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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)