Duck Dynasty V. Christianity

My Perspective on #DuckDynasty v. #AE v. #Christianity  

I for one have not been a fan of the show Duck Dynasty and all the hoopla surrounding the family.   The reason why, it seemed to me that Duck Dynasty became its own christian denomination in a weird and worldly sense.  So many Americans, especially Christians, became more devoted to following Duck Dyansty, wearing their clothes, using their gear, reading their blogs, news articles, memorizing their quotes.... than their devotion to Jesus Christ himself.  That is a problem in my opinion and conviction.  I can't help but believe that the Robertson family would honestly not want to take all the attention away from the true gospel and make it the Robertson Duck Dynasty Gospel.  Unfortunately for many Americans and other nationalities that is exactly what happened.  Not for all, I do understand that. 

Now we have the so called "Duck Dynasty Gate" an attack on freedom of religion and freedom of speech.  Although it  is encouraging to see so many Christians standing by Phil Robertson and his families side with so much support that our social media is inundated with every hashtag imaginable relating to Duck Dynasty and the Robertson family, Where is Jesus in all of this?  Yes, I totally agree that Christians need to stand firm on biblical teachings and not cave in to liberalism.  We need to fight the good fight and proclaim the gospel message in all aspects of our lives each and everyday.  

Why has Duck Dynasty and Phil Robertson become our battle?  Are we fighting for the Gospel of Duck Dynasty and Phil Robertson, or are we fighting for the gospel of Jesus Christ.  What has happened to Phil is nothing new, it happens to each and everyone of us on a daily basis.  We are censored by employers, schools, liberal left extremist, and politicians every single day.  What is even worse, we censor ourselves because of fear.  Fear we might be made fun of, rejected,  hated and standing alone.   

Duck Dynasty has motivated and fueled the passion of so many Christians.  If your passion to fight the good fight and live the life Christ has called you to live is centered around Duck Dynasty, then you are sadly mistaken and living in sin.  Christian motivation must come from the Holy Spirit if the battle is to be a Christ centered God glorifying.  

As you read I Corinthians Chapter 1, Paul address this issue with the church of Corinth.

I Corinthians 1:12-17  What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas "; still another, "I follow Christ." 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? 14 I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel--not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

The conclusion of Paul's writings; division and followings apart from the gospel of Jesus Christ empties the power of the one true gospel.  I have to say, so many Christians who have remained silent in the faith have only now spoke up because of what has happened to Phil Robertson and the Duck Dynasty.  It is a shame that most Christians do not have the same passion for Jesus Christ as they do for a reality show icon.

May I encourage all the born again Christians who read this post to seek the Holy Spirit within and allow your savior Jesus Christ who died for your sins to become your motivation and passion to live the life we are called to live in Christ.  His last command was His greatest, and it did not come from the Gospel of Duck Dynasty or any other name but only the name of Jesus Christ.  It can not be fulfilled through hate or anger, but only through Godly love.  No one has ever been won over through hate and no one has ever been unrighteously angered into heaven.

Matthew 28:18-20  Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Billy Graham - My Hope America

Click this link to view Billy Graham's video, My Hope America

Bill Graham - My Hope America

Everyone has hidden something behind a mask

Everyone has hidden something by pretending to be or looking a certain way in order to disguise what's really happening, on the inside.  When we are really hurting or struggling we never hesitate to say "I'm OK". We fake smiles, and pretend that everything is just great.  On the outside we appear all put together and pleased with life when on the inside we are crying and broken into pieces.  

Why?  Maybe because we don't want anyone to see us for the mess we believe we really are.  Could it be that we are so broken that we feel we have no value in life?  Whatever the reason big or small people find reasons to hide behind a mask, a false facade  attempting to appear to be something they desire but yet something they believe they will never be.  

How about this truth from God; no

matter how broken, how messed up, or how useless you feel, The Lord still views you as the glory and beauty He desires you to be.  When we quit hiding an disguising ourselves before The Lord he assures us He will transform us into something we never thought we could be.

2 Corinthians 3:18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

There is Strength for Uncertain Times

There is Strength for Uncertain Times:

Let’s face it, we a living in very uncertain times.  We have an uncertain government.  Who knows if our elected officials will act and respond to the best interest of the people or best interest of greed, corruption, and personal gain?  The national and personal economy is uncertain.  Are we headed for an indefinite recession, debt crisis, or even great depression? Job security is no longer common, but job insecurity is.  With financial insecurity everything from major corporations to small businesses are being forced to cut hours, lay off employees, and even close doors indefinitely. Traditional nuclear family dynamics no longer exist.  Divorce, domestic abuse, broken homes, absentee parents are at all-time historical highs.  Physical and mental health are never a given.  As a medical professional, I have witnessed firsthand professionally and personally the effects of health being snuffed out unexpectedly and permanently.  Safety is no longer.  All you have to do is watch or read the news.  Domestic, school house, workplace, and public violence are on the rise; with shootings and terroristic threats and acts of violence are nightly news.  I think I could go on and on, but the point is this; uncertainty is certain.  With uncertainty come fear, anxiety, and even failure.

Uncertainty can certainly devastate and destroy lives and futures.  Individuals are affected, families are affected, and communal groups are affected.  Not even local, national or even global governments are immune from the effects of uncertainty. 

To persevere and overcome uncertainty we need strength; a certain strength that will not fail or falter.  We need a strength that never weakens or runs dry.  This kind of strength will never come from self, family, friends, or governments.  This kind of strength can only come from something greater than man and greater than the threats that inundate our lives with uncertainty.  Although this kind of strength seems impossible, it is obtainable.  God, the living Lord almighty offers this strength if all you will do is fully commit your heart to Him.

 

2 Chronicles 16:9  For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him…

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.   

Deceived By Your Own Making

Do not be deceived by your own making.  When I was a little boy I made my dad up.  Sure I had a real dad who had a real job, a real family; he had very real limitations like every other dad.  But like most other boys I made my dad up.  For whatever reason most boys feel the need to make their dads out to be greater, stronger, smarter, more successful and more desired than any other man out there.  I would tell stories of how my dad could beat your dad up, my dad can fly, my dad makes 9887781 billion dollars a minute; and on and on with the stories.  So the truth was that I had two versions of the same dad.  My made up dad and the dad he really was. 

Most people believe in God or a god.  Like most boys, most people make up who their god is, even if the God they believe in is the one true God.  People still make up who God is by deciding for themselves what God desires and what He is like.  We allow culture, family tradition, pride, ego, sinful desires, misinterpretation, tolerance, relativism… and so much more to influence our hearts and minds into defining who God is.   This is nothing new; throughout history God’s chosen people have been guilty of it over and over again.

When I was little, my friends found out who my dad was by meeting him in person and getting to know him firsthand.  The more they spent time with him, the better they got to know him and the better they got to know him the more they realized how wrong they were because of my misrepresentation and lies.  Knowing who God is requires the same thing.  You cannot allow your outside influences, personal opinions, culture, family traditions, and so on to make up your view of who He is.  You must meet him firsthand, face to face if you ever want to know the real God. 

To meet God face to face and experience Him firsthand means that first you must enter into a covenant relationship with Him through His son Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior over your life.  Even then you still will not know God fully until you actively seek and pursue Him in active church attendance, purposeful reading of the bible, prayer, fellowship, discipleship, intentional and active worship, and selfless serving of others.  The bible is full of wisdom and instruction on how we can best experience God.

There are a lot of bad pastors out there and there are a lot of good ones as well.  No matter how good or bad, I always confirm their preaching and teaching with the direct word of God as it is written in the Holy Bible.  I must add; my pastor is one of the greats, I’ve always held his teachings up against the written word of God and he has never flawed it or failed.  Always, I repeat always use the written word of God to affirm and confirm your thoughts and beliefs of who God is.  No matter who or what your influences are, you always have a choice and an obligation to affirm the truth.  Never be foolish and become deceived by your own makings of who God is.  A god of our own makings is no true god at all. 

 

2 Chronicles 15: 1-3 The Spirit of God came and said… 2 “The LORD is with you when you are with Him, If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. 3 For a long time Israel was without the true God…

Pastors Appreciation

It is Pastor appreciation month:

I would like to pose a question; can you honestly and genuinely express appreciation for your pastor? If the answer is no, then maybe your church should examine the heart of its people. In 2 Chronicles, King Hiram expresses some good insight. Here is what he said to king Solomon:

2 Chronicles 2:11 Hiram king of tyre replied by letter to Solomon: "because The... Lord loves his people, he has made you king."

Pastors are charged with a huge challenge in leading the ministry and church God has place them in. By Hiram's insight I can't help but believe God awards the heart of the people by providing Great godly leaders. Could it also be that if the heart of the church is bad, then God places the great leaders elsewhere?

At Flippin FBC, the heart of Gods people has been blessed by an incredibly godly man and faithful servant. Thank you church for having the heart you do. We are blessed because of your heart by God; for has has made Bro. Steve our pastor and his wife Judy his right hand!

Thank you Steve and Judy, we have been so blessed by your faithfulness.

If anyone wants to experience how blessed we are, then come join us Sunday mornings at 9:00am for Sunday school and 10:00am for worship. We would love to share our Godly blessings with you!

Sacrifice for the LORD

If there is to be any value in my faithfulness then it must cost me something if not everything.  The level and extent of the value I place in my Lord is directly proportional to the level an extent of my sacrifice to love Him, worship Him, praise Him, live for Him, and serve Him.  

2 Samuel 24:24 ... "No, I insist on paying you for it.  I will not sacrifice to The Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing."

Graffitti and Vandalism, Symptoms of what lies within

In light of the recent vandalism Flippin First Baptist Church faced, we must realize there is a much greater issue at bay.  There is a problem much deeper and much more vile that we have not acknowledged as of yet.  Many of you will accuse me of over-reacting, thinking way too deep and taking matters much too seriously.  There will be others and probably few who will agree with what I have to say and what I see.  My hope is that many will understand and believe what I am about to share.  My prayer is that the core of our hearts and souls will be struck.  As individuals, families, neighbors, friends, churches and communities we must respond and react with a passion for a better tomorrow.  We must recognize and acknowledge that there is a grave problem, perhaps even a vile monster lying in wait only subdued for now.  Before it is too late, we must act now.  Our desire to act must come from something deep within, not fueled by our emotions, self-motivations or even the pressure from those around us.  For if desires, motivations, convictions and even strength to persevere come from anything less than God, then we will quickly weaken and fail.  If that which is temporary is what fuels us, then we will quickly fade and fail.  If we are fueled by that which is everlasting, then our efforts will be everlasting as well. 

Am I thinking radically? Absolutely I am.  If I never think radically then I will never react radically and I want to be radical in my faith and following of Jesus Christ.  Please don’t confuse my radical thinking with being ridiculous, irrational or even impossible.  It is time to start thinking radically and reacting radically in a responsible way.  Otherwise our tomorrow and our children’s future will be radically ridiculous, radically irrational and radically impossible to live with. 

The graffiti and vandalism we suffered is nothing more than a symptom of what lies beneath the core of society, our country, our community, our families, and our individual selves as well.  If the graffiti and vandalism from this past week was all we had to fear, then sure things will be OK and yes I would be over-reacting.  Truth be known, the issue at hand runs so much deeper.  The symptoms are far greater and far more widespread.  The reason we don’t recognize them is because we have become desensitized as a people.  We make excuses, chose to ignore and accept these symptoms as normal.  Why we even create these problems ourselves in the name of liberalism, relativism, acceptance, tolerance, self-expression, freedom, and whatever politically correct blah blah blahs are out there.   As a youth pastor and a paramedic in our community I have been privy to learn, hear about, witness and experience lies behind these symptoms first hand.  I have been given with the opportunity to see these subdued evils that lay hidden.  These are problems that we want to accept as normal and ok.

Nearly 20 years ago I witnessed and experienced these very same symptoms in my community in south Florida.  I remember having a discussion with my mom sharing with her my thoughts and what I was seeing.  I also remember her also saying to me; “I really do not think it is as bad as you perceive.”  About a year later I moved my family to Arkansas.  After we moved, my parent’s home was broken into three times.  Since then they moved to Georgia because things really were that bad.  I can assure you the place I once lived is now no place to raise your children or even make your home.
If you want to know where we are headed then take a look at the bigger picture that surrounds us. Take a look at the problems our country is facing as a whole.  Read the papers, watch the news and listen to the radical rights like me.  Just make sure they aren’t radically ridiculous and irrational as well. 

I am telling you, that what lies beneath these symptoms is bad.  You will find political corruption, lack of moral and ethical standards, materialistic greed, financial irresponsibility, pride, arrogance, drug and alcohol addictions, liberalistic promotion, perversion, domestic violence.  That is what you find on top.  These things are nothing more than the graffiti on the wall of our country.  Dig deeper and you will discover that our problems don not come from the top, they don’t come from our leaders, nor our local governments.  These problems are not caused by liberal organizations, Hollywood, or even the music industry.  These problems are not caused by you being a victim.  These problems are directly related to you as an individual.  All of what you see is the symptoms of what truly lies within the heart of man. 

The problem is the sin within us.  It is your personal sin that has led your life astray.  As a result our families, our communities and even our country now suffer from these horrific and devastating symptoms.  We now live with corruption, greed, dishonesty, lying, cheating, stealing, insecurity, community violence, domestic abuse and neglect.   Work place violence, school yard shootings, gang wars, and political corruptions have become the norm for our nightly news.   Our homes are wreaking havoc from neglect, brokenness, absence of parenting, lack of nurturing and spiritual failure.   We do not recognize it because we view it just like everything else.  It’s normal, it’s expected, it is just the way we were made and that is just how it is. 

The core of our problem doesn’t come from international wrongs, the white house, the court house, the school house or even your house.  The core of the problem comes from you as an individual because of the sin that lies within.  Everything else is a symptom produced by this sin.  Yes this includes me a Christian, son, brother, husband, father, youth pastor, neighbor, friend, paramedic and whatever else I am. 

Until individuals decide they are sick and tired of where this world is headed and accept the fact the problem begins from within, then nothing will change for the better it will only get worse.  I for one know that I am far from perfect and I accept the fact that I must become a better Christian, better son, better brother, better husband, better father, better youth pastor, better neighbor, better friend, better paramedic, and a better whatever else I am.  Good luck making this world a better place if I can’t even make a better me to begin with.  I also know that I am limited by my fleshly desires, motivations, and abilities.  Because of my limits I know that my chances of making a difference are limited as well.  Therefore I have surrendered my hopes and dreams, my passions and desires, and my strength and motivations to the one true King.  Daily I will choose to surrender my life, take up my cross, and seek His perfect will for me.  If I can get right my life in the LORD, then my life will be used to reach my family, reach my neighbors, reach my community and maybe even reach this world. 

As for me personally, I am sick and tired of sitting back and watching this all happen.  I choose to start with me.  Joshua said it best “But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods forefathers served beyond the river, or the gods the Amorites in whose land you are living.  But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD (Joshua 24:15 NIV). 
Let me rephrase what Joshua said; If serving the LORD seems wrong to you, then you choose for yourself how you will continue to live whether it be as you have always known and were taught or by the ways in which our country and community is headed just as it is now.  As for me I choose Jesus.  I choose to serve Him as my LORD.  How about you, what will you choose?

It is funny; I have been accused of a lot of things good and bad.  I have been told that my religious views are wrong and judgmental.  More often than not, I have been praised because of my faith in Jesus Christ.  However even with all the criticisms and persecutions I have faced and received because of my faith, I have never been accused of making this world, this community, or even our church a worse place.  I have been praised and thanked for leading others to a better life, but I have never been accused of making or ruining anyone’s life worse because of Jesus.  Please understand, that what I do and how I do it has nothing to do with me, I all has to do with Jesus, the life He gave me and what He did for me at Calvary.  If anyone deserves praise, it is He. 

It's All Fun and Exciting Until You Don't Act Quickly and Someone Gets Hurt!

Have you ever felt The Lord directing you to go, do, or say something?  Did you do it quickly?  Did you delay?  Did you just simply ignore it all together?  If you truly understand God then you understand He has plans to not harm us, give us hope and a future.  This promise is found in the book of Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you", declares The Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope an a future."

With that truth then it's a no brainer that when God calls you to do something, then it goes inline with these very same promises.  So if you act quickly great!  If you delay then is it too late?  If you ignore then who got hurt?  

I have a great friend and sister in Christ named Carol.  Carol once came to me in confidence and said "God has put so and so on my heart and wants me to discuss a controversial issue.  I don't know why or understand.  What should I do?"  My response was "If God said do it, then do it and don't question why."  

Long story short, Carol didn't hesitate and did what God said to do. The next morning Carol shared "it was awesome, I didn't understand why.  It was amazing, what God placed upon my heart was exactly what this person was struggling with."  

Carols quick obedience led to the other young lady turning away from a very destructive life style.  Today the young lady she talked to is a Godly woman with an intense passion to serve The Lord!  

What if Carol ignored The Lord?  

In Jeremiah, we learn of Abigail.  Abigail responded immediately to the Lords direction.  In doing so she spared the lives of numerous men.  She brought gifts to David right after her husband cursed David for his kindness.  David's response to Abigail's obedience is found in 1 Samuel 25.

1 Samuel 25:34  otherwise, as surely as The Lord, the God of Israel lives, who has kept me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, not one male belonging to Nabal would have been left alive by daybreak.  

What's at stake if you delay or even refuse to obey the lords direction in your life?  What rewards and blessings are in store if you chose to act quickly?  May I encourage you to not question why, just do whatever The Lord places upon your heart and experience His mighty plans!  

Ask, Seek, Knock

Matthew 7:7-8  Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; Knock and the door will be open to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks the door will be open.

NEVER I repeat NEVER take this scripture out of context.  God is not offering free genie wishes here.  It seems like we are so apt to tell God what we want and expect it to be given.  With that mindset, you will only be discouraged, defeated and done with God. 

Ask; have you ever stopped to think that God already knows your needs.  He already has in His hand what he wants you to have? All you have to do is ask for it.  "Dear LORD, I want to receive what you have for me." 

Seek;  This isn't a game of hide and seek.  Life can be distracting with all the hurts and hardships we face. In the  midst of our trials we tend to quit looking for God because we think He has left us.  The truth is, He is right there with us.  We have just allowed our struggles to blind us.  Seek Him daily, you will find him.

Knock;  God is not home sleeping.  And He certainly isn't hidden behind a closed door.  What He is saying is this; pursue a personal relationship with me.  Come join me, I will let you in.

Goliath's

When one  truly grasps and understands the power of the living God then one can put the battles of life in proper perspective.  Like David we all face Goliath's.  Some of our giants are physical, some mental, some emotional, some relational, some addictional, but all are spiritual.   Until you realize that this life is a spiritual battle and you must have the living God on your side then all you will do is live in fear, tremble at the threats, run away and eventually lose every battle.  

David knew that the battle between the Israelites and philistines was a spiritual battle.  He did not fear the giant sized mammoth warrior Goliath. David viewed Goliath as nothing more than an enemy of God compared to nothing more than a slaughtered bear and lion.  It was in David's confidence and faith that the battle was won before it ever started.

I have faced a lot of Goliath's in my life that the LORD has claimed victory over.  Addiction, depression, fear, anxiety, financial burdens, health issues, persecutions and on and on.  In 1 Samuel 17:36 David compared Goliath to being nothing more than the slaughtered bear and lion God had already delivered him from.  Like David I can say with confidence and faith that my tomorrow's Goliath is nothing more challenging or powerful than what has already been defeated.  

To my Goliath of tomorrow, you are nothing more than a defeated addiction, a defeated depression, a defeated burden, a defeated illness, a defeated enemy of the living God.  I will not fight any battle by my own flesh and blood, I will not attempt victory by my own power.  I will give it all to the LORD because in Him every battle has already been won!  

1 Samuel 17:47 all those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that The LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's and he will give all of you into our hands.  

I Refuse to Turn Away

I know life can be tough even to the point of questioning God's love for us just like Naomi did.  But if you refuse to leave  your faith in Jesus as LORD and savior of your life, He will bless you.  He has a plan greater than your imagination and more powerful than any trial and struggle you have, are, and even will face.  His plan not only includes blessing you, it also includes using your life to leave a legacy for our families future!  

As for me, in my darkest trials and struggles I refused to walk away. I have chosen the way of Ruth and because if it I can testify that I am a blessed man.  

The picture is me leading my oldest daughter down the isle so that I could marry her to the man God chose for her life.  It was also my first wedding to officiate.  

Ruth 1:16-17 But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me."

Happy 4th of July, in Jesus name!

Here in the good ole USA it is the Fourth of July, Independence Day!  The day we celebrate the Declaration in Independence.  This is the holiday that we Americans celebrate freedom!  A freedom that simply is not found in any other nation.  But not complete freedom. 

As a Christian, from a country founded on Christian freedom I see a new freedom arising.  I call it censored freedom.  As Christians we are losing our rights in America to express and live out openly the faith we have in Jesus Christ.  Sure we have the right to be Christians or any other faith we desire, but we are becoming more and more censored almost to the point that we can only be Christians in our homes and churches.  Faith lived outside the walls of our homes and churches is now considered harassment and religious intolerance. 

I am proud to be an American and living in the USA, but even more so I am proud to be a bible believing Jesus Christ following totally surrendered set free Christian. 

You see Jesus Christ didn't just set me free from some nation, like America was set free from Great Britain.  Jesus Christ set me free from the wages of my sin. He has set me free from the bondage to guilt and shame from my past.  He has set me free from my mistakes.  I am free from my own worse enemy, me.  I am free to live with Christ in me.  I am free from doubts and weaknesses.  I am free from addiction and depression. I am free from bitterness and brokenness.  By His stripes and victory over death I have been set free!

There is no greater freedom found in no other country than freedom from deaths reign that Jesus Christ the son of the living God has offered you and me.  Are looking for this kind of freedom?  If so, you can have it as well by accepting Jesus Christ as lord and savior in your life, by believing in His death and resurrection, and confessing Him as Lord over your life.  He is already standing at the door of your heart and knocking to come in.  Accept His invitation to come into your life and become not just a believer, but a follower of Jesus Christ today. 

Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Romans 10:9-10 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Where are you God?

Where are you God?

In the book of Judges Gideon asks the LORD; "Why has all this happened to us, why have you abandoned us?"  At first, it sounds like a good question.  Don't we all want to know why things happen and where God has gone? Especially when we are suffering.  The interesting thing, the LORD does not answer his question.

I do not think that Gideon asked a stupid question, but I do think he asked an ignorant question.  I believe the only stupid question is the one not asked.  I also believe that not every question needs to be answered by the person the question is posed to.  There are times when we already know the answer.  I kind of think this was the case with Gideon's question.  I imagine Gideon posing the big question and the LORD giving him the "look". You know the look your patents give you when you asked a question that you already knew the answer to.  Questions like "Hey mom can I jump off the roof onto the trampoline and bounce into a triple flip and land in the kiddie pool?"  Obviously you would already know the answer to that question.  There are times with my kids I would respond, "What do you think my answer is?"  It never failed they would say, "I know…."

The simple truth, the Israelites already knew the answer to Gideon's question If they realized it or not.  The problem is they had become blinded by ignorance and foolishness.  The LORD warned them numerous times to not corrupt themselves by adopting the practices of the other nations.  Nations that did not recognize or worship the one true God.  Basically God said; "Do not give in to the sinful ways of the world.  If you do, I will turn you over to it and you will suffer by your choices."  I bet most knew the answer and realized how ignorant and foolish they had been. 

Each time the Israelites realized how foolish they had been and the reasons why the humbled themselves and turned back to God's way. .  Each time God was faithful to send a judge that was anointed by the spirit of God to rescue the Israelites and lead them out of their foolish ignorant ways. They knew what they had done.  God delivered them by sending a leader to show them the way back to God.  Each time they returned to the LORD, they had to destroy the enemy, purge their lives of evil and follow God's will and plan.

Have you been asking the same question as Gideon?  If so, could it be the answer is the same for you as it was for him?  It was not God who abandoned or left you or the Israelites.  The problem was their choice to adopt and practice the sinful ways of the world.    They chose to not follow God according to His desires, instructions and will.  Just like the Israelites, the choice is ours as well.  Fortunately, we do not need a judge; God has given us Jesus instead.  He will never leave or forsake us.  He will always guide us down the path of righteousness.  A path that always leads to experiencing God and His perfect love. 

 

Robbing Quality from the LORD

Stating the obvious; people desire relationships.  Do not most people want to be liked, acknowledged, recognized and even respected?  We seek relationships at home, at school, work, church, and even more so on social media.  We may even find ourselves justifying our value by the number of so called friends or followers we have.  We count our tweets, re-tweets, favored tweets, likes, re-shares, followers, friends, favored’s, and so on.  We are so focused on quantity and being quantified, that we have neglected quality. 

Society has come to this place where we have robbed relationships of quality.  Without quality, what you have is nothing more than superficial, non-dependable, unreliable, broken connections.   You may think you have gained the world in popularity by counting numbers, but in fact you have robbed your soul of one of its greatest desires.  We want to be connected to others.  Friends will unfriend, followers will quit following, re-tweets will be forgotten, favoreds will be filled away, pretty much all the quantity and quantifying will amount to nothing more than empty shallow meaningless numbers. 

Have you ever been in a crowd and yet still felt totally alone?  I have.  In robbing ourselves and cheating others of quality communication, we have created gatherings of two, three, and even mass multitudes of physical and digital congregations of lonely people.    

Although people will come and go in life, there is one who will never leave you or forsake you, He wants to be your friend forever and He will always favor you.  His name is Jesus.  He desires your friendship, following, favoring, re-tweets, re-shares and so much more.  He gave everything just so He could become a friend of yours.  He desires quality. 

Have you robbed yourself of the greatest relationship this world has ever known?  Have you chosen not to have Jesus Christ as your friend?  Even worse, are you a Christian who is robbing your savior of quality communication? Have you chosen to rob the one who gave it all so that you could follow Him?

This may be a stretch for some, but here it is.  In Matthew chapter 21 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling, He overturned all the tables and ran them all off.   He was angered because the temple was being dishonored for monetary gain.  Right after, Jesus said “My house will be called a house of prayer, and you have turned it into a den of robbers.”  In 1 Corinthians 6:19 we are told that our bodies are a temple for the Holy Spirit.  Now, if our bodies are temples for the Holy Spirit and Jesus himself said in Mathew 21 that His temple is a house of prayer, then are we not robbing Jesus Christ of a quality relationship if we choose not to communicate with Him? 

I cannot help but believe that we are obviously called to a quality relationship with Jesus Christ.  In order to have quality we must communicate and interact intentionally, purposefully, and routinely.   If not, then you are forming nothing more than an empty religious gathering.  Although you may call yourself a Christian, attend church regularly and even share your religion, you will still feel lonely.  Quality, that is what makes it all real.  I challenge you to make your relationship with Christ all about quality each and every day. 

 

 

May my life be the proof and evidence of Christ’s love!

Setting up Stones and Start Leading the Way:

Seated deep along the continental divide in Wyoming in the Medicine Bow National forest there are stone markers.  These stone markers were set by Poppy, my wife’s grandfather.  Poppy owned several acres of untamed wilderness land surrounded by the national forest.  In and around this land you could find ghost towns, old mines, artifacts, rivers, streams, fields of flowers, tall pines, complete solitude, peace, quiet and of course wildlife. 

Up above the land Poppy owed was one of the most beautiful rock and flower laced mountain ridges.  Leading up to that ridge you would find the stone markers that were set up to lead the way.  If you carefully followed these markers, they would lead you to a fresh mountain spring. From this spring bubbles out the sweetest, freshest, most refreshing mountain water I have ever tasted.  Strategically Located by the spring you will find evidence of Thomas Edison’s hunting camp.  Built into the side of a tree is his desk, close by is the horse corral, and between the two you find the stone camp fire. 

Honestly, I do not know for sure if this site really was Thomas Edison’s hunting camp.  I just know that was the story Poppy told us.  It may or may not be true.  I like to think it is, because it was known that Tomas Edison did camp and hunt in that area.  Either way, my point is this; every time we go up to Poppy’s land we always look forward to the hike following his stone markers leading up to one of the most beautiful and breath taking places on earth.  Without Poppy’s stone makers, you would for sure get lost and not find this hidden majestic location.

In the Book of Joshua, Joshua set up 12 stones on the other side of the Jordan River after they had crossed on dry land.  The purpose was to honor the LORD and to leave a lasting memorial for those who would come later.  The memorial was there to tell the story of the journey of how God rescued the Israelites from oppression and led them to the promise land. This is a story of miracles, God’s provisions, and deliverance from bondage.  This story would show the way for those who have not been there before.  A story filled with God markers leading the way to freedom and redemption. 

Is your life filled with rock solid markers?  Are you making a mark in history for your family, friends, neighbors, strangers, or anyone who may follow?  Are the defining moments of your God story set in stone so that others may find the way to the one true King?   If your testimony is hidden in the secret places of your heart, then who will ever be able to follow and find the way?  I challenge you to make some marks, obvious marks that stand out and last.  Set up those so-called stones markers by telling your story, making a lasting impact, and start leading the way.  To God be the glory in my life and the lives that follow.

 

Joshua 4:19-24 On the tenth day of the first month the people went up from the Jordan and camped at Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho. 20 And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. 21 He said to the Israelites, "In the future when your descendants ask their fathers, 'What do these stones mean?' 22 tell them, 'Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.' 23 For the LORD your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The LORD your God did to the Jordan just what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. 24 He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God."

May my life be the proof and evidence of Christ’s Love!

Never Been That Way Before

The devotion I am sharing today comes from the book of Joshua.  Specifically from the chapters describing the crossing through the Jordan River.  Keep in mind what the Jordan River represents and how it relates to your life as well.  The Jordan is what separated the Israelites from the Promised Land.  During the time of the crossing, the river was at flood stage.  Simply put, crossing the Jordan River was an impossible task. 

Right now and even in your foreseeable future do you see the impossible?  What is it that you believe is an impossible obstacle in your life that keeps you from moving forward in your faith and even your relationship with God?  For me I see a lot of things.  Financial struggle, medical bills, Huntington’s disease, doubts, fears, and random life circumstances.  For you maybe it is the same things or other things like addictions, anger, broken relationships, etc... Only you know for sure what your Jordan River is.

Just prior to crossing the impossible, Joshua instructed the Israelites to wait.  They were to wait for the Levites to go before them with the Ark of the Covenant and then follow.  Why?  Well because they had never been that way before.  They needed to be led so that that would not stray and go the wrong direction.  They were also instructed to stay back a ways from the ark.  Another way to put it; they needed to keep the ark before them and not pass it up or get ahead of it. 

Have you ever stopped to think and realize that none of us have ever been on the path that God has planned before us?  Sure others have gone before us in the faith and service.  But just like a finger print God has a path, a specific plan, for my life and yours.  It is just as special and unique as your own finger print.  Sure there is a common goal and that is to grow in our faith, make disciples and glorify God through service and worship.  However each one of us has a unique set of gifts and life circumstances. 

If the Israelites did not follow the LORD what would they have done when they reached the Jordan?  I’m sure they would have stopped for sure.  Would they have waited for the floods to recede, turned left, turned right or even turn completely away?  Either way, they would have missed out partially in experiencing God if not completely missing out. 

May I encourage you to face your Jordan River by keeping the LORD before you as you follow Him.  In my walk with Jesus Christ, He has parted many impossible rivers and has faithfully delivered me to the other side. 

I took the picture in 2001 during a flood on the White River in north Arkansas.

 

Joshua 3:3-4 giving orders to the people: "When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. 4 Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about a thousand yards between you and the ark; do not go near it."

May my life be the proof and evidence of Christ’s love!

Happy Birthday to me

OK, so today is my birthday… HaPpY BiRtHdAy! to me.  Truth is I really don’t like to celebrate me.  I honestly feel there are much better things to celebrate.  However, in spite of my resistance to having a party on my birthday, I do celebrate my birth.  I am so blessed that the Creator of Life made me.  I am so thankful that He brought me into this world physically so that I could experience Him and His purpose spiritually.

I cannot say I always have felt this way, because I did not.  If you know my testimony, you know about the hardships I went through and dealt with.  You understand why I did not want to live in my younger days. 

For the past 23 years I have reason to celebrate.  My reason is Jesus Christ and the plans God had for me before I was ever formed.  It took nearly 21 years to discover this truth, but when I did, my soul literally came alive!

So for my birthday, I want to thank the LORD God, His son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.  I want all the praise, glory and honor to go to the one who brought me life.  I thank the LORD for the gift of hardship, pain and suffering because that is what it took to lead me to Him.  It is my past that He used to make me who I am today.

I celebrate my born again life because He lives!  May my life be the gift of appreciation and thanks that the LORD God deserves.  I do not ask for gifts for myself, however I will ask for your prayers.  Please pray for me as I intentionally and purposefully seek God’s will and plan for my life each and every day.  I don’t ever want to miss out on His great and amazing adventure, making disciples in Jesus name!

 

Philippians 1:21 For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Strong and Courageous

Strong and Courageous

If I can be honest, even though I may appear tough and put together on the outside, I'm not on the inside.  I have fears that make me feel weak and afraid.  Even to the point at times of losing my focus on the path of God's plan for my life.  You could say fear and weakness can be major distractions.

So what do I fear?  Well probably not what you may think.  I fear failure, being inadequate for God's calling in my life, not being used by God, I fear missing out serving the LORD.  I also fear the voices; you know the voices inside your head.  No I am not crazy or insane.  I fear the same voices most people hear.  I am taking about the voice of doubt.    Some of the things I hear are “You are not adequate enough” “You are not committed enough” “You are not talented enough” “You are not wise enough” “You are too busy” “You will never be able” “You are not disciplined enough” “You are not …” And the one that seems to get us all “Did God really say…”

Just recently I returned from a Youth mission trip to Ridgecrest North Carolina.  Prior to and during the mission trip, satan was doing all he could to hinder, distract, and even stop what God had planned.  There were all kinds of issues, distractions, and problems leading up to the mission trip.  Throughout the weeks leading up to the mission trip, I began to feel doubt and fear.  But then I was also constantly reminded that I did not have to be afraid, I could be strong and courageous. 

Every time I felt doubt or fear, I always spoke Gods truth and promises to satan.  I also reminded myself and the all the others that God was about to do something big and satan was doing his best to hinder and stop what God had planned for each of us.  Through it all we all clung to the promises of God that we can be strong and courageous because He was with us.  Have you ever stopped to think and believe that if God has called you to a particular task, then He is going to provide the means and methods to complete what He desires?

 It is not the weakness of God that leads to our failures.  It is when we surrender to our fears that we fail.  This past week, we refused to surrender to the doubts and fears and through it all God moved in ways greater than what we had experienced before.  The testimonies of this mission trip are so great and too much to tell, but I can say this; we climbed out of the valley and rose to a mountain top all by the strength of God.  We may not be fearless, but we certainly learned to fear less. 

In the LORD, you are made strong and courageous.  Your assurance comes with His presence in your life as He walks with you and leads you.  In Christ Jesus, you are never alone. 

The picture is from top of a mountain overlooking the Smokey mountains.  We went to the mountain top to view the sunrise during our mission trip.

 

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

May my life be the proof and evidence of Christ’s Love!

Fishing Follower Faith

If your faith has not changed who you are and the things you do, then maybe what you have faith in is fake! 

The word of God  says in Matthew 4:19 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."

If your faith is following Jesus, then he will make you a fisher of men.  Do you get that?  He will make you.  He did not say I will try to make you, I will teach you, or even I would like for you.  He said "I will make you."  

With that said, Jesus will change who you are an what you do.  You will become one who seeks to catch men for the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He will change everything about you so that your life is all about reaching people for him so that they can be saved by him.  Your life will be changed and suited to what he knows is best so that you can fulfill the great commission of reaching the lost world for Jesus Christ.

Does your faith make you a fishing follower of Jesus Christ or just a fan? 

Even a Good Cheesecake Won't Last

A few years ago while I was in Nicaragua on a mission trip, I met a very wealthy American businessman.  I was ordering coffee in the local coffee shop when a voice behind me said, "hey, you are an American."  I turned around and there stood a very distinguished well-dressed older man.  After we introduced ourselves to one another, he then asked why I was in Nicaragua.  I proceeded to explain that I was on a mission trip and asked if he was a Christian.  He politely replied, "I am not a religious person, but I do respect you and I do believe in God."  I then went on to explain the purpose of the mission trip I was a part of. 

I shared how I was with RHEMA (Ron Herrod Evangelical Missions Association.  RHEMA trains men to become pastors and assists them in establishing churches.  The mission team comes and provides street ministry, social ministry, prison outreach, school outreach, medical missions, crusades, church services and other ministry related services.  I explained how RHEMA comes not only to provide immediate assistance, but ultimately leave something that will last.  RHEMA's goal is to train pastors, plant churches, and reach the lost for Christ.

After sharing the man responded, 'You are giving a lot of yourselves obviously. I like how you are not just coming and going, but you are leaving these people with something that will last."  I said, "yes sir, what good we would have accomplished if all we did was temporary?"  He replied, "I have done a lot of good in my life time, I even use to own a cheesecake factory and I gave away a lot of cheesecakes in my time."  I smiled and said, "Even a good cheese cake won't last long." 

I then asked if I could share the gospel with him and sadly, he said, "No thank you."  I proceeded with my story of the mission trip I was on and then quickly went on to share how I shared the gospel with the people of Nicaragua.  Yes, he heard the gospel anyway.  I just had to be creative about it.  When I was finished he told me; "I have never heard about God that way before, I think I get it now.  I need to really think about this."  I asked if he wanted to accept Christ as LORD and Savior.  He said; "Not right now, I really need to think about it.  But what you shared makes so much sense."

 

Matthew 6:20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

May my life be the proof and evidence of Christ's love!