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Category Archives: Light and Salt
Unfamiliar Places
Unfamiliar Places
I love the Lord, I love life, my family, church family, and I love this church, with all of you. I am absolutely in love with living. When I wrote this it brought to mind an old Hippie song we used to sing at campfires.
“What the world needs now is love, sweet love
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of
What the world needs now is love, sweet love,
No not just for some but for everyone.”
Seems like I remember Jesus saying the same thing, just in a little different way.
Paul shared this with Timothy 1:7. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
I come to you this morning, in His name. To share some thoughts titled, “Unfamiliar Places”
Proverbs 3 is a book that defines the pursuit of, and the traits of wisdom. Wisdom is not the foundation of my message today, but when we come to understand the plan of God for our lives we will be wise from the experience.
2 Verses go with my thoughts, but I will read 12 from the KJV. Just too good to skip.
Proverbs 3:1-12 KJV
1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
9 Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase:
10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
11 My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction:
12 For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
This would be a great message to read on a regular basis. Nothing in life is more encouraging than hearing the words of the Lord, and His commitment to His people. What an awesome story of His love, care, and concern for those who follow Him. Even when He corrects us, it is done in love, and because He loves.
Here are the two verses that begin my thoughts.
Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6 AMP
5 Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart And do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
6 In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].
These passages held great importance to me as I was praying this week. Trusting in God. Looking beyond our narrow vision of life and destiny. Trusting God for direction and safety as we acknowledge His purpose, and walk in it.
Trusting and believing that where God will take us is infinitely better than anything we can imagine ourselves. “ In all your ways know ,and acknowledge, and recognize Him.”
You have heard me say often that God’s timing is different from ours. It is perfect. It considers every obstacle, failure, and tragedy. Every path we must take and the faith we need to walk it.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
Amplified
There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven.
The Hebrew for the word purpose has a very interesting meaning. It is, “to delight in, take pleasure in, desire, be pleased with.”
So this passage is actually saying that when your season of time has come it will be a delight to be in. You will take pleasure in your purpose. Pleased with your life and what God is doing in you, with you, and for you.
I want to read the two verses again.
Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
I read these again to remind us of how we must live every day, and also to remind you that before you experience this season of time. This time of peace, joy, delight, and pleasure in your purpose. These places that you are in are exactly where you want to be.
Most often before you reach this place, you will have to walk through unfamiliar places. Unfamiliar, “different; unaccustomed; unusual; strange”
Abraham became the father of Israel. Two things happened that put him in an unfamiliar place.
1st, God told him to leave his homeland, his father, and go to the land of Canaan. Where is this place he may have thought. What will I do when I get there. It was an unfamiliar place for a seventy year old man to be.
2nd, God promises that his seed would go forth in all the earth. He had no children. He had to wait 30 more years for Isaac. All that time, in an unfamiliar place.
David was a good shepherd. Protected his flock. God wanted him to be a king. He found himself in unfamiliar places. Giant, sought to be murdered by Saul. He walked these unfamiliar places before he could be king.
Peter was a good fisherman. Jesus wanted him to be a fisher of men. This was something unfamiliar. Something he didn’t understand until he was filled with the Spirit. He found his familiar place. Daniel was in captivity, but skilled in the high levels of government. Favored by the ruler of the land.
God put him in an unfamiliar place. By taking a stand for righteousness. Daniel’s purpose was to see visions from God. Write prophetically of end times, the Ancient of days and the Messiah. This was his purpose, but he had to first go through the lions den. His unfamiliar place.
“How did these people and many more find their purpose from these unfamiliar places?” It came from a very familiar principle.
Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
#inHisname
In His Name
In His Name
Welcome to everyone this morning. God has been awesome this past week. Really nothing new, He always is. Each week we gather in His presence and enjoy His greatness.
Day by day we live in Him. Move in Him, and embrace Him, and His purpose for our lives.
Our relationship with Christ should never stop progressing. Moving forward in our purpose, and growing stronger in His grace. Embracing the Word of God. Embracing a consistent prayer life. Being the light of Christ to your world.
There is an amazing season of change occurring in the church world. People who left the Gospel for religious rules and regulations have been brought to their senses, by the Holy Spirit. The truth of the Gospel, the birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus is being restored in pulpits across this land. “Amen, Amen!!!”
I come to you this morning in His name, to share some thoughts titled, “In His Name”
Isaiah 52:13-15
13 Behold, My servant will prosper, He will be high and lifted up and greatly exalted.
14 Just as many were astonished at you, My people, So His appearance was marred more than any man And His form more than the sons of men.
15 Thus He will sprinkle many nations, Kings will shut their mouths on account of Him; For what had not been told them they will see, And what they had not heard they will understand.
This is clearly a reference to the coming of the promised Messiah. It takes two other translations of verse 15 to make sense. The first will take care of, He will sprinkle many nations.
Isaiah 52:15 AMP
So He will sprinkle many nations [with His blood, providing salvation], Kings will shut their mouths because of Him; For what they had not been told they will see, And what they had not heard they will understand.
This passage clears up the rest.
Isaiah 52:15 TLB
Yet many shall be amazed when they see him—yes, even far-off foreign nations and their kings; they shall stand dumbfounded, speechless in his presence. For they shall see and understand what they had not been told before. They shall see my Servant beaten and bloodied, so disfigured one would scarcely know it was a person standing there. So shall he cleanse many nations.
“We are talking about Jesus”
Isaiah 53:12
Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many,
And interceded for the transgressors.
(The NLT says, I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.)
“We are talking about Jesus!!!”
Daniel had a prophetic vision and then God revealed to Him, the Son of Man.
Daniel 7:13-14
13 “I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him.
14 “And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations and men of every language Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed.
“We are talking about Jesus, Why isn’t everyone talking about Jesus?”
Philippians 2:8-11
8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Phillip’s says of verse 11, “And that is why, in the end, “every tongue shall confess” that Jesus Christ” is the Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
“We are talking about Jesus, Why isn’t everyone talking about Jesus?”
His Miracles.
1. Calming the storm – Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:37-41; Luke 8:22-25
2. Feeding 5,000 – Matthew 14:14-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-14
3. Walking on water – Matthew 14:22-32; Mark 6:47-52; John 6:16-21
4. Feeding 4,000 – Matthew 15:32-39; Mark 8:1-9
5. Fish with coin – Matthew 17:24-27
6. Fig tree withers – Matthew 21:18-22; Mark 11:12-14, 20-25
7. Huge catch of fish – Luke 5:4-11; John 21:1-11
8. Water into wine – John 2:1-11
Healing of Individuals
1. Man with leprosy – Matthew 8:1-4; Mark 1:40-44; Luke 5:12-14
2. Roman centurion’s servant – Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10
3. Peter’s mother-in-law – Matthew 8:14-15; Mark 1:30-31; Luke 4:38-39
4. Two men possessed with devils – Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-15; Luke 8:27-39
5. Man with palsy – Matthew 9:2-7; Mark 2:3-12; Luke 5:18-26
6. Woman with issue – Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34; Luke 8:43-48
7. Two blind men – Matthew 9:27-31
8. Dumb, devil-possessed man – Matthew 9:32-33
9. Canaanite woman’s daughter – Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30
10. Boy with devil – Matthew 17:14-21; Mark 9:17-29; Luke 9:38-43
11. Two blind men – including Bartimaeus – Matthew 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43
12. Demon-possessed man in synagogue – Mark 1:21-28; Luke 4:31-37
13. Blind man at Bethsaida – Mark 8:22-26
14. Crippled woman – Luke 13:10-17
15. Man with dropsy – Luke 14:1-4
16. Ten men with leprosy – Luke 17:11-19
17. The high priest’s servant – Luke 22:50-51
18. Nobleman’s son at Capernaum – John 4:46-54
19. Sick man at the pool of Bethsaida – John 5:1-15
20. Man born blind – John 9:1-41
Raising the Dead
1. Jairus’ daughter – Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56
2. Widow’s son at Nain – Luke 7:11-17
3. Lazarus – John 11:1-44
“We are talking about Jesus, Why isn’t everyone talking about Jesus?”
John 3:18
18He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Acts 3:6
But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!”
Colossians 3:17
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
1 John 3:23
This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.
1 John 5:13
These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.
“Talking about Jesus. In His Name.”
#inHisname #hopelives
He Leaned Toward Me
He Leaned Toward Me
As always I want to tell all of you how precious you are to Betty and I. Our prayers for you go up daily to the Lord. Speaking favor and blessings over your lives, and our community.
Please be in prayer for our country. The division and anger has been consistently troubling over the past months. Please pray that God will cover us with His presence and His peace.
It seems like my weeks go by so fast. Getting everything done that needs to be done is a challenge.
In just about 2 months we will be having our Christmas Banquet. The years go by faster and faster.
Moving forward is what we do. Looking back, except to learn, has never been an option with me. You can not measure our results by normal standards. “We ain’t normal.”
I come today in His name to share some thoughts titled, “He Leaned Toward Me”
Psalms 40 was attributed to David and it has an awesome story to tell.
The NASB Bible titles chapters and passages in the chapters, with a relevant synopsis of the chapter or the passages .
Psalms 40 Is titled, “God Sustains His Servant”
The word sustain has several meanings to day. Here is a couple of ones relevant to this Psalm. (to support, hold, or bear up from below; bear the weight of. To keep (a person, the mind, the spirits, etc.) from giving way, as under trial or affliction.)
Here is what David said.
Psalms 40:1-3
1 I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me and heard my cry.
The first verse tells of the three portions of answered prayer.
1st-Waited Patiently. 2Nd-God inclined to me, literally means, He bent towards me. 3Rd-He heard my cry, literally means, He answered it.
He begins the testimony of his deliverance, and His praise for God
2 He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the Lord.
Psalms 40:4-5
4 How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust, And has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.
5 Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which You have done, And Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them, They would be too numerous to count.
Psalms 40:6-8
6 Sacrifice and meal offering You have not desired;
My ears You have opened; Burnt offering and sin offering You have not required.
(Nothing David did brought about this deliverance. It was God. Same is true for us today. He does good things because He loves us. He answer prayers, not because we are worthy, but because we prayed.)
7 Then I said, “Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me.
8 I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart.”
Psalms 40:9-12
9 I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great congregation; Behold, I will not restrain my lips,
O Lord, You know.
(David has declared the greatness of God in every public place he could. In the midst of all the people.)
10 I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great congregation.
11 You, O Lord, will not withhold Your compassion from me; Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me.
12 For evils beyond number have surrounded me;
My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to see; They are more numerous than the hairs of my head, And my heart has failed me.
(Have you ever just felt like you just can’t stay out of trouble.) Some life event, jobs, family, kids, finances. Something swirling all the time. “God, I am surrounded.”
Here is the answer!!
Psalms 40:13-17
13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; Make haste, O Lord, to help me.
14 Let those be ashamed and humiliated together Who seek my life to destroy it; Let those be turned back and dishonored Who delight in my hurt.
15 Let those be appalled because of their shame Who say to me, “Aha, aha!”
16 Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let those who love Your salvation say continually, “The Lord be magnified!”
17 Since I am afflicted and needy, Let the Lord be mindful of me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God.
I love verse 17. He is praying for everybody, but don’t forget me. Don’t forget me!!
“Lean Toward Me”
(Somebody needs Him to lean toward you today. To hear and to answer.)
#inHisname #hopelives
Remember When
Remember When
The fall season is trying to arrive but summer has resisted it’s coming.
It reminds me of us, broadly speaking mankind in general. We resist change. It is who we are.
Change has unknown elements to it. Just when we get comfortable with the season of life we are in, God moves us forward to a new season. Change begins.
Sometimes we will hold on to what God is through with. Because we are comfortable with it. When we become comfortable with ourselves, usually this is the very time that God will begin to shake things up. It becomes a season of change.
With all of that said, much of the Bible is about the past. Examples of His grace and love. Stories of people and the difficulties they faced. Revealing their faith and how God moved for them. Moved them forward in destiny.
I come to you this morning, in His name, to share some thoughts titled, “Remember When”
Genesis 30 is the story of the sons of Jacob.
Genesis 30:22-24
22 Then God remembered Rachel, and God gave heed to her and opened her womb.
23 So she conceived and bore a son and said, “God has taken away my reproach.”
24 She named him Joseph, saying, “May the Lord give me another son.”
From the Hebrew Joseph means, “Jehovah has added, from the root word which means, to add, increase, do again.”
Exodus the 2nd chapter begins with the birth of Moses. His people being persecuted in Egypt. Moses fleeing to Midian. He took a wife, had a son, and became a shepherd of his father in laws sheep. “Then This”
Exodus 2:23-25
23 Now it came about in the course of those many days that the king of Egypt died. And the sons of Israel sighed because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry for help because of their bondage rose up to God.
24 So God heard their groaning; and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
25 God saw the sons of Israel, and God took notice of them.
God remembered the cries of a single individual.
He remembered His promise to the fathers, when He heard the cries of a nation with millions of people.
(God remembered when, someone prayed, when someone cried, when He made a promise.)
God will remember you!!!
Let’s talk about us for a while.
Matthew 26:74-75
74 Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed.
75 And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, “Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
How many remember a sin or failure?
(Let me fix this for you.)
Hebrews 10:14-18
14 For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.
15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying,
16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them After those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws upon their heart, And on their mind I will write them,” He then says,
17 “And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”
18 Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin.
Mark 8:17-19
17 And Jesus, aware of this, *said to them, “Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet see or understand? Do you have a hardened heart?
18 Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember,
19 when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces you picked up?” They *said to Him, “Twelve.”
(Do you not remember His goodness? Everything He has brought you through. Every prayer answered, need met.)
Finally, In Romans 11 Paul was writing about the failure of the Jews to accept Christ. Explaining how that opened the door for the Gentiles to be saved.
In detail the Apostle was explaining the mystery of salvation and its quality of restoration.
He then said this.
Romans 11:17-18
17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree,
18 do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you.
Remember who we are. It is not about us, it is all about Him, the Root.
Just so you know who the root is.
Isaiah 11:10 AMPC
And it shall be in that day that the Root of Jesse shall stand as a signal for the peoples; of Him shall the nations inquire and seek knowledge, and His dwelling shall be glory [His rest glorious]!
Romans 15:12
Again Isaiah says, “There shall come the root of Jesse, And He who arises to rule over the Gentiles, In Him shall the Gentiles hope.”
“Do you remember when?
#inHisname #hopelives
There is a Builder
There is a Builder
I have never been more encouraged by the changes taking place today, in the American Church.
For too long many have embraced a man centered Gospel. One that makes everyone feel good about themselves. A gospel that is about getting from God, when the Gospel is truly all about giving to God.
We are building churches across the world to benefit people and there needs. Even in desperate situations and unfamiliar cultures the message is still Jesus.
Speakers who say nothing about sacrifice are deceiving their listeners. Causing people to believe that the gospel is about making them feel good. Precious memories that have no relevance to the kingdom living that God has inspired us to live.
I hear and read so many. I suppose that people are sincere.
In an age of itching ears it is demanded by many groups of people. Make us feel good, remember the good old days.
The Gospel is all about giving up who we are, and becoming who He is. Taking on the life of Christ and His heart of giving and sacrifice.
Individually we turn from our past, and turn towards Christ. Changing our lifestyle, and our way of thinking.
Christ is building churches. That is what He commissioned the Apostles to do, and nothing has changed.
When Peter confessed Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God Jesus responded this way.
Matthew 16:18
I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
Build my church!!!!!
This same work is taking place today. Men and women are moving forward in their communities, cities, and regions to reach people for Jesus.
Sharing the Gospel message. The story of His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension.
This is who He is. Who our foundation is built upon. Teaching people to move beyond their feel good mentality, and give of themselves to change the world they live in.
He gave us the tools and the authority to build upon the Gospel message. The Christ, the Son of the living God.
Blessing to you all. #inHisname.
“Enlarge and Extend”
Enlarge and Extend
I am one of those folks that believe in seasons. Yes we have 4 seasons in every year of our life. The longer you live you will have many more than that in your relationship with God.
There will be dry spells, then times of refreshing. Revelation, then where’s God at? Tragedies, failures, then healing and victory. Times when things stay the same for a season, then God begins to open the gates of increase.
I come to you, in His name, to share some thoughts titled,“Enlarge and Extend” “Aggrandize”
Aggrandize means, to widen in scope, increase in size or intensity. Enlarge and extend.
There is an awesome Messianic prophesy found in Psalms.
Psalms 110:1-3
1 The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand
Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”
2 The Lord will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.”
3 Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power; In holy array, from the womb of the dawn,
Your youth are to You as the dew.
The whole chapter is just 7 verses read it when you can. I want to deal with verse 2 for just a few minutes.
“The Lord will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.”
I need to deal with some words.
The word stretch, means to stretch out or extend. Strong means to be strong and prevail. Scepter is referring to a staff. The staff is most often represented as a tribe.
I am fixing to unwind because I love this stuff. One more word. Zion.
Isaiah 28:16
Therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed.
Peter reminded his readers of the same passage.
1 Peter 2:6
For this is contained in Scripture: “Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.”
These passages from the old and the new are confirming the prophetic word of the coming of Christ.
Back to the one more word. Zion.
Psalms 14:7
Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!
When the Lord restores His captive people, Jacob will rejoice, Israel will be glad.
Zion is the place where God lives.
Psalms 9:11
Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion; Declare among the peoples His deeds.
We know from study that Zion is a type and shadow of the church. The body of Christ. Jesus, who dwells within us by revelation and power.
I found the definition of the word from the Hebrew very interesting. The Hebrew word, tsee-yone’, is translated Zion, and it means, “parched place.”
Preach, why does God live in a parched place. Where He is there is life, and life in abundance.
Jesus shared this with the woman at the well.
John 4:10
Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”
John 4:13-14
13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again;
14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”
So what did Psalms 110:2 say? “The Lord will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.”
Isaiah 54:1-3 Amplified
1 “Shout for joy, O barren one, she who has not given birth; Break forth into joyful shouting and rejoice, she who has not gone into labor with child! For the spiritual sons of the desolate one will be more numerous Than the sons of the married woman,” says the Lord.
2 “Enlarge the site of your tent [to make room for more children]; Stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, do not spare them; Lengthen your tent ropes And make your pegs (stakes) firm [in the ground].
3 “For you will spread out to the right and to the left;
And your descendants will take possession of nations
And will inhabit deserted cities.
When one season ends, the very next thing is a new beginning.
I love the word aggrandize. It is time for you, and for us, to “widen in scope, increase in size or intensity. Enlarge and extend.”
There is a city, a church,whose builder and maker is God.
#inHisname #hopelives
“Changing Seasons”
Changing Seasons
We are coming to a season change. Summer is quickly coming to an end, Fall will come, and things will begin to change.
The foliage will turn, temps will lower, and people will begin to look towards Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
I love fall and spring the best. Fall because it signals to me the beginning of renewal. Things will begin to die, then reborn again when spring comes. I love it.
These same principles are true in our life with Christ.
When we turn from our past, begin to change the way we think. God begins to show us things that need to change.
This is our fall season of life. Doing what we can to keep some of our unproductive ways. Nothing wrong with this, or that. Still God continues to deal with us about our habits, and our character.
Eventually, as we pray, read, and listen we let go of these things. Spring has come, and our relationship with Christ grows stronger and stronger.
Life can be difficult at times. The Bible doesn’t promise a life with no problems.
What God does promise is, He will always be with us.
Faith is tested, answers are sometimes not what we want. God is not being mean. He is developing in us complete confidence and reliance on Him. Strengthening our character.
We grow stronger as we pray. Closer to Him as we walk out our life.
All of this is pointing all of us, to one specific corporate destiny.
Being the light and salt of the earth. Telling His story, with our story, will change the world you live in.
This is how the church began, and how it will continue.
Let me be clear, and if you follow me on anything, you have read or heard this many times.
The Gospel is clearly defined Biblically. It is the story of Jesus, His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension. The prophecies from the OT, and confirming His authority with the supernatural.
Anything else will diminish the effectiveness of the Gospel message.
When your seasons begin to change, fear not. God is renewing, restoring, and strengthening you.
Be faithful to pray, and believe that He is always with you.
Praying for you always.
#inHisname
What’s Next?
What’s Next?
We live in an awesome season of opportunity as Christians. I say this often, and I believe it with all my heart.
The division that has taken place over the last 100 years is shrinking because of the story of Jesus. This is happening because of two very important principles.
First, ministries are moving back to the teaching of the Gospel. The story of Jesus. His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension.
This, and only this, is what the Apostles used to win the early converts, and build the church across the known world. Confirming who He was from the Old Testament, and confirming His Kingdom authority with signs and wonders.
Secondly, people are being encouraged to pray. I recently addressed that issue at Amazing Life Church. We have focused on prayer for years, but I felt prompted to encourage folks to set a daily appointment to pray.
I am in my third year of setting an appointment to pray each morning, and it has changed my life.
Some of us old guys from the 70’s are having a hard time dealing with the culture of the day we live in.
We went to church twice on Sunday, and often 3 or 4 times during the week. Yes we worked, raised kids, and did all this as well.
Today we minister to people who watch church on the computer. On television and You Tube.
Some congregations may be small, but if they work within the culture of today, they can reach hundreds and yes, even thousands.
It is not compromising. It is ministry. The message is still the same. Our ministry, our churches, are all about Jesus.
With all that said, there is nothing like the local church, and the family relationship that occurs when you gather together with a unified purpose.
Every Christian should be a part of a local church in their community. Making friends, meeting needs. Developing relationships that will last forever. Bonding with someone in prayer. Becoming prayer partners to call upon the Father to meet a need. Open a door, and reveal Him to those who do not know Him.
Pastors are there to teach and reveal Jesus. Helping their congregations to grow in Kingdom authority. Learn to walk in His presence, and tell your story to help someone else.
Pastors are there to visit in hospitals, nursing homes, and yes, even bring comfort when someone dies.
Pastors and their teams work together to reach their communities, strengthen their congregations, and make disciples of followers of Christ.
I love the new stuff. At Amazing Life Church we use every opportunity to reach people for Christ. Sermons on line. Welcome videos and gifts for first time guests.
Visit our website for more info.
I write blogs. Especially when I read something that attempts to diminish the value of the local church. I will address it with a very passionate response.
I love the local church.
It is the heart and soul of every community. Breathing life, and light to advance the Kingdom of God.
The most important thing to remember is that God has not changed.
In our attempt to be relevant, we sometimes make these subtle changes in the message to satisfy a changing culture.
Let me offer some advice, for whatever it is worth to you.
Keep the message pure. Tell the story of Jesus. His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension.
It is as powerful today as it was over 2000 years ago.
And don’t forget. If you are not already a part of a local church in your community, find one. It will enrich your Christian life.
#inHisname
“Qualified”
Qualified
God is good. He is worthy of our praise, and our faithfulness to Him.
I love Him so much. I have always been in His hands, and I will always be in His hands.
There is something humbling to me, very humbling, in knowing that God has continually been with me. I have always known He was there. In every moment of my life. Protecting, leading, speaking, forgiving. God has kept me under His care.
When He called me to preach, and I remember the Sunday, even the shirt I was wearing. He called me not because of who I was at the time. He called me because of who I would become. I was not qualified, and I am still a work in progress.
I come today in His name, to share some thoughts titled, “Qualified”
I want to begin with a single passage that will set the tone for my message. The Apostle Paul had a very clear understanding of the love, grace, and the power of God.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
NLT
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
This is a proclamation of faith, but it is also referencing the action required to accomplish anything.
“ He said, I can do!!!”
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
7 Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!
8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.
9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
“There are some things in 7-9 I want to talk about.”
Paul’s humility and His submission to the authority of Christ is amazing. He understood picking up his cross, and dying to himself. Putting on the life of Christ.
2 Corinthians 12:10 Amplified
So I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, and with difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak [in human strength], then I am strong [truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God’s strength].
Paul is sharing His example. Everything we do as confessing Christians, we are doing for Christ. There is a responsibility to reveal Jesus. To be His example of love, of mercy, of forgiveness, and of grace.
Paul was willing to give up everything He was to get what Christ wanted to do through him.
Weak, insulted, distressed, persecuted, life events. We all deal with most of these from time to time during our lives.
These things happen to make us strong. I taught in the servants class that we have to give up, to get. With God often promotion comes from the bottom up.
Losing our identity in favor of His. Giving up our ways, to embrace His ways.
I want to share 3 ways that we are taught, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” and how they are relevant to us and our life in Christ.
1st-Through trials.
James 1:2-4
2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
2nd-Through Contentment.
Philippians 4:12
I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
3rd-Through His victory
1 Corinthians 15:57
but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amplified
but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory [as conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ.
What an awesome plan to rid ourselves of ourselves, and let God reign in us.
“Through trials, in contentment, and victory in Him.”
I will finish with this.
Colossians 1:9-14 NASB
9 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.
13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Qualified in Him!!
The Good News Bible combines verse 11 and 12 into one verse. This is how it reads.
“May you be made strong with all the strength which comes from his glorious power, so that you may be able to endure everything with patience. And with joy give thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to have your share of what God has reserved for his people in the kingdom of light.”
Qualified, Fit to share in God’s promises. To share in His awesome love and grace. http://bit.ly/2whkP2g
#livinghope #inHisname
Back to the Basics
Back to the Basics
I love the Bible. So many things fascinate me as they are unfolded in the word. When combined with prayer and spiritual revelation we can begin to understand the heart of God.
I love to keep things simple, which is not difficult for me.
I love the church, so from time to time I will speak to things that I believe need attention. This is one of those posts.
In an effort to learn and grow, I think sometimes we forget the basics.
When Jesus was asked by a lawyer to share the greatest commandments, He left the theological definition for another day. He simply shared a basic word that encompassed the entire heart of God.
Matthew 22:37-40
37 And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
38 This is the great and foremost commandment.
39 The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
40 On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”
This passage and it’s meaning has been debated through denominational and theological channels for generations.
How about we quit trying to figure out what we think this means, and simply do what it says.
What if every Christian, in every church in this country, would begin to love God with all their heart, their soul, and their mind? With persistent and consistent passion.
What changes would it make in our lives?. Our relationship with God would move to another level. We would begin to see things like He sees them. Think His thoughts, and speak His words. Awesome.
Then what would happen if we loved everyone like we loved ourselves?
Our country would begin to heal. Different races would find unity as love canceled hate. Political discourse would return to what it used to be. Friendly arguments and discussions over lunch. Our boisterous opinions given, then ending the discussion with a friendly handshake, and I will see you again next week.
Sounds like a dream doesn’t it?
God specializes in making dreams come to pass. It will take a while, but I would challenge everyone that reads this to begin to do what Jesus said to do.
Share these words of Christ with whatever venue you use to reach your friends and family. Keep it simple. Return to the basics.
Love God with everything you have, and love your neighbor like you love yourself.
I believe it will change our world.
Be blessed as you follow Christ.
#inHisname