Jesus is able. He is able to do whatever concerns you today. Most of us know that. It is not a question of ability. We know Jesus is able. He has the ability and power to do anything.
I read a passage this morning that made me pray differently. Prayer is more than just about Jesus being able. Here is the passage.
Matthew 8:1-4 (ESV)
1 When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him.
2 And behold, a leper came to him and
knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.”
3 And Jesus stretched out his hand
and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And
immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
4
And Jesus said to him, “See that you say
nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that
Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”
It is not a matter of ability. It is a matter of will. The word will means to "desire or to intend." So as I prayed this morning I asked Jesus to will to answer the many petitions I laid before Him. Prayers for healing, provision, anointing, and opportunities.
Sometimes it seems we pray like we have to pry answers from the Master. That is not the picture I get from reading the story of the leper. The leper came to Jesus in humility and sincerity with a real need. He did not question Jesus' ability. He knew it was just a matter of Jesus' willingness.
In your life is it any different for us? Does it come down to Jesus' willingness for us. Does He still desire to come to our aid and help us where we need it most? Does He desire and intend to help us? I believe He still does.
Now He does it in His timing and in His way. His timing and ours are often different. His ways are often unique and not the way we planned.
What do you need Him to do for you today? Will you come and ask if He is willing? Today could be your breakthrough just like the leper experienced.
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Thus Says The Lord
After preaching in east Texas a couple of weeks ago, the pastor took my friend Jimmy and I to supper. The pastor told us a story I still find hard to believe.
A pastor in a large church in another part of the state got called out for stealing another pastor's sermons. Word for word. Point for point. Week after week. For fourteen years!When asked why he did it, he said it was easier. He did not sit before the Lord in prayer. He did not exegete the passage to dig for the gold mine of truth. Most importantly he did not allow God to preach the message to himself first as he prayerfully prepared before he ever delivered it to the congregation.
I wonder how many other preachers do the same thing. There are actual books of sermons from heavyweights like Charles Spurgeon and George W. Truett as well modern day preachers. You can preach them word for word. No work. Even more convenient is to get sermons off the web. That is what the pastor did I mentioned earlier for 14 years. He got those messages straight off the internet. We probably would not even know it but the original preacher who had his sermons stolen found out and called the offending pastor to account.
What strikes me about this as I red through the prophetic books is those prophets received fresh words from God. The messages were often hard but they came straight from God. I can imagine those prophets lingering long in prayer before the Lord until they received a fresh word. I am confident is never Jeremiah's mind to try to steal another prophet's message. In fact God called out many other prophets for telling the people what they wanted to hear and not hearing from God. He called them out as false prophets.
They preached those messages with fearless authority. You may not have liked the message but you would not have been able to leave one of those messages without knowing you heard a word from the Lord.
When you hear your pastor proclaim God's word do you have confidence that he received that message from the Lord and therefore he can say, "Thus says the Lord."I talked with a Sunday School teacher from another town yesterday who complimented the powerful preaching of his pastor. May that become the norm all across the land. May pastors stand and boldy proclaim, "Thus says the Lord," because they have been with Him in the prayer closet and received fresh words from Jehovah the Lord of Hosts.
A pastor in a large church in another part of the state got called out for stealing another pastor's sermons. Word for word. Point for point. Week after week. For fourteen years!When asked why he did it, he said it was easier. He did not sit before the Lord in prayer. He did not exegete the passage to dig for the gold mine of truth. Most importantly he did not allow God to preach the message to himself first as he prayerfully prepared before he ever delivered it to the congregation.
I wonder how many other preachers do the same thing. There are actual books of sermons from heavyweights like Charles Spurgeon and George W. Truett as well modern day preachers. You can preach them word for word. No work. Even more convenient is to get sermons off the web. That is what the pastor did I mentioned earlier for 14 years. He got those messages straight off the internet. We probably would not even know it but the original preacher who had his sermons stolen found out and called the offending pastor to account.
What strikes me about this as I red through the prophetic books is those prophets received fresh words from God. The messages were often hard but they came straight from God. I can imagine those prophets lingering long in prayer before the Lord until they received a fresh word. I am confident is never Jeremiah's mind to try to steal another prophet's message. In fact God called out many other prophets for telling the people what they wanted to hear and not hearing from God. He called them out as false prophets.
They preached those messages with fearless authority. You may not have liked the message but you would not have been able to leave one of those messages without knowing you heard a word from the Lord.
When you hear your pastor proclaim God's word do you have confidence that he received that message from the Lord and therefore he can say, "Thus says the Lord."I talked with a Sunday School teacher from another town yesterday who complimented the powerful preaching of his pastor. May that become the norm all across the land. May pastors stand and boldy proclaim, "Thus says the Lord," because they have been with Him in the prayer closet and received fresh words from Jehovah the Lord of Hosts.
When Bad Becomes Normal
All over society bad is becoming normal. Case in point.
Over lunch with some college friends I heard the story about a high school student during a school assembly dismiss himself to go to the restroom. When a school official noticed he had not returned in a timely manner the student was searched out. He was found having sex with a female student in another part of the school facilities. Fornication abounds. There is no hiding it. There is no shame. Sex is flaunted in the public sector and on social media.
I noticed recently a sitcom titled "Lucifer." Can you imagine? The arch enemy of Jehovah now has a sitcom mocking the sinister realities of the devastation he brings to families. I am sure the sitcom character Lucifer is cool, smart, resourceful, and successful. Not the picture the Bible paints of our enemy. First he is a liar. He is a deceiver. He entices people with temptation and then condemns them when they fall and fail. He accuses the brethren. He leads people to get comfortable with sin and to think it is normal. He does all the way to death and eternal damnation.
In our society bad has become normal. A man can now marry another man and a woman marry another woman legally according to civil law but NOT THE LAW OF GOD. People can change their gender through medical procedures but GOD DOES NOT MAKE MISTAKES WHEN HE INTRICATELY WEAVES PEOPLE IN THEIR MOHTER'S WOUND. HE DETERMINES THE GENER.
Alcohol is rampant in every fabric of society including Christian homes. Many will argue the point the Bible does not forbid drinking. It certainly forbids drunkenness. It forbids immorality that often follows excessive alcohol. It destroys the witness of many. It also blurs the lines for young impressionable eyes who see mom and dad drinking and see no problem with doing the same when offered the devil's brew. How many drunk driving accidents happen every year injuring and killing? Alcohol IS NOT A SIGN OF SOPHISTICATION.
Marriage covenants are broken regularly with no thought to the consequences. Marriage is no longer viewed as "until death do you part" but is now looked at "as long as I feel like it."
Politicians are no longer respected. They are greedy, self serving, liars. Jockeying for power and breaking the very laws they are supposed to make and defend.
Hollywood's rich and famous get embroiled in sexual scandals, anti-America rants, and anti-God lifestyles. God is not mocked. They will reap what they sow. Yet millions idolize them.
Sin in the church is almost as rampant as sin outside the church. Hypocrisy abounds. Apathy in the pews is epidemic. Holiness is seldom preached and even more rarely lived.
When bad becomes normal get ready to see the collapse of families, communities, and our country. It happened in the past and it happening right before our eyes today. America, wake up and repent. Let the law of the LORD become the rule of the land again. Let holiness and love of Jehovah become normal and the standard of what is right in America again. If not judgment awaits.
Over lunch with some college friends I heard the story about a high school student during a school assembly dismiss himself to go to the restroom. When a school official noticed he had not returned in a timely manner the student was searched out. He was found having sex with a female student in another part of the school facilities. Fornication abounds. There is no hiding it. There is no shame. Sex is flaunted in the public sector and on social media.
I noticed recently a sitcom titled "Lucifer." Can you imagine? The arch enemy of Jehovah now has a sitcom mocking the sinister realities of the devastation he brings to families. I am sure the sitcom character Lucifer is cool, smart, resourceful, and successful. Not the picture the Bible paints of our enemy. First he is a liar. He is a deceiver. He entices people with temptation and then condemns them when they fall and fail. He accuses the brethren. He leads people to get comfortable with sin and to think it is normal. He does all the way to death and eternal damnation.
In our society bad has become normal. A man can now marry another man and a woman marry another woman legally according to civil law but NOT THE LAW OF GOD. People can change their gender through medical procedures but GOD DOES NOT MAKE MISTAKES WHEN HE INTRICATELY WEAVES PEOPLE IN THEIR MOHTER'S WOUND. HE DETERMINES THE GENER.
Alcohol is rampant in every fabric of society including Christian homes. Many will argue the point the Bible does not forbid drinking. It certainly forbids drunkenness. It forbids immorality that often follows excessive alcohol. It destroys the witness of many. It also blurs the lines for young impressionable eyes who see mom and dad drinking and see no problem with doing the same when offered the devil's brew. How many drunk driving accidents happen every year injuring and killing? Alcohol IS NOT A SIGN OF SOPHISTICATION.
Marriage covenants are broken regularly with no thought to the consequences. Marriage is no longer viewed as "until death do you part" but is now looked at "as long as I feel like it."
Politicians are no longer respected. They are greedy, self serving, liars. Jockeying for power and breaking the very laws they are supposed to make and defend.
Hollywood's rich and famous get embroiled in sexual scandals, anti-America rants, and anti-God lifestyles. God is not mocked. They will reap what they sow. Yet millions idolize them.
Sin in the church is almost as rampant as sin outside the church. Hypocrisy abounds. Apathy in the pews is epidemic. Holiness is seldom preached and even more rarely lived.
When bad becomes normal get ready to see the collapse of families, communities, and our country. It happened in the past and it happening right before our eyes today. America, wake up and repent. Let the law of the LORD become the rule of the land again. Let holiness and love of Jehovah become normal and the standard of what is right in America again. If not judgment awaits.
What Do You See?
Black lives matter. White lives matter. Brown lives matter. Blue lives matter. I have never seen America more divided across racial lines. People are pushing the narratives on all sides. Each sees things from their point of view but not from the other side. Tensions escalate.
Rich people. Poor people. Middle class people. Educated people. Illiterate people. Employed people. Unemployed people. Married people. Single people. Religious people. Non-religious people City people. Country people. Old people. Young people.
What do you see day in and day out when you come across others? We easily classify people according to our criteria of dress, status, and success. We love to label people. We like to classify people.
Jesus had a label for people. It is much different than the ones we use. Read it for yourself
Matthew 9:35-36 (ESV)
35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.
36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
He saw people as sheep. Very interesting. He also classified them as harassed and helpless. Sheep are not a strong species. They are not very smart either. They are unable to defend themselves from predators nor are they able to make good decisions. Sheep need a shepherd. They need a leader. They need a protector. They require a provider. They need someone to take care of them.
That is how Jesus saw the crowd coming into Jerusalem and how He still sees people. He sees past the masquerades, the bravado, the pretense, the mistakes, the arts, the pains, the anger, the rage, and the prejudice. He sees people as we really are. Harassed and helpless sheep.
Maybe if we saw people the same way our world would be less divided. We could sure use more of that.
Rich people. Poor people. Middle class people. Educated people. Illiterate people. Employed people. Unemployed people. Married people. Single people. Religious people. Non-religious people City people. Country people. Old people. Young people.
What do you see day in and day out when you come across others? We easily classify people according to our criteria of dress, status, and success. We love to label people. We like to classify people.
Jesus had a label for people. It is much different than the ones we use. Read it for yourself
Matthew 9:35-36 (ESV)
35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.
36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
He saw people as sheep. Very interesting. He also classified them as harassed and helpless. Sheep are not a strong species. They are not very smart either. They are unable to defend themselves from predators nor are they able to make good decisions. Sheep need a shepherd. They need a leader. They need a protector. They require a provider. They need someone to take care of them.
That is how Jesus saw the crowd coming into Jerusalem and how He still sees people. He sees past the masquerades, the bravado, the pretense, the mistakes, the arts, the pains, the anger, the rage, and the prejudice. He sees people as we really are. Harassed and helpless sheep.
Maybe if we saw people the same way our world would be less divided. We could sure use more of that.
Monday, October 30, 2017
Famine In The Land
Over the past several months Brenda and I have visited numerous churches when I have not been preaching. What we have discovered has been downright disheartening.
We visited one church on two consecutive Sundays. Though the pastor had a reputation for being a Bible teacher we literally did not open our Bibles once either Sunday nor did he preach from a Biblical text. He gave a history lesson on the reformation. I came to worship hungry in my soul but left still hungry.
At another church a pastor read a Bible text. At least we opened our Bibles. He then preached a message with not one point from the text. The verse we read was not expounded.
We also went to a worship service where they were starting the first service of a revival. By the time the announcements and music were done the guest evangelist only had 15 minutes to preach. I felt badly for him. Suffice it to say there was no revival. There were meetings but no revival.
We are living in a day of famine. Not for food at least in the physical sense. There is a famine for hearing the word of the Lord.
Amos 8:11-12 (ESV)
11 “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord GOD, “when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD.
12 They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, to seek the word of the LORD, but they shall not find it.
Lord help us.
We visited one church on two consecutive Sundays. Though the pastor had a reputation for being a Bible teacher we literally did not open our Bibles once either Sunday nor did he preach from a Biblical text. He gave a history lesson on the reformation. I came to worship hungry in my soul but left still hungry.
At another church a pastor read a Bible text. At least we opened our Bibles. He then preached a message with not one point from the text. The verse we read was not expounded.
We also went to a worship service where they were starting the first service of a revival. By the time the announcements and music were done the guest evangelist only had 15 minutes to preach. I felt badly for him. Suffice it to say there was no revival. There were meetings but no revival.
We are living in a day of famine. Not for food at least in the physical sense. There is a famine for hearing the word of the Lord.
Amos 8:11-12 (ESV)
11 “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord GOD, “when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD.
12 They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, to seek the word of the LORD, but they shall not find it.
Lord help us.
Prophets?
Recently I came across a website of so called prophets. I read with some interest the messages they posted. It did not take long before I noticed they all pretty much sounded alike. There were promises of breakthroughs, promotions, victories, revivals, and blessings of all sorts. You know what I did not see? The message of repentance.
I have spent the past couple of weeks reading through the prophetic books of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Joel, Amos, Micah, Zephaniah and Haggai. The messages they shared were warnings. They were hard messages calling out sin and calling the nation of Israel to repentance. They were messages of judgment. Such messages are not popular. In fact Jeremiah's prophetic preaching landed him in prison.
Are these so called modern day prophets truly messengers of the Lord? If so why are they not calling God's people to repentance and warning of God's judgment. Such a message does not sell. It will not make for a best selling book or a highly in demand sermon series.
The old Testament prophets truly spoke for God. They spoke what God gave them not what made them popular. We need more of that in the church today. In visiting different churches for the past several months my heart is sickened. Preachers giving people what they want to hear not necessarily what they need to hear.
Where is the God of Elijah? If we ever needed true messengers of God is not this day?
God, please raise those who hear from you and truly speak for you no matter the consequences. In Jesus name, amen.
I have spent the past couple of weeks reading through the prophetic books of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Joel, Amos, Micah, Zephaniah and Haggai. The messages they shared were warnings. They were hard messages calling out sin and calling the nation of Israel to repentance. They were messages of judgment. Such messages are not popular. In fact Jeremiah's prophetic preaching landed him in prison.
Are these so called modern day prophets truly messengers of the Lord? If so why are they not calling God's people to repentance and warning of God's judgment. Such a message does not sell. It will not make for a best selling book or a highly in demand sermon series.
The old Testament prophets truly spoke for God. They spoke what God gave them not what made them popular. We need more of that in the church today. In visiting different churches for the past several months my heart is sickened. Preachers giving people what they want to hear not necessarily what they need to hear.
Where is the God of Elijah? If we ever needed true messengers of God is not this day?
God, please raise those who hear from you and truly speak for you no matter the consequences. In Jesus name, amen.
Thursday, October 5, 2017
When Hope Fades
Tragedy struck our small town again. Hope faded in a young person. She made a final and fatal decision. So many questions follow.
People lose hope all the time. Most find ways to cope even if they are destructive. Alcohol, drugs, sex, and fantasies. Others turn to God and find hope in Him and His word. There are a few who find no solace in any of the above. Their hope fades and destructive thoughts squeeze the mind like a vice grip. Any confident expectation for better days ahead are pummeled into powder.
These hurting, broken, desperate, and hopeless people want relief. They long for escape. In the worst case scenarios these people entertain thoughts of a gun to the head, an overdose, a cut wrist, or a noose around the neck. That one final and fatal decision is an all out effort to escape the pain.
It would be easy for those watching from the outside to make judgments. I will not do that here. Who can understand the deep pain in a person's heart. Who can understand the twisted psyche people wake up with everyday. Who can fully comprehend pain so deep and internalized that despair and hopelessness never depart. Such people trudge through life. They see others laughing, happy, successful, and advertising all of those things on social media.
Social madia is a facade. People paint happy portraits of success, prosperity, and popularity. Is it all real. You do not see many people post about their personal pain. If they do would anyone care.
If you are a person without hope and looking at social media posts of happy, healthy, and hopeful people it could only serve to make you further depressed.
If Jesus walked in our shoes would He take notice of hopeless people? Would He walk slowly through the crowds to notice those unloved, unwanted, and unnoticed. Would He see past blank faces, silent voices, into the sad eyes which are a window to the soul. Would He see the pain inside masked by the life outside.
Isn't it time we all quit being so preoccupied with our lives, our children, and our image to others. If we are true followers of Jesus shouldn't His compassion fill our hearts to want to engage people in pain and to embrace those empty of hope.
There are many who do this every single day. These people love. They engage. They notice. They love not only in words but also in deeds. Some are pastors. Some are educators, coaches, and those who work behavioral sciences. They are coaches, Sunday school teachers, volunteers, and friends. Let us not forget there is family.
I know families who have lived through the pain and tragedy of a family member taking their life. The pain lingers. The questions never get fully answered. The grief remains just below the surface. Families and friends often live with the guilt wondering what they could have done differently to help their loved one. The questions remain why a permanent solution in suicide was the chosen response to temporary problems.
It is a difficult subject. The truth is hope does fade for some people. John Newton had such a friend named William Cowper. He was a gifted poet and hymn writer but suffered from intense depression. He repeatedly tried to end his life. He had to be institutionalized on more than one occasion. When hope faded for Cowper what did Newton do? He kept loving his friend. He kept speaking and writing Biblical truth. Maybe we can do the same things as well for those when hope fades.
People lose hope all the time. Most find ways to cope even if they are destructive. Alcohol, drugs, sex, and fantasies. Others turn to God and find hope in Him and His word. There are a few who find no solace in any of the above. Their hope fades and destructive thoughts squeeze the mind like a vice grip. Any confident expectation for better days ahead are pummeled into powder.
These hurting, broken, desperate, and hopeless people want relief. They long for escape. In the worst case scenarios these people entertain thoughts of a gun to the head, an overdose, a cut wrist, or a noose around the neck. That one final and fatal decision is an all out effort to escape the pain.
It would be easy for those watching from the outside to make judgments. I will not do that here. Who can understand the deep pain in a person's heart. Who can understand the twisted psyche people wake up with everyday. Who can fully comprehend pain so deep and internalized that despair and hopelessness never depart. Such people trudge through life. They see others laughing, happy, successful, and advertising all of those things on social media.
Social madia is a facade. People paint happy portraits of success, prosperity, and popularity. Is it all real. You do not see many people post about their personal pain. If they do would anyone care.
If you are a person without hope and looking at social media posts of happy, healthy, and hopeful people it could only serve to make you further depressed.
If Jesus walked in our shoes would He take notice of hopeless people? Would He walk slowly through the crowds to notice those unloved, unwanted, and unnoticed. Would He see past blank faces, silent voices, into the sad eyes which are a window to the soul. Would He see the pain inside masked by the life outside.
Isn't it time we all quit being so preoccupied with our lives, our children, and our image to others. If we are true followers of Jesus shouldn't His compassion fill our hearts to want to engage people in pain and to embrace those empty of hope.
There are many who do this every single day. These people love. They engage. They notice. They love not only in words but also in deeds. Some are pastors. Some are educators, coaches, and those who work behavioral sciences. They are coaches, Sunday school teachers, volunteers, and friends. Let us not forget there is family.
I know families who have lived through the pain and tragedy of a family member taking their life. The pain lingers. The questions never get fully answered. The grief remains just below the surface. Families and friends often live with the guilt wondering what they could have done differently to help their loved one. The questions remain why a permanent solution in suicide was the chosen response to temporary problems.
It is a difficult subject. The truth is hope does fade for some people. John Newton had such a friend named William Cowper. He was a gifted poet and hymn writer but suffered from intense depression. He repeatedly tried to end his life. He had to be institutionalized on more than one occasion. When hope faded for Cowper what did Newton do? He kept loving his friend. He kept speaking and writing Biblical truth. Maybe we can do the same things as well for those when hope fades.
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Conditioned
How is your conditioning? I know that may sound like a broad question. I admit it is so. So, how is your conditioning?
How is your emotional conditioning? Are you emotionally resilient able to handle the set backs in life? Are you slow to anger, slow to worry, slow to give into despair? We condition ourselves emotionally by what dwell on in our thoughts. I've found the only healthy thing to dwell on is God's word and His character in the set backs of life.
How is your physical conditioning? Do you work to stay fit? It is a battle. A daily grind to pound the pavement, push the weights, do the cardio, and watch what you eat? What about your rest? Do you sleep well at night? Legendary coach Vince Lombardi famously said, "Fatigue makes cowards of us all."
In an exhausted state have you ever felt like giving up, quitting, throwing in the towel, or losing heart. It easy to do when you are tired.
I've found at times nothing prepares me for the challenges of life like a good night of sleep. When I am weary life looks overwhelming. When I am rested I more eagerly face the challenges of the day.
I have also found that working out through physical exertion helps prepare me to battle in life. I was at it at 5:00 a.m. today. When I do a few extra push ups, walk a little longer, pedal a little harder and further, or press a few extra reps beyond what my body says it can, I am reminded I can make it through the hard days as well.Through physical exercise I condition my body which also helps me condition my mind.
How is your spiritual conditioning? Through the daily disciplines of prayer, scripture reading, and scripture meditation we are trained to endure. We learn to practice perseverance. We fight past quitting points.
Life is not always easy. There are several times when I have felt like giving up. There were times when I did not think I could make it through another day or another problem. Through God's strength I did make it through.
Through prayer and Bible reading God has conditioned me to keep pressing forward. I have been able to preach when I felt empty inside. I have clung to faith when doubt settled over my mind like a heavy fog bringing confusion.
Quitting points are often made of tissue paper. Once you breakthrough them you find God helps you to keep going. Those quitting points were not so tough after all in hindsight.
I hope you are conditioned emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Life is a long race. May we all never stop until we reach our finish line. I love the words of David. These words have helped condition me through much of life.
Psalm 27:13-14 (NASB)
13 I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.
How is your emotional conditioning? Are you emotionally resilient able to handle the set backs in life? Are you slow to anger, slow to worry, slow to give into despair? We condition ourselves emotionally by what dwell on in our thoughts. I've found the only healthy thing to dwell on is God's word and His character in the set backs of life.
How is your physical conditioning? Do you work to stay fit? It is a battle. A daily grind to pound the pavement, push the weights, do the cardio, and watch what you eat? What about your rest? Do you sleep well at night? Legendary coach Vince Lombardi famously said, "Fatigue makes cowards of us all."
In an exhausted state have you ever felt like giving up, quitting, throwing in the towel, or losing heart. It easy to do when you are tired.
I've found at times nothing prepares me for the challenges of life like a good night of sleep. When I am weary life looks overwhelming. When I am rested I more eagerly face the challenges of the day.
I have also found that working out through physical exertion helps prepare me to battle in life. I was at it at 5:00 a.m. today. When I do a few extra push ups, walk a little longer, pedal a little harder and further, or press a few extra reps beyond what my body says it can, I am reminded I can make it through the hard days as well.Through physical exercise I condition my body which also helps me condition my mind.
How is your spiritual conditioning? Through the daily disciplines of prayer, scripture reading, and scripture meditation we are trained to endure. We learn to practice perseverance. We fight past quitting points.
Life is not always easy. There are several times when I have felt like giving up. There were times when I did not think I could make it through another day or another problem. Through God's strength I did make it through.
Through prayer and Bible reading God has conditioned me to keep pressing forward. I have been able to preach when I felt empty inside. I have clung to faith when doubt settled over my mind like a heavy fog bringing confusion.
Quitting points are often made of tissue paper. Once you breakthrough them you find God helps you to keep going. Those quitting points were not so tough after all in hindsight.
I hope you are conditioned emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Life is a long race. May we all never stop until we reach our finish line. I love the words of David. These words have helped condition me through much of life.
Psalm 27:13-14 (NASB)
13 I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
A World Spiraling Out Of Control
I awoke yesterday to the horror of the mass shooting in Las Vegas injuring hundreds and killing dozens. It reminded me of how I felt the day of the Columbine shootings and the way I felt on 9-11.
Disbelief. Shock at the horror and evil actions by those without regard for life. I commented to Brenda recently I do not even recognize this nation I grew up in.
Civil rights are strained at fevered levels. Unusual weather patterns that many try to explain away with global warming. Earthquakes. Hurricanes. Flooding. Droughts. Unseasonably cool Summers and warm Falls.
Protests against the national anthem. Anarchy. Assault on law enforcement officers. Lack of freedom of speech if you are speaking from a conservative Christian point of view. Bullying from Hollywood and sports celebrities.
R.F.I.D. chips already getting planted in employees, medical patients, and expanding to others all the time. Soon the day will come when you will not be able to legally purchase items without such a chip. Christians are forbidden to do this even if it cost us our lives.
Globalists are constantly pushing for a one world government. Politicians elected to office to represent us the citizens are constantly selling out our best interests to the highest bidders.
Our world is spiraling out of control at rapid pace. In my estimation only two things can happen. Either God in His mercy will send another spiritual awakening or ultimately Jesus will return and the great tribulation on planet Earth will make these days look like a picnic at the park.
That is where all of this headed. While many Christians march through life business as usual the truth is planet Earth is headed toward preordained cataclysmic events of the tribulation and the return of Jesus. That is where all of this headed.
I make no predictions as some foolish have done. Other than God unbridling His Spirit on this planet in a sweeping spiritual awakening our world has no hope.
Individuals find hope in the gospel. Individuals find hope in a personal walk with Jesus. Even for those the world spirals further out of control. It may not happen in my life time, though I cannot imagine things really getting better globally. Even if a great spiritual awakening happens the end will still be the same but only delayed.
Does that mean we lose hope? No. It just means we are informed and we are prepared for what lies ahead. I do not believe the politicians, the pundits, or the prosperity preachers. Great tribulation is coming. This world will eventually further spiral out of control.
My hope then as my hope today is to cling to Jesus. I do not expect this world to be my forever home. Things here are less appealing and have far less hold on me. I read and watch the news knowing what the scripture inform as to what the end times will look like.
Does any serious child of God seriously doubt we are living in the end times. Just has forecasters can warn about approaching storms so the Bible warns about the future vents of the end times.
I said it before but it is worth repeating. In the days of tribulations people will look back on these days as a picnic at the park. Like it or not the truth is far worse days are coming. It may or may not be in our generation. Some generation will live through those horrific days. I think we are already seeing glimpses of those days. Things are going to get worse eventually. That does not mean we give up. We press on. We persist in proclaiming the gospel that more might be saved. We deepen our walks with God and faith to prepare for an ominous future. The Bible predicts our world will spiral out of control. I find myself longing for my eternal home more and more.
Disbelief. Shock at the horror and evil actions by those without regard for life. I commented to Brenda recently I do not even recognize this nation I grew up in.
Civil rights are strained at fevered levels. Unusual weather patterns that many try to explain away with global warming. Earthquakes. Hurricanes. Flooding. Droughts. Unseasonably cool Summers and warm Falls.
Protests against the national anthem. Anarchy. Assault on law enforcement officers. Lack of freedom of speech if you are speaking from a conservative Christian point of view. Bullying from Hollywood and sports celebrities.
R.F.I.D. chips already getting planted in employees, medical patients, and expanding to others all the time. Soon the day will come when you will not be able to legally purchase items without such a chip. Christians are forbidden to do this even if it cost us our lives.
Globalists are constantly pushing for a one world government. Politicians elected to office to represent us the citizens are constantly selling out our best interests to the highest bidders.
Our world is spiraling out of control at rapid pace. In my estimation only two things can happen. Either God in His mercy will send another spiritual awakening or ultimately Jesus will return and the great tribulation on planet Earth will make these days look like a picnic at the park.
That is where all of this headed. While many Christians march through life business as usual the truth is planet Earth is headed toward preordained cataclysmic events of the tribulation and the return of Jesus. That is where all of this headed.
I make no predictions as some foolish have done. Other than God unbridling His Spirit on this planet in a sweeping spiritual awakening our world has no hope.
Individuals find hope in the gospel. Individuals find hope in a personal walk with Jesus. Even for those the world spirals further out of control. It may not happen in my life time, though I cannot imagine things really getting better globally. Even if a great spiritual awakening happens the end will still be the same but only delayed.
Does that mean we lose hope? No. It just means we are informed and we are prepared for what lies ahead. I do not believe the politicians, the pundits, or the prosperity preachers. Great tribulation is coming. This world will eventually further spiral out of control.
My hope then as my hope today is to cling to Jesus. I do not expect this world to be my forever home. Things here are less appealing and have far less hold on me. I read and watch the news knowing what the scripture inform as to what the end times will look like.
Does any serious child of God seriously doubt we are living in the end times. Just has forecasters can warn about approaching storms so the Bible warns about the future vents of the end times.
I said it before but it is worth repeating. In the days of tribulations people will look back on these days as a picnic at the park. Like it or not the truth is far worse days are coming. It may or may not be in our generation. Some generation will live through those horrific days. I think we are already seeing glimpses of those days. Things are going to get worse eventually. That does not mean we give up. We press on. We persist in proclaiming the gospel that more might be saved. We deepen our walks with God and faith to prepare for an ominous future. The Bible predicts our world will spiral out of control. I find myself longing for my eternal home more and more.
Monday, October 2, 2017
They Voted Not To Do The Will Of God
In most churches the majority rules. On numerous issues congregations vote on everything from budgets to buildings and color of carpet to copy machines. In such churches the majority rules. It does not mater if the majority have sought the Lord for His will on matters voted on.
In the Old Testament Israel actually voted not to do the will of God when the 12 spies went out to investigate the promised land. You know the rest of the story. The spies came back with their report. They voted 10 to 2 not to do the will of God. The nation sided with the majority of the spies. They voted not obey God.
If the majority rules it does not matter if the majority make their decisions spiritually or carnally. People can vote not to do the will of God. Sometimes these decisions are not significant. Sometimes they have long lasting implications and consequences.
Because the majority ruled in Israel the day they chose not to obey God going into the promised land God was not pleased. They paid for that decision for the next forty years.
It concerns me that churches operate more and more like corporate America than the body of Christ prayerfully and diligently seeking the mind and heart of God for important decisions. The consequences are evident in many such congregations. This can mean personnel decisions, ministry direction, mission involvement, and future vision.
Seldom do churches rally in prayer before making decisions. Shouldn't the most spiritual people in a congregation make the important decisions? A church member could be living in sin, attend worship infrequently, be divisive, and live in hypocrisy. That person in a lot of churches not only has the right to vote but that vote has just as much weight as the most holy, prayerful, and humble follower of Jesus. Such ought not be.
I long for a day when local churches turn to God seeking His heart and mind on decisions. As long as churches drift further and further away from that practice they will continue to vote not to do the will of God.
In the Old Testament Israel actually voted not to do the will of God when the 12 spies went out to investigate the promised land. You know the rest of the story. The spies came back with their report. They voted 10 to 2 not to do the will of God. The nation sided with the majority of the spies. They voted not obey God.
If the majority rules it does not matter if the majority make their decisions spiritually or carnally. People can vote not to do the will of God. Sometimes these decisions are not significant. Sometimes they have long lasting implications and consequences.
Because the majority ruled in Israel the day they chose not to obey God going into the promised land God was not pleased. They paid for that decision for the next forty years.
It concerns me that churches operate more and more like corporate America than the body of Christ prayerfully and diligently seeking the mind and heart of God for important decisions. The consequences are evident in many such congregations. This can mean personnel decisions, ministry direction, mission involvement, and future vision.
Seldom do churches rally in prayer before making decisions. Shouldn't the most spiritual people in a congregation make the important decisions? A church member could be living in sin, attend worship infrequently, be divisive, and live in hypocrisy. That person in a lot of churches not only has the right to vote but that vote has just as much weight as the most holy, prayerful, and humble follower of Jesus. Such ought not be.
I long for a day when local churches turn to God seeking His heart and mind on decisions. As long as churches drift further and further away from that practice they will continue to vote not to do the will of God.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)