Thursday, December 31, 2009

Year End Check Up

Revelation 20:11-15 (NLT) 20:11 And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. 12 I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. 14 Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. 15 And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.

This is the last day of 2009. It brings to a close a year mixed with a both good and bad. For me personally, it has been a year of much healing from past wounds and hurts. It has also been a year of healing on my body – recovering from three surgeries. I woke up this morning asking myself how I wanted to end 2009 and how I wanted to enter into to 2010. On the bad side, I am painfully aware that there are many areas of weaknesses in my life still and there are still areas of wounding that still plague my mind and heart. On the good side, I AM moving forward and I AM seeing the grace and sovereignty of God working in my life. I do see how God is using me and I do see His anointing in me in a fresh and new way. I am so blessed with the fact that my family is walking with God. I am unusually blest to have my parents with me still as they have been such a blessing and strength in my life. There is not a day that goes by that I do not give thanks to God for my bride, Denise. We’ve been married 36 plus years. She is such a gift from God. To have two beautiful daughters, Michelle and Erin, and their husbands walking with the Lord is such a blessing also. I also have the blessing of three grand-children who fill my life with such laughter and such joy. Whenever I hold them – I feel as if the Holy Spirit Himself is ministering to my heart. The passage of scripture from Revelation that we read today talks about the day of Judgment that every one of us will someday face. We will be accountable for our words and our actions. We will be responsible for things that we have harbored in our thoughts. As for me, I want to leave 2009 with a good heart. I want to walk in total forgiveness and I want to move forward to 2010 with a clean conscience. I am excited about what God has in store for the future. I am excited about His plans for my life. I like what Psalms says – “His mercies are new every morning.” As I started writing this – I was thinking I was going to be more negative then positive. As I read over again – I really do have a lot to thank God for. I am so blessed! So… goodbye 2009 and hello 2010.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

We Have The Victory!

Revelation 12:10-11 (NLT) 12:10 Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last— salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth— the one who accuses them before our God day and night. 11 And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.

We live in such a temporal way of thought. We only think about the “here and now.” The Bible not only tells us how to live the “here and now” but it also paints a picture of what is going to take place in eternity. In regards to our walk with God – we win. What Jesus did on the cross put the nail on the coffin of Satan and his cohorts. The blood of Jesus defeated him and took away his power in our life. We have the victory now and will ultimately see him thrown down to earth in defeat. Don’t ever underestimate the power of the blood of Christ. Christ shed His blood that you and I can live in victory both now and forever more. Praise God – we are victorious today. Say that. Believe that. Live that out in your life.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Praise Be To The Lord

Psalms 150:6 (NLT) Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord!

In a way, the book of Psalms parallels our spiritual journey through life. We will face highs and we will face lows. In either case – we need to trust in and give praise to God. We will have both - blessings and troubles, joy and grief, successes and obstacles. Throughout it all, God is at our side, guiding, encouraging, comforting, and caring. We must be men and women of praise to the Lord for all that He is and all that He has done. God is sovereign and we must recognize and trust Him that He knows what is best for our life. Therefore… I will give praise to my Lord and Savior and King.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

What Type Of Christian Are You?

Revelation 3:15-16 (NLT) 3:15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!

What type of Christian are you? Do you take your faith seriously? Do you read your Bible daily and apply its teachings to your daily life? Do you pray? Do you love God with all your heart? Do you love others? A simple yes or no will quickly reveal the type of Christian you are. Ah, but maybe your arguing with me right now by saying, “But I’m not that bad either. I go to church every week and I even pay my tithe. I even teach Sunday School.” Whoopee! The book of revelation calls this condition being “lukewarm.” You are not too hot and you’re not too cold. That’s unacceptable. Jesus tells us that just as “lukewarm water or food” doesn’t feel well in your mouth or stomach – neither does it feel right to God. He says that He will spit us out of His mouth. God is not looking for people who have a lukewarm relationship with Him. He wants people who are completely sold out to Him and are willing to pay the price of serving God. He wants people who are sold out for the principles of God and who are willing to carry the cross of Jesus everywhere they go. I don’t want to be “lukewarm” for God. I want to be totally immersed in His presence and in His love. I want to live for Him with my whole heart soul and mind. I want to be pleasing to my heavenly Father. How about you today? What is your experience with Christ? What are you doing for Him? Decide today to jump into this thing called “Christianity” with your whole heart, soul and mind. I have. It works for me and millions of others around the world. It will work for you also.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Loving God's Way!

1 John 4:16-21 (NLT) 4:16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. 18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 19 We love each other because he loved us first. 20 If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? 21 And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters.

What a great message on this Christmas Eve - that we would love one another as God loves us. Over 2000 years ago – God showed His love to the world by sending His only son to a world filled with hostility, hate and evil. This was the ultimate proof of His love that He had for the world. Now God tells us to love as He has already loved us. Loving others becomes the test as to whether God is really working in our hearts. There will never be a shortage of opportunities to love. Misunderstandings, hurts, and disappointments push people into conflict with one another. Jealousy and pride push people apart. Sin is present everywhere. Today, Christmas Eve 2009 is your opportunity to practice loving like God loves. To love others is the proof that God is working in our lives and that we are growing in the things of love. Today is your opportunity to forgive others. It is your opportunity to walk in a clear conscience to God and to one another. This is the message of Christmas. It is the message of love.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Jesus' Desire For Us

John 17:21 (NLT) I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

Jesus’ prayer to the Father was that we would be one. He prayed that the church would see the oneness that He had with the Heavenly Father and that we would emulate it down on earth. It breaks my heart how Christians have so many issues with each other and have so many problems just getting along. It bothers me how the church has been so spiteful to each other because of their own personal agenda’s. The lies of Satan have filtered down into people’s hearts. Relationships are damaged or strained. People don’t talk to one another. People gossip about one another. Come on church! Let’s stop it now for the sake of Christ. Let it begin with us. Let us take the first step. Let us become one as Jesus and the Father are one. The world is looking on. They want to know if we are sincere enough. It’s time for the church to be what God has called us to be – ONE!

Monday, December 21, 2009

Dead Men Walking

John 11:32-44 (NLT) 11:32 When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. 34 “Where have you put him?” he asked them. They told him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Then Jesus wept. 36 The people who were standing nearby said, “See how much he loved him!” 37 But some said, “This man healed a blind man. Couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying?” 38 Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. 39 “Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them. But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.” 40 Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” 41 So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. 42 You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” 43 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”

This passage of scripture gives a number of lessons to us today. First, Look at how Jesus is connected to us. When He saw the people grieving over Lazarus – He also grieved and wept with them. Jesus is not detached from our hurts, disappointments and needs. He understands the grief we experience in life through death or loss in our lives. Secondly, notice this about the story… He shouts for Lazarus to come out of the grave. He comes, walking out the grave but he still had his burial clothes on. Jesus commands the people to “unwrap him and let him go.” Remember, he had probably been the grave for a while. He probably smelled – really bad. He probably didn’t look all that great either. People come into our lives with all their grave cloths on. They smell of sin and the world and God commands each of us to take their grave cloths off. It’s not always pretty and its not something that everyone wants to do. It’s what pleases the Lord. I was one of those persons walking with grave cloths on. Someone lovingly, obediently reached over and helped me step out of them. It is now my responsibility to help others step out of their grave cloths and become the person that God wants them to be.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Watch The Father

John 5:19 (NLT) So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.

I remember a commercial a long time ago where a Father and son we’re sitting under a tree. The father takes out a cigarette and begins smoking. The little boy, looking up to his father in admiration picked up the cigarettes and started to put one in his mouth also. He saw what His father was doing and wanted to emulate it. Of course – it is only natural for children to watch their parents and want to follow in what they are doing. It’s no different in the Christian realm. We, as the kids of God should be watching everything about our heavenly Father. We should follow His ways and His steps. Jesus teaches a lesson here – WATCH THE FATHER. When your eyes are focused on Him and when your ears are hearing what He is saying – then you should do those things also. As a pastor, I often pray this pray before I preach and before I make any major decision. I ask myself “What is the Father doing and how would He do this?” This little step has helped me in many ways and has helped me to make the right choices and decisions. Put your eyes on Father God and He will never let you down.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Worshipping God

John 4:23-24 (NLT) 4:23 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”

People try to define where and how we can worship God. But God is everywhere. He is not confined to a building. Nor is He is confined to a certain city or country. He is Omni-present – He is everywhere. He is not confined by time or space. You and I can worship Him simultaneously anytime and in anyplace. Just come to God with what you have. Come to Him just like you are. You can speak boldly and honestly with Him. Perhaps it’s been awhile since you have brought worship to Him. You don’t need to wait any longer. He is waiting for you right now. He is waiting for me. Take a few minutes to let Him know how much you love Him and how much you are thankful for what He has done.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

How To Grow Your Faith

2 Peter 1:5-9 (NLT) 1:5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. 8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.

We've all been given a seed to plant and harvest in our lives. It’s the seed of faith. The way we take care of that seed will determine the amount of fruit that you have in your walk with Christ. There are choices that I must make for my faith to grow. I must make decisions about the type of life that I’m going to live and the way I will live out my life. It’s interesting that Peter says that we need to supplement our faith with certain characteristics like moral excellence and knowledge and self control and patient endurance and godliness and brotherly affection. These are the ingredients that bring on the growth of faith. These are that which makes us productive in our Christian life. There are times when I didn’t add these ingredients into my faith causing my faith to be puny and unfruitful. When these ingredients are added to your faith – it will grow. You will have confidence. You will be excited about life and what God wants you to do.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

The Test Of Leadership

1 Peter 5:1-4 (NLT) 5:1 And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: 2 Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. 3 Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. 4 And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.

It is a good reminder to me to read and reread these passages on eldership. It reminds me of who I am and what I’m supposed to do. But this isn’t just a “pastoral” check list – it’s a leadership checklist. Peter describes several characteristics of good leaders in the church: (1) they realize they are caring for God's flock, not their own; (2) they lead out of eagerness to serve, not out of obligation; (3) they are concerned for what they can give, not for what they can get; (4) they lead by example, not force. All of us lead others in some way. Whatever our role, our leadership should be in line with these characteristics.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

What Kind Of Faith Do You Have?

James 2:14 (NLT) What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?

I see all sorts of levels of faith – from the very shallow to the very deep. I see people who claim to have a lot of faith but their live does not measure up to it. This is a very bothersome to me. There needs to be a correlation between what we profess and how we live. We can’t proclaim one thing on Sunday and another for the rest of the week. If asked, would your friends know about your faith? Would they be able to say that you are even a Christian? Think about that today. Think about how others are seeing you live out your life. Think about how God sees your faith. Are you living out what Jesus taught in the scriptures? Your actions and your attitude and your beliefs prove that you are walking with Jesus or not – not just your words.

Monday, December 14, 2009

The Discipline Of The Lord

Hebrews 12:5-6 (NLT) 12:5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. 6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”

This is not a verse that I necessarily like but it’s an important verse. No one likes to be corrected or disciplined. However, without it – we would never grow. As a father, discipling my children or even my grandchildren is at times very hard. I remember my dad or mom saying “this hurts me more then it does you.” At the time I didn’t believe it at the time but when I was having to discipline my own kids – I knew what they meant. God the Father so loves us and will do anything to help us become the men and women that God wants us to be. Discipline is part of growing up. We must not make light of it and always remember that God does this out of heart of love for us.

Friday, December 11, 2009

God Really Knows Me

Hebrews 4:14-16 (NLT) 4:14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

I don’t just serve a God who does not relate to me. I serve a God who identifies with everything I go through. He understands my weaknesses and my needs. He invites me into His Holy place and always offers me grace and help in my time of need. This overwhelms me. I know that God loves and cares for me even when I was unlovable and a real jerk. I am always so grateful for His love and tender mercies to me. I feel blessed to worship a God like this.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

God's Word

2 Timothy 3:14-17 (NLT) 14 But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. 15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

Unlike many people I have had the great privilege of being raised in a Christian home. I relate to this verse. I gave my heart to Christ at a very young age on my mom’s knee. I have been taught the scriptures throughout my whole life. I have done the same with my kids and they are now teaching their kids the same principles. I have learned over the years the important of trusting in Christ and have for the most part led my life by its principles. I am thankful for that heritage and am blessed in my life now because of it. God’s Word has been my strength and my source great joy. It has warned me and has given me the direction in which I should go. I am grateful for godly parents who taught this too me. I am so blessed today.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

My Job Description

Titus 1:6-9 (NLT) 6 An elder must live a blameless life. He must be faithful to his wife, and his children must be believers who don’t have a reputation for being wild or rebellious. 7 For an elder must live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money. 8 Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must love what is good. He must live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined life. 9 He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong.

Talk about pressure. My life is a fish bowl. Everything I do is scrutinized, observed and judged. I’m not only being judged by God but by all those I lead and by those I live with. Yet, it isn’t something that I resent or have any bad feelings toward. I am glad to be an example to those around me. God, in His grace has helped to work these areas out in my life. Not that I’m perfect. I have failed in many of the above areas but by His grace I’m getting better. My sermons will not be remembered as much as the way I live my life. I do this, not for my status or gain but I do this for HIS glory. I am honored to be counted worthy to be an elder in the church of Jesus Christ.

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Walking In Contentment

1 Timothy 6:6-7 (NLT) 6 Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it.

Many people spend their whole life searching for contentment but never find it. We look for happiness in things, places and people. True contentment can only come when we are living out the lifestyle of godliness. It is when we allow Jesus to be first and foremost in our life. For a lot of years I placed my contentment in what other people thought about me or by the things that we’re in my life. I measured success in worldly ways. To be honest – I just didn’t get it. I was always frustrated with what I had and was always looking for greener pastures somewhere else. A few years ago, as I was facing some major hurtles in my life. I had a choice to run away or a choice to walk in contentment God’s way. I am so glad I chose the later. I chose to trust that God would bring me through and I chose to trust in His Word. I am now at greater peace then ever before. I only wish that I would have learned these lessons years ago. I am content and I am excited for what God has in store for me, my family and NLC.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Forgiving Others

Colossians 3:13-14 (NLT) 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

I was thinking about the idea of forgiveness this morning. Actually, I’ve been thinking about it for the last few days. If you’ve been a Christian for any amount of time – it is an issue that will have be dealt with time and again. Here’s the irony… I will never learn about forgiveness unless I actually have someone to forgive. So, God knowing the lessons I need to learn places me in situations with people that just rub me the wrong way – that get my “goat” as the might say. I have to deal with misunderstandings, untruths, personality differences and even my own character flaws that can become so apparent in my life. Jesus teaches that when we forgive and forgiven all that we can that we need to do it again. When I do that – I begin to have the heart of God in my life. Paul also teaches about “clothing” ourselves with love. This is a deliberate action. When I get up in the morning I put on the appropriate clothing for the day. Spiritually speaking, we need to consciously “put on” this suit of love before we even leave the house. It’s much easier to do it before you leave the house then to have to do it while you’re in a tense situation. I’m learning ever so slowly and haven’t fully arrived. I thank God for His grace that teaches me and leads me along the way.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Sin Is Sin!

Ephesians 5:6 (NLT) 6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him.

I do a lot of counseling – especially this time of the year. People seek my advice on relationships, jobs, family, finances, health, and personal difficulties of all kinds. It just amazes me at the excuses people come into my office with. They justify their sin and turn it around as if God Himself had given them the permission to participate in this particular sin. Don’t get me wrong – there are those who respond to Biblical counseling. They repent and move forward with their lives. They know that they have done wrong and they want to do what is right. I praise God for those opportunities to help people “see the light.” Yet it grieves my heart very much for those who “just don’t get it.” They have bought into the lie. They have made up their mind. It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks or says – not even God. The scriptures make a promise here that God’s anger will fall on those who disobey him – without fail. It also promises that we will “reap what we sow.” Sin is a serious matter with God. He is waiting so patiently for all of us to turn around and come to Him. It is then that He will open up His arms to us and receive us with much joy.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

God's Desire For Me

Romans 15:13 (NLT) 13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

I don’t mean to be selfish – but I want this prayer in my life. To have joy and peace and hope – wow! What is happening on the outside of a person isn’t always reflective of what’s happening on the inside. Oftentimes we are torn up inside, dealing with depression, condemnation, negativity, etc. Paul knows that because he dealt with the same things. The enemy is always messing with our heads. We worry and fret. We sulk and stew. The list could go on and on. God’s plan for us is to have joy and peace. His plan is for us to have a confident hope that He is in control and is going to take care of things in my life. It comes down to Lordship. It comes down to trust. Who are we making Lord in our lives and do we really trust God? I have failed many times in this area but I’m so thankful for the mercy and grace of God for leading and helping through every day. Yes… I do trust God and I know He has good plans for me and not for evil. Yes… I have confident hope in God today and know He has a great plan for my life.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

The Reason For Problems In Our Lives

Romans 5:3-5 (NLT) 3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Contrary to the worlds thinking, as Christians we’re taught to rejoice when we have troubles. That is so opposite of our human nature and the way many people think. You might ask – “Why do we rejoice?” The answer is simple - we know the end result. We know that God promises to use these things to help us be strong spiritually and even mentally and physically. We would never learn characteristics like endurance and strength of character and hope is we didn’t go through difficulties and troubles. I never like trials in my life. In fact, I still struggle about the rejoicing part. I would much rather be grumpy, grouchy, angry and – well… you know what I’m talking about. I’m learning in this area. However, I can say after being on this earth for 55 years – I do see these principles working in my life. I am stronger. I am more trusting. I know God has His hand on me. I still don’t look forward to any trial but I do know that God’s promises are true and that if we allow Him – He will fill our hearts with much peace and much love.