Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy New year

I'm so happy to get Christmas behind me. I really am torn because there is so much that goes with the holidays that just gets everything upside down. I've become distracted. Getting up and reading God's word with my wife? gone. Seeking the Holy Spirit earnestly? gone. Desperately seeking God's will? gone. Church services? gone. Sunday School? gone. Choir practice? gone. Sunday night church? gone.

Wow, it really was the Christ of Christmas right? Nope.

I'm really just being transparent because with confession comes healing. I'm not sure I can have distractions of bad weather that shuts down the church, or Christmas/holiday hours that eliminates services and meetings. No, I'm not blaming anyone for wanting to enjoy Christmas with their families. What I'm saying is that I don't know if "I" can handle it as someone who seems to have Jesus A.D.D. disorder. I NEED to have my nose in the Bible seeking God's word. I NEED to be filled with the Holy Spirit and renewed. I NEED God's presence in my life. Without it, I'm just a lifeless corpse. So....

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Out with the old and in with the New.

This New Year my resolution, no my pledge, no my VOW is to stay entrenched in God's word. I vow to seek the Holy Spirit and try to hold on to him like Jacob holding onto the Angel. I vow to cut out the repetitive sin and work on the daily sin earnestly. I vow to keep Christ first in my life no matter what it takes. And if the church ain't open then I'll have to go to one that is, I really can't afford to not. I must constantly knock at Jesus' door.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Weekly Reachout

Hey wonderful folks, I really missed seeing all of you this past Sunday. We will resume the fun this Sunday at the regular time and at the regular spot. I am going to teach the wheat and tares lesson two Sundays from now because I feel that God has a challenge for all of us for the coming year. You are all wonderful servants of the Lord. To be truthful, that is why I push you so hard. I can't wait to dive into the Word together.
Let's not forget that we are meeting at the Branch January 8th for a meal together. Bring your favorite foods and if you can, then stay for the movie. We can't seem to find any formal childcare, but if you want to just come for the meal, please do. I know that this will inconvenience many of you, but I know there are several of you who have older children who may want to just play in the gym or inside on the ping-pong table or pool table. That's fine. You may also be fine with them watching the film. Remember, this movie is not in English. It is Aramaic. This is the language spoken by Jesus. There will be translation at the bottom of the screen, and after a while, it really is not noticeable. Again, if you just want to stop by for the meal, we understand. We will be serving popcorn and soda too. This is just a neat way for all of us to get to know each other. Mingle around before the movie and find out something about the people you go to Sunday school with. There will be a sign-up sheet at the table as you enter the class. Please let us know if you're coming and what you may be bringing.
Amy and I just saw the new Narnia movie. It was a good one. Go support great Christian movies!
Team captains, we need to run some dates by you for the next meal/ meeting. There are several issues that have been brought up lately. Most of these are good problems, but they need to be addressed. Thank you all for everything you are doing to serve Rock Springs church. We will e-mail you soon.
Remember to pick up prayer cards at the greeting table as you walk in the class. Many times this is the only way we know if you have a request. It breaks my heart to see some of you with needs that are placed church-wide that I never knew about. We are never too busy for your needs! God bless you all! Ryan

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Glory In The Highest



Isaiah 53
1 Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by mankind,
a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

4 Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
Yet who of his generation protested?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was punished.
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.

10 Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the LORD makes his life an offering for sin,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
11 After he has suffered,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.

It often pains me to sit down and see the pain and hurt imposed on Jesus during his short life here on Earth. Verse 3 really seems to drive the nails deep. I used to think that somehow if I had been back in the day with Jesus that I would have cheered him and been his friend. Not only is that not true, but it's against prophesy. Even looking at prophesy it's hard to put myself in the people's shoes of spitting in Jesus' face. But what I do on a daily basis is just that. I don't have to imagine going back in time when I have Jesus' fresh body trampled everyday with my sins. I love the Lord so much but I'm fooling myself if I don't think that his sacrifice wasn't for me. We tend to joyfully talk of Jesus' sacrifice and forgiveness of our sins. How everything we do can be made white as snow. Yes, it's true. However, I am anything but joyous at trampling Jesus' body with my sin. I'm ashamed at using Jesus as a washing machine constantly having to come and remove my red sin. I hope that one day soon in Glory I'll be able to shed this sin and look upon the Savior and be able to thank him for his ultimate sacrifice for my redemption.

He's so worthy of our time and praise. As Charity said earlier, we tend to push him first out of our calender. So it pains me to look upon my sin and his suffering for it, but it also is necessary. Our redemption of sins is never free and it does Jesus a great injustice to say it was and is. For it's by looking at the price that we recognize the magnitude of praise and honor due to our Savior. This isn't a Christmas post per say, but one to get our hearts right and set on what Christmas is and why it's important and get our eyes back to our Savior Jesus.

Sunday audio





If you click above it will play but I don't see any player controls so the only way to stop it is refresh the page. Sorry folks but I'll work on it.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

He Is Worthy

If you are at all like me, your schedule this Christmas season is packed full with people to see, places to go, parties to attend. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas we choose to "make" time for those friends and family members that we have neglected throughout the year. We force our schedules to hold MORE every year!!

But you know who gets the boot in my life? Christ.

Not feeling 100%, God won't mind if I sleep in today.
What about eating with relatives? Do we still pray? No, just dive into the grub.
Traffic, frantic people, pushy people? My patience leaves me.
So-and-so bought me a gift, I HAVE to get her a gift.
We get a card from so-and-so, we need to send them a card!

This is ridiculous!!

God is still God!
Jesus is still the savior of the world!
The Bible STILL has all the answers!
And our God is worthy!!

Stop what you are doing right now and tell Him He is the worthy God. Thank Him for your friends and family. Praise Him for your new life in Him!!

If we will not TAKE the time for God, He will MAKE you slow down and give Him His due place in our lives.

Merry Christmas all, just had to write this today.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

MY REDEEMER LIVES - NICOLE C MULLEN VIDEO WITH LYRICS

Weekly reachout 12/14


Hey my Christmas loving friends,

    I just finished making banana pudding from a recipe that the Gates gave us. Maryana and I put a dish together that would make the food network drool;) I am going to enjoy a bite or two in the morning before leaving for work. This time of year seems to bring out the joy of eating. Well, we better do what we can. The 21 day fast is fast approaching. I hope that many of us will take this time seriously and seek the face of God. I know, that being said after joking about eating. The truth of it is that fasting is one of the most powerful things you can do.
    Guys, we had a great time caroling Sunday. We walked up and down the halls of the nursing home singing and handing out Christmas cards. This was quite the "out of the box" experience for me. It ended up being very moving for all of us. Thanks Lisa Jones for the idea. Thanks Mickey for the cards.
    Folks, don't forget our plan for January 8th. Bring your favorite dishes to eat that night and afterward we will watch the Passion of Christ. Bring friends . Tell them to load up the grub and come along. It would be a great time to introduce someone to the class.
    This Sunday will be the last Sunday to bring presents for the Navajo children and the family that we are sponsoring. Amy and I know that many of you are suffering so much financially. It will be our prayer that you can overcome this horrible economy and get back on track soon.  It amazes us just how bad it is for our friends and loved ones.
    I hope you will all come and see the choir perform this weekend. It will be a blast. Come hear them lift the name of Jesus. There are many of our folks involved. Band members, singers, orchestra, ensemble, and actors are all well represented by some of the folks you sleep beside in class . We love you all so much!      Ryan

Righteous

2 Peter 2: 4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment; 5 if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; 6 if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; 7and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless8 (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)— 9 if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. 10 This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority. and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless. Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings; 11 yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not heap abuse on such beings when bringing judgment on them from the Lord. 12 But these people blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like unreasoning animals, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like animals they too will perish.

13 They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you. 14 With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed—an accursed brood! 15 They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness. 16 But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey—an animal without speech—who spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.

17 These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. 18 For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. 19They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.” 20 If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 21 It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. 22 Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.”

James 1:21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.


Ok, so last night I was taking a shower and God gave me something. He told me to study Noah and his righteousness. And at the same time he also said that Mary was an example too. So I thought I'd write a little about righteousness living.

In the days of Noah the people were even worse than they are today. In fact, the people were pretty much all evil. Except Noah. God was disgusted at mankind for their acts and debauchery. So disgusted that he decided to wipe everyone out. Everyone except Noah. Why? Because Noah had made an impression on God's heart and found favor with God. Those were days long before the written law, but God had still implanted the law in their hearts. The only man to follow was Noah. I don't know if Noah's family was righteous or not, but what mattered to God was that Noah was the household because he was the man and therefore everyone in his household would be considered saved because of his righteousness. So in the middle of the world's raunchiness stood Noah who did what was right in the Lord's eyes.

Now I want to look at Mary. There isn't a lot before the angel came that we know about Mary, but you do know that she found favor with God so therefore must have been truly righteous in her living.

Luke 1:28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.

So again, Mary made an impression on God and found favor with Him. In turn, she was entrusted to be the mother of Jesus.

So now with Jesus coming and dying and rising again we hear the good news. Jesus Christ can come and redeem you and wash your scarlet sins white as snow. And it's so very true. There isn't a sin big enough that Christ's blood can't cover it. If you truly repent. So with Christ in our hearts, truly in our hearts there we are out in a sinful world. I really don't know about other people but it's hard to keep Christ centered in my heart. What happens is life. Maybe it's the kids acting bad or your spouse in a bad mood, maybe it's just a car that cuts you off or being late for work and getting behind the handicapped old lady who's driving line to line going 10 mph under the speed limit. But my heart seems to be like a sieve. So I'll put Christ there and yet by the end of the day I'll barely remember him. What helps you remember him?

Righteousness and prayer.

Ephesians 6: 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people

The breastplate of righteousness. So why is righteousness so important? Because it covers our heart. We are to ask Christ to come and live in our heart. So by living a righteous life we are protecting Christ in our heart. Please keep in mind that it's not one thing but a multitude of things you must do constantly to keep Christ in your heart. But honestly, you can't really say a prayer while doing sin and evilness. You can't be in God's word while cavorting around. The Holy Spirit convicts us to righteous living because it's only through this that we can keep the Lord in our hearts. It's our devotion to God that is pleasing to him.

So what do we do with this? We've got to clean house. We've got to clean up our living. Do we truly want Christ in our hearts? I mean REALLY want him to occupy us? I'm not talking about temporarily for a season, but eternally. I honestly think the word says that without Christ in our hearts we won't be saved. So to me it's eternally important. If we want a close brotherly relationship with Christ we HAVE to live and commit to a righteous life. There is no other way to remain close to him. Don't think that you'll live however you want and still keep Christ in your heart and have a relationship with him because it can't happen that way. If so there wouldn't be any need for righteousness. Jesus isn't a get out of jail card. For if you don't have him in your heart and you find yourself in jail, he won't accept the charges on your one phone call. If you haven't read my disturbing post below please do.

Please understand that I'm not talking about a sinless life. I'm talking about a commitment to a sinless life. I mean to sit down and say your vows to the Lord. Actually commit to him and his word. Commit to his life which is much more than 10 commandments. This is why the law doesn't apply to true believers because there is no use for it because we are to be ABOVE that. Ask that the Holy Spirit come and fill you so there is no room for evil. Ask that he be renewed daily in your life or even hourly if need be. Commit to him and pledge your life. Pray and set yourself apart from the world. When you fail, it's not the end, rededicate and recommit. Try harder. Pray harder. Recognize the pitfalls and try to help your brother's in Christ so that they may not fall in the same hole as you. Realize it won't be easy. Great relationships never are. One day I want to be there in judgement in front of God and to be able to look at my closest friend Jesus who can say... Well done my good and faithful servant God has found favor with you. So in the end... it's not righteousness that gets you to Heaven, but it's righteousness that keeps Jesus in your heart that gets you to Heaven.


Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Glo

http://www.bibleglo.com/aninteractivebible/

Have you guys seen the Glo Bible? It's an interactive multimedia tool. I saw it in the stores a few months ago, but never thought about checking it out. It is truly amazing.

Doc, I noticed you mentioned "one click too far" in a previous post. Which Bible software do you like?

Disturbing

I do so wish I could see the easiness of God that the worldly church wants us to see. When I read the bible it leaves me disturbed. I'm going to edit this up today with verses but just wanted to post a little here before I start my day. It doesn't disturb me because I'm worried for myself or family or anything like that. It disturbs me because it teaches a much, much harder way to heaven than what I've seen in the church. It disturbs me because in everything I read about God's holiness and love it's a fatherly love and I know how stern a father can be in love. More in a bit....

Luke 6:46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

Matthew 7:
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

John 3:
35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

John 9:
31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will.

2Corinthians 5:
14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:a]">[a] The old has gone, the new is here!

Romans 8:
7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives lifed]">[d] because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because ofe]">[e] his Spirit who lives in you.

12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

1 Corinthians 6:9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with mena]">[a] 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Revelation 3:15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

Ephesians 5: 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.a]">[a] 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.

Ok, so wow those are a lot of verses. It's but a very small selection of disturbing verses. Time after time God warns us about going to hell. Sometimes it's a gentle warning and others are pointed. This leads me to a gross discovery. How many 'Saved' people are putting this in practice? Why not? If not, then are they truly saved? I can already hear the thoughts... Judge not, and who knows what a man's heart truly is. Please understand that I'm not judging. God is. Who cares what idiot Doc thinks.

Christ himself even says 13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Are we to think that it doesn't really matter what we do? What we say? How we act? Do we HONESTLY think that just because we say a prayer and are repentant that second that for eternity we'll be cool with God? The human wordly part of me wants to think so because that would be so easy. For one second of your life you could have a come to Jesus moment and after that who cares. If so then how do we deal with this?

John 8:11 “No one, sir,” she said.

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

Or as I have it memorized... Go and sin no more. We humans look at this and think... how can we not ever sin again. But I really think that Jesus wants us to go and sin no more. I think this means living a life constantly close with the Holy Spirit. When we do sin it will be such that we're convicted and seeking forgiveness immediately.

So if Jesus and the rest of the Biblical Prophets and God have warned us about how hard it is to get into Heaven then why do we think it's so easy? Why do we think that when we die everything will be alright as long as we at one time in a moment got it right with God? I think it has to do more with the world's view than God's. The world wants to tell you that now that Jesus came that his grace enables you to live how you want. That as long as you do this or do that for one second you're covered. Or better yet, as long as you can drag yourself into the church doors and sing a few songs once a week, you're cool.

Unfortunately we're not judged by what the world believes. God has put it all out for us and it's not really up for debate. His judgment will be swift and severe to most people. We would do ourselves quite a favor to heed his word and take it for what it says. Instead of once saved always saved we should be saying if you don't act saved it's because you aren't. It's not a judgment it's a warning. We as a church and as Christians should be very weary of proclaiming someone saved. Salvation is not reached just because the preacher declares it. It's not a one and done either. It's a true heart change that yes, only God knows. You will not fool God and that's all that matters anyway. Yes, Jesus' grace is more than sufficient for our sins. However HE is the one who determines who he gives grace to, not us. We must insure we know him and he knows us. The only way he will know us is by a relationship with him and the only way we can have relational status is by following his commands. Holy cannot be mixed with unholy.

This is disturbing because we like to think that if we can just get aunt Sally or uncle Leroy to church just once and somehow fool them into accepting Christ as their Savior then they're in the clear. The problem is that people who do this and never again open their Bible or even visit church again are not saved according to the Bible. I don't like this because it's so much easier to believe that if I could just get so and so to church then everything will be great. It's not and we're doing people a great disservice to tell them that it's ok. I realize we can't know the heart and not know so why then would we even make a proclamation? I realize that we put the word "IF" in everything we do, but still to me it's just false assurance.

We need to quit trying to play the edges of salvation and get to a real relationship. Unfortunately we as humans always look for an angle. We have no idea at what point a salvation is a salvation and how much of a sinful life isn't considered a walk. But God does. How can we say we're not lukewarm if we aren't constantly striving for his word and actions?

Joel 2:32 And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved;...

Acts 2:21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

I included this because I think it's where people pretty much hang their hat. Everyone who calls...Saved! We tend to think of this as a one off. It's not. See, everything Jesus or any of the Prophets taught had to do with present tense. It doesn't say everyone who has called, it says calls. Our Christian life must be in the present tense. Actively perusing Jesus. Constantly seeking his word. Sincerely trying to live a holy life. Practicing God's love and Christ's forgiveness. See, it's all action we need to be in the process of doing. I think when Christ spits out the lukewarm church it's going to be the people who once called his name and yet don't anymore for whatever reason. So how do you know that you are saved? It's not because of a prayer once said but of prayers constantly said. Not because of a one time repentance but a life of repentance and attempt at living a holy life. Not because of who you knew, but it's because of who you KNOW! That's why we continue through the sanctification process. It's a constant growing with Christ. I know this is a hot topic but I just HAD to share what God is telling me when I read these scriptures. No, I'm not trying to start a war with our church or anyone else. However we must always remember that the true message of salvation is one that got many people killed and tortured. People never want to hear that the way is truly narrow or that they can't live how they want. Nor am I judging anyone because it really is only God who knows their heart. In the end that's all that matters.

Again, God's word is disturbing because I really, really, really wish it was the opposite and wide was the gate to Heaven. I wish it for everyone I love that's living now but without Christ in their heart. I wish it for everyone I have loved who passed without the love of Jesus in their hearts. But wishes aren't truth. God's word is truth.


Monday, December 13, 2010

Demons

Matthew 12:43 “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.

This was Pastor Benny's message last night. What an awesome message about being filled with the Holy Spirit. This morning I couldn't keep from thinking about this verse and I think I connected something pretty cool. One of Benny's points was that demons seem to like land and dry hot places. And that they receive no rest until back into a host. So all at once I thought of something.

Las Vegas is dubbed 'Sin City' and it's literally a city in the desert. Imagine that. Demons love dry and hot places and we in America have a place in the desert named Sin City. Here I was wanting to visit it. Not really for gambling because I'm not into that. Not for the sexual playground because I'm happily married and honestly that kind of trash just isn't appealing in the least. What I always wanted to do was go to Hoover Dam AND just see the glitz and shows. Now, I think I'll just pass. Seriously.

Where's the line to see Jesus?

As I sat at my computer this morning, creating a personalized video from Santa to my kids, I wondered...where's the personalized video from Jesus? The Santa video talks about what the child has done well this year, what they should keep working on, and lets them know that Santa is watching and expects them to be good. http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/prepare-a-message I began to think about searching for a similar website that would let me create that kind of video, but from Jesus. Then it was 8:30, time for Monday morning office devotions. I love this privilege, so I happily left my Santa videos alone.

In God's divine wisdom, and humor, the message was based on a song called "Where's the line to see Jesus?" by Becky Kelley. The background is that a little boy was at the mall with his mom. After noticing the long line to see Santa, he asked about where he could find the line to see Jesus. This is so profound. In this commercial culture, I pray that we can keep the focus on Jesus enough so that our children will know where to find Jesus...in any situation, at anytime of year. 


Friday, December 10, 2010

Freedom- Indiana Bible College IBC



Go ahead... watch this and try not to get up and dance! We've been set free so why the heck wouldn't we want to praise him?

Wow

Galatians 1: 10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

We always have to examine what we're doing and why. I was doing up a study of 2COR and ended up going one click to far into Galatians and there was this verse staring me in the face. I've obviously read it before but this is my first time READING it. God's way is incredibly hard and usually pretty lonely. We tend to think that success means a large group or gathering. And it's true that God's word will never return void AND that people are desperate for it. Therefore, sometimes there will be a gathering when you are truly speaking the Gospel of Christ. Where we fall into trouble is when we start thinking.... how are we going to keep these people? We'll start to take the edge off God's word thinking that it's necessary. Unfortunately this verse really hammers this home that it's the wrong thing to do.

No, I'm not picking on Ryan or Pastor Benny or any other large group pastor/teacher. But I can tell you this, I can guarantee it's something they've faced and often at that. I pray that God's word has a free course to travel in our lives. I pray that the Holy Spirit come down and fall in our lives to keep us energized for Christ and to depend on Him and not man.

Responsibility

2Corinthians 13:2 I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent: On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others, 3 since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. 4 For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him in our dealing with you.

5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? 6 And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. 7 Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored. 10 This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.

11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

As followers in Christ we have a responsibility to test ourselves regarding our faith. So many times we get renewed and on fire only to end up used and cold. As Christians we need to make sure that we are walking the walk and reading the word. We MUST do this even when the fire seems cold and long gone.
Like I posted the other day from psalm 116 about fulfilling your vows to the Lord. After all, Christ will marry the church in the end. Have you gotten your vows in order for him? Have you decided that no matter how you feel you'll continue reading his word and praying for renewal? Have you vowed to the Lord that you will quit habitually sinning? Maybe it's time for us to get our vows in order and make a commitment to our Savior.
Verse 9 talks about being fully restored. I ask that Christ fully restore me from my sinful life. I ask that he forgives me and washes my sin white as snow. I must admit, I'm a pretty poor bride. My vows were first made on the easiest of terms and yet I still lapsed again and again. Like a dog returning back to his vomit, there I was. I vow something different now. Something on purpose and sacrificial. Something to honor my Lord and Savior. He's so worth it. And I am so not, but I want to do everything I possibly can do to be holy and live a righteous life and not trample on the cross. I want to be at the foot of the cross on my knees and not out laughing and casting lots for his garments. I want to be with him in the garden praying and not a Judas betraying him with my kiss. I VOW TO MAKE HIM LORD OF MY LIFE.


Thursday, December 9, 2010

Pray

Good Morning!! Here I sit at my computer, writing about Isaiah and I had to turn the course mid writing!! Perhaps Isaiah is for another day :-)

I must encourage you to pray before you read the Word of God. Every time I pray before we read God's Word, I always learn something!! From this mornings readings I walked away with two really neat truths. However, I think it is so important to ask God to show up in your Bible time!

Before you begin, pray and ask God to show you something new and fresh, something that applies to you in your life, and your walk.

God can give you an answer to a sought after question, a peace or comfort that may be missing in your life.

Whatever you need today, God has it for you.

In James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

God is faithful and true. God does not want us wondering through life without direction or hope!

Isaiah 55:11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

The Word of God is a book of promises, warning signs and stop signs. We need to dive in with expectations, asking for wisdom, direction, discernment. Whatever we are lacking God is ready to show us the answer!

Pray for God to show you something new today!!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

God's deliverance

So there I was wondering what I would write on today regarding God. What I'm trying to do in my studying is take what Ryan taught on and just expand it throughout my week. Honestly, I'm just writing these things not really for people to read as much as to get it out on paper so God can speak to me. It's really helped me a lot to type it all out because I have such a short memory and it helps me to study God's word. If you've never tried studying and seeking God like this, I invite you to start posting and just see where it takes you. I think you'll be surprised at the words God gives you everyday that just get lost in your mind without getting recorded.

What I've found is that when focusing on the majesty of God you've got to read much more than one verse. Many times it's multiple chapters to get the full effect of God. When I put a verse out it's usually for reference, but it's always good to go back and read where it's coming from out of the chapter. When looking at something as grand as God's deliverance it's not neat and tidy in a few verses. Some of these span different books and chapters and many years. So if it's the same chapter there may be different verses that I'll skip just to compress it for viewing. Please click the links to take you to the whole chapter so you can get a context.

So I open my Bible gateway site which you can click on the name to see. So many times God just knows where to send me. I clicked on 2Kings 19 and as I was clicking on that wondered where this was going to go and how I would relate this to God's awesomeness. The heading said... Jerusalem's deliverance foretold. And as I read I realized how God is always true. When God say's he is going to do something then it's going to happen. Maybe not on our time, but it's as certain as the sun he brings up every morning. So here's the text.

2Kings 19: 9 Now Sennacherib received a report that Tirhakah, the king of Cush,a]">[a] was marching out to fight against him. So he again sent messengers to Hezekiah with this word: 10 “Say to Hezekiah king of Judah: Do not let the god you depend on deceive you when he says, ‘Jerusalem will not be given into the hands of the king of Assyria.’ 11 Surely you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the countries, destroying them completely. And will you be delivered? 12 Did the gods of the nations that were destroyed by my predecessors deliver them—the gods of Gozan, Harran, Rezeph and the people of Eden who were in Tel Assar? 13 Where is the king of Hamath or the king of Arpad? Where are the kings of Lair, Sepharvaim, Hena and Ivvah?”

Hezekiah’s Prayer
14 Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD. 15 And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD: “LORD, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. 16 Give ear, LORD, and hear; open your eyes, LORD, and see; listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to ridicule the living God.

17 “It is true, LORD, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste these nations and their lands. 18 They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by human hands. 19 Now, LORD our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, LORD, are God.”

35 That night the angel of the LORD went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next morning—there were all the dead bodies! 36 So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there.

37 One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisrok, his sons Adrammelek and Sharezer killed him with the sword, and they escaped to the land of Ararat. And Esarhaddon his son succeeded him as king.

Ok, so I'm a guy who loves reading about God kicking some blaspheming butt. So here was the King of Assyria and his commander taunting king Hezekiah. They were telling him that God couldn't save Jerusalem. What really stands out to me is that King Hezekiah didn't strut around and brag about how God would protect them. He got in sackcloth and ashes and brought it before the Lord. The results was deliverance from the King of Assyria AND his death.

1Samuel 17: 41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!”

45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.

So here is Israel once again in trouble. Philistines taunting. Goliath blaspheming God. How quickly the tables are turned once God puts it in his heart to deliver. One thing that seems to happen again and again is that cries are going up to God begging for deliverance. Sometimes God sends an angel, sometimes confusion, and other times just a ruddy looking boy.

Exodus 2: 23 During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. 24 God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. 25 So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them.

Now this IS the classical reference of deliverance. When you read these verses it would appear that God had forgotten his people and his promise. It would SEEM that way, but how would that explain Moses and how God had saved him and raised him in the palace so that he would be able to have meetings with Pharaoh. No, God had planned this deliverance. He had brought his people to such a place so they would cry out to him and beg for his hand of deliverance. It was a long road and one that only 2 people who left Egypt would see, but God delivered Israel out of the hand of the Egyptians AND fulfilled his promise to Abraham.

Joshua 5: 9 Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” So the place has been called Gilgalc]">[c] to this day.

10 On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated the Passover. 11 The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain. 12 The manna stopped the day afterd]">[d] they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate the produce of Canaan.

So... All that just establishes God's faithfulness. God's truth goes right back to his holiness. Many times in David's life he was delivered by the grace of God. From Goliath to Saul to his sons' mutiny. Even from his adultery with Bathsheba.

Psalm 116

1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
2 Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.

3 The cords of death entangled me,
the anguish of the grave came over me;
I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
4 Then I called on the name of the LORD:
“LORD, save me!”

5 The LORD is gracious and righteous;
our God is full of compassion.
6 The LORD protects the unwary;
when I was brought low, he saved me.

7 Return to your rest, my soul,
for the LORD has been good to you.

12 What shall I return to the LORD
for all his goodness to me?

13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the LORD.
14 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people.

For everything God did in David's life, he pledged his life to God. What gratefulness. If only we could recognize God's work in saving us from ourselves time and time again. If only we could offer a small token and sacrifice our sinful life as a testimony of God's greatness. There is one last deliverance and it's the most important.

1Corinthians 15: 50 I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”h]">[h]

55 “Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”i]">[i]

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.


If it's one thing we all are aware of it's that we're going to die. Every day we see it in the mirror. Ever look in the mirror and get surprised at the old person looking back at you? There is no denying it. We are as dead as fried chicken. When you start looking at God's holiness you can't help but see how unholy man is. WE ARE SIN! Without God's deliverance there is no life beyond death. Without God's deliverance there is nothing but damnation for us. But here's where it gets good.

57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Thanks be to God indeed! God not only can give us deliverance from the difficult times in our lives, but through Jesus Christ gives us deliverance over death, hell, and the grave. Lord I accept your spiritual deliverance. I know that God sent his son as atonement for my sins. I rest assured in this fact, and like David I will fulfill my vows to God as a simple token of my appreciation. I will continue to give him my all in seeking his word and will in my life.