He Is Lord Of All

Zechariah 14:9-"The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name."

"Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Jesus taught us to pray for the day that the LORD would be the recognized king over all the earth. We look forward to that, because our faith will be shown true and the LORD himself will be glorified as he should be. In a world of profanity, a world where God's name is blasphemed, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that he is LORD, incomparable without rival.

God Has a Purpose for Your LIfe

Psalm 138:8The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever -- do not abandon the works of your hands.

Here are my thoughts about this great verse of scripture. God has a purpose and plan for each of our lives. The greatest thing we can do is to find that purpose and live it out. We can trust his purpose in us because it is based on his wisdom and love. As long as we seek his will, we're not going to do anything that can ultimately spoil his purpose in us. Yes, we may at times stray from the perfect channel he wants us to travel, but we never get totally out of the main channel. As long he does not abandon us, (and he promised he never would forsake us he will use us) for his purposes.

Giving Your Life

In the gospel of Matthew 16:25 Jesus spoke these words,"...whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." As I thought about this verse I am reminded that the key to life is letting go of ourselves and receiving Jesus. Please don't forget to relinquish your life to the one who gave up his own life. When we lose our life to him, we can have it back forever with him.

Holding Onto Grudges

Leviticus 19:18-"Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord."

A man was once asked by someone what his goal in life was to which he answered, "To get even." His only thought in life was how he could get even with all those who had hurt or offended him. I couldn't help but think of that this morning as I read this verse in Leviticus 19:18. Hanging on to bitterness and keeping alive grudges is consuming work. It leaves little energy for blessing others, praising God, or enjoying life. The only way to get over these things is to actively love (i.e., serve them) others in ways that bless their lives. If we can't do this because it's good and the right thing to do, we do it because we know God!

Friday Moring Funny

"Hey Jerry, last night, I gave my heart to the Lord and received salvation. I feel like a new man...high five!" David Puddy

"If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation, old things are passed away, and behold all things become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17

Nowhere To Hide

Jeremiah 23:24

"Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?" declares the Lord. "Do not I fill heaven and earth?" declares the Lord.

This is a very sobering and yet powerful verse of scripture but it points out a powerful truth to us as Christians. There is no hiding from God, but for those who willingly and joyously seek him, there is comfort, power, and hope in his presence.

Standing for Truth

"Now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore they said to him, "You are not also one of His disciples, are you?" He denied it and said, "I am not!" John 18:25

What is it about us humans that have such a hard time admitting the truth? What is it that when we panic, we have the ability to compromise our convictions in a moment? Peter is the perfect example of compromising his convictions in a heated situation. Peter was more concerned about the consequences of telling the truth than standing up for the Truth itself. As he watched the persecution of Jesus, Peter impulsively chose to deny even knowing Him. Why would Peter do this? He did it out of fear. Peter was confused as to what was happening around him and at that moment, he only thought of himself. Would any one of us have responded any differently? When posed with uncomfortable questions about our beliefs, how do we answer? Whether we realize it or not, there is a growing, yet subtle, attitude against Christianity. To profess the name of Jesus Christ can bring persecution to the one openly speaking His name. Think I am kidding? Just test it out. People are comfortable talking about “God” but most of the God-talk is with a little “g.” Speak the name of Jesus and people who do not believe in Him will have an immediate reaction. Usually the reaction becomes personal against the person speaking. I have personally felt at times as if I was being discredited in people’s minds because I believed in Jesus as Lord and Savior, even to the point of second glances or almost worried looks. However, I have also had moments when I knew I should speak the name of Jesus and did not do it. The feelings afterwards are quite painful to bear inside. It is easier to deal with the persecution from the outside, speaking out the truth than to deal with the conviction on the inside of not speaking out for the truth. To stand for Jesus in a world who is against Him is not easy and we do not have the strength to do it alone. When circumstances press against us, we tend to want to do anything to relieve the pressure. Know today that the enemy uses this pressure to get us to not stand for Jesus. Why? Because our witness and testimony of Jesus Christ is the most powerful tool we have in the world today. Christians who stand together in one voice proclaiming the love and
forgiveness of Jesus Christ form an effective weapon against the powers of darkness. Jesus came for us because He knows how we all fall short, just as Peter did. His power to forgive us our sins gives us the power to keep going, not defeated but victorious. Don’t let the “I am not” moments keep you down. Get back up and try again. Together in Christ we can make a difference, just by speaking the truth of who He is. Ask the Lord to give you strength against fears in
the circumstances, so that you can be bold to stand for Jesus.

Cardinals Heating Up

I got a wonderful Father's Day gift over the weekend when I watched my beloved St. Louis Cardinals complete a three game sweep of the Kansas City Royals with a 12-5 victory on Sunday. Albert Pujols had two homeruns, one a grand slam, to pace the Redbirds to a rout of their state rivals. The Cards left Kansas City in first place in the Central Division ahead of the Brewers and the Cubs. Hopefully they can keep up the momentum of this three game winning streak. GO REDBIRDS!

We Are Not Alone

Psalm 121:7-8-"The Lord will keep you from all harm -- he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."

I love this verse of scripture because it reminds us as Christians that our lives are not lived alone. The Lord is with us personally. He holds each of futures and our safety in his hands. We live to serve him and go to be with him when we die. The Lord will keep us from all harm!

A Mesage to All Fathers

I hope all you fathers out there enjoy your special day and God bless you all.

Just Believe

Jesus answered and said to him, "Because I said to you, 'I saw you under the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than these." John 1:50

What does it take for you to believe? For some, we want the small things like a peaceful day. For others, we want our bodies healed. And for others, we want God to appear to us and give us direction on what to do next. All of these requests fall on the lines of appeasing our flesh. Our flesh doesn’t want to struggle or guess. We want clarity, peace and a life that is pain free. But that’s why many do not believe. God does at times perform these kinds of miracles but God doesn’t need to prove He is God as much as we need to prove we believe He is God. Despite how we feel, what we see or how we think, “Without faith, it is impossible to please God.” Faith goes beyond the senses to a deep understanding and knowing that He is God in the midst of the hassled day and hurting from the circumstances of life. Faith is believing without seeing. As the Lord asks us today, “do you believe?” If the answer is yes, He will spiritually open your eyes to see in faith what He has for you. He might not show you through a burning bush or through an earthquake, but it’s that still small voice that will testify within your spirit His will and ways for you. Sometimes He says, “Wait.” Other times, He will say, “Go.” But
every time, the Lord Jesus Christ will say, “Just believe.” He knows what’s best. Trust Him today with that issue you want to see God work through so badly. Give it to Him. Lay it down at His feet. Just believe and you will see greater things than these.

A Message to Husbands

Ephesians 5:25-26-"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy."

I have read this verse many times throughout my Christian life and have tried to put this verse into practice in my own marriage. I love my wife very much and thank God for her everyday, but it is very hard for some husbands to do this in their martial relationship with their wives.
For husbands, there is sacrificial love in our purpose and purpose in our sacrifice. We give up ourselves to love our wives. But Jesus is the example here, and he gave up everything. His purpose? Simply to make us holy. Our motives are to be equally as sacrificial and pure in surrendering our rights to bless and love our wives.

The Spiritual Person

Galatians 5:22, 23 The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law
The spiritual person also has a body, soul and spirit. Yet this individual has been remarkably transformed from the natural person he was before spiritual birth. At conversion, his spirit became united with God?s Spirit. The spiritual life which resulted from this union is characterized by forgiveness of sin, acceptance in God?s family, and the realization of personal worth. The soul of the spiritual person also reflects a change generated by spiritual birth. He can now receive his impetus from the Spirit, not just from the flesh. His mind is being renewed and transformed. His emotions are characterized by peace and joy instead of turmoil. It is our responsibility to choose not to walk according to the flesh, but to walk according to the Spirit. As the spiritual person exercises his choice to live in the Spirit, his life bears the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23). As a spiritual person, your body is the dwelling place of God. We should offer our bodies as a living sacrifice of worship and service to Him. The flesh, conditioned to live independently from God under the old self, is still present in the spiritual person. But he responsibly crucifies the flesh and its desires daily as he considers himself dead to sin. "That all looks and sounds great," you may say. "But I?m a Christian and I still have some problems. I know I?m spiritually alive, but sometimes my mind dwells on the wrong kinds of thoughts. Sometimes I give in to the deeds of the flesh. Sometimes I entertain the desires of the flesh instead of crucifying them." The description of the spiritual person is the ideal. It?s the model of maturity toward which we are all growing. God has made every provision for you to experience personally the description of the spiritual person in His Word (2 Peter 1:3). You will grow as a spiritual person and glorify God in your body as you learn to crucify the flesh and be filled by the spirit.

A Rebellious Generation

1 Samuel 15:23 Rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry

We live in a rebellious generation. Many feel it is their right to sit in judgment of those in authority over them. Christians are no exception. We critique the choir and criticize the sermon. We would be far better off if we entered into the worship experience and let the Word of God sit in judgment of us. Rebelling against God leads to nothing but trouble. As our commanding general, the Lord says, "Get into ranks and follow Me. I will not lead you into temptation, and I will deliver you from evil." But we sometimes say, "No, I don't want to follow today." So we fall out of ranks, do our own thing, and get shot. Then we blame God for not protecting us.
We are also tempted to rebel against human authority. We have two biblical responsibilities in regard to God-ordained authority figures: pray for them and submit to them. The only time God permits us to disobey earthly leaders is when they require us to do something morally wrong before God or if they attempt to operate outside the realm of their authority. Study the following passages of Scripture to further understand our response to authority: civil government (Romans 13:1-5; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; 1 Peter 2:13-16); parents (Ephesians 6:1-3); husband (1 Peter 3:1, 2); employer (1 Peter 2:18-21); church leaders (Hebrews 13:17). Being submissive to God-ordained authority demonstrates faith. As you submit to God's line of authority, you are choosing to believe that God will protect you and bless you, and that all will go well with you. Ask God to forgiven you for those times you have not been submissive, and declare your trust in God to work through His established lines of authority.

Free From the Fear of Death

1 Corinthians 15:55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?

I had to do one of the more difficult parts of my pastoral work yesterday, when I performed a funeral for a little child who passed away. Everytime I perform a funeral service I am always taken back by how much some people fear dying and death. In fact, most phobias can be reduced to a fear of man or death. Death looms over many as the ultimate fear-object. The fact that death is imminent is clearly established in Scripture: "It is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). Christians need not fear death. Jesus removed death as a legitimate fear-object by taking away its power when He died for our sins. Jesus Himself said, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die" (John 11:25, 26). Even though we will eventually die physically, we will continue to live spiritually. Every child of God is spiritually alive, and even physical death cannot separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38). Paul says, "For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). Why? When we physically die, we will receive a resurrected body and be far better off than we are today. Try putting something else into Paul's formula; for instance, "For me to live is success." Then to die would be what? Loss! "For me to live is a good physical body." Again, to die would be loss. I often ask people, "What is the worst thing that could happen to you?" "Well, I could die," they answer. To which I respond, "Then you have nothing to fear, since the Bible says death may be the best thing that could happen to you!" The ultimate value is not physical life but spiritual life. If our life is hidden in Christ, then we won't suffer loss when we physically die. We can only gain. We can say confidently with Paul, "O death where is your sting?" The person who is free from the fear of death is free to live today.

Working Together In Unity

Psalm 74:4-"Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations; they set up their ensigns for signs."

As someone who has served as a pastor for 12 years, I know full well what can happen when Christian people and church members fail to agree and walk in unity. Here is an example of such a situation. At one particular church the pastor felt the focus of the church year should be missions. Definitely missions. The head of the church school wanted education to be the main concern. Finance felt that stewardship was the ticket. Each committee of the church had its own banner to wave. The conflicts that arose over the issue left deep wounds, and some left the church. The different groups sat together on Sunday morning, but they left the sanctuary engaged in bitter argument. What kind of behavior is that for Christians? We are supposed to rise above the pettiness that rules the outside world. If we cannot learn to deal with one another in love, what business have we calling ourselves Christ's church? Our Lord is a Lord of compromise, sacrifice, and caring. No Christian should be our enemy. We are all members of the same body, and Christ blesses those who strive to live in peace and harmony with one another. As we pray today, it is a good idea to pray these words, "Remind me, Lord, that I am a Christian first and foremost. The causes I support are second to the fact that I follow Jesus Christ. Let Him rule in my heart, and lead me in the ways I should walk. Amen."

Come Unto Me

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29

This past Friday and part of the weekend I was busy moving items for a church auction we are having next month. I, and a few volunteers, moved several loads of heavy, and I mean heavy items for the auction. I found myself overextended and exhausted while coming home. It has been difficult at times to recuperate when I have worked so many hours. I need to catch up from the weekend's demands and deal with today’s demands while being wiped out from the lingering effect of the weekend. I was telling the Lord that I want to continue in serving Him but I find myself being short tempered instead. Immediately these words from a quote I heard started ringing in my ears, “When your output exceeds your intake, your upkeep is your downfall.” Suddenly I realized that I wasn’t putting back in to my body and soul all that was poured out. It is just as much a place of obedience to find rest and refreshment as it is to serve. The problem comes when I start thinking that I am being obedient to the Lord in serving while I am being short tempered with His people that He has asked me to serve. At that point, it is better to receive from the Lord in resting, despite the amount of time it takes, so I can represent Him to others while enjoying what He has called me to do. Today, you might find yourself spiritually, mentally and/or physically exhausted. God doesn’t want any more from you. Now He only wants you…He wants you to rest and find peace. Come to Him in prayer, be honest, cry if you have to, and open His Word and drink of that living water until you are strengthened. He loves you, He is proud of you and He wants you to enjoy Him. When you are refreshed, you will then represent Him as kind, loving and patient. You cannot give away something that you do not have. And you cannot represent who He is if you are not resting with Him.

Gos Is Always There

Psalm 90:2-4-"Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night."

As I read this verse I can't help but think of this wonderful truth: so many things about our lives are uncertain. This one thing, however, is sure: no matter where, when, or how long, God will be there and will be with us.

Understanding God's Love

Ephesians 3:17-19I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge -- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Love that surpasses knowledge. That's very difficult to explain, but when you have loved your spouse for decades you experience what this means. When you love a child and do what you never dreamed you could do for another human being, you understand this phrase. And when you stand before God, adopted as a full heir of all his great riches, a full sibling to Jesus Christ the Lord, and know you are seen as holy, without reproach, and blameless, you begin to understand this phrase.

Whatever You Do

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. Colossians 3:23

We are alive to bless the Lord, not for the Lord to bless us. Although God desires to bless us, our desire needs to be that we just want to please the Lord. That means that everything we do should be done to please the Lord and not man. We can do dishes for the Lord, we can wipe noses for the Lord, and we can help someone else for the Lord. It is not about being seen and complimented by others but by Him. A good test to check your motives is to examine what you do when no one is looking? Do you realize that God is watching? The Lord is with you all the time. When we become aware of His continual presence, we change. And the change is good because as we align up to please Him, we receive peace. God has given us internal monitors that let us know if what we are doing what is right or wrong before Him. If we are making choices that please Him, we have peace. If we are making choices that are wrong, we don’t feel right. We become uncomfortable with a lack of peace. It doesn’t take much to realize that we are not pleasing God when gossiping or speaking negatively. When this happens to me, I sense the quenching of the Holy Spirit and I want to get out of that conversation as fast as I can. Praise God for conviction. I don’t want to do anything that quenches the Lord because I have learned that whatever quenches His Spirit hurts Him because it is bad for me. Let’s live to bless the Lord. Ask Him to convict your heart today if you are doing anything that isn’t right before Him. Some day we will give an account of our actions before Him. If we become aware of His presence now, we will live a life that brings Him glory which in turn, blesses us.

Our Mouth and Meditation

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer." Psalm 19:14

It is interesting to note that the words of our mouth and meditation of our hearts are watched by the Lord. The Psalmist asks the Lord to let them be acceptable in His sight, not in His ears. So what is God looking for in our mouth and meditation? Just recently this verse kept coming to my mind to pray. But just because I prayed it didn’t mean that I noticed anything different or changed in any way. Then all of a sudden, to my complete surprise I was confronted about something I said. Immediately, the conviction started of the Holy Spirit began to stir within me. I knew that God heard my prayer and what He was seeing in my mouth and meditation were not acceptable. He took my prayer seriously and now was addressing deep-seated issues. When God convicts us, it is amazing how naked we feel. We naturally want to conceal our motives, justify our words and cover up our actions. But our only hope at that time is to repent. The more we fight to maintain our sinful state, the more time we lose in receiving His good counsel and wisdom to change. God sees the fruit of our ways. Those ways are manifested through the words of our mouth and meditations of our heart. The fruit is what God sees more than what He hears. But the psalmist completes His prayer by addressing two very important characteristics of God: my strength and my redeemer. God is able to strengthen you to change and redeem your old ways into a new person with ripe healthy abundant fruit. Today, will you ask the Lord with me to allow your words and meditations to be acceptable in His sight?m Remember the words of the Lord Jesus Christ who said, "…for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." Matthew 12:34

So You Think You Have it Bad

Psalm 69:21-"They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink."

Sometimes we think things are going really bad in our lives. It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking we're worse off than anyone else. When we feel sorry for ourselves, all we need do is turn to the story of Jesus' last few hours on earth. There the man who knew no sin became sin for us, so we might have eternal life. He was tripped, beaten, spit upon, and when, as His dying request, He asked for a drink to wet His lips, they put vinegar before Him instead of water. No kindness was shown the Prince of Peace, the one who had done nothing in His life to warrant such cruel mistreatment. Compared with the trial and misfortune of our Lord, we have very little to complain about. To even compare ourselves to Him is to open ourselves to shame. Christ endured torment and death upon a cross for our sakes. Now, He abides with us to help us endure every trial.