This past Sunday evening, we all came together as a family to witness my son-in-law, Ollie, having given his heart to Christ, become obedient to Him in baptism along with several others from Reveal Church. It was a wonderful experience and testimony to God for the love He has placed in the heart of these new believers.
Today it made me think of 2 Timothy 1:7-9 and it says, "For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me His prisoner; but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity."
Perfect scripture passage for those who, unashamedly, were "dunked" under the water, coming up having the Holy Spirit of God already living in their hearts. I kept looking at the word "ashamed" with amazement. This was the Apostle Paul, instructing Timothy, with his own congregation, to shun timidity for strength and boldly declare the Word and Truth of God's gospel.
And I was there to snap a photo of my son-in-law, as Pastor Marty pulled him up out of the water. What a proud moment that was to see such a good-looking, strapping young man, not ashamed to be vulnerable to the crowds of people as he submitted himself the the authority of God through the ordinance of baptism.
I am very proud of you, Ollie.
Dave
Crazy Papa
I'll make 'um an offer
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
My Cancer Testimony
It Is What It Is...Now Whut?
INTRODUCTION
"Mr. Stallings...you have Stage 4, Non-Hodgkin's Follicular Lymphoma. Could you put that in layman's terms for me, please? "You have cancer". "I have what?" Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma is cancer of the blood. It is a family member of Leukemia. Well, Now What? Diagnosed at age 54.
BACKGROUND
For several years now, I have experienced extreme difficulties with my back due to an original accident back in 1989 when an apartment stair step "crumbled" out from under me as I was descending down the staircase headed toward the mailbox. The fall created a "herniated disk" in 4 different levels of my back. After the first and second surgeries, I regained my stamina and went back into the work force ready to take on the world. Little understanding that the disk in my low back was bulging and just waiting for the right time to "blow" and send me reeling in pain. Finally, during a Trade Show with the company I represented, as I was putting my booth back into the car (in Vancouver, B.C.) I felt the strangest pain and actually heard the disk "pop" so to speak. I spent the night in British Columbia, drove back to Seattle the next morning and caught a plane that afternoon for Phoenix and the following day spent an afternoon with our Chiropractor getting an earful of what could possibly be wrong.
As it turns out, it was treated conservatively for a year and a half, when finally on Christmas Eve 2002 it started to protrude out against my spine causing severe "shooting" pain down the back of my left leg. I required immediate surgery to repair the problem. Within 2 weeks of that surgery, we found out that the incision became infected with a Staph infection which required another emergency surgery to clean out the infection and 3 weeks of intravenous antibiotic medications at home. Another 2 years of recovery from those surgeries and with no improvement, it was determined that my doctor would implant a 3" Titanium (steel) Cage in my lower back at the L5-S1 area to eventually become covered with bone and be an artificial "Fusion" in my low back.
HIDDEN BECOMES EXPOSED
Well that surgery did not go well as I experienced a reaction to the anesthesia and had a lung collapse which required a special kind of CT scan. This is where I see God's involvement in the entire situation. This scan revealed a swelling of some of my Lymph nodes which my Pulmonary doctor felt was a reaction from the anesthesia and the swelling would go away within a couple of months.
A couple of "anxious" months would go by and the scan would be repeated once again. This time the doctor did not have the previous films to compare and felt that the swelling had gone down; all was "on the mend" so to speak. About 5 days later I received a call from the doctor himself stating that the radiologist had contacted him and informed him that the lymph nodes had actually increased in size and quantity. So naturally another, more "High Tech" test was done which finally reached a clear understanding of what it was. Yes, you guessed it. IT WAS CANCER. It is called Stage 4, Grade 3 indolent Follicular Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma or cancer of the lymph nodes and it had spread throughout my body. All they could say is that there was A LOT of it. A bone marrow biopsy was done and it was determined that it had already spread to the bone marrow too.
It was explained to me that there were two kinds of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma; Aggressive and Indolent. The Aggressive form of lymphoma is curable over time; however the indolent form is not. Wouldn't you know it? I have the indolent form of Lymphoma.
COMMUNICATING WITH THE FAMILY
Now, if you have been one of those who have followed my treatment then you know that I have turned all of these difficulties over to God to allow Him to be the driver for the rest of my life. I sat down with my family and made sure that they all understood the consequences of this cancer and let them know that I was "good" with it. I have a strong faith in God, and knowing that "none of us will make it out alive" (which was my reasoning with my children), my ultimate goal in this life is to "get" to my eternal life and meet Jesus Christ face to face, as He welcomes me to my mansion that He has been preparing for me (John 14: 1-4).
TREATMENT PLAN
I was immediately scheduled to visit with an oncologist whose name was Dr. Linda Benaderet, who tried to explain the disease to me and my family and set out to plan my treatment. First they implanted a "PortaCath", into my chest, which would prevent them from needing to continually insert an IV for chemotherapy. This was actually a blessing as I had been poked and prodded all over the arms during the difficult back surgeries and I just didn't have any good veins left.
After several blood tests, CT Scans, and a Bone Marrow Biopsy, it was determined that the best course of treatment would be a harsh chemotherapy treatment called CHOP w/Rituxan. I would receive this treatment one day every third week with a shot of Neulasta (a white blood count booster) to follow the next day. This would go on for 6 months, some new photos developed and we would see where we were at that point. Very simple to understand, most difficult to deal with. I was admitted to the hospital with complications for all 5 treatments. In fact, I reacted so poorly to the therapy that they did not even attempt the 6th treatment. My blood counts so low that I was having a difficult time sustaining life. Over the course of the treatment I required 6 or 8 pints of whole blood and 2 or 4 pints of platelets to help bring my blood count back to somewhat normal. There were a few times when it was "touch & go" and we all knew it, but we kept looking toward God, as the sustainer of life and He was there "All the Time". My treatment continues. I have since received one and one half years of "maintenance" therapy support of chemo using a relatively new drug, Rituxan. Tomorrow morning I start the last month of the 2 year maintenance program. This treatment will be one day a week for 4 weeks. After that, we wait. That is the protocol. With Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma you have the treatment and then you wait for it to re-appear. And naturally, this is what my doctor has assured me of; that it will re-appear. His expert opinion is that this will take place within approximately 3 years of the original diagnosis which, according to his pocket watch, should be sometime in the middle of 2008.
MY FAITH STATEMENT
We recently finished our 4th "Light the Night" walk for Leukemia and Lymphoma fund raising event and even though it was an encouraging event, (the 3rd walk I was unable to finish), there were some speakers that seemed to be "settled" on statistics. They would keep announcing to the crowd that "every 5 minutes someone is diagnosed with a "Blood Cancer" and every 10 minutes someone loses that battle. I, on the other hand, do not leave the destiny of my soul in the hands of those who "tout" such statistics. Though the statistics may create a history on which to base study, it does not, in any way, limit our most powerful God from changing the course of "our" history. He is the One in whom I place my trust.
This attitude has actually created a mission field that I never thought I would experience. God has put me in front of people who may never have heard the Gospel of Christ any other way. One entire hospital floor (4th Floor Cancer Ward) at John C. Lincoln, know of my plight and know about my will. They are very happy and excited about the help I can be to their patients as they experience this "life threatening" disease. Jesus said in Luke 22:31, 32... "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." There was a time in our lives when we used this scripture and especially the word "sift" changing it to CIFT (Christians In Fellowship Together) for the purpose of ministering to people in need. Little did we know how VERY important this passage of scripture would eventually be for Barbara and I. Today, I consider myself "turned" and it is my turn to minister to those who need a healing and helping touch from God. Barb and I dedicate our lives to this end. I am not, by any stretch of the imagination, a super spiritual person. In fact, I have my own "down time" during the process, however, I do know and believe that my fate lay firmly, in the hands of God and I have no intention of giving it to another.
To bring this story to its "temporary" close, just let me say that this story is the reason that this blog, “What Dave Thinks” exists and the reason that "It Is What It Is...Now whut?" ministry was birthed. My wife and I will continue this ministry until either the Lord returns or I can no longer help with the ministry.
Finally, I THANK GOD FOR THIS CANCER. I know this sounds really "crazy" but over 30 years of ministry have gone by in my life and I have never had a greater mission field that is surely "ripe" for harvest. I have had the opportunity to share not only my story but more importantly, my faith in Christ which has literally "stunned" most people I have been able to share with. I have prayed with people who fear for their very life and now experience a peace they never understood before. Psalm 84 tells us that "when we go through the "Valley of Sorrow" to dig a well, because someone else will travel down that path sometime in the future and they will need a cool drink of water (paraphrased). I truly believe that anything and everything that Satan means for evil, God uses for good in our lives. And naturally, it is up to us to recognize this good in our lives. I believe I have recognized it. My hope is that my story will have a positive spiritual effect on everyone whose path I cross until the Lord takes me home.
You can learn more about Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Leukemia at www.leukemia.org. Please take the time to look at my blog and come back often because God prompts me to write often. I recently received an invitation from a group called “Rest Ministries” to share my devotions and they are reaching a multitude of people who are sick and hurting with their testimonies and their words of comfort. We thank God first and you as well for your continued prayer support as we continue our ministry. We continue to support and walk with the Lymphoma & Leukemia organization each year. The walk coming up this fall will be the 4th year we have been involved.
It has been 4 years and 10 month since being diagnosed and the treatment for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma is currently stopped and my body seems to be reacting somewhat normal and I continue to function within my safe limits. Some new developments have come along in those 4+ years but with every "squeaky wheel, comes some much needed TLC". A lot more attention has been placed on my blood cells and the lack of blood production in my bone marrow requiring almost bi-monthly blood transfusions and yet God continues to show His grace and love to me and Barb. Some days are not as good as others however; I believe that this is to be expected. With a blood cancer, it naturally travels it's way throughout the body and anything can and mostly will happen. "It Is What It Is...Now Whut?"
God's absolute best for your life,
We love you,
Dave & Barb Stallings
INTRODUCTION
"Mr. Stallings...you have Stage 4, Non-Hodgkin's Follicular Lymphoma. Could you put that in layman's terms for me, please? "You have cancer". "I have what?" Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma is cancer of the blood. It is a family member of Leukemia. Well, Now What? Diagnosed at age 54.
BACKGROUND
For several years now, I have experienced extreme difficulties with my back due to an original accident back in 1989 when an apartment stair step "crumbled" out from under me as I was descending down the staircase headed toward the mailbox. The fall created a "herniated disk" in 4 different levels of my back. After the first and second surgeries, I regained my stamina and went back into the work force ready to take on the world. Little understanding that the disk in my low back was bulging and just waiting for the right time to "blow" and send me reeling in pain. Finally, during a Trade Show with the company I represented, as I was putting my booth back into the car (in Vancouver, B.C.) I felt the strangest pain and actually heard the disk "pop" so to speak. I spent the night in British Columbia, drove back to Seattle the next morning and caught a plane that afternoon for Phoenix and the following day spent an afternoon with our Chiropractor getting an earful of what could possibly be wrong.
As it turns out, it was treated conservatively for a year and a half, when finally on Christmas Eve 2002 it started to protrude out against my spine causing severe "shooting" pain down the back of my left leg. I required immediate surgery to repair the problem. Within 2 weeks of that surgery, we found out that the incision became infected with a Staph infection which required another emergency surgery to clean out the infection and 3 weeks of intravenous antibiotic medications at home. Another 2 years of recovery from those surgeries and with no improvement, it was determined that my doctor would implant a 3" Titanium (steel) Cage in my lower back at the L5-S1 area to eventually become covered with bone and be an artificial "Fusion" in my low back.
HIDDEN BECOMES EXPOSED
Well that surgery did not go well as I experienced a reaction to the anesthesia and had a lung collapse which required a special kind of CT scan. This is where I see God's involvement in the entire situation. This scan revealed a swelling of some of my Lymph nodes which my Pulmonary doctor felt was a reaction from the anesthesia and the swelling would go away within a couple of months.
A couple of "anxious" months would go by and the scan would be repeated once again. This time the doctor did not have the previous films to compare and felt that the swelling had gone down; all was "on the mend" so to speak. About 5 days later I received a call from the doctor himself stating that the radiologist had contacted him and informed him that the lymph nodes had actually increased in size and quantity. So naturally another, more "High Tech" test was done which finally reached a clear understanding of what it was. Yes, you guessed it. IT WAS CANCER. It is called Stage 4, Grade 3 indolent Follicular Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma or cancer of the lymph nodes and it had spread throughout my body. All they could say is that there was A LOT of it. A bone marrow biopsy was done and it was determined that it had already spread to the bone marrow too.
It was explained to me that there were two kinds of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma; Aggressive and Indolent. The Aggressive form of lymphoma is curable over time; however the indolent form is not. Wouldn't you know it? I have the indolent form of Lymphoma.
COMMUNICATING WITH THE FAMILY
Now, if you have been one of those who have followed my treatment then you know that I have turned all of these difficulties over to God to allow Him to be the driver for the rest of my life. I sat down with my family and made sure that they all understood the consequences of this cancer and let them know that I was "good" with it. I have a strong faith in God, and knowing that "none of us will make it out alive" (which was my reasoning with my children), my ultimate goal in this life is to "get" to my eternal life and meet Jesus Christ face to face, as He welcomes me to my mansion that He has been preparing for me (John 14: 1-4).
TREATMENT PLAN
I was immediately scheduled to visit with an oncologist whose name was Dr. Linda Benaderet, who tried to explain the disease to me and my family and set out to plan my treatment. First they implanted a "PortaCath", into my chest, which would prevent them from needing to continually insert an IV for chemotherapy. This was actually a blessing as I had been poked and prodded all over the arms during the difficult back surgeries and I just didn't have any good veins left.
After several blood tests, CT Scans, and a Bone Marrow Biopsy, it was determined that the best course of treatment would be a harsh chemotherapy treatment called CHOP w/Rituxan. I would receive this treatment one day every third week with a shot of Neulasta (a white blood count booster) to follow the next day. This would go on for 6 months, some new photos developed and we would see where we were at that point. Very simple to understand, most difficult to deal with. I was admitted to the hospital with complications for all 5 treatments. In fact, I reacted so poorly to the therapy that they did not even attempt the 6th treatment. My blood counts so low that I was having a difficult time sustaining life. Over the course of the treatment I required 6 or 8 pints of whole blood and 2 or 4 pints of platelets to help bring my blood count back to somewhat normal. There were a few times when it was "touch & go" and we all knew it, but we kept looking toward God, as the sustainer of life and He was there "All the Time". My treatment continues. I have since received one and one half years of "maintenance" therapy support of chemo using a relatively new drug, Rituxan. Tomorrow morning I start the last month of the 2 year maintenance program. This treatment will be one day a week for 4 weeks. After that, we wait. That is the protocol. With Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma you have the treatment and then you wait for it to re-appear. And naturally, this is what my doctor has assured me of; that it will re-appear. His expert opinion is that this will take place within approximately 3 years of the original diagnosis which, according to his pocket watch, should be sometime in the middle of 2008.
MY FAITH STATEMENT
We recently finished our 4th "Light the Night" walk for Leukemia and Lymphoma fund raising event and even though it was an encouraging event, (the 3rd walk I was unable to finish), there were some speakers that seemed to be "settled" on statistics. They would keep announcing to the crowd that "every 5 minutes someone is diagnosed with a "Blood Cancer" and every 10 minutes someone loses that battle. I, on the other hand, do not leave the destiny of my soul in the hands of those who "tout" such statistics. Though the statistics may create a history on which to base study, it does not, in any way, limit our most powerful God from changing the course of "our" history. He is the One in whom I place my trust.
This attitude has actually created a mission field that I never thought I would experience. God has put me in front of people who may never have heard the Gospel of Christ any other way. One entire hospital floor (4th Floor Cancer Ward) at John C. Lincoln, know of my plight and know about my will. They are very happy and excited about the help I can be to their patients as they experience this "life threatening" disease. Jesus said in Luke 22:31, 32... "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." There was a time in our lives when we used this scripture and especially the word "sift" changing it to CIFT (Christians In Fellowship Together) for the purpose of ministering to people in need. Little did we know how VERY important this passage of scripture would eventually be for Barbara and I. Today, I consider myself "turned" and it is my turn to minister to those who need a healing and helping touch from God. Barb and I dedicate our lives to this end. I am not, by any stretch of the imagination, a super spiritual person. In fact, I have my own "down time" during the process, however, I do know and believe that my fate lay firmly, in the hands of God and I have no intention of giving it to another.
To bring this story to its "temporary" close, just let me say that this story is the reason that this blog, “What Dave Thinks” exists and the reason that "It Is What It Is...Now whut?" ministry was birthed. My wife and I will continue this ministry until either the Lord returns or I can no longer help with the ministry.
Finally, I THANK GOD FOR THIS CANCER. I know this sounds really "crazy" but over 30 years of ministry have gone by in my life and I have never had a greater mission field that is surely "ripe" for harvest. I have had the opportunity to share not only my story but more importantly, my faith in Christ which has literally "stunned" most people I have been able to share with. I have prayed with people who fear for their very life and now experience a peace they never understood before. Psalm 84 tells us that "when we go through the "Valley of Sorrow" to dig a well, because someone else will travel down that path sometime in the future and they will need a cool drink of water (paraphrased). I truly believe that anything and everything that Satan means for evil, God uses for good in our lives. And naturally, it is up to us to recognize this good in our lives. I believe I have recognized it. My hope is that my story will have a positive spiritual effect on everyone whose path I cross until the Lord takes me home.
You can learn more about Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Leukemia at www.leukemia.org. Please take the time to look at my blog and come back often because God prompts me to write often. I recently received an invitation from a group called “Rest Ministries” to share my devotions and they are reaching a multitude of people who are sick and hurting with their testimonies and their words of comfort. We thank God first and you as well for your continued prayer support as we continue our ministry. We continue to support and walk with the Lymphoma & Leukemia organization each year. The walk coming up this fall will be the 4th year we have been involved.
It has been 4 years and 10 month since being diagnosed and the treatment for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma is currently stopped and my body seems to be reacting somewhat normal and I continue to function within my safe limits. Some new developments have come along in those 4+ years but with every "squeaky wheel, comes some much needed TLC". A lot more attention has been placed on my blood cells and the lack of blood production in my bone marrow requiring almost bi-monthly blood transfusions and yet God continues to show His grace and love to me and Barb. Some days are not as good as others however; I believe that this is to be expected. With a blood cancer, it naturally travels it's way throughout the body and anything can and mostly will happen. "It Is What It Is...Now Whut?"
God's absolute best for your life,
We love you,
Dave & Barb Stallings
"The Gift That Keeps On Giving"
Here's a couple of verses that offer a promise kinda like the "the gift that keeps on giving" (Apparently, the original gift that keeps on giving was the phonograph or "talking machine). But these verses are very different from a "talking machine." They are found in 2 Corinthians 5:17 & 18 which say, "Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation..."
I remember when I bought my first new car. I always kept it in the garage, I had it washed and cleaned weekly. Took up two parking spaces everywhere I went to keep it from getting "parking lot" scratches. Even if it meant I had to walk a mile to the front door of the store. And of course, as time passed, the washes became less frequent and some nights it stayed outside all night. It started getting hit by shopping carts and car doors and just generally used (as any new vehicle does).
But the thing I noticed about these verses is that everything went in reverse with the "new creature" idea. Everyday I would notice that the "old things passed away" and that newer things were coming into my life! However, what I find most attractive and promising in these verses is the phrase "...who reconciled us to Himself through Christ..." How fascinating to be reconciled (washed cleaned) EVERY DAY in Christ Jesus. It doesn't matter how many car doors hit me, no matter how many shopping carts run into my 'bumpers' I am daily reconciled to the Father because of the acts of the Son.
Now here's the part that you take home with you every night after work. "...and gave us the ministry of reconciliation..." God the Father and Jesus Christ, along with the Holy Spirit have given us this special ministry, and you all have it, the ministry of reconciliation.
And finally, in verse 20 of the same chapter it says, "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."
Are you at "odds" with someone about something less important than eternity? Perhaps it's time to go and be reconciled to that person. And don't lose heart if that person does not share your heart. You be reconciled and that is all that God asks of you.
Dave
I remember when I bought my first new car. I always kept it in the garage, I had it washed and cleaned weekly. Took up two parking spaces everywhere I went to keep it from getting "parking lot" scratches. Even if it meant I had to walk a mile to the front door of the store. And of course, as time passed, the washes became less frequent and some nights it stayed outside all night. It started getting hit by shopping carts and car doors and just generally used (as any new vehicle does).
But the thing I noticed about these verses is that everything went in reverse with the "new creature" idea. Everyday I would notice that the "old things passed away" and that newer things were coming into my life! However, what I find most attractive and promising in these verses is the phrase "...who reconciled us to Himself through Christ..." How fascinating to be reconciled (washed cleaned) EVERY DAY in Christ Jesus. It doesn't matter how many car doors hit me, no matter how many shopping carts run into my 'bumpers' I am daily reconciled to the Father because of the acts of the Son.
Now here's the part that you take home with you every night after work. "...and gave us the ministry of reconciliation..." God the Father and Jesus Christ, along with the Holy Spirit have given us this special ministry, and you all have it, the ministry of reconciliation.
And finally, in verse 20 of the same chapter it says, "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."
Are you at "odds" with someone about something less important than eternity? Perhaps it's time to go and be reconciled to that person. And don't lose heart if that person does not share your heart. You be reconciled and that is all that God asks of you.
Dave
Monday, June 28, 2010
I Promise, I Promise, I Promise, I Promise!
Here's a cool promise from God. Jesus speaking in John 14:21 says, "He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me; and he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love him, and will disclose Myself to him." Let me share some of the important aspects of this promise to you as I see it.
#1 This promise has a "prerequisite": "He who has My commandments..." Here is the first assumption that those Jesus is speaking to has His commandments which is a prerequisite for his promise to follow.
#2 This promise shows the "proof"? "...and keeps them, he it is who loves Me:..." Jesus simply wants us to keep and maintain His commandments within our hearts for this promise to be kept.
#3 This promise also comes with a "profit": "...and he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father and I will love him..." How profitable do you consider the love of Christ and the Father in your life? I would consider it vastly more valuable than anything I could collect and cherish here on earth.
#4 And finally this promise comes with a "priviledge": "...and will disclose Myself to him." What a privilege and honor it is to be recognized by Jesus Christ to the Heavenly Father. How could we ask for more.
In summary, this little verse carries a promise of a prerequisite, a proof, a profit, and a priviledge to those of us who believe.
Are you one of those who can say with assurance that he/she carries this promise around wherever you go?
Ain't God Great?
Dave
#1 This promise has a "prerequisite": "He who has My commandments..." Here is the first assumption that those Jesus is speaking to has His commandments which is a prerequisite for his promise to follow.
#2 This promise shows the "proof"? "...and keeps them, he it is who loves Me:..." Jesus simply wants us to keep and maintain His commandments within our hearts for this promise to be kept.
#3 This promise also comes with a "profit": "...and he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father and I will love him..." How profitable do you consider the love of Christ and the Father in your life? I would consider it vastly more valuable than anything I could collect and cherish here on earth.
#4 And finally this promise comes with a "priviledge": "...and will disclose Myself to him." What a privilege and honor it is to be recognized by Jesus Christ to the Heavenly Father. How could we ask for more.
In summary, this little verse carries a promise of a prerequisite, a proof, a profit, and a priviledge to those of us who believe.
Are you one of those who can say with assurance that he/she carries this promise around wherever you go?
Ain't God Great?
Dave
Friday, June 25, 2010
Promise Of A Firm Foundation
Here is a very good promise straight from the Word of God. In Matthew 7:24-25 Jesus says, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock." (NASB)
Jesus had been talking to His disciples about "false prophets" and how they come "...in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves..."
That's one of the great things I see about Jesus. He presents us with a warning and then gives us a promise as we watch out for that warning. Have you seen any "false prophets" walking around in "sheep's clothing?" I'm betting you have.
He uses the analogy of "the rock" as the firm foundation and then in Matthew 16:18 He says, "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it." How do you like that promise, now? You are building your house on a "firm foundation" and the "gates of hades" have no power over it.
Praise the Lord,
Dave
Jesus had been talking to His disciples about "false prophets" and how they come "...in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves..."
That's one of the great things I see about Jesus. He presents us with a warning and then gives us a promise as we watch out for that warning. Have you seen any "false prophets" walking around in "sheep's clothing?" I'm betting you have.
He uses the analogy of "the rock" as the firm foundation and then in Matthew 16:18 He says, "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it." How do you like that promise, now? You are building your house on a "firm foundation" and the "gates of hades" have no power over it.
Praise the Lord,
Dave
Thursday, June 24, 2010
THE MAN GOD USES
I want to share with you some information I got from a book that I have been reading which is very good. These are not my words but written by Pastor Chuck Smith of Calvary Church, Costa Mesa, California. The book title is "The Man God Uses". If you don't read another book this year, let me please, recommend this one to you. It is a small book and should only take a day to read. I took two days because I re-read some parts that were just fantastic.
The following is a complete quote from the summary of the entire book: ***"What kind of man does God use? God uses the man who comes to the cross daily; who has no ambitions for himself. God uses the man whose life brings honor and glory to Christ. God is looking for the person who refuses to seek after the applause of men; who, like Jesus, is centered on submission to God's will. He is looking for that person who is willing to present his body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.
We are living in the last days before Jesus returns for His bride, and I believe that God wants to give this world one final witness of His love, grace, and mercy before His righteous judgment comes. The prophet Joel spoke of the former rain and the latter rain (Joel 2:23); and I am praying that the Lord would pour out His Spirit all over the world, that we would see genuine revival -- not in a 'circus' atmosphere which brings attention to man -- but in a genuine manner that draws people to Jesus Christ.
Since Adam's original sin, God has been looking for a man that He can use to accomplish His purposes. Genesis 5:24 tells us the simple testimony of such a man: 'And Enoch walked with God.'
When your life here on earth comes to an end, do you want to be known as a person who walked with God? Are you willing to allow the Holy Spirit to take control of your life right now? During the time of Ezekiel, God searched for a man who would stand in the gap between Himself and the sinful nation of Israel.
Will you be that type of man?
We catch a glimpse of God's heavenly glory in Isaiah 6, when Isaiah entered into God's presence. Isaiah recorded in verse 8: 'I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us? Then I said, Here am I! Send me.'
Do you want God to use your life? Are you willing to say with Isaiah, 'Here am I, Lord! Send me.'? If so, then it's time to strap on your spiritual armor, pick up your sword, and get in the battle.
For the man God uses is willing to be used."
*** "The Man God Uses by Pastor Chuck Smith, Calvary Chapel.
From the first quotation mark to the last one, I have written, word for word, the last chapter of Pastor Smith's book and the scripture verse for this chapter is purposefully unique. It is Acts 5:41-42 which says, "So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ." I sat out in my garage with my next door neighbor last night and THIS is what we discussed. I pray for him daily, that God would use, both him and me and allow us the privilidge of suffering for the sake of Christ.
Dave
The following is a complete quote from the summary of the entire book: ***"What kind of man does God use? God uses the man who comes to the cross daily; who has no ambitions for himself. God uses the man whose life brings honor and glory to Christ. God is looking for the person who refuses to seek after the applause of men; who, like Jesus, is centered on submission to God's will. He is looking for that person who is willing to present his body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.
We are living in the last days before Jesus returns for His bride, and I believe that God wants to give this world one final witness of His love, grace, and mercy before His righteous judgment comes. The prophet Joel spoke of the former rain and the latter rain (Joel 2:23); and I am praying that the Lord would pour out His Spirit all over the world, that we would see genuine revival -- not in a 'circus' atmosphere which brings attention to man -- but in a genuine manner that draws people to Jesus Christ.
Since Adam's original sin, God has been looking for a man that He can use to accomplish His purposes. Genesis 5:24 tells us the simple testimony of such a man: 'And Enoch walked with God.'
When your life here on earth comes to an end, do you want to be known as a person who walked with God? Are you willing to allow the Holy Spirit to take control of your life right now? During the time of Ezekiel, God searched for a man who would stand in the gap between Himself and the sinful nation of Israel.
Will you be that type of man?
We catch a glimpse of God's heavenly glory in Isaiah 6, when Isaiah entered into God's presence. Isaiah recorded in verse 8: 'I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us? Then I said, Here am I! Send me.'
Do you want God to use your life? Are you willing to say with Isaiah, 'Here am I, Lord! Send me.'? If so, then it's time to strap on your spiritual armor, pick up your sword, and get in the battle.
*** "The Man God Uses by Pastor Chuck Smith, Calvary Chapel.
From the first quotation mark to the last one, I have written, word for word, the last chapter of Pastor Smith's book and the scripture verse for this chapter is purposefully unique. It is Acts 5:41-42 which says, "So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ." I sat out in my garage with my next door neighbor last night and THIS is what we discussed. I pray for him daily, that God would use, both him and me and allow us the privilidge of suffering for the sake of Christ.
Dave
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Jesus Plus NOTHING Is Enough!
Supply and demand is perhaps one of the most fundamental concepts of economics and it is the backbone of a market economy. Demand refers to how much (quantity) of a product or service is desired by buyers. The quantity demanded is the amount of a product people are willing to buy at a certain price; the relationship between price and quantity demanded is known as the demand relationship. Supply represents how much the market can offer. The quantity supplied refers to the amount of a certain good producers are willing to supply when receiving a certain price. The correlation between price and how much of a good or service is supplied to the market is known as the supply relationship. Price, therefore, is a reflection of supply and demand.
With this definition in mind let's take a look at John 6 where Jesus feeds more than five thousand people. To paraphrase the miracle let me start it this way: Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee and saw that a great multitude was following Him because they had seen the signs that He preformed. They saw the sick being healed by Jesus. So Jesus sat down with His disciples on the mountain and the Passover was drawing near. Jesus notices this great multitude of people and turns to Philip and asks "Where are we to buy bread, that these may eat?" Of course, Jesus knew what He had planned to do. Philip, who was overwhelmed by the number of people said, "Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not enough to feed all of these people (Two hundred denarii was equivalent to about eight months wages). Andrew, one of the disciples noticed there was a young boy carrying a basket with five loaves of bread and two fish, which he was quick to inform Christ about. But the disciple was skeptical as to this limited supply of food with so many people. So the disciples had the men sit down on the grass and the number of men alone was equal to 5000 men (this did not take into consideration the wives and children who were following as well). Jesus took the bread and the fishes, He blessed them before the Father and directed the disciples to begin serving the people. And ALL the people had all the bread and fish, as much as they wanted.
Following this great miracle, Jesus commanded the disciples to take baskets out into the crowd and collect the leftovers so that nothing was wasted and to their amazement, the disciples accumulated twelve baskets full of leftovers from the five loaves and two fishes. So when the people saw the attesting miracle which Jesus preformed during that meal they said, "This is of a truth the Prophet who is to come into the world" (John 6:1-14).
The point I want to bring your attention to is that "The supply stops only with the demand!" As you look at this story in your Bible, the phrase of importance is in verse 11 which actually says, "...as much as they wanted (I've underlined it above in the paraphrase).
Our public market pricing is all based on this concept of "Supply and Demand" however, with Jesus Christ as our Shepard, the supply is unlimited and the appropriate equation to this story is "Jesus plus nothing is enough!"
You may not know where the money will come from to purchase your next tank of gasoline for your vehicle. You may have to spread the peanut butter & jelly a little more thinly than normally. You may have to use less air conditioning this summer because of an economical situation, but when you call upon the Lord for your spiritual needs, "Jesus plus nothing is enough!" This is something you learn as you walk with Christ over the years. "Jesus plus nothing is enough!"..."Jesus plus nothing is enough!"..."Jesus plus nothing is enough!"
Today you have a need (or a demand) and Jesus Christ is the only one who can supply that need. He can do for you the same thing He did for 5000 plus men, women and children on that mountain top that day.
Dave
With this definition in mind let's take a look at John 6 where Jesus feeds more than five thousand people. To paraphrase the miracle let me start it this way: Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee and saw that a great multitude was following Him because they had seen the signs that He preformed. They saw the sick being healed by Jesus. So Jesus sat down with His disciples on the mountain and the Passover was drawing near. Jesus notices this great multitude of people and turns to Philip and asks "Where are we to buy bread, that these may eat?" Of course, Jesus knew what He had planned to do. Philip, who was overwhelmed by the number of people said, "Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not enough to feed all of these people (Two hundred denarii was equivalent to about eight months wages). Andrew, one of the disciples noticed there was a young boy carrying a basket with five loaves of bread and two fish, which he was quick to inform Christ about. But the disciple was skeptical as to this limited supply of food with so many people. So the disciples had the men sit down on the grass and the number of men alone was equal to 5000 men (this did not take into consideration the wives and children who were following as well). Jesus took the bread and the fishes, He blessed them before the Father and directed the disciples to begin serving the people. And ALL the people had all the bread and fish, as much as they wanted.
Following this great miracle, Jesus commanded the disciples to take baskets out into the crowd and collect the leftovers so that nothing was wasted and to their amazement, the disciples accumulated twelve baskets full of leftovers from the five loaves and two fishes. So when the people saw the attesting miracle which Jesus preformed during that meal they said, "This is of a truth the Prophet who is to come into the world" (John 6:1-14).
The point I want to bring your attention to is that "The supply stops only with the demand!" As you look at this story in your Bible, the phrase of importance is in verse 11 which actually says, "...as much as they wanted (I've underlined it above in the paraphrase).
Our public market pricing is all based on this concept of "Supply and Demand" however, with Jesus Christ as our Shepard, the supply is unlimited and the appropriate equation to this story is "Jesus plus nothing is enough!"
You may not know where the money will come from to purchase your next tank of gasoline for your vehicle. You may have to spread the peanut butter & jelly a little more thinly than normally. You may have to use less air conditioning this summer because of an economical situation, but when you call upon the Lord for your spiritual needs, "Jesus plus nothing is enough!" This is something you learn as you walk with Christ over the years. "Jesus plus nothing is enough!"..."Jesus plus nothing is enough!"..."Jesus plus nothing is enough!"
Today you have a need (or a demand) and Jesus Christ is the only one who can supply that need. He can do for you the same thing He did for 5000 plus men, women and children on that mountain top that day.
Dave
Monday, June 21, 2010
This Is Great News!
For the last couple of years Barb and I have been blessed with a travel trailer and have been able to make a few trips away as "official" RVr's and most of the trips have been wonderful and exciting. We love it so much and have recently been given the opportunity to become "Full-Timers" (that means living in the trailer "always" - see we even have the lingo down). We are very much looking forward to the experience.
Of course, when you do something like this you have a lot of things to make sure are taken care of before you walk away from your permanent home to your home on wheels so we are working out the "kinks" and hope to be on our way very soon.
Another thing that is a little (well alot for me) exciting was that as we were cleaning out some of the storage boxes, preparing to pack up the house, I ran across a folder full of some of my very first sermon manuscripts and I sat down and started reading them. I found out something about myself by reading some of these 28 year old messages. And that is that I am the same guy with the same thought process (except a more clear understanding of my faith) that I was when I entered into Seminary in 1984.
I believe (I'm prejudice, of course) that some of them are very good and I plan to try to break them into "bite size" sermon-ettes and log them here on my blog. I'll break them up in enough parts so as to not make them too long but I would really like for some of you who have read my stuff over the last five years to see if you can comment on them to see if I am right in my own mind about how God has worked in my life from "then" to "now". If you can, that would be great. Just click on the link "comment" at the bottom of the blog you wish to comment on and that way I can share your thoughts with everyone.
I'm excited. I'm perhaps just a few days away from "Full-Time RVing" and I have manuscript sermons I wrote over 28 years ago. Who could possibly want more from life...LOL! Anyway, looking forward to it. Hope you enjoy them.
Dave
Of course, when you do something like this you have a lot of things to make sure are taken care of before you walk away from your permanent home to your home on wheels so we are working out the "kinks" and hope to be on our way very soon.
Another thing that is a little (well alot for me) exciting was that as we were cleaning out some of the storage boxes, preparing to pack up the house, I ran across a folder full of some of my very first sermon manuscripts and I sat down and started reading them. I found out something about myself by reading some of these 28 year old messages. And that is that I am the same guy with the same thought process (except a more clear understanding of my faith) that I was when I entered into Seminary in 1984.
I believe (I'm prejudice, of course) that some of them are very good and I plan to try to break them into "bite size" sermon-ettes and log them here on my blog. I'll break them up in enough parts so as to not make them too long but I would really like for some of you who have read my stuff over the last five years to see if you can comment on them to see if I am right in my own mind about how God has worked in my life from "then" to "now". If you can, that would be great. Just click on the link "comment" at the bottom of the blog you wish to comment on and that way I can share your thoughts with everyone.
I'm excited. I'm perhaps just a few days away from "Full-Time RVing" and I have manuscript sermons I wrote over 28 years ago. Who could possibly want more from life...LOL! Anyway, looking forward to it. Hope you enjoy them.
Dave
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
How Can You Do Better Than God?
"...seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:33 & 34).
I know a lot of people who "worry" about EVERYTHING in life. It sometime makes me think it is "their ministry" to worry because they do so much of it. Worry about this and worry about that, showing very little faith in the Great God that they believe in to care for their needs.
But then you look up just a few verses to verse 27 and here is Jesus Himself saying, "And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life's span?" And it's the truth. We have serious financial problems or suddenly our health decides to "tank" on us and we are "all over" that worry concept. How will we continue to live? or pay for the things we currently have under this new set of circumstances?. I remember a very famous Christian singer, Carman asking once, "What are you doing, living "under the circumstances?" And that is my point. Our lives develop a set of circumstances and immediately we begin to plan and develop strategies as to how we will survive "under this new circumstance" that has come our way. (I will stop here and say that there are many more verses applying to "worry and anxiety" so the Lord knew that we would struggle in the flesh with these issues since He walked around humans for 33 years of His mortal life...so don't think I'm making light of the worry/anxious issue..)
We look at life through a pane of glass that has no ability to show us the real reasons for these circumstances. We simply see them and begin to panic and plan and worry about how to change our lives to "fit this new situation" and I don't believe that God intended that at all. My belief is that God intended us to be very ready for anything that might come along. I remember that Paul spoke to us saying, "preach the word; be ready, in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction" (2 Timothy 4:2).
Finally I see here in Matthew 7: 7 & 8 that Jesus says, "Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find, knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened."
Now that doesn't mean we believe we need a new airplane so we "ask, and it shall be given..." Jesus was explaining to the disciples that the worry and anxiety that we struggle over deals with everyday life. Ask for God's strength, ask for God's will, ask for God's purpose and allow Him to work though you and the things you "think" you need will take a back seat to the "doors He will open to you." Believe me as I have been there. Very early on in my own dilemma, I stopped asking God to heal me, but rather, use my circumstance to help further the kingdom of His righteousness. I still have cancer, and guess what? He has assured me that I will still have it until He takes me home or performs a miracle. However, He is pleased that while "under the circumstances" I am willing to be used for His glory.
Are you there yet? You need to get there! Get on your knees before the "Father of light" and stay there until He assures you that HE IS STILL IN CONTROL!
Here's a confession: I live on SSDI (Social Security Disability Income) and my money comes from them on the 3rd Wednesday of every month. I have been receiving these payments for over 5 years now and take a look at the time of this writing. Yes, it is Wednesday morning, close to 3 AM, and my internal alarm went on so I got out of bed, turned on the computer and looked at my banking account to see that "Uncle Sam" paid me as committed. Why did I need to lose that sleep? Well, I can assure you that my SSDI was not the reason, however, it did give me an opportunity to search God's Word for something to say to you! Can't think of a more perfect way to "lean on God" for His perfect understanding. "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you."
Suddenly it all make perfect sense!
Dave
I know a lot of people who "worry" about EVERYTHING in life. It sometime makes me think it is "their ministry" to worry because they do so much of it. Worry about this and worry about that, showing very little faith in the Great God that they believe in to care for their needs.
But then you look up just a few verses to verse 27 and here is Jesus Himself saying, "And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life's span?" And it's the truth. We have serious financial problems or suddenly our health decides to "tank" on us and we are "all over" that worry concept. How will we continue to live? or pay for the things we currently have under this new set of circumstances?. I remember a very famous Christian singer, Carman asking once, "What are you doing, living "under the circumstances?" And that is my point. Our lives develop a set of circumstances and immediately we begin to plan and develop strategies as to how we will survive "under this new circumstance" that has come our way. (I will stop here and say that there are many more verses applying to "worry and anxiety" so the Lord knew that we would struggle in the flesh with these issues since He walked around humans for 33 years of His mortal life...so don't think I'm making light of the worry/anxious issue..)
We look at life through a pane of glass that has no ability to show us the real reasons for these circumstances. We simply see them and begin to panic and plan and worry about how to change our lives to "fit this new situation" and I don't believe that God intended that at all. My belief is that God intended us to be very ready for anything that might come along. I remember that Paul spoke to us saying, "preach the word; be ready, in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction" (2 Timothy 4:2).
Finally I see here in Matthew 7: 7 & 8 that Jesus says, "Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find, knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened."
Now that doesn't mean we believe we need a new airplane so we "ask, and it shall be given..." Jesus was explaining to the disciples that the worry and anxiety that we struggle over deals with everyday life. Ask for God's strength, ask for God's will, ask for God's purpose and allow Him to work though you and the things you "think" you need will take a back seat to the "doors He will open to you." Believe me as I have been there. Very early on in my own dilemma, I stopped asking God to heal me, but rather, use my circumstance to help further the kingdom of His righteousness. I still have cancer, and guess what? He has assured me that I will still have it until He takes me home or performs a miracle. However, He is pleased that while "under the circumstances" I am willing to be used for His glory.
Are you there yet? You need to get there! Get on your knees before the "Father of light" and stay there until He assures you that HE IS STILL IN CONTROL!
Here's a confession: I live on SSDI (Social Security Disability Income) and my money comes from them on the 3rd Wednesday of every month. I have been receiving these payments for over 5 years now and take a look at the time of this writing. Yes, it is Wednesday morning, close to 3 AM, and my internal alarm went on so I got out of bed, turned on the computer and looked at my banking account to see that "Uncle Sam" paid me as committed. Why did I need to lose that sleep? Well, I can assure you that my SSDI was not the reason, however, it did give me an opportunity to search God's Word for something to say to you! Can't think of a more perfect way to "lean on God" for His perfect understanding. "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you."
Suddenly it all make perfect sense!
Dave
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Fortuitous Concurrences Of Accidental Circumstances - Stay With Me Here!
I want to share with you a declaration that was given to me over twenty-five years ago, while I was attending Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in the process of being educated for the ministry. It was so intriguing to me that when I hear it, I wrote it down on the same page as it's opposite revelation in the Bible. I believe I wish to share this with you because of the importance of yesterday's devotion and the importance of "the narrow way" and the only path that leads to heaven.
Are you ready? Here it comes! It goes just like this: "Fortuitous concurrences of accidental circumstances!" I remember thinking, WOW! I also remember asking the professor to repeat this statement because it was so far reaching for the normal person, even one with "higher education". And he said it again: "Fortuitous concurrences of accidental circumstances!" And then he began to explain.
First let me give you the normal dictionary definition of this word, "Fortuitous". It is pronounced "fawr-too-i-tuhs. It is from the Latin fortuītus and it means "happening or produced by chance; accidental." Let me explain; this series of words were placed into the above phrase (Fortuitous concurrences of accidental circumstances) to describe Darwin's Postulated Theory of Evolution. And it is the theory that one man has used to try to replace "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
Well, I just wanted to give you something that I had picked up that really helped me to better understand why I believe that "In the beginning God"! Darwin states that "By chance, merely by accident, by a series of concurrent circumstances, our universe and all of it's glory was formed. However I must say that if I believed the definition of this theory it would be quite interesting every time we opened something like a can of peaches to see exactly what was in the can!!! LOL!
If you take the time to read just the first few verses of Genesis you find out very quickly that when "God created the heavens and earth" He very plainly announced "Let there be light; and there was light." Well, perhaps your first thought would be, "What's the big deal with that?" We have light and they are called the Sun, Moon and Stars and you would be right, however those items in the scheme of creation did not come along until the fourth day of creation. God said "Let there be light" and He became the very light that He would use to complete His creation. "In the beginning God..." Now that takes less faith for me to swallow than this whole "evolving" thing.
So why do I believe that this is relevant to yesterday's devotion? Well it's because Darwin determined that we just simply "accidentally" showed up and the rest is history. God said, "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it" (John 1:4 & 5). Thus the ABSOLUTE importance of getting it right from the pulpits of the world. And getting it right can only come from God's Word itself. You cannot take a movie title and create a message of salvation from that movie. Salvation comes from only one source and that is the Lord Jesus Christ.
Well, most of that was "academic" and probably a little boring, however falling to your knees with a person who is "afraid to die" without settling this "Jesus" issue is so FAR opposite of boring, and you can take that to the bank.
Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever. Want to know more? Find my devotion called "4 Spiritual Laws" and get acquainted with my savior, Jesus Christ.
Dave
Are you ready? Here it comes! It goes just like this: "Fortuitous concurrences of accidental circumstances!" I remember thinking, WOW! I also remember asking the professor to repeat this statement because it was so far reaching for the normal person, even one with "higher education". And he said it again: "Fortuitous concurrences of accidental circumstances!" And then he began to explain.
First let me give you the normal dictionary definition of this word, "Fortuitous". It is pronounced "fawr-too-i-tuhs. It is from the Latin fortuītus and it means "happening or produced by chance; accidental." Let me explain; this series of words were placed into the above phrase (Fortuitous concurrences of accidental circumstances) to describe Darwin's Postulated Theory of Evolution. And it is the theory that one man has used to try to replace "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
Well, I just wanted to give you something that I had picked up that really helped me to better understand why I believe that "In the beginning God"! Darwin states that "By chance, merely by accident, by a series of concurrent circumstances, our universe and all of it's glory was formed. However I must say that if I believed the definition of this theory it would be quite interesting every time we opened something like a can of peaches to see exactly what was in the can!!! LOL!
If you take the time to read just the first few verses of Genesis you find out very quickly that when "God created the heavens and earth" He very plainly announced "Let there be light; and there was light." Well, perhaps your first thought would be, "What's the big deal with that?" We have light and they are called the Sun, Moon and Stars and you would be right, however those items in the scheme of creation did not come along until the fourth day of creation. God said "Let there be light" and He became the very light that He would use to complete His creation. "In the beginning God..." Now that takes less faith for me to swallow than this whole "evolving" thing.
So why do I believe that this is relevant to yesterday's devotion? Well it's because Darwin determined that we just simply "accidentally" showed up and the rest is history. God said, "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it" (John 1:4 & 5). Thus the ABSOLUTE importance of getting it right from the pulpits of the world. And getting it right can only come from God's Word itself. You cannot take a movie title and create a message of salvation from that movie. Salvation comes from only one source and that is the Lord Jesus Christ.
Well, most of that was "academic" and probably a little boring, however falling to your knees with a person who is "afraid to die" without settling this "Jesus" issue is so FAR opposite of boring, and you can take that to the bank.
Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever. Want to know more? Find my devotion called "4 Spiritual Laws" and get acquainted with my savior, Jesus Christ.
Dave
Monday, June 14, 2010
Just In Case You Were Thinking Of Following My Blog
I want to let you in on a little secret. The secret is that I get some of my most emotionally "charged" devotional thoughts while in the shower. It's wild and sometimes I wish I had a waterproof pad and pen to write some of these things down because I'm missing several (no really quite a few) of those brain cells that help us remember stuff.
Anyway, I was taking a shower, and God began to speak to me. He made me feel that I needed to clear the air about some things right here in front of Him and everybody. I confess that I speak and write, mostly in generalities. What I mean by that is that when I get up in the middle of the night because I cannot sleep, I don't get a devotional idea from another human being, but rather, from the very Spirit of God as He converses with me. Of the hundreds of devotions I have written over the past 5 years, I have probably used man's thoughts on about 5 occasions. And naturally, I try my best to give credit where credit is due.
To get to the point (so this devotion isn't so terribly long), God spoke real clear to me in the shower today and made me feel a need to clarify a specific issue about heaven and how you get there.
Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me." So why is that important? Well, today there are so many "false prophets" speaking (and living very comfortably) from the pulpit and telling the world that there are many ways to heaven. Well, if the first scripture wasn't enough, listen to this from
Matthew 7: 13,14 which says, (again Jesus speaking) Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it." Jesus goes on to say in verse 15, "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves."
Why do I bring this up? Because I see and hear "good intentioned" people from every walk of life who profess Christianity claim the exact opposite of the first verse above. I'm going to get specific here and (Mom forgive me) it will offend, to be sure, but Jesus was the "Chief" offender and I consider myself in good company. A pastor of a mega church by the name of Joel Olsteen, declared, live on "Larry King Live" that "in this world, there are many paths that lead to Christ". That, my friends, is a lie, straight from the pits of hell and Satan is just waiting for you to grab onto that idea to ease your security issue about your reservation in heaven.
You may see on my blog that I commonly use this phrase: "If you were hit by a Greyhound Bus, why would God let you into heaven?" However, to show you that I am NOT narrow minded, "If you were run over by the Pope and he felt so bad that he buried you in his pope mobile, that would STILL NOT get you into heaven. Here's what Paul had to say about the "narrow road" in Acts 4:12, "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved." Jesus said in Matthew 24:24, "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect." Wow, that cuts pretty deep.
Get this: There are even people who will try to "love you into heaven." They'll say things like, "I know they are wrong, but let's just cover them with love or have them join the church softball team and maybe someday they will understand the gospel (hope that wasn't the guy who got run over by the Pope mobile...lol).
I remember a sermon written by Chuck Swindoll over 30 years ago called "Postcard from II John". I remember it because I have heard it so many times, I've memorized it. He was referring to a wounded soldier who came back from war, married the woman who nursed him back to health and they had two beautiful little girls. He said, "We would go to church Sunday after Sunday, and I kept looking out the window at my girls playing 'red rover' and I thought, 'Man, these people will love me right into hell!' He said, 'We're not hearing about sin; we're not hearing about hell!" And he went on to make this most insightful comment: "The man who loved me the most, told me the truth!" (Chuck Swindoll from Postcard from II John - late 70's).
You know, if a prophet is correct 95% of the time, guess what he "still" is? A false prophet. In 2nd John 8 & following it says, "Watch yourselves, that you might not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, [DO NOT RECEIVE HIM INTO YOUR HOUSE, AND DO NOT GIVE HIM A GREETING] (capital letters added for emphases only).
There are hundreds of other illustrations and scriptures but I tried to keep this short. Here's the bottom line: If you are following someone or teaching a gospel other than that of Jesus Christ and Him alone, you are in danger of the wrath of God to come. Some will say, "Well, we just can't know it all" and that's the truth. But you can know more. God's word is worth every minute you spend in it.
To those I may have "cut off at the knees" know that I love you and that is why God came to me with this. It was no thought of my own.
To God (alone) be the Glory,
Dave
Anyway, I was taking a shower, and God began to speak to me. He made me feel that I needed to clear the air about some things right here in front of Him and everybody. I confess that I speak and write, mostly in generalities. What I mean by that is that when I get up in the middle of the night because I cannot sleep, I don't get a devotional idea from another human being, but rather, from the very Spirit of God as He converses with me. Of the hundreds of devotions I have written over the past 5 years, I have probably used man's thoughts on about 5 occasions. And naturally, I try my best to give credit where credit is due.
To get to the point (so this devotion isn't so terribly long), God spoke real clear to me in the shower today and made me feel a need to clarify a specific issue about heaven and how you get there.
Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me." So why is that important? Well, today there are so many "false prophets" speaking (and living very comfortably) from the pulpit and telling the world that there are many ways to heaven. Well, if the first scripture wasn't enough, listen to this from
Matthew 7: 13,14 which says, (again Jesus speaking) Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it." Jesus goes on to say in verse 15, "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves."
Why do I bring this up? Because I see and hear "good intentioned" people from every walk of life who profess Christianity claim the exact opposite of the first verse above. I'm going to get specific here and (Mom forgive me) it will offend, to be sure, but Jesus was the "Chief" offender and I consider myself in good company. A pastor of a mega church by the name of Joel Olsteen, declared, live on "Larry King Live" that "in this world, there are many paths that lead to Christ". That, my friends, is a lie, straight from the pits of hell and Satan is just waiting for you to grab onto that idea to ease your security issue about your reservation in heaven.
You may see on my blog that I commonly use this phrase: "If you were hit by a Greyhound Bus, why would God let you into heaven?" However, to show you that I am NOT narrow minded, "If you were run over by the Pope and he felt so bad that he buried you in his pope mobile, that would STILL NOT get you into heaven. Here's what Paul had to say about the "narrow road" in Acts 4:12, "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved." Jesus said in Matthew 24:24, "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect." Wow, that cuts pretty deep.
Get this: There are even people who will try to "love you into heaven." They'll say things like, "I know they are wrong, but let's just cover them with love or have them join the church softball team and maybe someday they will understand the gospel (hope that wasn't the guy who got run over by the Pope mobile...lol).
I remember a sermon written by Chuck Swindoll over 30 years ago called "Postcard from II John". I remember it because I have heard it so many times, I've memorized it. He was referring to a wounded soldier who came back from war, married the woman who nursed him back to health and they had two beautiful little girls. He said, "We would go to church Sunday after Sunday, and I kept looking out the window at my girls playing 'red rover' and I thought, 'Man, these people will love me right into hell!' He said, 'We're not hearing about sin; we're not hearing about hell!" And he went on to make this most insightful comment: "The man who loved me the most, told me the truth!" (Chuck Swindoll from Postcard from II John - late 70's).
You know, if a prophet is correct 95% of the time, guess what he "still" is? A false prophet. In 2nd John 8 & following it says, "Watch yourselves, that you might not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, [DO NOT RECEIVE HIM INTO YOUR HOUSE, AND DO NOT GIVE HIM A GREETING] (capital letters added for emphases only).
There are hundreds of other illustrations and scriptures but I tried to keep this short. Here's the bottom line: If you are following someone or teaching a gospel other than that of Jesus Christ and Him alone, you are in danger of the wrath of God to come. Some will say, "Well, we just can't know it all" and that's the truth. But you can know more. God's word is worth every minute you spend in it.
To those I may have "cut off at the knees" know that I love you and that is why God came to me with this. It was no thought of my own.
To God (alone) be the Glory,
Dave
Sunday, June 13, 2010
"Are You Ready?"
I've been to bed and back up, and then back to bed tonight and it is just 12:40 AM here in Arizona. I am feeling some terrific arm pain and nobody seems to be able to put a finger on what is wrong. Along with my next door neighbor's help, I have been giving "care" to my precious "caregiver" today as she has felt miserably all day long with terrible stomach difficulties and migraine headache along with "vertigo" (feeling dizzy). It has been an awful day for her and I have asked God to intercede on her behalf throughout the day.
I have heard and spoken to so many people lately who are hurting physically, emotionally, financially. Trauma "ripping" throughout the earth as we hear of a 7.5 magnitude earthquake in the Indian Ocean, tragic flash flooding in Arkansas which has so far, taken the lives of at least 18 people, and the earth continues to rumble. My neighbors experiencing difficulties in getting enough work to keep their heads above water (some in my own family as well). And the pain continues.
Everyone has a story of hurt and pain, emotional "setbacks" in life and devastation everywhere you look. Our government seems to be at a "loss" as to how to even respond to the disasters throughout our own nation, and that doesn't even take into consideration the two wars we are waging against other nations, with threats of others to come.
So I finally got up again with the pain in my arm as I could hear God directing me to Mark 13:5-13 where Jesus had a lot to say about "things to come." Here is some of it beginning in verse 5: "See to it that no one misleads you. Many will come in My name, saying, I am He and will mislead many. And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end. For nation will arise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.
But be on your guard; for they will deliver you to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. And when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not be anxious beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit. And brother will deliver brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. And you will be hated by all on account of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved."
Boy, that's a lot to swallow, isn't it? I just felt pelted as the result of some severe arm pain and my wife's illness and here is what God was saying to me as I tossed around in the bed trying to get to sleep.
So what does this have to do with my inability to sleep tonight? Well, a lot, I believe. We are all, throughout the world, experiencing all of these different difficulties (not to mention millions of gallons of oil washing up on our pristine shores in the Gulf). We are hurting as a nation, becoming weaker as our leaders, who seem to lack experience, seeming to continue to run "head on" into block walls with the disasters we are facing today.
And I wonder, "am I the only one looking at these things as Biblical Events in America? Is there anyone else seeing what I believe I see being fulfilled through scripture today? You know, I've said this before, but I truly believe that the Lord is so close to His triumphant return to scoop His people up out of this world that sometimes it feels like "I can feel the gentle touch of angel wings as they whisk past my cheeks." Does that sound odd. I realize it is just a "saying" but really, do any of you feel within your heart, that Jesus is standing at the side of His "steed" waiting for the command from the Father Himself, to give the final command to Christ to jump on His horse and begin the process?
How much more can families take before they begin to act "less than rational" over the loss of most everything in life? How much more pain and suffering are we to bare before our Lord frees us from this ultimate devastation on the earth? How do you feel about these things? Do they frighten you? Or are you excited to see that His return could be at hand at just any moment?
And with those feelings, are you ready to meet the Lord, face to face? A pastor friend use to make reference to whether or not we have "made our reservations" for the Great Second Coming of Christ! And one of the last things that Jesus says to His disciples is "And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations." Are we, each one of us, doing our share to proclaim these "things to come?"
I have heard and spoken to so many people lately who are hurting physically, emotionally, financially. Trauma "ripping" throughout the earth as we hear of a 7.5 magnitude earthquake in the Indian Ocean, tragic flash flooding in Arkansas which has so far, taken the lives of at least 18 people, and the earth continues to rumble. My neighbors experiencing difficulties in getting enough work to keep their heads above water (some in my own family as well). And the pain continues.
Everyone has a story of hurt and pain, emotional "setbacks" in life and devastation everywhere you look. Our government seems to be at a "loss" as to how to even respond to the disasters throughout our own nation, and that doesn't even take into consideration the two wars we are waging against other nations, with threats of others to come.
So I finally got up again with the pain in my arm as I could hear God directing me to Mark 13:5-13 where Jesus had a lot to say about "things to come." Here is some of it beginning in verse 5: "See to it that no one misleads you. Many will come in My name, saying, I am He and will mislead many. And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end. For nation will arise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.
But be on your guard; for they will deliver you to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. And when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not be anxious beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit. And brother will deliver brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. And you will be hated by all on account of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved."
Boy, that's a lot to swallow, isn't it? I just felt pelted as the result of some severe arm pain and my wife's illness and here is what God was saying to me as I tossed around in the bed trying to get to sleep.
So what does this have to do with my inability to sleep tonight? Well, a lot, I believe. We are all, throughout the world, experiencing all of these different difficulties (not to mention millions of gallons of oil washing up on our pristine shores in the Gulf). We are hurting as a nation, becoming weaker as our leaders, who seem to lack experience, seeming to continue to run "head on" into block walls with the disasters we are facing today.
And I wonder, "am I the only one looking at these things as Biblical Events in America? Is there anyone else seeing what I believe I see being fulfilled through scripture today? You know, I've said this before, but I truly believe that the Lord is so close to His triumphant return to scoop His people up out of this world that sometimes it feels like "I can feel the gentle touch of angel wings as they whisk past my cheeks." Does that sound odd. I realize it is just a "saying" but really, do any of you feel within your heart, that Jesus is standing at the side of His "steed" waiting for the command from the Father Himself, to give the final command to Christ to jump on His horse and begin the process?
How much more can families take before they begin to act "less than rational" over the loss of most everything in life? How much more pain and suffering are we to bare before our Lord frees us from this ultimate devastation on the earth? How do you feel about these things? Do they frighten you? Or are you excited to see that His return could be at hand at just any moment?
And with those feelings, are you ready to meet the Lord, face to face? A pastor friend use to make reference to whether or not we have "made our reservations" for the Great Second Coming of Christ! And one of the last things that Jesus says to His disciples is "And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations." Are we, each one of us, doing our share to proclaim these "things to come?"
Well, these are merely thoughts that God gave me in the middle of a painful night of trying simply to get some rest. Obviously it was not quite time for me to sleep. In fact, I find myself beginning to fade as I complete these sentences.
Are you ready? Are you dedicated to Him? Are you willing to do "whatever it takes" for the kingdom of God? When first diagnosed with my disease, my own personal slogan became "It Is What It It...Now Whut?" Are you ready to stand before God and say, "Now Whut, Lord?" (btw, I know "whut" is spelled wrong but it gets more attention that way).
Jesus is preparing to return for His Bride, the Church, whether you are ready or not. So, I simply ask, "Are You Ready?"
Dave
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Can I Intercede For You?
Over the last couple of weeks while Barb and I were enjoying out of state family, the beach and beautiful mountain country of Temecula, California, I have been writing little "snippets" having to do with the "Lord's Prayer" in Matthew chapter 6. In this chapter, Jesus had a lot to tell us about "how to pray" and as we all read it in our own way, hopefully, we have all learned some constructive steps toward better communication with God.
Finally tonight I want to back up to verse 10 where Jesus says, "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." In these last few devotions we have learned several steps in the praying process. We have acknowledged our "relationship" with the Father as we quoted "Our Father which art in heaven"; We found a new and magnificent ways to worship Him as we read in Acts 4:24 "Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them." And we also understood the intimate importance of confession as we heard the Lord say to us, "Everyone therefore who shall confess Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven (what a wonderful life giving promise from the creator)." And finally we set aside our "humility" as we learned how to petition our heavenly Father as He wants to step in and help us daily if and when we just simply call upon Him.
And as we turn finally to verse 10 we find the strength, courage, love and admiration for God to "intercede" for all the saints who are in need of a touch from God today. I believe that we can all agree that Paul was the "absolute" in intercessory prayer. As he ministered, he prayed, with anyone, for anyone, about anyone who crossed his path or his mind. And it was Paul who said in Romans 1:9 & 10, "For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you always in my prayers, making request, if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you."
We, those of us who will die with the "confession" of God on our lips, we have been to heaven in these times of devotion. Devotion to Him and His dedication and love to us for EVER!
I think that the best way to bring this series of devotions to a close is to go to Romans 1:16 where Paul says, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." Paul could not muster up that level of courage and strength on his feet. And that is why, on the road to Damascus, Jesus brought him to his knees, and he's been there ever since.
I pray that we can all find our "road to Damascus" and fall to our knees before the Almighty.
Dave
(A great amount of influence for these devotions on "The Lord's Prayer" have come from a book written by Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel entitled, "The Man God Uses." Any direct quotes have been recognized).
Finally tonight I want to back up to verse 10 where Jesus says, "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." In these last few devotions we have learned several steps in the praying process. We have acknowledged our "relationship" with the Father as we quoted "Our Father which art in heaven"; We found a new and magnificent ways to worship Him as we read in Acts 4:24 "Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them." And we also understood the intimate importance of confession as we heard the Lord say to us, "Everyone therefore who shall confess Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven (what a wonderful life giving promise from the creator)." And finally we set aside our "humility" as we learned how to petition our heavenly Father as He wants to step in and help us daily if and when we just simply call upon Him.
And as we turn finally to verse 10 we find the strength, courage, love and admiration for God to "intercede" for all the saints who are in need of a touch from God today. I believe that we can all agree that Paul was the "absolute" in intercessory prayer. As he ministered, he prayed, with anyone, for anyone, about anyone who crossed his path or his mind. And it was Paul who said in Romans 1:9 & 10, "For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you always in my prayers, making request, if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you."
We, those of us who will die with the "confession" of God on our lips, we have been to heaven in these times of devotion. Devotion to Him and His dedication and love to us for EVER!
I think that the best way to bring this series of devotions to a close is to go to Romans 1:16 where Paul says, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." Paul could not muster up that level of courage and strength on his feet. And that is why, on the road to Damascus, Jesus brought him to his knees, and he's been there ever since.
I pray that we can all find our "road to Damascus" and fall to our knees before the Almighty.
Dave
(A great amount of influence for these devotions on "The Lord's Prayer" have come from a book written by Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel entitled, "The Man God Uses." Any direct quotes have been recognized).
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
So Many Petitions
How big is your God? How busy is your God? How many times a day do you reach out verbally to Him? Of those times, how often do you think He responds? Do yo really believe God has time for your piddly little difficulties? And if you believe He does, how many do you think He intercedes in? Do you ever consider keeping a record of when you believe He responds and when "you" think He ignores?
Lots of questions about our communication with God but very important. In chapter 16 of the Old Testament book of Exodus, God explained to Moses how He would send Manna down from Heaven so that they would be able to eat bread in the morning. He also provided meat (the quail) for evening and every family member was satisfied. At first they did not understand what it was that was laying on the ground every morning like the "dew of the morning" however they began to eat and be satisfied.
In the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:11 Jesus told them to pray like this: "Give us this day our daily bread..." This is NOT a complicated saying of Jesus' and it was not intended to be so desperately misunderstood. Probably the best interpretation of this phrase in the Lord's Prayer is simply "please Lord, provide those provisions that are so essential for life and the maintenance of life each day." Sometimes we try to read too much into God's speaking to us but it really is simple. We ask, and God provides as it aligns with His will for each of us.
"Give us this day, our daily comfort." "Give us this day, the strength we need to be your people." Give us this day, Your perfect will for this day in our lives." Give us what we need today, so that when we rest our heads on our pillows at night, we know that we have followed Your plan for us."
Now there are those (especially of TV) who will tell you to pray asking that God, "Give us this day, a new Cadillac." Or "Give us this day, enough money so that when I come home at night I have not run out of it." Or "Give me this day, just a little more than my next door neighbor." This is in direct conflict with a God who wants us COMPLETELY DEPENDANT UPON HIM.
Can you say, "Give me this day, whatever it is that is pleasing to You." And when you recognize that He has done "exactly" that, please don't forget to thank Him for His work in you.
"Give me today, that which will help me let everyone I pass today, be inspired to look for You!"
Dave
Lots of questions about our communication with God but very important. In chapter 16 of the Old Testament book of Exodus, God explained to Moses how He would send Manna down from Heaven so that they would be able to eat bread in the morning. He also provided meat (the quail) for evening and every family member was satisfied. At first they did not understand what it was that was laying on the ground every morning like the "dew of the morning" however they began to eat and be satisfied.
In the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:11 Jesus told them to pray like this: "Give us this day our daily bread..." This is NOT a complicated saying of Jesus' and it was not intended to be so desperately misunderstood. Probably the best interpretation of this phrase in the Lord's Prayer is simply "please Lord, provide those provisions that are so essential for life and the maintenance of life each day." Sometimes we try to read too much into God's speaking to us but it really is simple. We ask, and God provides as it aligns with His will for each of us.
"Give us this day, our daily comfort." "Give us this day, the strength we need to be your people." Give us this day, Your perfect will for this day in our lives." Give us what we need today, so that when we rest our heads on our pillows at night, we know that we have followed Your plan for us."
Now there are those (especially of TV) who will tell you to pray asking that God, "Give us this day, a new Cadillac." Or "Give us this day, enough money so that when I come home at night I have not run out of it." Or "Give me this day, just a little more than my next door neighbor." This is in direct conflict with a God who wants us COMPLETELY DEPENDANT UPON HIM.
Can you say, "Give me this day, whatever it is that is pleasing to You." And when you recognize that He has done "exactly" that, please don't forget to thank Him for His work in you.
"Give me today, that which will help me let everyone I pass today, be inspired to look for You!"
Dave
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Are You A Good Confessor?
You may have noticed that over the past few devotions, I have been sharing about the sample of prayer, given to us by Jesus Himself. We've discovered important points about prayer by studying through the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6.
Continuing on, we see that the Lord's prayer asks to "give us this day our daily bread" which I believe is very relevant in today's society. We are "gathering" and "hoarding" enough foods to feed literally "armies" of men (which is a good thing), however we are not focusing on what Jesus was trying to portray to us. When He said "give us this day our daily bread" I believe He was trying to help us understand that we only need what we can deal with on a daily basis. You know, in Jesus' day, they didn't have big refrigerators and freezers to store up their goods to use at a later date and I believe that is what Jesus was trying to say to us. Today has enough of it's own things to deal with so just ask God for what it is that you need today and allow tomorrow to take care of itself.
And then how many times have we been preached to and taught how important "confession" is everyday? He continues His thought with "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." I am constantly brought back to Psalms 51 as David agonizes over his sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11), and how he pleads and confesses to God his "shortcomings" in his sin. And what about Psalms 139: 23 & 24 which say, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me. And lead me in the everlasting way." When we recognize the sin in our lives, it is important that we lay it before the Lord for His forgiveness, even though He knows our sins, and every sinful thought, every sinful task, every word leading to sin that we commit. We overuse this passage of scripture on the "lost" when it speaks directly to Christian brothers and sisters in sin which is First John 1:9 saying, "If we confess our sin, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Sin grieves and hinders, confession restores, and our relationship with the Father is found to revitalize our level of communication with God. Matthew 10:32 is also very important in our confession as it leads to our witness which says, "Everyone therefore who shall confess Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven." Doesn't that sound like what we want anyway?
Quoting Pastor Chuck Smith once again, he said, "Even though Jesus Christ has already died for every sin we will ever commit - past, present and future, God still wants us to come to Him when we realize we have sin in our lives." Thereby substantiating the need and importance of 1st John 1:9!
So what do you think? Is it true that "confession is good for the soul?" I think we need to become habitual about waking up to confess before our God and then retire each night in the same attitude of confession. 'Just sayin'!
Dave
Continuing on, we see that the Lord's prayer asks to "give us this day our daily bread" which I believe is very relevant in today's society. We are "gathering" and "hoarding" enough foods to feed literally "armies" of men (which is a good thing), however we are not focusing on what Jesus was trying to portray to us. When He said "give us this day our daily bread" I believe He was trying to help us understand that we only need what we can deal with on a daily basis. You know, in Jesus' day, they didn't have big refrigerators and freezers to store up their goods to use at a later date and I believe that is what Jesus was trying to say to us. Today has enough of it's own things to deal with so just ask God for what it is that you need today and allow tomorrow to take care of itself.
And then how many times have we been preached to and taught how important "confession" is everyday? He continues His thought with "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." I am constantly brought back to Psalms 51 as David agonizes over his sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11), and how he pleads and confesses to God his "shortcomings" in his sin. And what about Psalms 139: 23 & 24 which say, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me. And lead me in the everlasting way." When we recognize the sin in our lives, it is important that we lay it before the Lord for His forgiveness, even though He knows our sins, and every sinful thought, every sinful task, every word leading to sin that we commit. We overuse this passage of scripture on the "lost" when it speaks directly to Christian brothers and sisters in sin which is First John 1:9 saying, "If we confess our sin, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Sin grieves and hinders, confession restores, and our relationship with the Father is found to revitalize our level of communication with God. Matthew 10:32 is also very important in our confession as it leads to our witness which says, "Everyone therefore who shall confess Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven." Doesn't that sound like what we want anyway?
Quoting Pastor Chuck Smith once again, he said, "Even though Jesus Christ has already died for every sin we will ever commit - past, present and future, God still wants us to come to Him when we realize we have sin in our lives." Thereby substantiating the need and importance of 1st John 1:9!
So what do you think? Is it true that "confession is good for the soul?" I think we need to become habitual about waking up to confess before our God and then retire each night in the same attitude of confession. 'Just sayin'!
Dave
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Definition of "Hallowed"
Picking up from yesterday's devotion, Matthew 6:9c says "Hallowed be Thy name." We have indeed begun to develop a relationship with the Father if we have truly asked our Lord Jesus to come into our heart and control every aspect of our lives.
And after that development in our lives, we need to learn how to "worship" the Lord. In fact, this is a most excellent way to open a dialogue with the Father, by offering up worship to Him. Let me share with you some of the definitions I found for the word "Hallowed": to make holy; sanctify; consecrate; to honor as holy; consider sacred; venerate; To make or set apart as holy; To respect or honor greatly; revere.
How do we do that? We do that by keeping ourselves beneath our Father God in submission to His leadership using His Holy Spirit as our guide. Peter said in Acts 4:24 "...O Lord, it is Thou who didst make the Heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them." That's reverence, that's honor, that's setting Him apart for His glory and considering Him sacred!
We as God's children have so much to be thankful for daily and we should fall to our knees in honoring God as "Holy". Next to the awesomeness of my God, the things that go on day in and day out in my life are really "trivial" and "meaningless" as I think of Him as "Abba, Father" (Abba means "daddy").
I had (here on earth) a very close friend, Michael, who was diagnosed with cancer shortly after I was and within 3 months he was gone. I loved him like a brother and I came to his bedside and spoke these words to him: "When we come to the edge of all the light we know, and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing one of two things will happen; either there will be something solid to stand on, or we will be taught how to fly!" My friend offered a weak smile and 2 days later was gone.
That's honoring and revering God our Father. Knowing that no matter what the situation, He is there to bring us to our ultimate place with Him in glory. Quoting from Pastor Chuck Smith, "Worship is the beginning of effective communication with God."
When you pray, do you take the time to "worship the Father?" If you don't, won't you start? He would love it! He deserves it! And honestly, He expects it!
Dave
And after that development in our lives, we need to learn how to "worship" the Lord. In fact, this is a most excellent way to open a dialogue with the Father, by offering up worship to Him. Let me share with you some of the definitions I found for the word "Hallowed": to make holy; sanctify; consecrate; to honor as holy; consider sacred; venerate; To make or set apart as holy; To respect or honor greatly; revere.
How do we do that? We do that by keeping ourselves beneath our Father God in submission to His leadership using His Holy Spirit as our guide. Peter said in Acts 4:24 "...O Lord, it is Thou who didst make the Heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them." That's reverence, that's honor, that's setting Him apart for His glory and considering Him sacred!
We as God's children have so much to be thankful for daily and we should fall to our knees in honoring God as "Holy". Next to the awesomeness of my God, the things that go on day in and day out in my life are really "trivial" and "meaningless" as I think of Him as "Abba, Father" (Abba means "daddy").
I had (here on earth) a very close friend, Michael, who was diagnosed with cancer shortly after I was and within 3 months he was gone. I loved him like a brother and I came to his bedside and spoke these words to him: "When we come to the edge of all the light we know, and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing one of two things will happen; either there will be something solid to stand on, or we will be taught how to fly!" My friend offered a weak smile and 2 days later was gone.
That's honoring and revering God our Father. Knowing that no matter what the situation, He is there to bring us to our ultimate place with Him in glory. Quoting from Pastor Chuck Smith, "Worship is the beginning of effective communication with God."
When you pray, do you take the time to "worship the Father?" If you don't, won't you start? He would love it! He deserves it! And honestly, He expects it!
Dave
Friday, June 4, 2010
My Abba, Father Relationship
When I was a child growing up in my parent's home, it would always be my Father who would have the ultimate say in what we, as children, could and could not do. So when we had a request we would always take it to him.
Just like any other kids on the block, we would try to find a way to "butter" up Dad and then spring our request on him. My dad was an "easy going" kind of Father and it was not usually hard to get him to agree with what we wanted.
In Matthew 6:9b is says "Our Father who art in heaven..." which helps us designate just exactly what our relationship to God is (as our heavenly Father) and in our spiritual upkeep, it is to Him that we go to make our requests known. "Our Father" the one we look to has "Abba" our daddy in our spiritual life, and then "who art in heaven" which is the designation of where our ultimate Father resides. Then when we have His attention, we make our requests known to him.
Seems like a sensible development of our relationship to the Father, and when we have this close, intimate relationship, then we have a right to make requests of Him. Of course, He is the one who carries the ultimate answers to our requests, but the more we go to the Father, the closer and more intimate our relationship becomes.
I was sharing with my brother-in-law after dinner tonight about my love and desire to write about God and show application to different scripture verses. It has become a habit and a good one at that. I am constantly looking at scripture and offering my opinion of each. These opinions are just that, "my opinions". I don't try to get too deep into God's Word I don't develop my opinions by what some "commentary" has to say so as not to confuse anyone, but rather offer only my thoughts about passages that God reveals to me.
Today I can say with confidence that my relationship with my heavenly Father is as good, if not better than my relationship with my earthly father and I believe that is as it should be.
I miss my dad as he passed away in 2002, but I am comforted to know that my heavenly Father is there to respond to all of my requests anytime I wish to call upon him. Can you claim "[My] Father who art in heaven?"
Dave
Just like any other kids on the block, we would try to find a way to "butter" up Dad and then spring our request on him. My dad was an "easy going" kind of Father and it was not usually hard to get him to agree with what we wanted.
In Matthew 6:9b is says "Our Father who art in heaven..." which helps us designate just exactly what our relationship to God is (as our heavenly Father) and in our spiritual upkeep, it is to Him that we go to make our requests known. "Our Father" the one we look to has "Abba" our daddy in our spiritual life, and then "who art in heaven" which is the designation of where our ultimate Father resides. Then when we have His attention, we make our requests known to him.
Seems like a sensible development of our relationship to the Father, and when we have this close, intimate relationship, then we have a right to make requests of Him. Of course, He is the one who carries the ultimate answers to our requests, but the more we go to the Father, the closer and more intimate our relationship becomes.
I was sharing with my brother-in-law after dinner tonight about my love and desire to write about God and show application to different scripture verses. It has become a habit and a good one at that. I am constantly looking at scripture and offering my opinion of each. These opinions are just that, "my opinions". I don't try to get too deep into God's Word I don't develop my opinions by what some "commentary" has to say so as not to confuse anyone, but rather offer only my thoughts about passages that God reveals to me.
Today I can say with confidence that my relationship with my heavenly Father is as good, if not better than my relationship with my earthly father and I believe that is as it should be.
I miss my dad as he passed away in 2002, but I am comforted to know that my heavenly Father is there to respond to all of my requests anytime I wish to call upon him. Can you claim "[My] Father who art in heaven?"
Dave
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Prayer! Is That Important To You?
How important is prayer in your life today? I mean, how often do you reach out to God in communication? How frequently do you find yourself talking and asking God's advice? Do you remember God daily or are you one of those people who are constantly whispering simple little phrases up to God as the day goes along? Do you pray once a week, once a day, once an hour, or are you in it "so deep" that you feel sometimes you are having an ongoing conversation with God?
Prayer is a personal characteristic of a person "in love" with God and wanting Him involved in as much as possible day to day in his life. Acts 3:1 says, "Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer." I see from this verse that these two disciples made a conscience decision to go to the temple and pray. The "ninth hour" was the regular time of day that a person of the Jewish heritage would stop everything and go to pray. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?" that is, "MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?" That can be found in the 27th chapter if Matthew, the 26th verse. Now I'm not saying that this was the moment that 3 PM prayer was instituted (for it was already the custom of the day) however, doesn't it seem fitting that at that particular time of day, Jesus would commun with God? No Biblical correlation, just a bit of trivia.
The passage continues with the healing of the man lame from birth. He was there every day at about the 9th hour because that is when the temple would be more crowded with people who pray (good marketing strategy, I suppose). At any rate, in asking for "alms" the man received quite a different response than what he expected. Peter and John looked at the man in verse 4 and said "look at us...we do not possess silver or gold, but what we do have we give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene - walk!" And of course, the rest of the passage explains that the lame man got up and walked, in fact "he leaped."
Now my thought here is what do you think was going through Peter's mind as he took this bold action (in front of God and everybody)? Was he thinking, "boy, I sure hope this works?" Or, "finally we are going to see if the power Jesus promised us is really what He said it was!" Well, my feeling here is that Peter, being the "Praying man" that he was already knew with confidence that Jesus promised it and that settled it. He knew that if this man simply "slumped" back to the ground after being picked up, he would have been mocked and ridiculed and considered a crazy lunatic like the man he followed for three years.
All that to say that "Prayer" is the key here. One of the most important tools we will use in this life if we expect to be used by God. The Bible tells us that "I can do all things through Him who strengthens us" (Phil 4:13). So Peter simply chose to believe it and carry on with it, despite those around him.
The Apostle Paul thought a lot about prayer when he said "For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you, always in my prayers."
There are several basic concepts regarding prayer that I hope to be able to share with you in the coming weeks ahead. Studying and reading about the attributes of prayer does one's heart good like a medicine. In fact, "God I pray for the man or woman, boy or girl who is reading this devotion right now. I would pray that their heart would be "filled up" with the medicine of prayer which You have commanded of us as we walk through this life. May you richly bless those who are obedient to your Word...in the name of the one who took action to "set us free", Jesus Christ, I pray...Amen!
God bless,
Dave
Prayer is a personal characteristic of a person "in love" with God and wanting Him involved in as much as possible day to day in his life. Acts 3:1 says, "Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer." I see from this verse that these two disciples made a conscience decision to go to the temple and pray. The "ninth hour" was the regular time of day that a person of the Jewish heritage would stop everything and go to pray. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?" that is, "MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?" That can be found in the 27th chapter if Matthew, the 26th verse. Now I'm not saying that this was the moment that 3 PM prayer was instituted (for it was already the custom of the day) however, doesn't it seem fitting that at that particular time of day, Jesus would commun with God? No Biblical correlation, just a bit of trivia.
The passage continues with the healing of the man lame from birth. He was there every day at about the 9th hour because that is when the temple would be more crowded with people who pray (good marketing strategy, I suppose). At any rate, in asking for "alms" the man received quite a different response than what he expected. Peter and John looked at the man in verse 4 and said "look at us...we do not possess silver or gold, but what we do have we give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene - walk!" And of course, the rest of the passage explains that the lame man got up and walked, in fact "he leaped."
Now my thought here is what do you think was going through Peter's mind as he took this bold action (in front of God and everybody)? Was he thinking, "boy, I sure hope this works?" Or, "finally we are going to see if the power Jesus promised us is really what He said it was!" Well, my feeling here is that Peter, being the "Praying man" that he was already knew with confidence that Jesus promised it and that settled it. He knew that if this man simply "slumped" back to the ground after being picked up, he would have been mocked and ridiculed and considered a crazy lunatic like the man he followed for three years.
All that to say that "Prayer" is the key here. One of the most important tools we will use in this life if we expect to be used by God. The Bible tells us that "I can do all things through Him who strengthens us" (Phil 4:13). So Peter simply chose to believe it and carry on with it, despite those around him.
The Apostle Paul thought a lot about prayer when he said "For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you, always in my prayers."
There are several basic concepts regarding prayer that I hope to be able to share with you in the coming weeks ahead. Studying and reading about the attributes of prayer does one's heart good like a medicine. In fact, "God I pray for the man or woman, boy or girl who is reading this devotion right now. I would pray that their heart would be "filled up" with the medicine of prayer which You have commanded of us as we walk through this life. May you richly bless those who are obedient to your Word...in the name of the one who took action to "set us free", Jesus Christ, I pray...Amen!
God bless,
Dave
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Want A Sandwich, Buddy?
I wanted to add a few comments to a recent blog of mine titled "Go In Peace". In the New Testament book of Galatians 5:19-21 it states: "Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outburst of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of Good;"
When I got the opportunity to share with my sister and her boyfriend who, even though she confesses Christianity as her "core" belief, finds it necessary to submit to all of the above attributes of the flesh. I attempted to share with Dave (her boyfriend) about Jesus Christ and his first response was that he didn't believe in marriage. His excuse was that "it didn't work out so good for my parents so I'm not getting involved."
How cowardly is that statement and why is it that a person who claims to have Christ in her heart would stick around with that behavior and philosophy? There are a lot of lonely children from broken marriages in the world today and they don't ALL just determine "well it just cannot work out!"
I asked Dave if he died today why should God allow him in Heaven? His response startled me (not sure why, it is the world's most popular view), but he said that he was told that he would go to heaven because he was a good person. My first thought was the quoted sinful nature of the verses quoted above. And of course (as he challenged me to prove Christ), he "bolted". Just as soon as I started quoting scripture verses to dignify the claims of Christ, HE WAS OUT OF THERE! And he never came back.
He never gave me the chance to reach the continuation of that passage which is verses 22 & 23 which say "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."How is it that a person (and a Christian mate - out of wedlock) can profess the latter when they are living like "Hell" in the first part of the passage? Honestly, I am confident that it CANNOT be done. So the dilemma?!
Where is the "fruit of the Spirit" in my Christian professing sister while living in verses 19 thru 21 of Galatians 5?People all over the world believe that they have their "reservations" secured for heaven simply because they were told that they were good people. Yesterday afternoon a man sat on the sidewalk behind our travel trailer as we were cooking hamburgers. It became painstakingly obvious that he was homeless the more he carried on a conversation with himself.
So finally, my wife asked if she should make him a sandwich. I walked over to the man, asked if he was hungry to which he replied, "Yeah!" "If my wife made you a sandwich, would you take it from us?" "Yeah!" "Do you like turkey?" "Yeah!" So I went back and asked Barb to make him a sandwich. We gave it to him along with a package of Ritz Crackers, a banana, a Diet Coke and an unopened bag of tortilla chips. About a half hour later he was gone and I saw a mess on the ground which I went over to clean up. Did I mention that I shared with him that God loved him, no matter what his situation was?My point is that because of yielding to the Lord and making this man a simple sandwich, that a passerby, stopped to thank us for our good deed.
Now, because I don't feel that emotional with every situation like that, I don't always do the "good deed." So how do I pay for the "sin of not doing the good deed" if that's all I need to get into heaven?Hopefully you get my point. My heart aches over a person whose life has been a "sham" and the only reason for professing Christ was to see what you could get out of the church for yourself...God's heart must be "crushed!"
Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, to which Paul responds, "I am chief of them all!" Well, Paul is dead and in heaven with Christ, so I now assume that role. But I will go to heaven because I believe in a Savior, not because I shared my meal.
DO WE NEED GOD'S HELP IN EVER SITUATION IN EVERY DAY OF OUR LIVES? YOU BETTER BELIEVE I BELIEVE IT!
God bless,
Dave
When I got the opportunity to share with my sister and her boyfriend who, even though she confesses Christianity as her "core" belief, finds it necessary to submit to all of the above attributes of the flesh. I attempted to share with Dave (her boyfriend) about Jesus Christ and his first response was that he didn't believe in marriage. His excuse was that "it didn't work out so good for my parents so I'm not getting involved."
How cowardly is that statement and why is it that a person who claims to have Christ in her heart would stick around with that behavior and philosophy? There are a lot of lonely children from broken marriages in the world today and they don't ALL just determine "well it just cannot work out!"
I asked Dave if he died today why should God allow him in Heaven? His response startled me (not sure why, it is the world's most popular view), but he said that he was told that he would go to heaven because he was a good person. My first thought was the quoted sinful nature of the verses quoted above. And of course (as he challenged me to prove Christ), he "bolted". Just as soon as I started quoting scripture verses to dignify the claims of Christ, HE WAS OUT OF THERE! And he never came back.
He never gave me the chance to reach the continuation of that passage which is verses 22 & 23 which say "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."How is it that a person (and a Christian mate - out of wedlock) can profess the latter when they are living like "Hell" in the first part of the passage? Honestly, I am confident that it CANNOT be done. So the dilemma?!
Where is the "fruit of the Spirit" in my Christian professing sister while living in verses 19 thru 21 of Galatians 5?People all over the world believe that they have their "reservations" secured for heaven simply because they were told that they were good people. Yesterday afternoon a man sat on the sidewalk behind our travel trailer as we were cooking hamburgers. It became painstakingly obvious that he was homeless the more he carried on a conversation with himself.
So finally, my wife asked if she should make him a sandwich. I walked over to the man, asked if he was hungry to which he replied, "Yeah!" "If my wife made you a sandwich, would you take it from us?" "Yeah!" "Do you like turkey?" "Yeah!" So I went back and asked Barb to make him a sandwich. We gave it to him along with a package of Ritz Crackers, a banana, a Diet Coke and an unopened bag of tortilla chips. About a half hour later he was gone and I saw a mess on the ground which I went over to clean up. Did I mention that I shared with him that God loved him, no matter what his situation was?My point is that because of yielding to the Lord and making this man a simple sandwich, that a passerby, stopped to thank us for our good deed.
Now, because I don't feel that emotional with every situation like that, I don't always do the "good deed." So how do I pay for the "sin of not doing the good deed" if that's all I need to get into heaven?Hopefully you get my point. My heart aches over a person whose life has been a "sham" and the only reason for professing Christ was to see what you could get out of the church for yourself...God's heart must be "crushed!"
Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, to which Paul responds, "I am chief of them all!" Well, Paul is dead and in heaven with Christ, so I now assume that role. But I will go to heaven because I believe in a Savior, not because I shared my meal.
DO WE NEED GOD'S HELP IN EVER SITUATION IN EVERY DAY OF OUR LIVES? YOU BETTER BELIEVE I BELIEVE IT!
God bless,
Dave
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