September 9, 2008 by Administrator.

 “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I have hope in Him.” The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him.

~ Lamentations 3:24-25 

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August 28, 2008 by admin.

I have been reading in the book of Psalms lately and then I very clearly felt the Lord put the book of Philippians on my heart. I had no problem with that because my favorite verse is in that book and Paul delivers a very rich message to the Philippian church. One of the most exciting things about studying God’s Word, is when you know He wants you to stay in a certain section for some time. Sunday, I read chapter three. I could not finish the chapter before I knew that God wanted me to stay in that chapter and learn. I cannot count all the times I have heard about the wonderful verse fourteen from other Christians. Yet, I could not even reach verse fourteen without filled awe and joy at the previous verses. I read this passage and was just amazed: 

More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:8-11 NASB

No matter how many times you may read the Bible, those same passages will become alive and fresh when God’s Spirit teaches us. It makes them seem almost as if they were recent additions. I realized that I have become slack in my memorization of Scripture. It was time for me to memorize this passage and ponder it over and over. Memorization enables us to be ready to give a defense at any time for what we believe and why we believe it (1 Peter 3:15).

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August 20, 2008 by Administrator.

“Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; His going out is sure as the dawn; He will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.” ~ ESV

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August 6, 2008 by Administrator.

As I was perusing the selection of Bibles, I ran across this one: “Quick Study Bible: Making Bible Study Easy”. The word “quick” really bothered me. Nowhere in Scripture has God recommended that we take a quick break for studying His word. David would spend the day and night meditating on God’s Word (Psalm 1:2; 4:4; 63:6; 77:6). Don’t think that he had more time than us: David was king of a country. Jesus would spend the evenings and early mornings in prayer (Matthew 14:23; Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12). If you have a busy life, make time for the Lord. Don’t try to squeeze Him into a tight schedule so that you can check it off your to-do list.  Personally, I feel the only time that I can spend in quality time with my Savior is before I get going in the morning. It is different for everybody, but make time. Don’t give God a quick break in your busy day.

Think of a plant that says, “You know this photosynthesis thing takes a lot of time. It’s quite a task to get all this done in a day. So Mr. Sunshine, I can give you about 10 minutes of my day and then I’ve got to get working.” It’s absurd! The plant is dependent on the sun for its photosynthesis. As Christians, we are dependent on our time with the Lord and in His Word for our growth. It takes more than a quick peek at the Son to grow.

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July 24, 2008 by Administrator.

“For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. But I am afraid, that as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.” ~ 2 Corinthians 11:2-3 

The last phrase of this passage has been ringing in my mind since Sunday. Perhaps it is better to say that the Lord has burdened it on my heart. Every day I have been pondering this verse. Paul is speaking of false teachers who are out to deceive the church. Yet, the last portion of verse two seems to echo something simple, but so profound. I wanted to know how to be devoted to Christ in this simplicity and purity. My thoughts were pointed to Romans 16:19, which says: 

“For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil.”

Maybe this was God’s way to simply, but purely, follow Him. Maybe I wasn’t having that childlike faith and trust in my Father. Maybe I wasn’t being content to let Him lead the way. How can I be simple to evil, yet wise to good? I also believe the Lord guided my mind to this final verse:

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” ~ Romans 12:2

I believe that God (through these verses) was saying that it was more than time to be renewing my mind deeply in His Word, will, and grace. Its time to be simple towards evil, and wise to what is good. It’s time to simply, purely, and devotedly follow Christ Jesus. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 

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June 20, 2008 by admin.

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior” ~ Isaiah 43:1b-3a

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May 12, 2008 by Administrator.

“More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” NASB

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February 20, 2008 by Administrator.

“Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” ~ Matthew 16:23 

A few weeks ago I was amazed as I read the latter part of this verse. In the past, I always focused on the “get behind me, Satan!” Yet all the while I hadn’t studied the following words.   This verse has really made an impression on me. How often do we as Christians set our minds on our own interests and not God’s. I believe as Christians we can try to honor God, but we are also doing it for our own interests. For example, maybe we serve others while inwardly we are starving for praise. Or maybe we witness in hopes that we will have another number to add to our list of converts. Maybe we desire to teach others the Word of God and try to gratify our pride at the same time. Maybe we long to do mission work where God does not want us to go. Though Peter was being the mouthpiece of Satan, he simply desired that Christ would not suffer and die. Satan wished for Jesus to be swayed by His love and attachment for His disciples. Peter’s wishes were against the will of God. That made him a stumbling block.  

As Christians are we trying to live a life consumed with our own interests, but still attempting to please God at the same time? Can we as Christians please God if we act outside His will and interests? Are we striving to live a life of holiness within the confines of our own interests? I am guilty of this. I seek to bring God glory, but I wish to do so my way. Could my endeavors to honor God while keeping my own interests at the forefront of mind be a stumbling block to others?  It is time to yield. It is time to submit. It is time for God’s interest.

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January 12, 2008 by Administrator.

This post has been kind of hard for me to type out. I’ve known all week that I wanted to go over the topic of gluttony, but it’s been difficult to flesh out. Perhaps it is because I deal with it first-hand in my life. This past Monday I realized that I was a glutton. Most of the things I shouldn’t do excessively, I do. The things I need to do more of, I don’t. I think my whole life I have ignored the fact that gluttony is a sin. I have over-eaten, I have over-slept, I have spent money frivolously, I have worked greedily to earn more, and I have put aside too much time for me. Not only this, but I cannot recall I time I was sorrowful for being gluttonous. I’ve looked back and said, “Man, I shouldn’t have bought all this junk.” I’ve also said, “I shouldn’t have eaten so much.” But was I ever repentant? I can’t say that I ever was. Our culture believes that we cannot have enough of anything: Our houses aren’t big enough, our closets aren’t full enough, our cars aren’t nice enough, our salaries aren’t high enough, our plates aren’t big enough, and our lives just aren’t good enough. As sinners, we crave more of what feeds our flesh, even to the point of gluttony.

The portrait above of Henry VIII is truly the epitome of gluttony. Observe that his clothes, his jewels, his size, and the room in which he stands are all examples of excess. Do we as Christians read the Word of God excessively or pray without ceasing? Or are we greedily desiring the things that Henry VIII flaunts: riches, power, and materialism all inside a palace.

If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. ~ 1 Timothy 6:8

He who keeps the law is a discerning son, but he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father. ~ Proverbs 28:7

A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished. ~ Proverbs 28:20

“A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,” then your poverty will come as a robber and your want like an armed man. ~ Proverbs 24:33-34

For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. ~ Luke 12:12

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January 3, 2008 by Administrator.

“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.” ~  2 Corinthians 12:10 NASB

It’s so amazing how the Lord brings certain passages to your attention as if they were brand new! As I read this verse, I said to myself, “Wow. Can I say that? Can I say that I’m content in the Lord’s strength when things are hard and stressful?” When we are weak and times are rough, we seek out the Lord. I have the tendency to be most happy and content when things are well. But when our surroundings are peaceful, we tend to drift. However, my idea of difficulties and Paul’s description of distress and difficulties are much different. How do my hardships compare to being imprisoned, beaten beyond count, lashed, beat with rods, stoned, shipwrecked three times, and being stranded for a day in the sea? Could I be content in the Lord’s grace and sovereignty if I had to endure what Paul experienced? There is so much to be learned from this verse.

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December 24, 2007 by Administrator.

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.” ~ Psalm 103 NASB 

A few nights ago I read Psalm 103, but really stopped to ponder the first verse. I think often times we overlook verses like these because they are so familiar. Maybe it’s because we have sung them so many times or recited them. Truly, what does it mean to bless the Lord with all your soul? How can we do this? How can we bless the most holy name of our Lord with our very being?  

No doubt the “bless” in this verse is referring to praising or honoring the name of the Lord. How can we bring Him honor with our soul? Perhaps it is the surrendering of our will to the Lord. Maybe our heart’s desire should be to bring Him all the honor and glory leaving none for ourselves. In what ways can we bring His holy name the most glory?

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November 29, 2007 by Administrator.

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

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