Who is this Jesus you profess in?

Before I even got out of bed today this question was bouncing around in my thoughts. When I opened my Bible to have my Quiet Time this morning I read Isaiah 26 and this scripture jumped off of the pages. In verse 10 we read "Though grace is shown to the wicked, they do not learn righteousness; even in a land of uprightness they go on doing evil and regard not the majesty of the Lord." Pretty powerful, and convicting words.
This was me years ago. I knew the difference between 'Good' and 'Evil', but I chose 'Evil' over 'Good.' I assumed that I was a Christian and that I believed 'In' Jesus, only to realize at the age of 36 that I did not.
The plumb line that keeps me going is the Apostles and their lives, and all of the rest that followed them, and Christ to their deaths. Would we truly 'Die' and give our lives for Christ? We all have been afforded grace if we are reading this today. With that said we must all ask this huge question to ourselves right now "Is there any 'Wickedness' in our lives? Are we still doing things we ought not to do because they are unrighteous? If so, then maybe we don't know this Jesus in whom we profess. If we were to truly regard His majesty beginning today, then we would give our lives totaly to Him and be wiling to die for Him in, and to all things.
Who is this jesus I believe in? He is my redeemer, and Savior. He is my rescuer, and my strength. He is Righteous, and 'In' Him I can be too. I will die for and surrender all, to Him who died for me~

Supply Source

I have a problem. In 1992 I began my 'True' journey as a 'Real' Disciple of Christ. Totaly committed, and not turning back. It took a simple Bible study in which my wife forced me to go to, in order to begin a 'True' walk with Christ. The study was by the Navigator's and it's focus was on a 'Quiet Time.' I had been in and out of church ever since I was a boy, and I had never ever heard of a Quiet Time. It was through doing 'mandatory' Quiet Times in this study that Jesus drew me close. Scripture convicted me, and I had to make a choice. Believe it, Belive what I thought, or believe what others had taught me.
It was not long when the Lord revealed to me that in His model prayer (The Lord's Prayer) that His words of "Give us this day our daily bread" had a far greater meaning than monitary food. My mind was flooded with scripture as I read this verse. I recalled these scriptures "I am the bread of Life", "In the beginning was the Word", and one of my favorite, Revelation 19:13(b) "And His Name is the Word of God."
As a Pastor it bothers me that the majority of professing Christians read devotionals, and not the Word (because it takes to much time, or they claim to not understand it) of God on a daily basis. People tend to fall away, compromise, justify, and blame sin and everything around them for their failings instead of going to the 'Supply Source', the Word of God. If, as a Pastor, I need desperately to be in the Word daily before anyting else, what makes others fill like they can make it on a 'Snack' (Sermon, Bible Study, Devotional) weekly?
The Lord promises to 'Supply' us with all our needs (not our wants) each and every day. Are you being supplied daily? There is nothing better than to have read scripture hundreds of times, taught scriputre hundreds of times, and even preached scripture hundreds of times, and waking up one morning to something new in the Word. We will never know it all, and He will always be revealing new things to us. He wants to console, counsel, encourage and supply us with all that we need. Go to the source....'His Name is the Word of God.'

Emotion's

The definition of this powerful word 'Emotion' is:

"A Natural instinctive state of mind deriving from one's circumstances, mood, or relationships with others."

As I reflect on this word I come to the conclusion that we all need to be very careful as Christians, and not be carried away by 'Emotions.' We all have fallen prey to our emotions that have led us down the road of 'Me' and not others. It has also taken us away from the cross instead of to it.

Emotions can be good when they lead us to repentance, reconcilliation, and forgiveness.

As a Husband, Father, and Pastor I have witnessed the pain and joy of emotions. I have witnessed the miscommunication, harsh words, bitterness and anger that comes from it. All emotions are, and can be good if dealt with by the Spirit of God.

So how do we deal with emotions when they divide, seperate and become self centered? The solution can be a hard one, or one that is simple and easy. The answer is "Turn to Jesus." Yes, it is that simple. Our major obstacle of course will be 'Us.' We all will have the opportunity to make a choice. We can chose to allow our emotions to take us where we should not be, or allow our emotions to be tempered by the Spirit of God.

Don't allow yourselves, satan or anyone else to control you by emotions. Choose to stop, reflect, pray and overcome the emotions that may lead you away from the cross instead of to it~

Why Joseph? Why Mary? Why not Us?

Have you ever wondered why out of all the people in the world in such a day as Joseph and Mary's, that God chose them to be the parents of Jesus? These are the sort of questions I love to think about. Why? Because it makes me question the "why's" in my life, and my relationship with God.
I don't want to throw to much into this by going through alotof scripture, and even going through Luke. I want to shed a little 'insight' in the book of Matthew alone. In chapter 1:19 we see that Joseph is much different than many other men of that day, "He was 'righteous." I do not know very many, or even any men today that when given the news of Mary being with child, would not publicly disgrace their wife to-be's. Joseph was a man of integrity and turly took to heart "Loving your neighbor as hisself."
Another glimpse into Joseph's life is that "The angel of the Lord spoke to him." His righteousness afforded him the daily direction that would take him out of self, and towards God. Joseph knew the Word, and he also knew the prophesies. When faced with the truth Joseph got right up and acted out of obedience to what the angel told him. As I look back into my life, and reflect on the many I counsel, mentor, and share with, I am faced with this truth "Many know, hear, and still do not act."
Chapter 2 starts right off with 'Prophesy being fulfilled.' As Christians we are to know the Word, and also know the end. But, do we truly act in obedience to these truths?
Look t the Magi. They were not men of Jewish descent, but they had read the prophesies and believed that they were true. They decided to pursue truth instead of merely look at it from a distance. They acted on what the believed to be true. Ironically, even King Herod heard and saw 'Prophesy' and acted on it. In God's soveringty and wisdom He again in a dream warned the Magi to go a different way bakc to their country.
Again through the rest of chapater 2 we see Joseph again warned, getting up immediately, and prophesy being fulfilled several more times.
So why Joseph? He 'acted' out of obedience everytime he was spoken to. Not when he discerned it, or thought it through, but immediately. becuase he knoew prophesy and was wiling to not just know it, but believe it. His realtionship with God came before anything else, and he by faith walked by it.
Why Mary? Luke gives a better account of Mary's life. It ws a life obedient and reverent to God. She also would believe and act, not think as to what she might have thought. She honored God through her humility and praise. She stayed committed to her pledge to Joseph with honor and respect.
What about us? When is the last time we have heard from the Lord? When is the last time we walked in total obedience wehn we supossably know the truth? When is the last time we followed without hesitation? When is the last time we really trusted and obeyed?
You see, we ahve alot to learn. God has so much for us, but the truth is "We are to busy with us, to be totaly obedient to Him. I look back at my life and reflect on the areas of my life in which "He spoke" and I waivered. Jesus says in John 14:12 "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." I get the picture, do you? I (we) keep myself from being used in ways I cannot fathom. Why not us? This is the question. God wants to, so why not learn from Joseph and Mary~

"What do you glory in?"

In Romans 15:17 Paul pens this "Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God." My thoughts immediately go to Paul and all of his trials, tribulations, sacrifices, and love for the lost. He was beaten, flogged, stoned, shipwrecked, and abused. Paul was Pharisee of all Pharisees, and had knowledge and zeal, yet he gave it all up to follow Jesus 100%.
When reading about these great men of God I tend to ask myself "Who is this Jesus that they knew?" Today I know this Jesus more than I ever have before. This relationship has, and is being built daily by being in the Word, serving and loving others as He did. This relationship gets stronger because of facing struggles in my life, trials, persecutions, and tests. It has grown due to the realization that it is not my life, and that I can do nothing at all without Him.
Let me ask you all this question, "Are you 'in' service to God? If you are then are you boasting about your accomplishments, or His accomplishments through you?" You may have grown up as good people, not so bad people, or normal people. I grew up a great con artist that took advantage of everything, and everyone. People thought I was a gret guy, but they did not know the darkness that pssessed my inner self. Jesu srescued me from all of this at the age of 36. How could I not glory in what He did? I had nothing to do with it other than finally surrender to myself. My love for people, and all that I do has nothing to do with me, but everything to do with Him. I glory in Him as Paul did. If Christ is in me then how can I not be in service to Him? All glory, honor and praise always be unto Him~

Assuming...Lack of Faith~

If we were at QTM I would ask everyone to get transparent with this question by a show of hands. Because of the last several days and events that have taken place, the Lord woke me up with this word 'Assuming' ringing in my head. I have always shared with people that 'Assuming' is really of the devil. If everyone would get honest we would all have to confess that 75-80% of the time "We are wrong in our assumption's." This most definitley leads me to say that assuming is not of the Lord.

In Philippains 4:6-7, Paul pens these words "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace that surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." This my friends take 'Faith.' We all love to quote it, but do we really get it?

The reason we get anxious is that we 'Assume' most of the time the worst. God does not promise us tomorrow, but only today.

To me the "What if's" can most definitely be classified as 'Assumption.' Over the years I have know many parents that have not allowed their kids to go on mission trips because they assume they will not be safe, and that the country they go to is hostile (as a dad of girls who have been all over the world, and one who is still living in Africa, I know the feeling). It takse faith to trust our kids with God's care.

Many times our assumptions lead us to say things to someone, or about someone that is not true. We often assume what people feel and think instead of listening and trusting. We all do no think alike and we all have opinions at times. The devil or our own selfishness quickly throws us into assuming, and we get our eys off of Jesus. 'In' Christ Jesus we can rest, we can trust, we can move forward, be free of bondage, we can pray, we can place ourselves in others shoes. Most of all, we can ll experience nad walk in the 'Peace that surpasses all understanding.'

Next time we think that people do not care, people do not understand, we want answers now, what will happen.....Look to the Jesus. Oddly enough 98% of the people I talk with about any problem or issues in their lives respond when I ask them about being in the Word "No." We want peace, we want to forgive, we want answers, but he last thing we do is pick up the Word of God that can give us peace no matter what circumstnace they are in. Are you one of these people?

Philippians 4:6-7 is a promise. If we go to Him, and get out of self, we can have peace that surpasses all understanding. Prayer is powerful, bu the power of the Word is even more powerful.... And this my firends is not assumption~

HOPE (Even when we don't see it that way)

Today you must be exeperiencing God's grace and love for you. Lift up your head, take a deep breath, and realize "He has given us another day!" Today the majority of the people professing Christ to be their Savior only find 'Hope' in teachings and scripture that promise them something, make them feel good, and they agree with. But what about the majority of the scripture?

For years people have been persuaded that the 'Old' Testament does not hold much merit because the 'New' Testament is about the 'New' Covenant. Unfortunately they do not know that 'Both' go hand in hand, and that each are from God, and have been inspired by God. Each are for our everyday walk to God, and not away from Him.

To me, Ezekial 18 (really the whole chapter) verses 25-32 offer true hope to all believers. It is the key to the beginning, and the finishing strong in the Lord as a true Christian. Lets look at them, "Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' Hear, O house of Israel: Is my way unjust? If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin, he will die for it; because of the sin he has commited he will die. But if a wicked man turns away from wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life. Because he considers all the offenses he has committed and turns away from them, he will surely live; he will not die. Yet the house of Israel says, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' Are My ways unjust, O house of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust?

"Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new Spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!"

When we become 'Believers' then we are grafted into Israel's lineage. So, the same applies to us today. We cannot begin to believe that we have an advantage over Israel, and then continue to sin. The scriputre is clear on who will and will not live with Him in heaven.

So where is the hope? Most that read this blog will think "I don't see it that way!" While those who know that God loves us so much that He is warning us before it is to late will say "Thank you Lord!" Now the choice is ours. We can lay down 'All' that is sin in our lives and live, or continue to justify and use excuses for sin. Right now we have the opportunity to turn away from sin, repent, and live. Now that is true hope~

"Not Enough Room" John said.

In John 21:25, the Apostle John writes "Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I would suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written." I love this passage, and I desire to know even more about Jesus.

What about you? We all heard about Jesus and alot of what He did as we grew up, and continued to hear about Him as we got older. But, do we long to know more about Him each and everyday? I must say that over the past twenty years of being in the Word I have come to know Him more than I ever dreamed. For many its the same old stories, and the same old Jesus. There is really no passion, no zeal, and no obsession to know more about Jesus.

I want to encourage all of you today to start a new mind set, and a new life plan. Here on earth we will never know enough about our Jesus. John is so right when He penned those words "The world would not have enough room for the books that would be written." Each and everyday we can encounter Jesus. He wants to continue 'Writing' the book of our lives, so that others might come to know more about Him. Are we His tablet, adn he is continuing to write the book of your life with HIm~

THE WAKE UP CALL

All I can say is "Thank You Jesus!"We have been going through Ezekial in our monday night Bible Studies. Last night we went through Ezekial 16. It only solidified the truth about God's true love for each and everyone of us who by His grace is allowing us to read this blog.

Ezekial 16 shows us God's heart and also shows us that He is God and does not take sin litely. Today I think we have become 'Immune' to the truth that "God is God and He can do as He wishes." If He decides to discipline, punish, cause grief to, or even bring death to anyone or any people group, He has every right to. If it will get our focus back on HIm and off of the world then He is just in doing it.

How about us? ARe we not like the Israelites? Have we not prostituted ourselves with the world and sold Christ out for our pleasures? Ezekial 16 is a stark reminder for us that He will not tolerate this. If God did this to His chosen people, what makes us think that even worse would happen to us when we have the cross, and the Holy Spirit?

This is a wake up call to all who read it. You probably will not take the time to read this chapter, and many will form an opinion by just reading this blog. Sadly though, if you don't, then it means you don't really care and have been deceived into thinking that it's okay to continue on the path you think is okay.

I personally am taking Ezekial 16 as an eye opener to me. I believe it is the Word of God and that its purpose is to change everything about in order to be comformed into His likeness and His people. You will have to decide for yourselves. Is the secular lifestyle that Christains choose worth your eternity. Is the compromise in a Christians life worth Him "Turning His face from You?"Wake up, repent and turn~

Are we merely 'Close' to the kingdom?

After 20 years in the scripture daily, I am still intrigued, fascinated, convicted by, and drawn to scripture. It is alive, and active, a double edged sword cutting to the very marrow. God is speaking to me, not others, but me. We try to make it about the historical, the greek, the hebrew, and everything else in order to evade it's truth's. Many are in a race through it, so that they can say "I've read it front to back!" But there is a haunting question Jesus asked a teacher one day. He was learned, and knew scripture. I suppose that includes me the same for me. I know it, but do I get it?

In Mark 12:28-34, this scripture has remained embedded in my mind and heart for many years. The question always comes to me "Am I merely close?" Let us look at the scripture and see what Jesus is asking us today:

"Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these." Well said, teacher" the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but Him. To love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, He said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God."

"Not far from the kingdom of God!" We really aren't any different from this teacher of the law. We have heard about the greatest commandment for years and some can even quote it, but the real qustion is "Are we living it?" This is where the rubber hit's the road for me, and all that are reading this. To love God by what Jesus is saying is to be about His business and not ours. To put Him before anything else in our lives. To love Him with every part of us, not just the parts we want to. For many today the truth is that "Its just merely words and not something that is reality." The choices we make, the things we do, the shows we watch and the many things we put before our God. And what about 'Loving our neighbor's?" Again we verbalize this love, but do we show it? Are we truly placing them above and their needs above ourselves? Are we showing them Christ in us, instead of the world in us? Our neighbors are 'ALL' and 'Everybody' that we encounter each and everyday! It's our family, our friends, and 'Yes' even the strangers around us. Do we really love them as ourselves? If we were incarcerated, in the hospital, in a nursing home, on the streets, lonely, depressed (and the list goes on) would we see the love anyone has for us if they never saw us? True love for the God is being obedient to His will. Doing His will. Being His hands and feet here on earth. Loving our neighbors as ourselves is encouraging, sharing truth in love, placing our time and resources above our needs.

Knowing this passage means nothing unless we are putting it into practice. We verbalize love, but love means nothing at all unless there is 'Action' behind the words. Unfortunately for the majority claiming to be Christians, Jesus would have to say "You are not far from the kingdom of God"

Are we Distracting?

It would be really hard for me to 'pick' which part of the ministry I love the most. I love to preach, I love to teach, I love to do Praise and Worship, I love going to Driscoll Childrens Hospital, I love the nursing home, I love Mentoring, I love the Rehabilitaion Centers, I love being a husband, father, and grandfather, I love serving the Lord all of the time. There is one though that has becomes 'Special' to Judy and I, and that is teaching at the Detention Center. We see kids from all facits of life, and social economic situations. Most of all we see kids. Kids that were created in God's image and who have lost their childhoods do to some kind of circumstance. But, they are still kid's.

With our new son, Jacob, I see daily howhe has lived a life of a 30 year old, but the fact is he is still a seventeen year old young man. I explained to him a couple of days ago that we are not treating him like a 'kid', we are treating him like what he is, a seventeen year old, and it is hard for him to realize this.

Today was one of those mornings that God reached down out of heaven an touched the young kids sitting amongst us at the Detention Center. Almost from the start of our time kids eyes were welling up as if rivers of tears were about to flow endlessly. We sang 'Better is one Day' and it opened up the conversation about the reality of everyone will die and face eternity somewhere. We read Jude (only made it a third of the way through) and hands went up, questions were being asked, and tears again surfaced. Hands were going up and kids were saying they want this new life, and it was humbling to see what God was doing. We ended the day by singing 'I can only Imagine.' Tears again began to flow and everyone wanted my card before we left. You see, every young man and lady there has the opportunity to call Judy and I when they leave. They all want to turn from their old lives and live the new. The smiles and looks we get when we give them those cards is overwhelming. They know that we are there for them 24/7-365. Let us all pray that they will pick up that phone.

All of this was great and God had done His part by drawing those kids to Him. Sadly though, as Judy ministered to three young ladies, the guards immediatley turnd the TV back on to where a movie had ended for us to speak. Sexual content and partying flooded the screen of that TV and I watched in horror as these broken kids were now faced with the world and all that it has to offer once again. I looked at the staff and thet too were laughing at the movie and engrossed with every word and what they were watching. I felt sick to my stomach. I wanted to stop everything ans say "These kids will have no chance if they continue to watch this stuff!"Then I was filled with grief and compassion because the Lord was showing me something else. He was showing me that these kids are being exposed to the same trash that believers allow theirselves and their kids watch. I stood there horrified and grieved.

As a Pastor I deal with families and kids on a weekly basis. I am the one that parents expect to pick up their kids broken pieces. I am the one that people look to to magically make their marriages better. I am the one who people make excuses for their immoral actions and ungodly lives to. My heart aches because it is all common sense. "Trash in, trash out!" We all have heard it, but do we do anything about it? There are very few TV shows on today that does not have some sort of 'sexual' content and profanity. There are very few that are not focused on realtionships and self centeredness. Kids are now use texting to say things they would never say to someone face to face, or even go as far as to send sexual pictures via texting. We atke kids to church, act like we worship then we sit our young sons down in fron tof our TV's watching a football game with half dressed cheerleaders expecting them to not go in their closets and act on what they have seen. We watch all of the Beer commercials, crude commercials and all that the world has to offer then exect them to live godly lives. Is Sports really so important that we are willing to risk our childrens futures? They are kids! How do you think they will respond? What seeds are we really planting? Are they seeds of godliness?

The past paragraph is not even what I was thinking of before I began this blog, but please let me ask everyone this "What do we think kids will be attracted to?" I praise God that He has afforded Judy and I to be His hands and feet at the Detention Center. We learn more and more every week about kids, and how we have messed up and may be messing up this generation with things of the world and not Jesus. We as believers should not have kids that struggle with the world 'IF' we would quit providing them the world! The seeds we plant will have 'Eternal' consequnces. Re-evaluate what you tink is ok and save your kids today from the brod gate~

Overcoming is Crucial

Sometimes I get a bit confused and amused at people who call themselves Christians. They have heard all the sermons, listened to all of the music, prayed, rededicated, and so forth, but they stillhave a problem 'Overcoming.' I encourage everyone to look at what the scripture says about ''Overcoming' using a concordance. I think that you will be surprised at how crucial 'Overcoming' is to our final destiny.

As I read Revelation 21:6-8 this morning I was lead to post on this one particular scripture; "He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolators and all liars-their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."

Now, I don't know about you, but this really gets my attention! You see, and 'overcomer' gets their fill with Jesus, and He gives them everything they need to overcome. I don't believe by any means that when Jesus says "He who overcomes will inherit all this" means that He will show favoritism to those who don't. So, who are thos who don't 'Overcome?'

Cowardly: Those who succumb to peer pressure, those who do not make a stand for right instead of wrong, those who give way to sin instead of Jesus. Those who care more about themselves than others. Those who are afraid to be a witness for Christ.

The Unbelieving: I beleive we have all been here before, but that we are no longer walkign in unbelief. These are people who talk the talk, but do not walk the walk. These are people who 'try' instead of do. These are people who justify sin, compromise, and proclaim defeat instead of walking in victory. They are 'Fans' and not 'Followers.'

Vile: Those who are unpleasant, wicked, evil. Those who are always negative and un hospitable.

Murderers: Not just those who kill, but also those that kill with words, demoralize.

The Sexually Immoral: Those who lust after the opposite sex. Those who have pornographic issues. Those who wear provacative clothing. Those who justfiy and watch shows, or movies that have sexual content, and justify it by saying that it has a good story. Those who are engaged in premarital sex of any kind.

Those who practice Magic Arts: People who believe in horoscopes, gambling, lotteries, or anything that is merely an act of faith in something rather than God to help them.

Idolators: Those who love anything more than Jesus. Those who won't give up anything for Jesus. Those who put anything before Jesus.

All Liars: A real biggy! Exaggerating, outright lying of any sort. Any size of lie. One that does not tell the whole truth.

Wow! What a list and what a great opportunity to 'Self Examine!' You see, we don't necessarily want to admit that we have or have had any of these traits that actually condemn us to death according to the scripture. Jesus dies so that we can overcome all of these traits. If we don't then we won't 'Inherit' what we think we have already. Overcoming is Huge. Jesus died a hideous death so that we can, not can't. He has given us His Spirit so that we can overcome, and not fail. It is time to admit the truth and become an overcomer. It is time to forget about the faith we thought we had, and start living in an overcoming faith. Our eternity rests on it. 'Overcome!'