Dethroned by Grace

Hospital: Lesson's Learned

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Steve) — Sat, 12 May 2012 15:52:00 +0000

“But You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts up my head.” ~Psalm 3:3

Years ago I was taught that when you experienced something to always do a “lesson’s learned”, write down what you learned from what you went through. Here is what I learned over the last few days. Pain is very real and will quickly reduces you to its will. Passing a gallstone is one of the most painful experiences of my life. Which brings me to my first lesson learned, morphine is amazing, it is a miracle drug. Modesty in pain do not co-exist. I was totally submissive to pain and would have done anything to see it go away and I mean anything. Which brings me to the Emergency Room, the things they have to deal with on a day to day basis are remarkable. Once I was no longer in pain I was able to soak in my surroundings and I have to tell you these people are professionals and deserve our gratitude. The range of people they have to deal with is staggering.

Once I was admitted and was placed in my room, I was greeted warmly. I felt at ease right from the beginning. From Ron to Liz I was well taken care of. Lying in a hospital bed that inflates and deflates was interesting. To keep people from getting bed sores the bed’s mattress moves. So I felt like I was floating on a raft adrift at sea. All those channels and nothing to watch, still holds true. I got tired of being poked every four hours. Laughter is still the best medicine. Sonograms are really cool and I am thankful for the young lady who was called in at 2 AM to preform one on me. Becky who is from Baton Rouge, who is a travel nurse because she cannot find a permanent position, wants to get to the East Coast to be closer to her children. She did a sonogram of my heart and was very kind and I promised to keep her in my prayers, I hope you will too.

The young intern who had to push my fat self to the further reaches of the hospital in a wheelchair so I could get an MRI, she did it with a smile on her face, and we laughed all the way there, especially on the down hills. And to the older gentlemen who had to me push back, thank you! Being stuck in an oversize doughnut with my arms over my head for 20 minutes felt like an eternity and I wouldn’t want to do that again anytime soon. But turning all the sounds in the room into musical sounds in my head was amusing. Eating for the first time in two days was great, I barely remember what it was. Vanilla flavored creamy jello stuff, just ain't right.

Being woke up in the middle of night to draw blood, by turning on the lights and yelling my name wasn’t cool and was thankful for the young lady who followed who gently woke me up to do the same thing. The sun rose through my window in the morning, the whole room fill with wonderful light each morning a reminder of another day of God’s grace. Having a camera tube stuck down your throat while in twilight….I’ll leave that right there.

Dr. Marsh for looking down into my stomach, was very blunt and to the point. I don’t remember many of the words he said while still in “twilight” other than, “You’re eating yourself to death”, which for some strange reason lodged themselves in my mind. He later reminded me when I was fully awake, if I don’t make changes now I will die a young man. This brings me to the biggest lesson of them all, the people who showered me with prayers and support. I didn’t want to say anything, because I didn’t want people to worry. But one post on Facebook and a few phone calls news traveled quickly. At one point my hospital room was so packed, it was standing room only and the nurses had to wait to get in. I am so grateful to be surrounded by such a loving group of people. From facebook post, text messages, visits and prayers all help me again to realize this is bigger than just me.

One morning the sun had just stared to rise and I started to read the psalms and I got to Psalm 3 and the Lord touched my heart with these words, “But You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts up my head.” (Psalm 3:3). It is for his glory I live and he has shielded me for many years and he lifts up my head. He has a plan for me and is using me in people’s lives and he is also using others to shape me. We are all in this together and I am robbing God and the people around me by the way I live. I need to make serious changes and take care of myself better for Christ glory.

So overall I am thankful and I know I still have more tests that need to be done and I might have to have my gallbladder removed. Nothing is wasted in the kingdom of God, he uses everything. My thoughts also go out to all the nurses who are angels and who need our prayers and support. Lastly to Liz, thank you for laughing with me while trying to figure out how I got so tangled up in my gown.

God is good!

God of Hope

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Steve) — Wed, 02 May 2012 15:38:00 +0000

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." ~Romans 15:13

I love this imagery in this verse. As we believe in Christ, He fills us till we are over flowing with beautiful things. Things that make life worth living, joy, peace and power!

Joy, not happiness which is fleeting like a mist sprayed into the air on a hot afternoon. But joy that rains down gently and steadily, soaking the earth with its nurturing goodness.

Peace that makes all things right, that removes the stain of guilt and hostility. Peace that fills the chasm of separation from the living God and reconciles a debt paid in full.

Power of the Holy Spirit who lives in me and who sustains me daily. The Spirit who fills my life with His life giving presence that overflows into every aspect of my life. Who enables me to live a life fulfilling and useful for the Kingdom of God.

So many of us run around looking for more out of life, chasing after the things that bring fleeting happiness. We live looking for the peace that alludes us at every turn and in every relationship. We spend countless hours looking for the power to live every day for a purpose. Yet here in this verse we find all that we are missing, all that we are looking for. In this verse lays the answer to all the nagging questions that keep us up at night. In Him, in Him is the answer. In Him is all the keys to joy, peace and power. In Him we have all that we need to live this life to its fullest measure.

Who is “Him”? He is the Alpha and the Omega, He is the great I AM. He was before all things and all things find there meaning in Him. He created everything, He was in the beginning and He made His dwelling with man. He is the Lord Jesus Christ. Who came to be abused for our transgressions, to carry our burden, our shame, our sin. He was crushed for our iniquity. On the cross God the Father poured out all His wrath onto His Son who gladly accepted our penalty and punishment. He died and was buried and was resurrected and ascended to the right hand of God the Father, where He sits till this day. In this Christ defeated sin and death forever and His throne will have no ending. Those who believe in Him are filled with the Holy Spirit, who seals us and sets us apart. Through the grace of Christ we have joy, peace and power to live lives fulfilling and with purpose. Trust in Jesus today and find joy, hope and peace and the power to enjoy them forever!

Grace Thoughts....

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Steve) — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 06:41:00 +0000

"It's not about what you do and don't do, its about Christ inside of you! Growing and maturing in Him, till he become your hearts desire, until you become like Him."

"I'm not saying don't repent and do good works, I'm saying what is the motivation at the root. Are you doing something for some kind of reward or are you so overcome by the grace of God that you do because of love. Love for the Lord, who gave his life for you, suffered and died for you!"

"We are so shallow in our thinking, so weak in our faith to think I can buy God, I can suffer more than he did for my sin. O' Church let go of the fleshly thinking and grasp the love of Christ and his immeasurable grace!"

"When I stop and wonder at the cross, my sin he carried, crushed for my iniquity, I can hardly lift my head! I am overwhelmed by the presence of the risen Lord my heart shatters in my chest. I am broken by the weight of thought of such a burden he gladly bore. O' but by the grace of God go I, O' by the grace of God I cry and shout for joy."

Grace Prayer

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Steve) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 20:21:00 +0000

Lord I pray to truly hear you today.
I want to be changed in every way.

No more two steps forward one step back.
My trust in you is all I lack.

Search my heart for all I fear.
Remind me that my time is drawing near.

There so many people I see every day.
You placed them there so I could show them the way.

Yet I am distracted looking right and left.
How often I forget that they are fighting between life and death!

Oh my God, what can I do?
But fall in total awe prostrate before you.

Lift me up so I can see your face.
I want to be radiant to the world showing your grace.

The world needs so much less of me and more of you.
Help my mind to be filled with what is lovely, noble, right, and true.

-By Bethany Cox

John's Joy

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Steve) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 16:26:00 +0000

“So they came to John and told him, "Rabbi, the One you testified about, and who was with you across the Jordan, is baptizing--and everyone is flocking to Him." John responded, "No one can receive a single thing unless it's given to him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Messiah, but I've been sent ahead of Him.' He who has the bride is the groom. But the groom's friend, who stands by and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the groom's voice. So this joy of mine is complete. He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:26-30

John the Baptist looked on from a far, watching Jesus as he baptizes people in the Jordon River. The people were flocking to Jesus as they had once flocked to John. John task had finished. His disciples came to him as if to stir him up with jealousy, but he would have no part of it. John understood completely his role as the ultimate set-up man. He was there to prepare the way for the Messiah, to ready the hearts for one to come. In these few words of John we see a level of humility that is breath taking.

John recognizes we have nothing unless it is given to him from God. John knew any popularity he might have experienced was because God willed it. He knew his role in the story of Christ and as a friend to the groom he watched with delight in his heart. He was expecting this day would come and rejoiced at the arrival of Jesus. He knew this is the lamb who takes away the sins of the world. He knew this was the Word and the Word had become flesh and had taken up residence among His people. John’s joy was complete in watching Jesus. His part on center stage was over and now in the wings he marveled at the Master in front of him.

John set an example for us all. John didn’t allow those around him to get him off track, by playing to his ego. He didn’t allow pride or envy to distract him from what was most important. We need to know when it is our time to allow others to shine for Christ, to understand our role in the story. Most of all we can never forget our role in this grand unfolding story is to allow the Master to have center stage in our lives and in the world around us. By doing so we will rejoice at the groom as he cares and loves his bride and our joy will be made complete in Him. Jesus must increase and we are to decrease.

Broken

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Steve) — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 16:20:00 +0000

Back to being disciplined again….I get off track so easily...very frustrating. You miss a day and whoosh...a week has gone bye and I do mean bye as in gone. It's so natural to just go with the flow around you. Thinking of 1 Corinthians 9:27 this morning. "Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified."

Balancing this with grace and understanding underlining reasons for actions is also important. But I truly believe it starts with the simple act of prayer. To not rely on your own strength but on God's. To seek Him first and not 'lean' on my own understanding. Pray God gives me the strength and desire to take care of my body better. To pray that God will give me a desire to pray, to read my Bible. To pray that God will help me hand over the things I cannot control and that are best to put into His hands....because I make a mess of the things I attempt to control.

These are the hard lessons in life and there are absolutely no quick answers, no checklist, no self-help books or teachers. It's simply surrendering to Christ and His lordship. To pray for Him to instill in me a humble heart, and obedient heart, a heart that lives in knowing His love grace and mercy are there always. That the times I do 'fall' short He already knows those times and if....and if I am willing to give Him my failures He will do great things with them....things I cannot do myself.

This morning I am broken. I have looked at my weakness and acknowledged my inability. I give you this veiled glimpse at my heart not to prop myself up as some kind of saint, or for sympathy. I share this so that you know I am a sinner just like you, I struggle every day of my life just like you and if you are reading this know you are not alone, you have not been abandoned you are human. There is hope, eternal hope, hope that will not disappoint you or forsake you, the Hope of Christ is waiting for you. To love you and forgive you and to restore you. Open your heart to Him and don't look back, trust Him with your heart and soul and don't look back. Don't look back at the would of, could of and the should of's, look to Jesus and focus on Him and Him alone and He will do great things. God is good!

But They Forgot....

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Steve) — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:07:00 +0000

“They forgot what He had done, the wonderful works He had shown them” ~Ps. 78:11

The psalmist laments about his people and their short memories. He cries out about the inability for his people to trust God despite His repeated acts of faithfulness. In Psalm 78 he sets out to remind them of God’s shepherding with a pure heart and how He had guided them with skillful hands. He reminded them of being freed from slavery in Egypt. How God split the sea and led them with a cloud by day and by a fiery light at night. He fed them and gave them water from the rock in the wilderness. The people continued in their sin and God rebuked them and yet provided for them. He gave them meat to eat and manna, the gain from heaven, people ate the bread of angels. All of needs of the people God met in the desert, the place of nothingness. Yet the people continued to sin. God remembered that they were only flesh, a wind that passes and returns no more. In His compassion for His name sake He drove the nations out before them and settled them in the holy land.

How easily we still forget. God leads us through our lives and cares for us in ways we cannot understand and yet we still ignore Him or forget what He has done all together. When tragedy reaches our shores we cry out and ask, “Where is God!”, yet He has never left us. In His grace and mercy He sees us through our difficult times with a cloud of friends and family by day and through the fiery light of His love in the darkest parts of night. He never leaves or forsakes us; He is always with us, always loves us and is always faithful to His word. He does this despite our short memories. Today I pray you would take a moment and pause. Think about all the times God has been with you and give thanks. Give thanks to God who provides for us and meets our daily needs. Give thanks to a God who shows you grace when you don’t deserve it and forgives us our many sins against Him. God who sent His Son Jesus Christ, who loved us and died for us and was buried and rose again.

Thank you Lord for today and for my many yesterdays you provided. Lord I pray that you would bring to my memory the many blessing you have showered me with and that I would live for the glory of your name! Amen.

Temptation Thoughts

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Steve) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:14:00 +0000

Luke Chapter four opens in this way “Then Jesus returned from the Jordan, full of the Holy Spirit, and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for 40 days to be tempted by the Devil.” (Luke 4:1-2a HCSB)

Jesus had just been baptized, He had heard the Fathers voice and He was filled with the Holy Spirit. It from here he entered the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. Jesus is tired and hungry, He is coming off of a spiritual high and he is tempted. The Devil first tries to get Jesus to fall into the trap of meeting His physical needs, by turning a rock into bread. Before setting Jesus up with temptation Satan tried to cast doubt in the heart of Jesus by saying, “if you are the Son of God”, for which Jesus answered back with Scripture. There would be two more temptations written down before it was over and Jesus would be victorious because the Holy Spirit and the word of God.

Looking at this story my thoughts are on the nature of temptation itself. Where it comes from and when it comes and how do we overcome it. Jesus was coming down from a very high spiritual moment. He was fulfilling the scriptures, His Father had spoken and He was feeling very confident. Entering the wilderness, it would not have taken long for Him to have grown tired and hungry. Perhaps he was starting to feel the loneliness, it was at that moment the enemy made his move and tried to have Jesus use His divine powers to meet a physical need outside of God’s will. He used pride and doubt, Satan’s weapons of choice. What can we learn from this? One thing we learn is Satan is crafty and has years of experience in human nature. He knows when we are most vulnerable, when we are confident, tired and in need physically.

In my life when I’m coming off of a spiritual high and feeling good about my walk the enemy is lurking. He waits for the time when I’m getting hungry and in need of rest. It will be around that time I will get a text, or a message, phone call, a driver who cuts me off, my wife or kids will say something…the perfect words that strike the chords of pride and doubt and I cross over into sin of thoughts or deeds. Following sin there is a time of guilt and remorse. I will seek the forgiveness for those whom I wronged and especially from God. But how could I have avoided the entire situation in the first place? How did Jesus avoid it?

Jesus was aware of His condition and He was keenly aware of the enemy. He knows the enemies tactics. So Jesus was ready for Satan’s attack. We too need to be aware of our weakness and when we are most vulnerable. Know yourself, know what will trigger sin and avoid it. Secondly Jesus countered the Devil with the word of God. Ephesians chapter six reminds us we are in a spiritual battle and tells us how we can win “In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God's word. Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:16-18) Jesus countered the Devil with the word of God, He was ready and used the sword of the Spirit to defeat the enemy and defeat temptation. The Psalmist reminds us “I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You. (Psalms 119:11) Treasure the word of the Lord, place in your hearts by reading it and studying it daily. Pray for God grace to help you through the temptation. Surround yourself with people who know you, know your weakness and who will also keep you in prayer. Have people you pray for regularly to keep you mindful and diligent of the need for prayer.

Lastly remember temptation is not sin, giving into that temptation is sin. Don’t play around with temptation, take it very seriously and stay in God’s word and in prayer and you will know victory.

What is Your Vision?

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Steve) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:49:00 +0000

"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts; His glory fills the whole earth" ~Isaiah 6:3

Vision matters! If you’re sitting on a plane and your pilot came out of the cockpit and he was being led by a stewardess wearing dark sunglasses you would become greatly concerned and you would want to exit the plane immediately! The same would go if you were going to have heart surgery and the surgeon was blind or if you are a passenger in a car on a crowed freeway and the driver was blind. In these cases the ‘lack’ of vision could be fatal. But what about ‘life’ vision, the idea of knowing where you are going and knowing how to get there. People who have that kind of knowledge are extraordinary and are often times called ‘visionaries’. These visionaries have helped shape the world we live in, the light bulb, antibiotics, computers, all are products of such people.

But what about God, can a vision of God change your life? Isaiah was a prophet of God, but when he ‘saw’ a vision of God his life took on a different meaning and direction. God revealed himself to Isaiah and Isaiah was changed forever. Seeing God high and lifted up, Isaiah saw his own sin. He realized how unholy he was in the light of a Holy God. Isaiah confessed his sin and God restored him. The restored Isaiah then heard the voice of the Lord and Isaiah surrendered to God’s direction for his life. Isaiah had seen the Lord and prophesied with a new boldness and courage. He knew where he was going and he knew nothing could stop him, because he had a vision of a glorious God.

In life I think we have too small of a vision of God. We have reduced Him to something small and convenient. We don’t want Him intruding on our everyday life, or our fun. But if we find ourselves in a bind we beg for His help, like He is some kind of magic Jeannie. The sad part is when our prayers are left unanswered we will turn and blame God for the whole mess. But if we were able to see God for whom He really is, the all-powerful, all-knowing God. A God who knows the details of every hair on your head, a God who has planned out every event to the smallest of details from eternity to eternity to reveal His glory. If you could see this God in His entire splendor and majesty and you could realized this glorious God had a plan and a purpose for your life that was unshakeable. How would that change your life, how would you live out the rest of your days? Would you surrender all to His vision for you, would you follow Him to the ends of the earth and for eternity? Your vision of God is life changing. If you’re tired of the ordinary, if you’re fed up with just getting by. Or perhaps you are a Christian and you haven’t heard from the Lord, you’re unsure of what God wants you to do. Pray for a bigger vision of God, pray for God to reveal Himself to you.

Lord please reveal Yourself to us—let us see You for who You are! Lord forgive us of our sins and where we fall so short of Your glory. Lord give us a heart to surrender our lives to You. Lord let us see You!

Word of God-Wait

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Steve) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:05:00 +0000

“I long for Your salvation; I put my hope in Your word. 82 My eyes grow weary looking for what You have promised; I ask, "When will You comfort me?" 83 Though I have become like a wineskin dried by smoke, I do not forget Your statutes. 84 How many days must Your servant wait? When will You execute judgment on my persecutors? 85 The arrogant have dug pits for me; they violate Your instruction. 86 All Your commands are true; people persecute me with lies--help me! 87 They almost ended my life on earth, but I did not abandon Your precepts. 88 Give me life in accordance with Your faithful love, and I will obey the decree You have spoken.” ~Psalms 119:81-88 HCSB

I hate waiting. I mean it! I hate waiting in line at the grocery store. I hate waiting at stop lights. I hate waiting and this list could get long in a hurry. But over the course of waiting in my life I have learned how to wait and to be patient. I don’t always succeed, but I pass more times than I fail. My wife might have a different opinion, but we will save that for another time. I know learning to wait is important, because God’s timing and our timing are two different things.

There are times in life where waiting is painful. Waiting for lab results for a life threatening test or when sitting at the bed side of someone you love. Waiting for a phone call from a child to know they’re alright. The psalmist knows this feeling well when he cries out ‘When will You comfort me?”. Waiting can ware us thin and ware us out. It is in these moments we have to stop and look where we are standing. Are we standing in our own strength, are we taking on the burden upon ourselves? Or do we trust God and His timing? The psalmist turns to the Word of God for comfort and to remind himself of who is in control. In the end he asks God to give him life according to God’s faithful love and then the psalmist will obey the Lord’s word and trust in Him. We have to recognize even our faith, even our ability to obey the Lord’s Word, to take comfort in it words we have to rely on God to help us and comfort us. What are you waiting for and who will you trust today?

Lord help us to trust you when we are waiting. Give us the faith and understanding, help us to be patient and most of all Lord comfort us and strengthen us in those moments when we are the weakest.

The Word of God-Compassion

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Steve) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 18:06:00 +0000

“Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding so that I can learn Your commands. Those who fear You will see me and rejoice, for I put my hope in Your word. I know, LORD, that Your judgments are just and that You have afflicted me fairly. May Your faithful love comfort me as You promised Your servant. May Your compassion come to me so that I may live, for Your instruction is my delight. Let the arrogant be put to shame for slandering me with lies; I will meditate on Your precepts. Let those who fear You, those who know Your decrees, turn to me. May my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes so that I will not be put to shame.” ~Psalms 119:73-80 HCSB

Have you ever been close to someone who knew how to say the right words to pick you up or comfort you? People like that are rare in our lives and we treasure the words they say to us in those ‘moments’ of life. They have a special ability to make everything better. But unfortunately for the majority of the time there isn’t anyone. I think about the homeless person who is alone on the street. I think about the soldier who is sitting on some far away post in the middle of nowhere. Or the elderly widow sitting at home alone for days on end and no one thinks of her. Today I talked to a friend who lost her husband a year ago and was going to visit her late husband’s grave. Where can she turn and find comfort, how do you say anything that can bring her peace? You can’t but God can.

The psalmist knows where to turn for true comfort and peace, “Your hands made me and formed me”, and it is the Lord who knows us. He created us and knows us in ways we cannot possibly understand. He alone can comfort and show us compassion that we may live. By knowing and treasuring God’s word in our hearts He can comfort us with His words, “He is my Rock and my Stronghold”, “He is my shield and refuge”. Talking on the phone this morning I thought about Jesus approaching the tomb of Lazarus. He saw the chaos, He heard the weeping, He felt the pain of death and “Jesus wept”. We have a living God who knows us and loves us. His compassion is limitless. He strengthens us when we are weak. He walks alongside us and at times carries us. By doing so he puts a song of praise on my lips and many will see and know the Lord. His word is a delight and my heart is blessed by it.

Lord give me a desire for Your word. Lord let your word harbor itself in my mind and heart. Lord speak to me through the Holy Spirit using Your instructions. Amen.

The Word of God-Affliction

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Steve) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 15:08:00 +0000

“LORD, You have treated Your servant well, just as You promised. Teach me good judgment and discernment, for I rely on Your commands. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word. You are good, and You do what is good; teach me Your statutes. The arrogant have smeared me with lies, but I obey Your precepts with all my heart. Their hearts are hard and insensitive, but I delight in Your instruction. It was good for me to be afflicted so that I could learn Your statutes. Instruction from Your lips is better for me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.” ~Psalms 119:65-72 HCSB

Affliction is not something you give thanks about, that is not normal! But here the psalmist says it was good that he was afflicted and he has a reason for it. He says he went astray and then he talks about his enemies. Their hearts are hard and insensitive, they are also arrogant and lairs. Going astray from God is to be arrogantly hard hearted and your life is not built on truth but on lies. Isaiah 53:6 tells us, “We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way.” Because of this it becomes impossible to hear the Lord, impossible to believe, impossible to understand. God has to intervene.

God has to soften our hearts, God has to teach you judgment and discernment. He does that in three ways. Firstly He uses people. Your parents, brothers and sisters, teachers, co-workers, everyone you come in contact are used to shape you. Secondly, He uses circumstances. Circumstances could be weather, money, health conditions, death and anything else that affects you. Both of these are external, they come from the outside and you have very little control over them. But the other way is by spiritual disciplines, reading your Bible, praying, and fasting are ways God works from the inside out. Through Christ we have the Holy Spirit who fills us and He becomes God in us. He uses the Word of God to shape and mold us. He opens our eyes to our sin and humbles us, he replaces our heart of stone with a heart of flesh and we walk in truth because He is truth. Most of all we can love others because He first loved us.

Affliction makes us dependent on God, it strips us of our pride and opens us to God in ways that could not happen without it. When God instructs you and He opens your heart to His Word, you will trust Him in a new way. His instruction will become, “better for me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.”

Lord thank you for Your Word. Thank you for my affliction and how it makes me dependent on You. I love You Lord, to think You are even mindful of me is too much for me to grasp. Amen

The Word of God-Possessions

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Steve) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 18:21:00 +0000

“The LORD is my portion; I have promised to keep Your words. I have sought Your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to Your promise. I thought about my ways and turned my steps back to Your decrees. I hurried, not hesitating to keep Your commands. Though the ropes of the wicked were wrapped around me, I did not forget Your instruction. I rise at midnight to thank You for Your righteous judgments. I am a friend to all who fear You, to those who keep Your precepts. LORD, the earth is filled with Your faithful love; teach me Your statutes.” ~Psalms 119:57-64 HCSB

Have it your way, the world is yours for the taking, you can be anything you want to be, you can fulfill all of your dreams. You can have a big house, your dream car, a beautiful spouse on your arm and it’s all up to you and whoever dies with the most toys wins. Our culture tells us we have to have things to be happy. We buy and buy stuff and we never have enough stuff. In fact when others don’t have the same stuff we scream it’s unfair. Everyone must have stuff! When it comes to desires for possessions it is like the stomach, it can never be truly satisfied. We can eat the most incredible meal and in a few hours later we want to eat again. We are the most prosperous nation on earth and we are spiritually and morally bankrupt. We continue to support and defend sin in our nation and we surround ourselves with idols and we worship them and ourselves uninhibitedly.

The psalmist recognizes that everything he has is from God. God fills the earth, gives us life. There not a single thing you possess that God didn’t give you or allow you to have. Down to the very breath you are taking right now, to the beat of your heart it is His to give and take away. Our mighty God extends common grace to us all even when we turn our backs on Him and worship worthless stuff. We deny He exist and blame Him when things go terribly wrong. But when the psalmist words penetrates your heart and takes root something starts to take place. When you can say, “The Lord is my portion, He is my everything, His word sustains me and the earth is filled with His glory.” When Jesus and the reality of the cross becomes our focus, the slavery of having to have stuff doesn’t seem to matter anymore. Life takes on a new meaning and purpose. When Jesus becomes the desire of our hearts nothing can replace Him, not money, things, sex, and power.

Jesus change my desire today. Change the way I feel about all the stuff I have. Replace my desires for the world with the desire of the eternal and heavenly. Lord fill my heart and let it flow over onto everyone around me! Amen

The Word of God-Hope

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Steve) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 18:59:00 +0000

“Remember Your word to Your servant; You have given me hope through it. 50 This is my comfort in my affliction: Your promise has given me life. 51 The arrogant constantly ridicule me, but I do not turn away from Your instruction. 52 LORD, I remember Your judgments from long ago and find comfort. 53 Rage seizes me because of the wicked who reject Your instruction. 54 Your statutes are the theme of my song during my earthly life. 55 Yahweh, I remember Your name in the night, and I obey Your instruction. 56 This is my practice: I obey Your precepts.” ~Psalms 119:49-56 HCSB

Have you ever been hopeless? You’re at the end of your rope and you don’t want to take another step. How can we find peace in the midst of the storm? Through the years I have suffered and I have been with those who are suffering. I have prayed for God to ‘take away’ what was causing so much pain and yet a majority of times He does not. When He doesn’t remove the source of pain we usually take one of two paths. We can say ‘there isn’t a God and even if there is a God, He doesn’t care.’ Thus bitterness seizes my heart. Or I can turn to God for comfort and trust in Him.

How can I get to the place where I trust God in all situations? I don’t think it happens overnight, but over time. It starts with reading the Word of God. The psalmist reminds us we receive hope through the Word. I can turn to God’s Word and believe it. Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man who lies, or a son of man who changes His mind. Does He speak and not act, or promise and not fulfill?” Knowing this about God I can take comfort in the Psalm 23:1”The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.” God has a plan and purpose for your life. You are one of His children and He watches over you. He tells us all things work to the good of those who love the Lord. We can rest and find comfort in His Word, and we find guidance and trust. God uses His Word to create in us a clean heart, useful for His glory. As we learn more of His Word the closer we grow to God and the more we know of Him the greater his presence in our lives. He builds our trust for those times we need Him the most.

Lord help us to read Your Word. Burn in us a desire to know You deeper. To grow in the knowledge of You, fill us with Your presence through the Holy Spirit. Amen

The Word of God-Proclaiming

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Steve) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 14:53:00 +0000

"Let Your faithful love come to me, LORD, Your salvation, as You promised. 42 Then I can answer the one who taunts me, for I trust in Your word. 43 Never take the word of truth from my mouth, for I hope in Your judgments. 44 I will always obey Your instruction, forever and ever. 45 I will walk freely in an open place because I seek Your precepts. 46 I will speak of Your decrees before kings and not be ashamed. 47 I delight in Your commands, which I love. 48 I will lift up my hands to Your commands, which I love, and will meditate on Your statutes.” ~Psalms 119:41-48 HCSB

I have heard through the years people tell me why they cannot witness to others about Christ. But the very same person would tell everyone about a doctor who saved her life. Or the guys who is loud and knows everything becomes a mouse if Christ name is mentioned. It’s understandable in many respects. We fear others reactions, we fear what they might think of us if we talk about Jesus. We don’t want to become ‘oh, one of those’ guys. I think when we think along those lines our focus is off. We are focused on ourselves and not our salvation. We are not thinking about Christ and what he did for us.

In Mark chapter 5, Jesus heals a demon possessed man. The man was chained and lived in the tombs. He had broken the chains that once held him and was running around crying out and cutting himself, this went on day and night. Jesus saw the man and confronted him. He asked the demon what was his name and they answered back, “Legion, for we are many.” Jesus sent the demons from the man into herd of pigs who quickly ran into a lake and drowned. The town’s people came out to see what had happened and were astonished when they saw the man. He was sitting there in his ‘right’ mind and the people were afraid and asked Jesus to leave! Getting in the boat the man whom Jesus had saved wanted to go with him. “But He would not let him; instead, He told him, "Go back home to your own people, and report to them how much the Lord has done for you and how He has had mercy on you." So he went out and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and they were all amazed.” (Mark 5:19-20)

How many people do you think he went and told about Jesus? He would have told everyone and all were amazed! The man was saved from torment and utter ruin. We too were on a path of destruction, living our lives apart from God. We were heading towards judgment, drowning in guilt, lost in our sin. Like a person stuck in a burning building without hope, Jesus recused us from the flame. When we see our lives as being speared by an incredible act of grace we can give thanks to our Lord. But most of all we will proclaim Him to the world without fear. We will see others in need of the same recuse and beg God to spare their lives. We will delight in the Lord of salvation and his love for us and His love for others.

Lord help us to see our salvation. Help us to see others around us who need to be recused from the flame. Lord use us to share your salvation with others, give us boldness and strength to proclaim you to the world!! Amen

The Word of God-Teach Me

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Steve) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 14:24:00 +0000

“Teach me, LORD, the meaning of Your statutes, and I will always keep them. Help me understand Your instruction, and I will obey it and follow it with all my heart. Help me stay on the path of Your commands, for I take pleasure in it. Turn my heart to Your decrees and not to material gain. Turn my eyes from looking at what is worthless; give me life in Your ways. Confirm what You said to Your servant, for it produces reverence for You. Turn away the disgrace I dread; indeed, Your judgments are good. How I long for Your precepts! Give me life through Your righteousness.” ~Psalms 119:33-40 HCSB

How can I understand the Bible? It is a question I hear all the time and you can find the answer here. Here the psalmist is asking for understanding. Because you cannot follow something if you cannot understand what it is you’re supposed to follow, follow me? The Bible is a collection of books and letters of faith. It is not a history book, but we do find historical facts. It is not a scientific book either. It is a book of faith. There are things contained in the Bible that are mysteries and you and I will not fully understand. Bible is God’s word to mankind and it reveals His nature and purpose to us. To understand it we need help. When we accept Christ as our Lord we are filled and sealed by the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 1:22). The Holy Spirit acts as a guide for us or to better understand a ‘flash light’. It brings to ‘light’ passages and guides us in our understanding of God and our relationship with Him.

The psalmist is asking God to teach Him the meaning of the word so that he might obey. We too should pray before reading our Bibles or engage in group study for the Holy Spirit to teach us, to guide our thoughts so that we learn what God wants us to know and understand. Each one of us is at different levels of understanding and God meets us where we are. When we realize it is God who gives us the ability to understand, it is God who gives us the ability to follow Him, we take the first step of growing and experiencing living in victory. As we grow in the word the things that we use to think were so important slowly fade away. Ungodly desires that once dominated us are replaced with desires for God and His will.

Lord this morning we ask you to understand Your word. Help us to follow Your word with all of our hearts. Change our desires. Create in our hearts a desire for You. To know Your word to know you deeper so that we can make You known to others! Amen

The Word of God-In Grief

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Steve) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 14:06:00 +0000

My life is down in the dust;

give me life through Your word.

I told You about my life,

and You listened to me;

teach me Your statutes.

Help me understand

the meaning of Your precepts

so that I can meditate on Your wonders.

I am weary from grief;

strengthen me through Your word.

Keep me from the way of deceit

and graciously give me Your instruction.

I have chosen the way of truth;

I have set Your ordinances before me.

I cling to Your decrees;

LORD, do not put me to shame.

~Psalms 119:25-31 HCSB

Have you ever been weighted down with grief. Have you ever hit rock bottom and wondered how to get back up? I have felt that way more times than I want to say. I think back to this last week. We lost a dear member of our church. I was beside her bed when she passed, holding the family who remained. I had to walk to another room afterwards and tell her husband of 64 years she is gone. I could feel the depth of their pain, but I couldn’t take it away. My heart was broken because I too lost someone special and their family was grieving. I had to prepare for a funeral service I wasn’t ready for. I had to help the husband and children chose the order of service, when it all seemed so meaningless. I struggled to find words to say that would comfort the family and at the same time give hope to us all. These are the times when the Word of God becomes strengthening, comforting and hopeful.

The writer understand what it means to hit bottom, he is but dust. He recognized that it is God who gives life through His word. He cares for us and listens to us, He gives us understanding. We can read the words of God and draw life from them when we are tired and worn out. His word wraps around us and comforts us. His word is truth and we can stand on it to put ourselves back onto our feet. In a hospital room filled with grieving hearts I can read with confidence to give them strength, “I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber. (Psalms 121:1-3) At a funeral service I can read “The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.” (Psalms 23:1) and know the room will be comforted. Lastly I can read “Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look! God's dwelling is with humanity, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will no longer exist; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things have passed away. (Revelation 21:3-4) and there is hope.

The word of God is life. We can cling to it with all of our strength and draw from its depth in times of joy as well as times of grief. Treasure it in your heart, read it every day, make it a part for every conversation you have.

Lord Your word is life. I need it in my life. Lord help me understand Your word and give me the heart to follow it. Let Your word be on my tongue and in heart, let others hear it and be made new. Amen

The Word of God-Life

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Steve) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 14:11:00 +0000

“Deal generously with Your servant so that I might live; then I will keep Your word.”

~Psalms 119:17 HCSB

“I am a stranger on earth; do not hide Your commands from me.” ~Psalms 119:19 HCSB

Psalm 119 is broken into sections of the Hebrew alphabet. Each section has eight verses in them and centers on the word of God as a theme. It is the longest psalm and is in the middle of the Bible. This section deals with our dependency on God. Everything comes from God. Even our ability to read and keep His commands ultimately comes from Him. We are dependent upon His grace and love regardless if we acknowledge Him or not.

Having lived in foreign countries, living as a stranger, I can relate to this verse. As a stranger in a country you are unfamiliar with the culture and the way of life. You have to sit back and watch how things work and slowly introduce yourself into it and only to the level you feel comfortable. But you will never fully fit in. Language is also a way we fit into the culture. I learned in Germany even attempting to speak Germany went a long way in building relationships. But as a stranger you will always speak with an accent. In these verses the writer knows he is a stranger of this world. He is not of this place and he longs in his heart to be home.

He is asking God to consider him carefully, to ‘deal generously’ with him. He knows to survive here he needs God to live. And if he is allowed to live he would keep God word. He begs God not to hide His word from him because he knows the word of God is life. Without it he will perish. We still need this dependency today! We live in a very difficult world and we are strangers. We are at the mercy of nature and even culture. We have to cling to something much bigger than both and that is God. It is by God’s infinite grace we can stand a chance and we should be thankful. So this morning or whenever you read this, know as a Christian you are not of this world. This is not your home, heaven is your home. Give thanks to God for what you do have and acknowledge your dependency upon Him and Him alone. On Christ the solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand.

Lord help to live for you. Lord I know I and a stranger here, don’t let me get comfortable. Lord set my heart on eternity and heaven. Let me live dependent on You and most of all let others see it for Your glory!! Amen

The Word of God-In Purity

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Steve) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 15:43:00 +0000

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping Your word. I have sought You with all my heart; don't let me wander from Your commands. I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You. LORD, may You be praised; teach me Your statutes. With my lips I proclaim all the judgments from Your mouth. I rejoice in the way revealed by Your decrees as much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts and think about Your ways. I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.” ~Psalms 119:9-16 HCSB

In my mid-twenties I asked my pastor how I can avoid sin. I was struggling and I was looking for answers. We sat in his office as I confessed what I was struggling with. He listened patiently and told me when I felt like sinning, to open my Bible and read proverbs. He ended the conversation by encouraged me and he prayed for me. I walked out to my car defeated. I thought how did he became a pastor! I sat there in my car thinking I know that, he didn’t give anything I could use. No steps to follow just open my Bible and read. Through the years I have tried a variety of self-made rules and disciplines only to fail.

Here is what I have discovered through the years Pastor Woods was a genius! How do you keep yourself pure? You keep yourself pure by keeping the word of God, by building your life upon it. You keep yourself pure by treasuring the word of God in your heart, by doing so sin will not rule over you. I remembering hearing many years ago this simple saying, “Read your bible to stay away from sin, or sin will keep you from your bible.” Here is a simple test for you, are you struggling with sin? If your answer yes, when was the last time you read your bible?

As you make bible reading a part of your life, you will start to treasure what you read. The Holy Spirit will use it to strengthen you against sin’s enslaving chains. Set free God will put a new song in your mouth, praise to our God. You will start to delight in the word and you will want to tell others about what God has done for you. God’s word is powerful and is able to strengthen us and to free us from sin’s control. God wants you to be free from sin, God wants you to serve Him with your whole heart. You cannot serve Him wholly if sin rules your life. Treasure His word in heart that you will not sin against Him.

Lord give us an intense desire for your word. Let it penetrate the hardest parts of our hearts and shatter any and all of sins effect. Free us dear Lord so that we can sing the praises of our King. Amen

The Word of God-Priceless

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Steve) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 14:06:00 +0000

“How happy are those whose way is blameless, who live according to the LORD's instruction! Happy are those who keep His decrees and seek Him with all their heart. They do nothing wrong; they follow His ways. You have commanded that Your precepts be diligently kept. If only my ways were committed to keeping Your statutes! Then I would not be ashamed when I think about all Your commands. I will praise You with a sincere heart when I learn Your righteous judgments. I will keep Your statutes; never abandon me.” ~Psalms 119:1-8 HCSB

The Word of God is priceless to me and it has guided and has influenced my thinking my entire life. In this Word of God series I simply what to take each section in Psalm 119 (22 in all) and let the word speak for itself. I started reading a section of the Psalm each morning to get mind ready before I begin my normal reading. I hope it will encourage you.

There is happiness in living in truth and God’s word is truth. When we live according to God’s word we do not have to look over our shoulder to see if we are getting it right, it is right. So many people today live without direction, without hope. They wander around aimlessly looking for answers. They are unsure of who they are and where they are going. We can read the news and know the world is heading in the wrong direction and we live in a culture where ‘how we look to others’ is over whelming. It forces us to live and think a certain way and it feels as if we are being swept away in the current. We say and do things that make us more acceptable to those around us. In doing so we give up the freedom to be who we are supposed to be.

Christ frees us from the river of destruction and the word of God is use to shape and mold us into what we were created to be. In Christ and through the word, we can put aside the culture and the world around us. God will transform our way of thinking and we can know His will and purpose. We can have confidence in what we say and do. We can live with purpose and direction. This for me is a great comfort and it gives me peace. In this peace there is happiness and I am not ashamed to say the name of the Lord. Not ashamed of the way I live my life. I can be open and free to be the person I am supposed to be.

Lord give me a thirst for Your word. Let it ring in my heart and ears. Convict me through the Holy Spirit when I disobey Your degrees. Lord let the peace of your truth guide my steps daily. In Christ name, amen

Mr. Works

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Steve) — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 16:55:00 +0000

Mr. Robert Works, most of you will not know who this man was. But he was a teacher in Jackson California. I do not how many years he taught, but I do know how he changed my life. Up to the time I met him in the fifth grade my life was a mess. My parents had divorced. My mother had to flee with my sister and me from Michigan and we were living with my grandmother in a tiny house on Clinton road. My fifth grade teacher was Miiiisssss North who was convinced I was mentally retarded and she pushed to have me tested. After the tests were completed the evaluator said there is nothing wrong with me, in fact I was actually very smart. I was in the fifth grade and I wasn’t able to read. I had made it this far and had fooled a lot people along the way. So I was assigned to Mr. Works to catch-up and so much more. Mr. Works was a tall thin man in his late forties or early fifties. He had a short haircut, peppered with black and gray. He wore black framed glasses that were out of date even in the late seventies. His voice was deep and would have been great as the voice of God in a movie. He walked with his shoulders slightly slumped forward and he would swing his arms with big strides. Attached to his arms was his most distinguished feature his hands. They were huge, especially to a fifth grader. His knuckles were big and his hands were rough from working with wood. But what I remember the most was they were incredibility strong. He would grip your hand and it felt like a vise grip had clamp onto you. If you were running around or acting up he would grab you and you knew he had you, there was no escape!

The first day I went to his class we played basketball! He owned me from that day forward. He taught me how to read and how to think and how to believe in myself. One of the ways he taught me was by handing me a newspaper and he would have me find a story I was interested in. I would find something and he would have me read the article and circle the words I didn’t know. Afterwards we would go through the words together. As a young man he showed me love, grace and mercy. He would encourage and press me to be the best I could be. He also used wood working to shape me. I learned to make things using a lathe and a band saw. I cut out animals, made wooden planes, baseball bats anything I wanted. I would give him my idea and he would help me design it and to finish it. At the time I didn’t understand what he was doing but he was building me up. By the time I reached the eighth grade I was caught up with my class mates in reading. I would go on to finish high school. I even managed to graduate from college with a bachelor’s degree with distinction.

Mr. Works did this with many of his kids through the years. Each kid touched and encouraged, forever mark by the work of this man. I cannot imagine what my life would have turned out to be if it wasn’t for him. He helped shape me into the adult I am today. I share this with you having learned Mr. Works passed away last night at the age of 90. I thank God for him.

Why Am I So Depressed?

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Steve) — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 15:04:00 +0000

“Why am I so depressed? Why this turmoil within me? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God.” ~Psalms 42:11 HCSB

David knew what it felt like to be alone and isolated. He was chased around the desert several times, by kings and enemies. He knew what it was like to hear their taunts. But every time David was on the run he was rescued, God protected him. David understood where to turn to when the things around him seems so out of place. He recognized depression and stress and refocused on the hope we have in God.

Through the years I have been through many stressful times. I have survived family issues, health, two Gulf wars, church life and a host of other enemies both small and large. In those moments it is easy to lose focus on what is important and you have to pull back and look at the bigger picture. The bigger picture is the glory of God and to see Him glorified in all things. When we lose sight of this picture and focus on ourselves and our problems our relationships suffer. Through the years I have used the illustration of a cross to describe our relationships. The most important relationship is the vertical one, the one with Christ. If our relationship with Christ is solid then all the horizontal relationships will also be strong.

If our relationship with others is suffering we have to pull back and look at our relationship with God. We have to seek out any sin and ask for forgiveness. We need to focus on the glory of God the source of our hope and our salvation. But the greatest help will come from other brothers and sisters in Christ, who pray and care for you. Having a church family around you who know you and encourage you is the greatest help in times of stress. It is also the one relationship the enemy will try to keep from you. So stay connected, stay focused on Christ. Understand yourself and your own weaknesses. Enlist a good brother or sister to check on you and encourage you. This week I found myself stressed out and isolating myself. Two things helped me realize I was off track, another pastor friend straight out asked me because he knows me. Secondly, a brother in Christ listened to God and sent me an encouraging verse via text, the one above.

Lord thank you Lord for you never ending love and mercy. Lord thank you for my brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank you for speaking to me through them. Lord help us to focus on You and Your glory. May we glorify You in all things. Amen

Chief of Sinners

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Steve) — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 15:28:00 +0000

“This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners"--and I am the worst of them.”

~1 Timothy 1:15 HCSB

Paul is instructing Timothy in a letter and as he opens the letter he makes this statement, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners"--and I am the worst of them.” I love Paul’s heart! He has been broken and has been made new. His heart is pure, he has a clear conscience and sincere faith and from this he loves. His humbled approach makes us want to read further to understand more about the Jesus he shares. I want to have a heart like Paul’s, but how can I get there.

The key is in this verse is, Paul recognizes and acknowledges who he is, a sinner. To understand our sin is to allow the weight of our sin to weigh us down to our knees in front of the holy God. To own our sin and to recognize only through Christ can I experience forgiveness requires humility. This humility becomes a part of our everyday life in Christ. Humility is to be the mark of Christ in us. Paul continues “But I received mercy for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate His extraordinary patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:16-17)

Acknowledging sin before a holy God enables Him to show you His incredible mercy and grace. But most of all God will use you as an example of His love so others may believe in Him for eternal life. We also humble ourselves because Christ humbled himself. Christ came into the world. God became flesh and lived among us. He allowed Himself to be crucified to defeat sin and death forever. We put our faith in this fact Christ came to die for sinners. Through Christ we have forgiveness and freedom from sin. So humble yourself before a holy God and embrace Jesus Christ, our savior forever.

Lord forgive me for my sins. Lord help me live more and more like your Son Jesus. Lord use me as an example to others, live through me and let others see you in me! Amen

Hello My Name Is

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Steve) — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 15:18:00 +0000

“But You, Yahweh my Lord, deal kindly with me because of Your name; deliver me because of the goodness of Your faithful love.” ~Psalms 109:21 HCSB

Have you ever thought about your name or the names of others? Names are important to us they help define who we are. Our parents thought carefully about what to name us, there are exceptions to this rule. Moon Unit Zappa comes to mind. But even Frank Zappa named his daughter to set her apart. Some names are traditional, and you’ll see they have a third of fourth tagged at the end of their name. Some people don’t like their name and they change it to fit their personality or for professional reasons. Some people change their names to hide from something in their past. God takes His name very serious. Over and over again we see God say in the Bible, “Do not profane the name of your God; I am Yahweh.” God takes His name serious because of who He is.

God is all powerful, all knowing, and is everywhere. He is the ultimate force in the universe, He created the universe. There are no other gods. He is the only living God. He is the ultimate good. He is holy, righteous, perfect in every way. He is love, mercy and grace. There is no greater name in existence. When Moses was asked by God to lead His people out of Egypt, Moses asked, “who do I say sent me?” “God replied to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you." God also said to Moses, "Say this to the Israelites: Yahweh, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever; this is how I am to be remembered in every generation.” (Exodus 3:14-15 HCSB) The phrase Yahweh when translated is “I will be what I will be”, so his name probably means “I will be”. It is hard to know for sure because the Jewish people consider His name so holy they will not say it. Even when they wrote it in scripture they would have taken a ceremonial bath afterwards. One thing we do know it is God’s unique name and it is very important to Him.

Why is all of this important? If you are one of His, He is not going to let anything happen to you that would discredit His name. We can put our faith in Him because of His name. Those who have put their trust in Christ, God’s son, we become His children. We have the family name on us. So when we read He deals kindly with me because of Your name, we know He will.

Lord you are God, there is no other like You, Your name is above all names and I put my faith in You. Lord glorify Your name in me today, use me to make Your name known to others! Amen

Living Letters

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Steve) — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 16:20:00 +0000

“You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, recognized and read by everyone. It is clear that you are Christ's letter, produced by us, not written with ink but with the Spirit of the living God--not on stone tablets but on tablets that are hearts of flesh.” ~2 Corinthians 3:2-3 HCSB

Think about a letter. Letters come in all sorts of ways. In the world we live in today a letter could be a text message on a cell phone or it something you get in the mailbox. One thing about letters regardless of the format in which they are delivered, letters are powerful! Letters have the ability to lift us up or break us down. As I was serving in the first Gulf War, the highlight of the day was getting home and seeing a letter on my cot. I couldn’t wait to open it and see what was said inside. I was connecting to someone else in a unique way. For a moment I was there with them and I wasn’t in a war. In Paul’s world letters were treasured and vitally important for conveying important information. Letters written by the Apostles were used to teach and to encourage a new church. These letters are still read today and are now part of our sacred writings. God uses them to make Christ know to the world.

In this letter to the Corinthians Paul is reminding the readers they themselves were letters, letters of Christ and were read by everyone. These letters were written not by ink but by the Holy Spirit. The very words were not carved in stone, but were pressed into the very flesh of a changed heart. We are Christ letters and our lives are meant to be read by the world around us. In fact people around you want to read your letter, for its very words are the way of salvation. The words written on your heart are the words of love and hope, peace and forgiveness. This letter is not meant to be concealed or hidden away, but is to be proudly displayed for all to read. Today live to be read as a living letter of Christ!

Lord thank you for your Son Jesus Christ who makes us a new creation. Thank you for the Holy Spirit who fills our lives and turns us into a living letter proclaiming the glories of Christ. Let the world see you in me! Amen