Am" is who we are and can be in Him.
The truth is separated from God through sin we are nothing. We are dead. We are wicked and evil. But through the sacrifice that Jesus made on that cross we can become the very children of God, "children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. John 1:13t us embrace all we can
Let us embrace all we can be in God!
God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
As I thought over this line again and again another verse came to mind. John 8:58 states, "“I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”
With these two passages on mind I thought back to Bible college where I was taught that God's introduction of Himself as "I AM" was a simple statement of God's eternal nature. The name "I AM" means the existing one. The one that lives from everlasting to everlasting. In college I learned that this statement was what separated the infinite from the finite.
As I was meditating on these passages I asked God what it means for Him to be the "I Am" feeling in my spirit that the simplistic view I had been taught in school was just that: too simplistic. (Though how simplistic is the concept of eternal?) As I was driving to work I began to feel a stirring in my soul. It was then that the Holy Spirit began to speak.
"I Am"
I Am goes so much deeper that just supplying an attribute of God. I Am defines who God is, in contrast to who we are. God is: our everything. He is our creator, our life, our breath, the food we need to live (the bread of life), our hopes, our dreams, our aspirations. He is the source of light, and rest. He is our comfort, our joy, our love (agape), our patience, our endurance, our strength, and our peace. God is all of this and much more.
He is a doctor for the sick, a Father for the fatherless, peace for the troubled hearted, assurance for the scared, courage for the fearful, justice for the downtrodden.
As I began to ponder the extent of who God is. (Knowing that I will never come close to rapping my mind around the depths of who God is.) I found myself in awe!
Then the Spirit spoke again and said, "but who are you?"
The fact is that the beauty of the "I Am" is who we are and can be in Him.
The truth is separated from God through sin we are nothing. We are dead. We are wicked and evil. But through the sacrifice that Jesus made on that cross we can become the very children of God, "children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. John 1:13t us embrace all we can
Let us embrace all we can be in God!
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