What Was That?

Be reminded of two old, old stories about  the providing ability and willingness of the Lord.
Mark 8.19-21 - When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” ²⁰ “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” ²¹ And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?   (www.lifejournal.cc)

And what did you say you we're worried about?

He can and will provide.  Rest in it.

Why Despair?

There is a lot of people going through trials and hardships these days.  It is easy to get overwhelmed and to want The Lord to hurry with an answer or a solution.

I bet Jairus felt that way.  I know a lot of his friends and family felt that way.  His girl was dying and Jesus was delayed.  Notice what Jesus said when he got there-
Mark 5. 39- And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.”  ( www.lifejournal.cc)
In other words, your situation is only temporary and Jesus knows right where you are.

Do not despair today in your trial! Christ knows what is happening and He is in control.

Digesting Clearly

What gets in your way of giving God your all?  God plants his message in your heart, but it can be easily choked out.
Mark 4.18-19-And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, ¹⁹ but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.  (www.lifejournal.cc)

Even good things can clutter our lives and mean so much to us that it chokes out the message of the Lord for us.

Prioritize your life today and everyday around Christ.  He is worth it and so are you!   
Have a great one.

Stating Faith

Job was a man in a deep dark valley.  He felt it was undeserved and, p reading about his life, you can understand why.  He lost a lot.  His life turned in a direction that was unbelievable to him.  His friends assumed the wrong things.  His wife was, at least, limited in her support.  Job struggled.  His faith in God struggled. He took that struggle to The Lord though and kept his staggering, stumbling faith alive.  Read his proclamation in the midst of his troubles:
Job 19.23-
“Oh that my words were written!
    Oh that they were inscribed in a book!
²⁴ Oh that with an iron pen and lead
    they were engraved in the rock forever!
²⁵ For I know that my Redeemer lives,
    and at the last he will stand upon the earth.   (www.lifejournal.com)

Job, your words live on.  Engraved in God's Word by the power of the Holy Spirit and read by us to inspire us to hang on when we face the trials.  

May all of us nail down, chisel out, inscribe our faith and hope in God today. No matter what our trials may be.

Team Wins

Football is on a lot of people's minds in these parts. Fun time of year.  People brag on their teams and will defend their teams with all they have.  They speak boldly about their teams and will let nothing hinder them.

Like Paul did, let's speak boldly  about much more than football.
Acts 28.31-proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.  (www.lifejournal.cc)

Hope your team wins!  Team Jesus will!

To Know Him

Acts 25.23- So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.

After arriving in Tel Aviv and spending the night in Netanya, our first stop on our trip in Israel was at Caesarea.   The first public arena that we entered was the one referred to in this passage.  We stood on the stage where Paul stood and looked at the large concrete stadium steps that made up the arena and thought about the thousands that had sat there two milleniums earlier to hear Paul testify for the Lord.  It was amazing to ponder.

Why did Paul do it?  He states it in Acts 26.29- And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.” (www.lifejournal.cc)

He wanted folks to know Christ.  Oh, that we would share with such boldness,  not in the arenas across the globe, but in the backyards, living rooms, vehicles, coffee shops, and walking trails that the Lord puts us in.  Maybe not to thousands at a time, but to one or two as God gives opportunity.

May we be so bold...today.....

In Good Conscience

It is very simple today but very profound.
Acts 23.1- And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.”

Can you say that you live your life before God in good conscience? If not, why not?
Forgetting our yesterdays,  let's live so we can say that.  Let's work on it today.

Seizing and Living

Meditate on the words of Paul today:
Acts 20.24- But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. (www.lifejournal.cc)

Serve God today with a no holds barred attitude, and remember: Much more than dying for Him, Christ wants you to LIVE for Him!

Seize the Day for Christ!

Moving, Living, and Being

This simple quote is so powerful, it has me a little spellbound.
Like corn flakes, taste it again for the first time:
Acts 17.28- “‘In him we live and move and have our being’;

Life is Christ and Christ is life.  We need to share Him like that is true.  We need to live for Him like that is true.   It is only in Him that we find out who we really are and only through Him do we better ourselves.  He does the work.  It is in Him that we live, move, and have our being.

It is all about Christ! Live like it today!

Check On Them

A friend is one that does not pop in once and move on, but keeps a check on ya.
Acts 15.36- And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.”  (www.lifejournal.cc)
Whether they are  new Christians, hurting friends, or ministering opportunities, after some days you need to return to them and see how they are.

Check on somebody today!  You never will know this side of eternity the impact you make! Enjoy doing it too!

Time Together

Acts 14.27-28- And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. ²⁸ And they remained no little time with the disciples.   (www.lifejournal.cc)
The gathering of God's people is to be about sharing the hope, the movement, and the power of God displayed in our lives. We are to celebrate that...faithfully...through the body of believers.

Join us this morning and let's worship The Lord together!

Praying and Believing

Now get this: the church is together praying, asking God to do mighty works, and God answers.  Peter is miraculously released from prison and goes to the house where they are praying.  He knocks....Rhoda answers.....but......
Acts 12.14 -16 Recognizing Peter's voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. ¹⁵ They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!”  But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed.  (www.lifejournal.cc)

How expectant are you when you pray?
When God knocks on your door with a miracle, will you open it in belief?

I hope so....pray and believe today!

The Web

The Lord has called every Christian to share his/her faith and He is doing a lot more around us to help our effort than we often recognize.  Today's passage in Acts 10 &11 show us that God worked in Peter to compel him to go to Cornelius the Gentile's house, while at the same time compeling Cornelius to send for Peter.   I called it a divine appointment yesterday.  It is the leading and the prompting of the Holy Spirit to lead people to Christ. 

My evangelism professor in seminary described God's work like a spider building a web.  God uses different Christian influences to build different links of the web around someone's life.  God is drawing them to himself.   He may use a little Christian comment at some time, a ministerial contact on another, a Christian TV program on another, a song on the radio, or an overheard conversation.  Then when the one that is willing to go at the prompting of the Spirit to speak to one in need of evangelism, God has already been building a web around that person, preparing the heart, so that the personal invitation is the last 'link' toward salvation.

Cornelius was that prepared when in stated in
Acts 10.33- So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.
Due to the preparation of the Holy Spirit, the obedience of Peter, and the surrendering of Cornelius, Cornelius and all those that heard the message were saved that day.  God does wonderful works through His people if they will only obey and follow His lead. 

Be a part of the process today.  Help build the links around folks that need Jesus today.  When the Lord leads you to personally invite them to Christ, do it.  He has already been working in the listener before you ever arrived.

To God be the Glory!  Let's get busy!

A Divine Appointment

This morning I read one of my favorite passages.  Acts 8 gives us a reminder that we need to hear daily.  Notice
Acts 8.26-31- Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. ²⁷ And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship ²⁸ and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. ²⁹ And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” ³⁰ So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” ³¹ And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Philip simply followed the leading of the Holy Spirit in his life.  He was willing to go out in the desert to a crossroads to see what God was up to.  There he met the Ethiopian who was struggling with Scripture that proclaimed prophetically  the atoning death of Christ.  Philip was able to explain it, build off of it, and lead the Ethopian to Christ.

How did he do it?  He followed with obedience the voice of the Spirit of God in his life.  The Lord was arranging a divine appointment and the result was one's salvation.

The Spirit still speaks to hearts.  God still arranges divine appointments. People still struggle with spiritual questions.  God still uses Christians to share with others and help lead them to Christ.  It is so important that we listen to the Spirit and walk into the 'divine appointments' that we did not see coming, but  will learn to recognize as we follow His Voice. 

I pray that we have a divine appointment today and I pray that God uses us to encourage others in Christ.  May we, as Philip did, run to the opportunity. 

A Friend

The story of Job is amazing one.  Some people read it and get lost in all the conversation,but it is worth your time and attention.  Job had a lot and lost it quick.  He had some friends that came to him and notice what they did.
Job 2.13- And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great. (www.lifejournal.cc)
The first thing they did was come to his side and just sit there.  They eventually started talking and that conversation is the majority of this book.  However, notice in the days ahead, when they started talking is when the trouble began.  
Preachers and friends have a tendency to want to talk too much in a time of crisis, when the greatest comfort comes from the Holy Spirit anyway.  Don't be prone to talk, be prone to come alongside.  The presence of a friend is more comforting that coined phrases or attempts to lighten heavy moments. 

Be a friend today and, if it is necessary, speak. 

Ain't No Stopping Us Now...

We live in a nation that is growing evermore secular. The Christian foundation of these country is eroding and the things of yesteryear that was celebrated or, at least, allowed are fading fast.  What do Christians do about it?

We could address it politically.  That means we vote, campaign, and work to the bone to support the candidate that we think will lead us in the right way.
We could  address it publicly.  Fight for every Christian statement and stand that we can and put it ever before the people of America and our community as often as we can.
Or we could address it personally. We could commit our lives to share Christ personally with as many as God gives us opportunity.  That would be a penetrating, less obvious but more effective way that the Gospel could be instilled in the hearts and minds of people causing exponential growth as God blesses our efforts....almost like yeast or leaven in dough.
What do you think? There is no doubt whatever approach we make, if God is in it, He will bless and it won't be stopped.
Acts 5,38-39- So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; ³⁹ but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” (www.lifejournal.cc)

Let's just make sure are energy is aimed in the right place and we make the most of the time and breath that we have. The answer is probably doing a bit of all of it with the emphasis put in the right places. 
As the old saying says- Only one life, it will soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.

Have a blessed day. Make it count. Make a difference. What could stop you?

Something To Build On

Well, I made it to Kansas City.  After mechanical problems on one plane caused me to miss my next plane, I had to 'stand by' to see if I got the late flight until 11 pm.  That plane was late too and I got into the hotel at 1 AM.  I woke up this morning to find that I must have packed on a Sunday morning.  You know I have other things on my mind on Sunday morning.
I have a new slogan now: Never judge a traveler based on the color of his socks.  Enough said!

It is a big day for Midwestern Seminary as we vote on a new president this morning. Is there always this much hype around an executive position? Maybe so.   Either way, please pray for Midwestern this morning.

Much bigger news comes from   Acts 4.11- This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.

Now that is something to build your life on!  Build on that today...and have a good one!

A Blessed Day

Psalm 1.1-2

1 Blessed is the man^[a]
    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
² but his delight is in the law^[b] of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.

Who are you walking with, listening to, and be influenced by?  It is a great question to consistently ponder because if you don't follow the counsel of Psalm 1 on this issue, it is detrimental to your walk with God and your walk with others. Negative, carnal people will influence you to follow the wrong path, think the wrong things, and act in the wrong behavior.  However, the Word each morning will bless your life, change your mind, and refresh your step. 

Be blessed today!  Follow His Counsel!!!!

Our Slow and Quick God

Let me give you a refreshing thought on Saturday morning!   Enjoy the latter part of
Nehemiah 9.17- They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that you performed among them, but they stiffened their neck and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them.  (www.lifejournal.cc)

Even though we tend to be stiff necked, hard headed, and stubborn, thank God we all have the opportunity for cleansing, if we just submit to Him!

Do that today and have a great one!!!

Put In Your Heart

I love the passion in which Nehemiah does what he does.  Notice what he says in Nehemiah 7.5- Then my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles and the officials and the people to be enrolled by genealogy. (www.lifejournal.cc)

He is talking about taking a genealogy, but it really does not matter what he is talking about.  Whatever you do, do as God has 'put in your heart.'  What a great statement!

Let me warn you: there will be opposition.  Nehemiah faced opposition in his tasks.  Sometimes the opposition will be vehement and surprising, but, don't you worry.  Just do the work of the Lord as He has 'put in your heart' to do!

He'll see you through.  Listen to the Lord and do whatever He 'puts in your heart' to do!

Have a great day and trust His Lead come what may!

It's Empty!

There are some things in this life that you do that, as long as you have breath and a right mind, you will never forget.  The few seconds that I was able to walk into the Lord's empty tomb this past spring are some of those moments.  Attempting to take in the whole scene and setting as quickly, quietly, and meditatively as I could, while others waited in line for me to walk out, I savored the opportunity to walk where Jesus walked. That whole experience was 'ever before me' this morning as I read
Luke 24.2-7 -And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, ³ but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. ⁴ While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. ⁵ And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? ⁶ He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, ⁷ that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”

Thank God, it is empty!  Because He lives, we too may live!  Let's live today for Him!

Seeing Jesus

Do you want to see Jesus? 

Do you anticipate His Presence?

Why?  What is your motivation? 

Notice Herod's motivation in Luke 23.8- When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. (www.lifejournal.cc)

He just wanted Jesus to do something spectacular for Him.  Isn't it a shame that Herod saw the Lord but never surrendered to Him....was glad to see Him but only for a show...had heard of Him yet never let it change his life?

Anticipate the presence of the Lord because He is lifechanging, you will celebrate Him, and nothing else that this world can offer could ever be as fulfilling!!

Do you want to see Jesus? Why?

Refreshing Unity

I have had a blessed few days.  My parents have been in town and we have had a lovely time of fellowship.  They leave this morning and I hate to see them go. 

Our church had our Tailgate Party Sunday night.  What a great event!  Good food, good fellowship, and one of the greatest atmospheres that you could ever ask for.  I am thankful to be a part of such a church family. 

I had invited the Houston High School Hilltopper football team to come to the tailgate.  Many did and the coaches came with them.  Having the privilege to  speak to these guys every week on Friday afternoon is something I cherish and I am really proud of their unified play that has led to their success.

Last night I presided at an Baptist Associational meeting where we made some good changes to help further our cause.  There was not even a question about our efforts to move foreward. 

I pondered on these things earlier yesterday and I thought of  Psalm 133.1-3...

Behold, how good and pleasant it is
when brothers dwell in unity!
² It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down on the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
running down on the collar of his robes!
³ It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore. (www.lifejournal.cc)

....then I woke up this morning and it was part of the reading of the day! 

Lord, you are awesome!  You know what I need.  When I think about the unity that you have allowed me to see in recent days, it is refreshing, like a cool shower on a hot day or a cool rain to water a parched earth.  I will bless you as long as you give me breath. 

I hope your day is a blessed one! Mine as been already!

Calm and Quiet

There is nothing quite like peace.  It will calm the wildest storms.  It will ease you in the times of difficulty.  Enjoy the psalmist talking about resting in the Lord in Ps. 131.1-2-
O Lord, my heart is not lifted up;
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me.
² But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me.


Dear Lord, let us all calm and quiet our souls in the chaotic, busy, loud world.  Remind us, Lord, that the way to quiet our souls is to turn our eyes to see you, our hearts to love you, and our ears to hear you. 

Calm and quiet us, dear Lord.

Taking Time

When the chief priests and elders tried to back Jesus up in a corner or catch Him in His Words, they had a hard time doing it.  They could not.  Out of that experience comes a telling statement in
Luke 20.26- And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent. (www.lifejournal.cc)

When is the last time that you marveled at the words of the Lord?  When is the last time you were silent enough to hear Him?
May we quietly listen to the Lord and His Teachings every day and throughout  the day. I feel sure He will marvel us to silence on a regular basis.

Take Time to Hear Him today.

Engaging In Good Business

In Luke 19 Jesus uses a parable to emphasize the need of us being busy about the work of the Kingdom until He returns.  He begins the story in Luke 19.12-13- He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. ¹³ Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’ www.lifejournal.cc

In the story the owner returns and judges each individual on how well they invested the resources that He gave to them.  Some did great.  Some did alright.  Some did awful.  I don't know about you but I know I want the Lord to return and be happy with what I have done for Him with the opportunities that I have been given.  I don't want Him to say, "Tell me your name again...." or "Hey, that was alright...." but, instead, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." 

What has He given us to do?  Let me mention three:
1)Live our lives in a way that would please Him.  That needs to reflect in our actions, our thoughts, and our words.
2) Raise our families giving proper place for the teachings of the Lord, His Church, and His Priorities.
3)  Love our neighbors enough to show them Christ and tell them of Christ.   Who are your neighbors?  Sesame Street taught me a long time ago that the people of your neighborhood are 'the people that you meet when you're walking down the street.  It's the people that you meet each day.'

Let's engage in the business of the Kingdom until He comes and let's do a good and faithful job.
Even today!

Never Forget It!

Regardless of our background, our lifestyle, or our relationship with the Lord, let's keep one thing in perspective from Luke 18.13-14-“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
¹⁴ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”  
(www.lifejournal.cc)

May none of us ever lose that perspective in our prayers before the Lord.  It is only by His Mercy that we have a shot.  Let's never forget it!

Coming Back to Say 'Thanks'

Luke 17.12-17- And as he (Christ) entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance ¹³ and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” ¹⁴ When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. ¹⁵ Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; ¹⁶ and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. ¹⁷ Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?  www.lifejournal.cc

Ten lepers were healed but only one came back to give God praise and thanks.  Let us be just as quick to thank the Lord as we are to ask the Lord to intervene in the many dilemmas in our lives.  When we focus on the thanks more than the request, we may find that we have more to be thankful for than we originally realized. 

Ponder on that today and give Him thanks!!!

The Chasm

Being in the pastorate for almost twenty years, I have seen a lot of death.   With a stint as a chaplain for a sheriff's office, I saw some tragic death.   You never quite forget seeing someone die.  It is stark, real, and, yes, final.   Let me show you something that is even more stark.  It is when Jesus talks about the separation that comes in the death of those without Christ.  The separation is final.   Notice how He talks about it-  Luke 16.25-26-  But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. ²⁶ And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’   

A great chasm....reminds me of my family's visit to the Grand Canyon last year.  It was a deep, very wide chasm and impossible to cross. 
He also speaks of anguish....what a horrible experience it is to be without Christ for all of eternity. 

If you do not know Christ, don't wait another day.  Come to Christ...for the sake of eternity and for the sake of everyday until eternity. 

Come on...come to Jesus. 

A Victory Ride

I love college football.  There is no grander moment in college football than when your team wins the national championship.  The first thing they do is douse the coach with gatorade and then they pick him up on their shoulders and carry him across the field.  It is the highlight of his career.

Listen to this heavenly highlight...
Luke 15.4-7-  What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? ⁵ And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. ⁶ And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ ⁷ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

What greater joy is there than riding on the shoulders of your salvation, sharing your spiritual victory with your friends, and celebrating your eternity with Christ!

Get ready for all your hopes and dreams to come true through Christ.  Celebrate Him today!!!

Who's Coming for Supper?

Luke 14.12-14-  He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. ¹³ But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, ¹⁴ and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” (www.lifejournal.cc)

A lot to think about, ain't it? 

Yeah, I thought so too.

Lord, give us feet to go, hands to do, minds to know, and hearts to care...today.