Companionship

“As long as Moses held up the staff with his hands, the Israelites had the advantage.” Exodus 17:11

God never designed us to fight the battles of life on our own. Nor did He design people to be completely independent of one another. The Lord reveled this to us in the very beginning when He created Adam. Adam alone in the Garden of Eden had everything, except the one thing that would complete him and help him-a partner in life.

Though the Lord could have very easily kept Adam alone, He didn’t. He saw the absence and need of a partner. “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a companion who will help him.” Genesis 2:18 Therefore God created Eve. Eve filled the void (the animals did not) she became flesh and bone.

So it began-companionship and help, thus fast forward to Exodus 17: 11-12 and read again how important the help and companionship of Aaron and Hur were to Moses during this phase of reaching the promise land.

“Moses’ arms finally became too tired to hold up the staff any longer. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side, holding up his hands until sunset.” Exodus 17:12

Do you know God could have very easily held up Moses’ arms, He could have filled him with so much strengthen to do it alone, but He didn’t-He used Aaron and Hur and I believe He did so to show us the importance of three things; companionship, encouragement and help. As a body of believers we are not to work independently of each other but as one, just as God shows us Moses, Aaron, Hur, Joshua and the Israelites all did.

Listen to what Isaiah says we are to do as believers and partners of Christ Jesus.

“With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees. Say to those who are afraid, ‘Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies.” Isaiah 35:3-4 Help and companionship!

Look at Hebrews 12:12

“So take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky legs. Mark out a straight path for your feet. Then those who follow you, though they are weak and lame, will not stumble and fall but will become strong.”

Christ is our source of strength, through Him we can press on, and help others press on. We should always look to our first and real companion Christ Jesus to give us the strength we need, and then we must be willing to help others with that strength we are given.

Prayer: Lord thank You for opening my eyes to see the importance of companionship and helping others. May I always draw on Your strength and then help others with the strength You have given me. Amen

The Outstretched Arms

"As long as Moses held up the staff with his hands, the Israelites had the advantage.” Exodus 17:11

We too can have the advantage while in the battlefield. But we must remember to always keep our eyes on Christ, our thoughts on His word, live in obedience, and keep our hearts open and willing. Even when it seems like everything is falling apart or when the enemy is closing in on us. 

Do you know why we will always have the advantage as children of God?

Because of Jesus! He did not just raise His arms; He outstretched His arms and took on a war that only He could-the war of sin and death. And He conquered it!

Praise God for Jesus! Praise God that His Son willingly outstretched those arms so that you and I could have the advantage in this fallen and sinful world.

Prayer: Thank Jesus for the sacrifice You made so each of us could overcome the battles of flesh, sin, and the enemy. Jesus thank You that we can look at the palms of Your hands and see the battle scars that You took on our behalf. You did way more than hold up Your arms, You defeated and fought the war for us. Praise You Lord, thank You. Amen

The Shepherd's Staff

“As long as Moses held up his staff with his hands the Israelites had the advantage.” Exodus 17:11

One of the most interesting things to me in this story and the story of Moses in general, is the significance of his shepherd’s staff.

A shepherd staff was a common accesory back then. It was a long slender stick that often had a hook or crook on the end of it. The staff’s purpose was one of comfort, support, and to draw sheep together in an intimate relationship. For example if a newborn lamb was born and its mother wandered off, the Shepherd would use it to lift the newborn lamb and bring it to its mother.  It was also used to keep the sheep together and to bring close to the Shepherd for examination.

For Moses it became something greater than just a stick/staff. It became his assurance that God’s power and presence was with him.  We see that in Exodus 4:2-4 and Exodus 4:17 “Then the Lord asked him, ‘What do you have there in your hand?’ ‘A shepherd’s staff,’ Moses replied” Throw it down on the ground, the Lord told him. So Moses threw it down, and it became a snake!...Then the Lord told him, ‘Take hold of its tail, So Moses reached out and grabbed it and it became a shepherd’s staff again.”

Exodus 4:17 God tells Moses to take his shepherd’s staff with him so he can perform the miraculous signs God had shown him. “And be sure to take your shepherd’s staff along so you can perform the miraculous signs I have shown you.” Exodus 4:17

An ordinary stick became and extraordinary stick-one that would fill Egypt with plagues, part the red sea, rain down manna, provide water from a rock, and bring victory to the Israelites as they defeated the Amalekites.

You know what else is amazing; we each have our own staff that God has given us. For some it is the use of their hands, for others it might be their vision, even one’s ears become a staff of God’s power and presence as they listen to the needs of others. Maybe your staff is your ability to sing, or write, or heal, or even to encourage.

Whatever your staff is use it for the glory of the Lord-just like Moses did.

Prayer: Lord thank You for giving each of us our own staff. May we use them for Your glory and honor. May we use our staff’s Lord and not take them for granted or think they are not useful enough. God all things made by You are useful. Amen

Fight, help, lead, and keep your arms up!

“As long as Moses held up the staff with his hands, the Israelites had the advantage.” Exodus 17:11

I have no idea where you are right now but wherever you are I want you to put your arms straight up above your head and leave them there as you read this devotional.(If someone asks what you are doing, ask them to join you or even help you) I hope you will because it will bring you that much closer to experiencing what Moses went through. And if you do participate whatever you do don’t let them down until you finish!

I wonder this morning who you and I are in this story (Exodus 17:8-11). Maybe some of us are Joshua’s leading the army into battle. Maybe some of us are Moses’ holding up the staff of God so that the men in battle will be victorious. Maybe we are Aaron’s and Hur’s who have now come to the aid of the Moses’. Maybe some of us feel like we are the Israelites who are on the battle field fighting the enemy.

Wherever we are, God has a purpose for us, and He has positioned us in those places for a specific reason.

For the Israelites fighting-know that this war whatever it may be; cancer, a broken marriage, addiction, depression, loss of a job, maybe even your job, persecution, or sin will come to an end if you just keep fighting .

For the Joshua’s who are leading the army-stay focused on Christ, trust in the commander in Chief; be encouraging, supportive, and positive. Pray for your army, (family, friends, and the body of Christ). Stand firm against the attacks, and endure for victory is near.

For the Moses’-keep your arms up no matter the cost, no matter how weary, or heavy your arms become. Keep your eyes on the Lord and be in constant thought and prayer for those you are interceding for.  Don’t let Satan get into your mind consuming you with thoughts of self, because then you are more likely to lower your arms, let up your guard, and those whom you are helping will begin to be overcome-including you. And remember you are where and who God chose for this task, therefore He will equip you with the strength you need to endure as long as you focus on Him.

For all the Aaron’s, and Hur’s –you are so important even if you feel as though your task, job is overlooked. It is not and it is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. You are the ones who God has called to be at the aid of the Moses’. Your help in sharing in the responsibility, your commitment, your prayers, your encouragement and your selflessness is what brings victory. We need more Aaron’s and Hur’s in this world because our Spiritual leaders are becoming tired from holding up their arms.

So brethren take pride in where God has placed you in this season of life, because victory is near, so keep fighting, keep leading, keep your arms up and keep helping.

Did your arms become heavy and tired? Imagine keeping them up through a war?

Prayer: Lord Your banner over us is love. Thank You! Thank you for all the Israelites who are fighting today, thank You for all the Joshua’s, Moses’ , Aaron’s and Hur’s.  Lord we rejoice today because victory is ours in Christ Jesus. Yes indeed the end is near, hasten the day Lord Jesus. We are ready to meet the Savior. Amen

Get your arms up

“As long as Moses held up the staff with his hands, the Israelites had the advantage.” Exodus 17:11

It is that time of the year for my husband when things become a little more intense in his job. The hours away become longer, the stress intensifies; the amount of film to watch doubles, the competitors get tougher, and the stakes become higher. You either win or go home. To most it is known as playoffs, but to me it is known as the Battle of the Amalekites.

This battle began two years ago when my husband’s football team began advancing further in the playoffs. As I was studying one morning, I began to feel the Lord impress on my heart to really intercede in prayer for Garrett and the team. I had never prayed diligently for victory I just prayed for safety and a good season. But this time the Lord asked differently of me. So much He led me to Exodus 17 and told me I would be the one to hold up the arms of my husband as he and the rest of the army (football team) fought every Friday. At that point I had no idea what the outcome would be, but I knew it would require obedience on my part, faith on my husband’s part, and continual steadfast prayer because the battle is long leaving us weary, exhausted and our arms heavy.

“While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek came to fight against them. Moses commanded Joshua, ‘Call the Israelites to arms, and fight the army of Amalek. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.’ So Joshua did what Moses had commanded. He led his men out to fight the army of Amalek. Meanwhile Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of a nearby hill. As long as Moses held up the staff with his hands, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites gained the upper hand. Moses’ arms finally became too tired to hold up the staff and y longer. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side, holding up his hands until sunset. As a result, Joshua and his troops were able to crush the army of Amalek. Then the Lord instructed Moses, ‘Write this down as a permanent record, and announce it to Joshua: I will blot out every trace of Amalek from under heaven.’ Moses built an altar there and called it ‘The Lord is my Banner.’ He said, ‘They have dared to raise their fist against the Lord’s throne, so now the Lord will be at war with Amalek generation after generation.” Exodus 17:8-16

I know it might sound crazy, it did to my family and even Garrett at first, but the outcome in 2008 quickly changed their minds when Carthage won their first State Championship.  I remember telling Garrett the night God laid it on my heart and I remember telling him "Get your arms up" and I will be there to hold them up and intercede in prayer. He did just that and so did the defense. Since then in 2008 they have won another State Championship and are on their way once again. God is SO good and when we are obedient to Him, He does GREAT things. He not only does great things, He even works in our hearts opening our eyes to realize what is the most important, and though championships are great, trophies are cool, and the rings are awesome, they are all temporary, and the satisfaction only lasts a little while. The most important thing is that God is glorified, praised, and receives all the attention, otherwise all the fighting and holding up of arms is in vain.

Besides learning true obedience and a deeper faith, God taught Garrett and I one of the most important lessons in 2008-we are in this profession for no other reason than to save souls, glorify God and to put our eyes on the real Head Coach-Jesus Christ who will always be victorious. Win or lose I know God is able to do more than I could ever dare to ask or hope for, and I will continue to believe in His Sovereignty, I will continue to believe and pray for souls to be saved, and I will keep holding up the arms of my husband as he enters the battle year after year until the final victory is won-the victory of Christ's return.

Prayer: Lord two years ago You taught Garrett and I that it is not about the trophy or rings, it is about the souls of the athletes. Lord it is those souls we are fighting for. It is the saving of souls that makes Garrett raise his arms and it is those very souls that encourage me to help keep Garrett’s arms up. Thank You Lord, may You be glorified in every win and every loss. Most of all Lord use us to build a team of students who know You, serve You and love You. Amen

Daily Deposits

"He felt great pity for the crowds that came, because their problems were so great and they didn’t know where to go for help. They were like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, the harvest is so great, but the workers are so few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send out more workers for his fields.” Matthew 9:36-38

He has been working and tugging on my heart so much, and though it has been more than enough, He in His Sovereignty tugged a little bit harder today.

He knew the exact person to use who could get the job done-my DAD!  And it all came through a text.

This is what it said, “Could everyone please check your bank accounts and make sure of your balance. Are there regular deposits going in there?”

My first thought was okay, I have no idea what he is talking about, and being that G handles all our finances I have no clue whether all our deposits are going in regularly. So I sent the message onto him to handle and went on about my morning.

Well later on I received a phone call from my dad and we began to discuss the text. This is what I LOVE so much about my dad. He was not asking about our worldly bank accounts he was asking about our spiritual bank accounts. Wow!

Broken and even hesitant to answer I didn’t say much, when he spoke the words as though he heard them deep within my heart. “I wish I could check my spiritual bank account.” “Me too daddy, but the problem with that is mine is probably empty.”  I replied.

Oh Brethren God has really been hitting me so hard in certain areas and this is one of them. As hard as all this has been on me, I am excited and joyful because I know He is preparing me for something REMARKABLE! But before I can get there I need to be cleaned up, transformed, mature, and wiser.

There is a world beyond this computer that is full of hurting, broken, lost and poor people who are hungry and desperate to be loved and taken care of. There are people who actually want to know about Jesus, who want to grow and not just maintain. There are children who want to be loved. They want to know they have a significance and purpose. There are people who want to be accepted just the way they are.

Then you have me, who has been so blessed for 30 years but who has been consumed so much with herself, and with encouraging those who already know better, that she has wasted and missed out on so many opportunities to deposit into her spiritual bank account.

God is changing my heart in a huge way that I cannot explain but that I hope to be expressing. I hope one day to get to heaven and see the faces of women who have been changed because of Christ working in and through me. I hope from here on out to begin depositing daily into my spiritual bank account, by reaching out to those who NEED Jesus, His love, and hope.

So how about you, do you have deposits going in regularly?

Prayer: Lord continue to open my eyes to see beyond myself and into the lives of others who need You. Lord use my family to be Your hands and feet. May we never become content in our spiritual walk. Show us daily where there are needs. Amen

The shoe box

“He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live to please themselves. Instead, they will live to please Christ, who died and was raised for them.” 2 Corinthians 5:15

Do I spend more time doing things that benefit me or that will bless others? If I am honest with myself and you, I will say that a majority of my life has been to please me. How sick that is to even type. Christ never once lived to please Himself. Instead He devoted Himself to please His Father and to bring all people to Him.

 

If I am living to please myself than I am also focusing on myself and not on Christ, therefore I cannot claim to love the Lord with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength. I must be willing to die to myself daily, shoulder my cross and follow Him.

Let me share a story with you that was shared with me at our Women’s Retreat by our speaker Jen Hatmaker. It has left such an impression on my heart and really drives the point home that I believe the Lord is wanting to get across. This is my paraphrase and does not do this story justice.

Jen and her husband were taking a missionary to dinner one night who had returned to the states from the Dominican Republic. Jen had asked him what it was like coming back to the United States and this was his reply to her. “One night I was staying in a little room and I received a knock on my door. When I opened the door I saw a woman standing there holding her dead baby. She said, “Pastor could you please help me find something to bury my baby in, I don’t have anything.” So together we found a shoe box and pieced it together. (This woman had already lost her husband, and other children who had starved to death, just as this baby.) We went out to bury her baby when she hit her knees, outstretched her arms and said, “Lord I know You are here with me because You provided a shoe box for me to bury my baby in. Thank You Lord for loving me and taking care of me.”

He then said when he returned to the states and attended a church a woman stood up and said, “God is so good to me. I have wanted to get a new SUV for a while now and I wanted it to be periwinkle. So my husband and I worked with our dealer who searched everywhere for our periwinkle SUV. They could not find one anywhere so I thought I was going to have to settle with gray, but we received a phone call from our dealer who finally found one in periwinkle.”

Lord teach me how to be a real follower of You. Move me to the place Lord where I am no longer living to please myself. Instead may I please You the one who died and was raised for me. Lord I confess to You today that my heart has been divided, one part me, one part you. Lord forgive me. I want to follow You, I want You to have my entire heart. Lord design my heart to be like the woman who saw Your grace, mercy and love from a shoebox. Keep me from ever desiring to be blessed worldly. Amen

What marks you?

“This is a celebration of what the Lord did for us when we left Egypt. This annual festival will be a visible reminder to you, like a mark branded on your hands or your forehead. Let it remind you always to keep the Lord’s instructions in your minds and on your lips. After all, it was the Lord who rescued you from Egypt with great power.” Exodus 13:8-9

What marks you as a follower of God?

Can your speech alone mark you?

Can being good morally mark you?

What is it that sets you apart?

The Festival of the Unleavened Bread would be the mark that set the Hebrews apart. It would be their reminder of what God did for them, in freeing them from Egypt. 

Christ’s blood is our mark that sets us apart, if we are a “true” follower of Christ. His shed blood reminds us of the sacrifice He paid for our freedom. It is His blood that redeems us and sets us free.

We must also tell our children and our children’s children of what Christ has done for us and for them.

One who has been marked leaves visible reminders on others by the way they live, speak, love, and in their actions and behavior.

Prayer: Lord Jesus may I leave visible reminders on the lives of my family and others. Thank You for covering me in Your blood and what an amazing honor and privilege it is. Thank You Jesus for setting me free from slavery. Amen

Because He said so

“But the Lord said to Joshua, I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its mighty warriors. Your entire army is to march around the city once a day for six days. Seven priests will walk ahead of the Ark, each carrying a ram’s horn. On the seventh day you are to march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the horns. When you hear the priests give one long blast on the horns, have all the people give a mighty shout. Then the walls of the city will collapse, and the people can charge straight into the city.” Joshua 6:2-6

They could taste the promise land, but only one thing, one really big thing stood in the way, the city of Jericho.  I have fallen in love with this story for so many reasons. One big reason is the lesson it teaches me –obedience, faithfulness, and complete trust. No matter how crazy God’s assignment sounded Joshua and the Israelites were going to do it. At this point they had grown into complete obedience and knew if God said do it, they needed to just do it, even if they didn't understand it. Why, because over the last 40 years from generation to generation they saw the effects of not listening and the rewards for listening and doing.

I too am learning in so many ways and in many areas of my life the importance of listening and doing what God says no matter how crazy people think I am, how far off they believe I am, or how far off I believe I am, or even God for that matter. I am learning the cost of following Christ is a place of un-comfortableness, lots of shaking my head, even sometimes closing my eyes and just walking in His steps. All while knowing full well He knows exactly what He is doing and it is for His glory and my benefit. So, if God says do it, I am learning to just do it even if I don’t understand it. I have experienced the consequences of my lack of obedience and I have had the privilege of relishing in the greatness of God through my obedience.

Reason number 2- Just as Joshua and the Israelites saw the power and greatness of God as those walls came crashing down, I too have seen His faithfulness and power in my own life as He has brought down the obstacles and walls that stood in the way of my progression towards the promise land.

So remember this as I do daily. No wall or obstacle is greater than God. There is not a broken heart, relationship, or home that He cannot heal and mend. There is no learning disability, failure, or struggle that He cannot overcome. God can overcome any obstacle that stands in our way. He did for Joshua and the Israelites and He will for us. But in order for us to see past those obstacles we have to be able to see the power of God and know in our hearts that absolutely nothing is impossible for Him. We must also be willing to do all that He requires of us through obedience to Him.

What are some obstacles in your way today?

What do you need to do in order to overcome those obstacles in your life?

Do you believe God can and will deliver you and bring you through to the other side?

If you ever wonder why you cannot seem to overcome some of your obstacles, stop and evaluate your life. Are you obeying God? Are you reading God’s word? Are you stepping aside and allowing Him to go before you?

Prayer: Lord this I know: You are on my side, O God I praise Your word, Yes! Lord I praise Your word. I trust in You the living God, so why should I be afraid, there is no obstacle or wall that You cannot demolish and there is nothing mere mortals can do to me. Praise You Jesus, Praise You. Amen

Pt.3 Solving the Man-Made Riddle

One final notation needs to be made here and then I will make some closing thoughts. 

 Acts 4:1-3 says, “When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples), He left Judea, and departed again into Galilee.  Jesus came to this earth for 2 main reasons:  1. To pay the price for our sinfulness, and 2. To model for us how our ‘newness of life’ should look

HE lived a life without sin, HE paid our penalty on the cross, HE rose again, HE showed us prayer, HE showed us good works, and HE preached His gospel wherever He went.  However, HE did not perform the physical act of baptism, He had His disciples do it.  This shows us two things about baptism – 1.  Baptism must be of great importance because He Himself was baptized and He honored the practice, and 2.  The importance is found in terms of the witness of baptism because baptism could NEVER save anyone.

My closing thoughts to kind of bring this issue to a summation are:  It is faith/trust/belief (whichever word you’d like to use and ALL genuine of course) that saves a person.  Upon this genuine faith/trust/belief, certain things occur such as “repentance” which means ‘a turning/changing of the mind’ in the Greek…..receiving the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13 – baptism by the way still meaning the same in the Greek as stated above), and THEN following the Lord in obedience through baptism as Scripture so states and as Jesus modeled for us.  Adding anything to salvation other than true faith/trust/belief in the blood of Jesus and His resurrection is blasphemous and it states that Christ’s sacrifice wasn’t good enough.  I truly hope that through this study anyone who has these questions or who needed some true answers as I did can benefit from this and come away knowing what the Scripture truly says.  Never get tired of studying the Word we’ve been given.  God bless you.

PS – other issues were brought up such as “security of the believer” and “the Holy Spirit”, which I will do another write-up for later on.  I wanted to go ahead and stop here on Baptism for length issues.

Ryan is not only a gifted writer, he is also a phenomenal Preacher! I will be posting his sermons on here for you to watch and I hope you will, you will be extremely blessed. The first two sermons are from his series titled, "Defending the Faith" it is four part series consisting of; 

1. Evolution

2. Islam-

3. Political Correctness- Part A-Homosexual Movement

4. Political Correctness-Part B-Secular Humanism (truth is what I want it to be)

Pt.2 Solving the Man-Made Riddle

Still a little skeptical?  I still wanted to dig deeper myself, so here is a bit more evidence on the subject to leave no doubt.

Let’s look at John 3:5 – “Jesus answered, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”  Again, seems pretty self-explanatory.  The phrase ‘born of water’ obviously means we must be physically baptized with water for salvation.  Or does it?  For this, we must go back to the original text, as well as to parallel Scriptures to back it up further.

Here, the term “water” actually refers in parallel to the Word of God and its cleansing qualities.  (examples of this parallel text are found in John 15:3, Ephesians 5:26, and 1 Peter 1:23)  In each of these instances, the same Greek phrases are used, however in English they are translated as “water”, “Word of God” and “the word.”  Knowing this, it all comes together.  We parallel to Titus 3:5, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”  Highlight the word ‘regeneration’ here.  ‘Regeneration’ in the original text means ‘to become again.’  Here, the concept has to do with personal regeneration.  At the moment a person exercises repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ, he is born again in the context of “being born from above” (parallel to John 3:3).  It is the Holy Spirit that makes us a new creation which is received upon true faith/belief in Christ (Acts 1:5, 2:38, 10:47)

Solving the Man Made Riddle

3 Part series on Baptism-written by Ryan Burchett

The title of this came about from recent series of discussions I had with a friend of mine.  I’m truly blessed to 

know someone who is so willing and so passionate about studying the Scriptures and getting down to the truth.  During our discussions, my friend brought up some interesting questions that I had never really had to have an answer before in my life.  The Bible says that “iron sharpens iron” which perfectly describes this situation.  It was through these discussions and tough questions that I have now been able to get to the core truths and solve some of these ‘man-made riddles.’

1.      Baptism - Have you ever had someone ask you “what do you think about Mark 16:16, John 3:5, or Acts 2:38?  During the discussions with my friend, these verses of Scripture were brought up (amongst others which spoke the same messages).  When these verses were brought up to me, the question was then asked, after some discussion, “how can we possibly say that baptism is not required for one’s salvation?”  “By saying that baptism doesn’t have a role in saving someone, wouldn’t we be adding/taking away from Scripture and twisting it to say what we want it to….which by the way is condemned by Scripture?”     

I must admit, when these questions were asked and these verses were available as ‘back-up’, I really didn’t have an answer.  I had my own interpretations, I knew what the answers were, and I KNEW WHAT I BELIEVED……or did I?  Any answer that I did have, which went along the lines of “we are saved by the grace of God through the shedding of Jesus’ blood on the cross for our sins.  Baptism is merely an outward symbol, a public showing of one’s newness of life, and an act of obedience to the Lord.”  

However, my friend said “show me Biblical proof.  Show me actual verses that say this.”  And rightfully so.  If we answer someone about Biblical things yet we don’t have specific Scriptures to back them up, our answers or interpretations mean nothing.  So, when I say I’m very thankful for my friend in asking me these questions, I tell you the truth.  He forced me to look deeper into these issues than I ever had before – “iron sharpens iron.”

So, what did I find out?

First of all, as my friend brought up in our discussions, we must allow Scripture to speak for itself……which I totally agree with.  We are not to add or take away anything from the Scripture we have been given…..doing anything of the sort would be blasphemous.  However, we must be careful with this ‘rule of thumb’ as well because it can set us up for many misinterpretations.  If Scripture is taken literally on every front, we will be in for some sad misinterpretations, let alone the fact that our interpretations are 99.9% of the time based off of our English translations.  If we really want to let Scripture speak for itself and know what it is truly saying, we have to look into the original language, which in the New Testament case is in Greek.  Why?  Because there are many words such as ‘baptism’ and ‘repent’ which are two extremely crucial words in our English language, however in the Greek they often have more than one meaning and sometimes they are even used as references or parallels for other words found in other verses.  This is why God commands us to “meditate on the Word….and to write it on the tablet of our heart.”  We have to STUDY Scripture to really get it, not just READ it.

With that said, here is what I’ve discovered about ‘baptism’ –

        In Acts 2:38 for example it says “….Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins….”  Seems obvious and simple to understand correct?  We first must repent and BE BAPTIZED for the what?  Remission of sins……..

Is this a point where in the English language we should take this literally?  Let’s consult the original Greek text. 

“Repent” in the Greek is a second person imperative, indicating a mandate for ALL to repent…this is of course an absolute in the Christian faith. (Luke 13:3)  Here’s the tricky part in the English translation – “Be baptized” is a third person passed imperative, stressing individual responsibility to obey (“BE” – the Greek word here being ‘kerygma’ meaning ‘proclamation’).  Knowing this, the phrase “be baptized” in the original text gives us the meaning in English that being baptized is an outward evidence of the genuineness of repentance and faith.  Therefore, it should read something like this:  “because of the remission of sins.” (another parallel to this word ‘kerygma’ is used in Acts 10:47 to name one example)

Let’s race to the cross

“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise to return, as some people may think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and everything in them will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be exposed to judgment. Since everything around us is going to melt away, what holy, godly lives you should be living!” 2 Peter 3:9-11

I wonder if there has been a time in your life when the Lord has really grabbed a hold of you and brought you to the other side of the cross. Literally picking you up, dusting you off from all the mud, mire, and sin that covered you, opened your eyes and revealed to you that the time to turn was now.

I ask because I know He is able and that He does. He did it for me. I wonder if now, being on this side of the cross, you realize the urgency to continue to confess and repent daily. I wonder if you know the importance of  living a pure and blameless life that is not of complacency, or being a maintainer, but living on this side as one who daily hurries to bring others to this side as well.

He is coming brethren, He is coming so soon and all I can say is, "Hasten the day Lord Jesus, we long for Your arrival!"

May our hearts desire be that all people long for the return of Christ Jesus.

Use today to be the day you speak out for Christ with boldness and love. Don’t wait for the right time, the right time is now. People are dying, broken, and desperate, let’s not wait until it is too late. Desire and want more of people and for people, Jesus does.

Prayer: Lord place me in the path of someone today who needs to hear about You. Amen

Not a moment wasted

“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise to return, as some people may think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and everything in them will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be exposed to judgment. Since everything around us is going to melt away, what holy, godly lives you should be living!” 2 Peter 3:9-11

As I sat in the waiting room observing all God’s people, I was filled with amazement, amazement because each of them are patterned after God, made in His likeness, His image. He cares for each one individually. He sent His Son whom took upon Himself every one of their sins, their parent’s sins, their children’s sins and so on from generation to generation, including mine.

He desires them, He desires me, He desires for us to pursue Him. He even at the very moment I sat in there was also sitting next to each one of us. I could see Him as He sat next each one placing His arm around them, and even beyond that He slipped Himself under them placing their entire body on top of His lap. The needs in that room whether big or small are needs He knows and supplies for. He hears the heart as it speaks in the quietness of every soul. Though silent to us, it was very loud and clear to Him. He listened, He comforted, He loved and still loves and He desires intimacy and love in return.

As I sat in that room picturing my Savior I felt the strongest urge to mention the name of Jesus. To announce His presence, and though I did not have the opportunity in that room, I had the opportunity past that room and into the room I would enter with a young lady who ran the tests.

She was a sweet young woman who filled the bland, colorless, cold room with comfort, peace and happiness. And she was a young woman whom I got to share Jesus with, talk about Jesus with, laugh with, and pray with. I got to hear how God grabbed a hold of her, changed her, and was still changing her from the woman she used to be. It was pure joy and my absolute deepest desire in life!

I walked out of that room after 2 hours knowing not a moment was wasted in silence, fear, or wishing. I also left knowing that for two hours my Savior, our Savior sat in that room absorbing all the attention being placed upon Him.

Prayer: Lord I want every moment to be spent speaking about You, sharing in the joy with those You have redeemed. Thank You for such an amazing opportunity and the privilege of sharing Your name with that sweet young woman. Bless her and her family Lord, fill her every day with more and more of You and Your word. Lord may there never be a day from here on out that I do not mention Your name, share Your word with someone I speak to. I want every day to be filled with divine appointments. Lord I am blessed because of You, I am filled with joy because of You within me. You truly are my Redeemer, Lover, and Provider. Amen

Urgency to become more

“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise to return, as some people may think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and everything in them will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be exposed to judgment. Since everything around us is going to melt away, what holy, godly lives you should be living!” 2 Peter 3:9-11

It is an overwhelming feeling that arises up within me, one that leaves me feeling as though my insides are on fire, crying out to be relieved of the pressure that has become so strong it is reaching the point of suffocation.  This strong sense of urgency that consumes my soul is the very thing that also consumed the soul of Jeremiah.

“O Lord, you persuaded me, and I allowed myself to be persuaded. You are stronger than I am, and you overpowered me. Now I am mocked by everyone in the city. Whenever I speak, the words come out in a violent outburst. Violence and destruction! I shout. So these messages from the Lord have made me a household joke. And I can’t stop! If I say I’ll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am weary of holding it in!” Jeremiah 20:7-9

Not only do I feel and sense such an urgency in burning within me to share God’s word, I have this yearning, this hunger and thirst that goes beyond my gut, beyond what my mortal body can express, for such intimacy with Jesus. One that leaves my heart in constant desire to communicate, to grow, to express, to share, to step out of all comfortableness and into a place so uncomfortable it leaves me vulnerable, dependent, and ever so present with Christ.

A huge sense of joy fills every inch of my body when I ponder on that closeness with Christ not only for myself but for others as well.

Yet the Lord has brought me to a stopping point, one that has left me wide-eyed, broken, and even more desperate to walk in His likeness. And up to this point in my life I have been so blind, so unwilling …until now.

It is now that I am ready to become a real follower of Jesus Christ, a follower that unleashes this explosive amount of pressure within me.  A follower that has counted EVERY cost to follow Him and still takes that huge step over and says, “YES, yes Lord I have counted the cost and I am willing, I am ready, I am trusting and believing, and I will GO THE DISTANCE, despite what will lie ahead, what I will lose, what I will endure, how I will be mocked, etc.”

I have been a lover of Christ, but I have not been a follower, a disciple of Christ, I have been reserved, I have been weary and afraid of going the distance because of the fear of suffering, loneliness and rejection.

Oh Father forgive me for believing I have truly been a follower of You, when I have been clinging to the security of myself, my family, my possessions. Lord design within me a new heart, the heart that beats as Yours beats, hungers for what You hunger for, and follows You no matter the cost. Lord make my heart like Yours. Amen

It’s time!

“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise to return, as some people may think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and everything in them will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be exposed to judgment. Since everything around us it going to melt away, what holy, godly lives you should be living!” 2 Peter 3:9-11

It’s time for us who claim to be children of God to start living like true children of God.

It's time we start denying ourselves, shouldering our cross and following Christ, no matter the cost.

It's time we start taking a stand against homosexuality

It's time we start acting on the word of God.

It's time we start speaking out for Jesus.

It's time we get prepared to suffer.

It's time to realize that there is only ONE God?

It's time to stop fighting over man-made laws, thus dividing churches, and start standing on the only law that matters.

It's time for us to start selling out for the Lord?

It's time to sound the alarm, wake up and start stepping out in faith, confidence, boldness, love, and with our eyes fixed on the Cross.

“You should look forward to that day and hurry it along-the day when God will set the heavens on fire and the elements will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world where everyone is right with God. And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to live a pure and blameless life. And be at peace with God. And remember, the Lord is waiting so that people have time to be saved.” 2 Peter 3:12-15

Now do you see why it is time to wake up, and fix our eyes on what awaits us? I am so excited, and I want  you and me to be prepared, ready and waiting for the day our Father comes to get us.

Prayer: Lord thank You for all my brothers and sisters around the world who are sharing Your word, running to save the lost, encouraging the drifters, and who clothing themselves in the armor of Christ. Thank You Lord, may we each do our part right where we are. Amen

Why-Part 2

“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise to return, as some people may think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and everything in them will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be exposed to judgment. Since everything around us it going to melt away, what holy, godly lives you should be living!” 2 Peter 3:9-11

Why do we think we can work our way to heaven?

Why do we think we can pick and choose what parts of God’s word we want to obey?

Why are we not HUNGRY for Christ and His word?

Why do those who are seeking hard after the Lord get categorized as hypocrites when the ones they are looking at are the ones straddling both God and the world?

Why do we get jealous of others, is all that God has given us not good enough?

Why do we not forgive?

Why do we get more excited about worldly events and not God and heaven?

Why do we think we have all the time in the world to do what we want, when Christ could return any second?

Why are we not crying out to the Lord to save the lost?

Why are we not reaching out to the lost?

Why are we okay with being complacent in our relationship with God?

Why in the world are we letting Satan have this much control over God’s people?

Why are we not challenging one another spiritually?

Why are we afraid to speak to our families about Christ?

Why have we stopped holding one another accountable?

Why are we giving up in our marriages?

Why are we so blind to the fact that the very person we can’t stand if a “true” follower of Christ is going to be in heaven with us FOREVER?

Why are we still pulling our past around with us?

Prayer: Lord remind us how brief our time on earth is. Lord implant in our minds and our hearts, Romans 14: While we live we live to please You. And when we die, we go to be with You. So in life and in death, we belong to You. Amen

Why-Part 1

“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise to return, as some people may think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and everything in them will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be exposed to judgment. Since everything around us it going to melt away, what holy, godly lives you should be living!” 2 Peter 3:9-11

Why do we choose to ignore the very thing that we know will make us wise?

Why do we choose to feed our flesh instead of feeding our souls?

Why do we allow the busyness of our lives to take precedence over Christ?

Why do we try and build on the foundation of Christ using worldly materials?

Why do we kill our witness by posting one thing about God and then post pictures of us drinking in the next?

Why is it that when someone holds us accountable we assume they are hypocrites?

Why do we get angry at God when death, sickness, and tragedy strike?

Why do we only preach what people want to hear?

Why do we use God?

Prayer: Lord move each of us to the place of action, boldness, and selflessness. Lord it is time we stop asking why and start acting. Lord take us to the place of battle and equip us with Your word. Amen

When?

“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise to return, as some people may think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and everything in them will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be exposed to judgment. Since everything around us it going to melt away, what holy, godly lives you should be living!” 2 Peter 3:9-11

When are we going to start taking God and His word seriously?

When will we stop thinking of only ourselves and start thinking about Christ and others?

When will start living holy, godly lives?

When will we love God more than we love ourselves and others?

When will we realize God is the only one we should please?

When will we realize the example we set now will be the example our children will follow later in life?

When will we realize we will be held accountable for the things we say and do?

When are we going to die to ourselves and live for Christ?

When are we going to wake up and realize that now is the time to repent?

When are we going to stop living with someone when we know it is sin?

When are we going to stop hating people, gossiping about people, drinking, partying, gambling, doing drugs, having sex outside of marriage? WHEN? God says right now is when!

When are we going to stop having an affair?

When are we going to take a stand and address the deliberate sin going on in our churches?

When are we ourselves going to realize that to suffer for Christ is to gain, and that it is not about us, but about God and God alone?

When are we going to shed the “me”?

When are we going to start being honest?

When are we going to get active for Christ?

When are we going to wake up and realize it is not about money, success, popularity, appearance, etc?

When are we going to start sharing the word of God with our friends, family, neighbors, the lost, and the broken?

When are we going to start devoting more time to prayer, God's word and worship?

Prayer: Lord open our eyes, remove the veil, strip away the calloused and hardened hearts. Lord wake us up to the realization that in order to follow You, we must put aside EVERYTHING, fix our eyes on what lies ahead Lord. The battle has begun, clothe us Lord in Your armor, the deceiver is here, his helpers are here. Lord make us believers like Abraham, faithful and blameless like Noah, give us a heart like David, the boldness like John the Baptist, Perseverance, joy, boldness, faith, strength, and the mindset like Paul, most of all Lord design us to be walking images of Jesus. Amen

From the ground up.

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.” Matthew 7:24

Everyone has a foundation, and every one of us builds on our foundation. So what type of materials are you and I using to build on? There is no better way to find out than by reading the word of God.

 And because God’s word speaks for itself, I am going to let God do the talking, knowing full well that the Holy Spirit will do the work within each of us as He sees fit. So soak it up brethren, listen to it, obey it and let God reveal to you the foundation you are standing on and the materials you are using to build on that foundation.

“Because of God’s  special favor to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any other foundation than the one we already have-Jesus Christ. Now anyone who builds on that foundation may use gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But there is going to come a time of testing at the judgment day to see what kind of work each builder has done. Everyone’s work will be put through the fire to see whether or not it keeps its value. If the work survives the fire, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builders themselves will be saved, but like someone escaping through a wall of flames.” 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

I am listening, are you?

The more I read over this passage and listen to the words of God, He keeps reminding me that we cannot build on our foundation’s using money, self, success, worldly possessions, even our own thinking. Especially when we think we can get by on our own. All those things to me represent the wood, hay, and straw. They are temporary, offer little satisfaction, and will be the first things burned up in a second leaving us standing there surrounded by flames.

We cannot depend on our own efforts, security, achievements, success, self, or others. We must depend on the solid foundation of Christ Jesus, and we must use the materials provided in His word to build on His foundation.

Will your building with stand the fire?

Prayer: Lord it is time we get serious about our relationship with You. It is time we take down all the materials that are flammable and start over using the materials that will with stand the fire-Your word. Lord open our eyes to the urgency, open the eyes of the lost, the confused, and those who are deliberately living in sin. Amen