T E V E T

Shut Up, Then Speak Up

2011-09-18T09:28:00.000-05:00

We can text, facebook, email, call or complain to anybody & everybody about people that have offended us. Most times we take advantage of all these possibilities. Yet, we aint brave enough to directly confront the person who pissed us off.

Sure, there are some that aint shy about getting in peoples' faces & shouting down their 'offense'. But are these types genuinely concerned about bringing resolution? Or are they just attacking to cover up their hurt or just doing so to be mean?

It aint easy bringing hurts & offenses to others but it is necessary & recommended by Jesus that we do so. "Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him." Luke 17.3

Are we seeking resolution for a conflict or seeking justification for an attitude? More than likely we just wanna vindicate ourselves rather deal with the possibility that we could be wrong in our attitude, actions or words.
So rather than using every opportunity to 'avenge' ourselves, we should create the opportunity to give & ask for forgiveness. Sometimes, we just need to shut up, then speak up.

Know Strength

2011-05-23T11:12:00.000-05:00

I will love You, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.
Psalm 18.1-3

It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect.
Psalm 18.32

For You have armed me with strength for the battle;You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.
Psalm 18.39

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19.14

Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand.
Psalm 20.6

Be exalted, O LORD, in Your own strength! We will sing and praise Your power.
Psalm 21.13

But You, O LORD, do not be far from Me; O My Strength, hasten to help Me!
Psalm 22.19

The LORD is my light and my salvation;Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27.1

Blessed be the LORD, because He has heard the voice of my supplications! The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him. The LORD is their strength, and He is the saving refuge of His anointed.
Psalm 28.6-8

Give unto the LORD, O you mighty ones,Give unto the LORD glory and strength.
Psalm 29.1

The LORD will give strength to His people;The LORD will bless His people with peace.
Psalm 29.11

Save me, O God, by Your name, and vindicate me by Your strength.
Psalm 54.1

I will wait for You, O You his Strength; For God is my defense.
Psalm 59.9

To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises;For God is my defense, My God of mercy.
Psalm 59.17

In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God.
Psalm 62.7

O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God!
Psalm 68.35

I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD;I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only.
Psalm 71.16

My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73.26

You are the God who does wonders; You have declared Your strength among the peoples.
Psalm 77.14

You are the God who does wonders; You have declared Your strength among the peoples.
Psalm 78.4

Sing aloud to God our strength; Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob.
Psalm 81.1

Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give Your strength to Your servant, And save the son of Your maidservant.
Psalm 86.6

The LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty; The LORD is clothed, He has girded Himself with strength. Surely the world is established, so that it cannot be moved.
Psalm 93.1

Honor and majesty are before Him; Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.
Psalm 96.6

Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face evermore.
Psalm 105.4

The LORD is my strength and song,And He has become my salvation.
Psalm 118.14

In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.
Psalm 138.3

O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You have covered my head in the day of battle.
Psalm 140.7

He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man. The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy.

Psalm 149.10-11

Life Conquerors

2010-12-30T12:20:00.000-06:00

Christians are promised two things: Eternal Life and Peace. When we hang onto the Peace the way we hang onto Eternity, THEN we are more than conquerors!

John Roman 32.54-30*

*TCV Fused (Tevet Caffeinated Version) is a loose 'translation' of the Word that fuses a verse or two from a different books of the Bible and generate a new verse.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14.27

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.”

John 10.27-30

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8.31-39

My Prosperity Gospel

2010-10-12T06:06:00.001-05:00

All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.

Acts 2.44-45

Don't get me wrong. I aint a socialist and I aint for utopia. What people do with their money is their business. What I am for is the church being the Church. The Body helping the Body.

I hear, read and see so many Christians that are caught up in the 'prosperity gospel'. The notion that the favor of God is directly conveyed into financial and personal success. I am especially disgusted with the hustling and pimping of the Gospel. Preachers, radio stations and tv stations claiming that giving money to them will bring a return on your money.

I have witnessed too many people that have gloried in the material possessions. I have witnessed too many people applauding lavish lifestyles as 'proof' of someones anointing. Again, how these people spend their money is their business. But it is also God's business.

What I think would be a greater testimony of God's blessings would be those with excess giving away their extra to bless those without. Selling the possessions that are nothing more than status symbols and putting that money into the Kingdom by putting it into the hands of those who are without the basics.

How much more would Jesus be exalted by Christians meeting the needs of others? Would this sorta prosperity be ridiculed and condemned as much as the current 'prosperity message' that is being preached and believed by some? Which prosperity is going to last eternally?

As the Scriptures say, “Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough.”

2 Corinthians 8.15

God Knows

2010-10-03T15:51:00.000-05:00

I replied, “But my work seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose. Yet I leave it all in the Lord’s hand; I will trust God for my reward.”

Isaiah 49.4

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.

1 Corinthians 4.5

God knows the motivations of hearts. He knows why we do what we do. So don't get caught up in figuring out if what we have done is a success or a failure. God knows, God is the one who will repay each person for what they have done. Let Him be God and keep doing what He asks, when He asks.

1 Isacoriahthins 53.9*

*TCV Fused (Tevet Caffeinated Version) is a loose 'translation' of the Word that fuses a verse or two from a different books of the Bible and generate a new verse.

Your Prayers Get The Victory For Others

2010-10-02T12:42:00.001-05:00

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.

2 Timothy 2.1

So shall they fear The name of the LORD from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.

Isaiah 59.19

Get busy praying, keep praying for all those around you. Be thankful for those in your life. Through your prayers, Holy Spirit will bring about the breakthrough and Victory in their lives.

2 Timisomiahy 61.20*

*TCV Fused (Tevet Caffeinated Version) is a loose 'translation' of the Word that fuses a verse or two from a different books of the Bible and generate a new verse.

Someone Else is Being Blessed?!?

2010-08-16T16:09:00.000-05:00

When others are blessed around you, how do you respond? Do you rejoice with them when they are blessed. Do you glorify God, who is their Great Provider? How do you feel when a friends prayers are answered but not your own? Have you ever asked God, "Why not me?!?", when He shows favor to their needs or wants. Have you ever had the audacity to tell the Almighty about someone's sins and shortcomings after asking Him "Why them?!?"
Maybe I am the only one who has had to overcome immaturity and selfishness? Maybe no one else has had to suppress resentment towards the testimonies of "God's favor"? Over the years I have heard and read countless rationales of "prosperity" that encouraged my soul rather than edified my Spirit. Yes, God wants to bless me, "not because of who I am but because of Whose I am"(Joel Osteen). But His abundance isn't just for me and it isn't measured by what I drive, where I live, what I wear or by how much money is in my pocket.
We know that every good and perfect gift comes from the Father above (James 1:17), whether a person has declared Jesus as Lord and Savior or not. Even if a person never acknowledges Him, God gives sight to the poor and the oppressor (Proverbs 29:13). Yet sometimes it can be difficult for us to celebrate God's generosity when it is someone else who is the beneficiary. It does not matter if the individual is strong in their Faith or in a lifestyle of sin. It is God who should be exalted, not our pride or envy.
Worse yet, we can become critical and bitter with our God and those who have been blessed. It is not easy to see a friend get married who hasn't been single as long as you have. It can be difficult to be happy for someone who has started a new job or been given a promotion, when you are still receiving rejection letters. Even the simple pleasures can be stumbling blocks for our Love for Jesus and others. Having to turn down an invitation to join friends dining out because of budget limitations can lead to frustration and envy.
We will wander in the wilderness until our hearts are surrendered to Him. When we can celebrate the goodness of God, no matter what our own circumstances may be, then we will see His loving kindness in ways that we have never known.
Direct me by your commands! I love to do what you say. Make me want to obey you, rather than to be rich. Take away my foolish desires, and let me find life by walking with you. Psalm 119: 35-37
I do not think our praise of His blessings is limited to what He has given us, we should be happy for others when they are doing well. When someone near us is blessed we should exalt Him. It should be exciting to see Jesus answer others' prayers. Another brother or sister's prosperity is praise worthy! We should proclaim our joy when Jesus blesses and exceeds the needs of His brothers and sisters.
Rejoicing in God is not a passive activity. The Hebrew word for thanks is yadah. It means especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively. This type of outward expression is easily exhibited during sporting contests and other activities that we our passionate about, yet when it comes to our Faith, we can be docile?
I will give thanks to the LORD according to His righteousness And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. Psalm 7:17
So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure! Psalm 32:11

We are commanded in the Word to rejoice at the Goodness of God!
But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You. Psalm 5:11
If we love Him and are seeking Him, then we have to magnify Him!
Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let such as love Your salvation say continually, “The LORD be magnified!” Psalm 40:16
It takes a willingness to yield to Holy Spirit, to allow Him to convict us and heal us of our pride and our selfishness (Psalm 19:13-14, Psalm 51:10). It also means that we have to be "prepared" for the opportunities to glorify Jesus when He moves on behalf of those near us. It means that we need to be expressive in our appreciation (Psalm 107:31,32) of what God has done, for ourselves and others. Declaring it to the Body of Christ and the world around us.

Because the earth is the Lord's (Psalm 24:1) and it is full of His Glory (Psalm 33:5), we will never be without opportunity to revel in the Greatness of God's abundance!

GLORY!

Let It Burn

2010-08-09T00:26:00.000-05:00

These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 1 Peter1:7

Trials can purify our Faith the way fire can purify gold. Perhaps we haven't endured the 'process' long enough to reveal His Glory, so we have to spend more time in the furnace. We beg & whine about the heat and discomfort. We quit before everything false is burned away. We underestimate Him and ourselves by quitting before He has finished. We need to ask God to complete the work He intends to do in us, not the work we will allow Him to do. If we can take the heat now we can reveal His Glory now. If we let it burn now, we won't have to go through the same flames later.

I will bring that group through the fire and make them pure. I will refine them like silver and purify them like gold. They will call on my name,and I will answer them. I will say, ‘These are my people,’and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’” Zechariah 13:9

Mary, Mary Why Ya Buggin

2010-08-02T19:45:00.001-05:00

I aint a theologian but I am gonna do my best to pull it off for this entry.

Jesus was hanging with His buds when a chick comes in, busts open a jar of perfume and dumps it on Him for His burial. The buds are quick to jump all on her case and complain about what she had done. They even took the pious approach of "Come on Mary, what are you doing?! What a waste, we coulda blessed the poor. Mary why would you do something so thoughtless...."). But Jesus shut them up by simply saying, "Get over it, at least she has been paying attention." (Matthew 26.6-13)

It was the woman that were hearing and listening to what Jesus had to say. It was the woman who threw off the societal views and went all out for Jesus. (Women during these times were viewed less valuable than property and were not viewed as credible witnesses in court.) The disciples who were hand picked by Jesus, had been hearing Jesus preach for years. But had they been listening?

So the point with this entry is a few questions for you:

Are you hearing and listening to what Jesus is saying?
Are you willing to make a fool of yourself in front of others who have greater 'prestige' than you because of what Jesus is saying?

Religion is Death

2010-07-27T23:02:00.000-05:00

And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death.
Romans 7.10

The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.
1 Corinthians 15.56

RELIGION IS DEATH!
Rocormanthians 22.66

*TCV Fused (Tevet Caffeinated Version) is a loose 'translation' of the Word that fuses a verse or two from a different books of the Bible and generate a new verse.

Highs and Lows

2010-07-26T19:40:00.000-05:00

If I go up to heaven, You are there; if I go down to the grave, You are there.
Psalm 139.8

High or low, Jesus is there. Even when life is at its 'best' and we put our Faith on cruise control and kinda put Jesus in the back seat, He is there. When life is at its worst, when everything is crashing down on us, He is there.

We cannot be separated from His love. Even when we put Him off because of how smooth things may be going, He loves us the same. Even when we are 'losing' battle after battle in our Faith, He loves us the same.

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8.37-39

A Simple Prayer

2010-07-23T18:17:00.000-05:00

Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.
2 Thessalonians 3.5

Think about this. Paul is praying for peoples hearts to move into the fullness of God's Love. The kind of Love that has no limits. (Romans 8.38-39) The kind of Love that forgives all sins. (Proverbs 10:12) The kind of Love that sacrifices His only Son for those who may not appreciate and accept the Gift. (John 3:17)

Think about the Patience of Christ. Jesus gave up the presence of God to live on earth as a man. (John 1.1-3) He took it upon himself to live and die for the sin of mankind. ( Isaiah 53:4 ) Jesus knew the torture and suffering He was to endure and He did not want to go through it. (Luke 22.42-44) But He did. (Hebrews 12:2) He did so everyone, even those who may not appreciate or accept the Gift, could access the presence of God. (1 Timothy 2.4) Jesus gave up a residence without sin, without pain, without hatred, so others could have the opportunity to know what He had known.

Pretty deep prayer Paul laid down in his letter, huh? Pretty simple prayer as well. Simple enough for anyone of us to pray when things are getting outta control and our focus ain't where it should be. Simple enough for you to pray right now.

May God direct MY heart into the Love of God and the Patience of Christ. Amen.

Fight for Peace

2010-07-19T18:55:00.001-05:00

I had the thought of holding onto a $100 bill on a windy day. How tight I would clutch, maybe even peeking into my fist, 'checking' to see if it was still there. I thought about what would happen if a gust of wind ripped it outta my hands and sent it flying across the parking lot. I saw myself running after it, following its every twist and turn in the air. I imagined other people staring at me in curiosity or outta fear depending upon my facial expressions, actions and cries of "God stop that money!" or yelling at complete strangers "HEY! Help me out here, please!?!" I wondered what would happen if it blew underneath a car, if I would drop to the ground and crawl on my belly over oil stains and discarded gum, stabbing at it with an outstretched hand. I wondered if I would run into traffic and halt cars as I stomped at the ground trying to pin Ben Franklin to the pavement.
I wondered what if someone else would have gotten to it first. An rough looking dude, an elderly lady or a small child? How would I respond if they tried to keep my money? Would I be rude, would I just grab what belonged to me irregardless of the consequences. In a way, I thought, it would be easier for me to confront the scary looking dude because if things got ugly, it wouldn't be bad if I brawled with him, even if I lost a couple of teeth. Whereas, if I picked a fight with the little old lady, it would be a lose/lose situation for me, let alone if she put me down and out how I would have to explain to my wife how I lost $100 and got beat down by a grandma.

All of this went through my mind as I walked from my car into the grocery store. (No wonder I forgot to get the diapers I was originally sent to the store to get, huh?) What had me thinking about this is how I could without hesitation or regard, fight and track down something of value that belonged to me. How it is possible for me to work so hard for something that is not permanent and that is fleeting, but I don't chase after Peace with the same frenzied passion.

As a believer, His Peace is promised to me! As a believer His Peace is mine to take a hold of and hang onto when times are rough and out of my control. But so many times I throw away His Peace because of my fears, my words or because of my laziness. I don't chase after a Peace that would be so much more helpful to me and especially those around me. I give up on pursuing it after a couple of half hearted attempts of seeking Him. I don't ask for any one's help in seeking what is mine to have. I don't make a 'public spectacle' of myself trying to claim what is mine.

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Psalm 34:14

Check out the definition of pursue: Radaf-raw-daf'a primitive root; to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by):--chase, put to flight, follow after, hunt, to be under persecution, pursue.

Now check out the definition of peace: Shalom {shaw-lome'}; safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace: favour, (good) health, peace prosperous, rest,

Peace is definitely worth pursuing. It would definitely be worth me making a public spectacle of myself or calling upon others to help me when it is out of my reach. Peace is actually worth more to me than the things in life I am lacking. Money, relationships and circumstances have no guarantees. Hey, the world promises us nothing but trouble. Great friends, fat bank accounts and an easy life is not promised. But as believers, Peace is ours to have when we don't have enough money, ideal relationships and pleasant circumstances.

I can hunt and fight the things which are temporary and that can actually be a great source of my headaches or I can fight for that which will be with me when I have it all or have nothing at all.

Shalom

2010-07-19T18:44:00.000-05:00

Each person's definitions of trials and struggles will differ based upon who they are, what the situation is and how deeply they are affected. What is overwhelming to some may be common to others. What is emotionally draining to one person may be something totally incomprehensible to another.

Money, friends and wisdom cannot keep us from the miseries of life. Because we are by nature selfish and self centered we will always have to overcome our own attitudes, words and actions. Daily, we will encounter and be forced to deal with others just like us and their attitudes, words and actions.

How an individual endures, copes and hopefully overcomes the obstacles to enjoying life is just as varying as each person's definitions of trials and struggles. But for those whose hope is in the Creator, there is the promise of Peace for our times of headache, backache and heartache. God gives us a peace that will transcend all understanding. God gives us a peace that makes us take comfort when it seems illogical.

A promise that life gives us is that we will find ourselves in trials. A promise that God gives us is that we can find peace during those trials.

The LORD will give strength to His people;
The LORD will bless His people with peace.
Psalm 29:11

peace-shalom-safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace:

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.
And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.
So don’t be troubled or afraid.
John 14:27

peace-eirene-peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity:--one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again.

Is Planned Parenthood a Terrorist Organization?

2010-07-16T06:19:00.003-05:00

[We propose to] hire three or four colored ministers, preferably with social-service backgrounds, and with engaging personalities. The most successful educational approach to the Negro is through a religious appeal. And we do not want word to go out that we want to exterminate the Negro population, and the minister is the man who can straighten out that idea if it ever occurs to any of their more rebellious members.
Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger commenting on the 'Negro Project' in a letter to Dr. Clarence Gamble, December 10, 1939

Thanks to all of you at Planned Parenthood for all the work that you are doing for women all across the country and for families all across the country-and for men who have enough sense to realize you are helping them, all across the country. I want to thank Cecile Richards (national president of Planned Parenthood) for her extraordinary leadership. I am happy to see so many good friends here today, including Steve Trombley and Pam Sutherland from my home state of Illinois. We had a number of battles down in Springfield from many years and it's wonderful to see that they are here today"
Barak Obama July 17, 2007

"What you've seen in some of the statements that have been made by these terrorist organizations is that they do not regard African life as valuable in and of itself," he said. "They see it as a potential place where you can carry out ideological battles that kill innocents without regard to long-term consequences for their short-term tactical gains." Barak Obama during an interview July 13, 2010 with the South African Broadcasting Corporation.

So is Planned Parenthood a Terrorist Organization?

These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.
Proverbs 6.16-19

Perhaps

2010-07-02T17:00:00.000-05:00

During trials it is common to question God with-

"What am I doing wrong?"
"Where did I mess up?"
"How am I being disobedient?"

(Interesting how when times are going smooth, we aren't as quick to ask the Lord for His input, huh?)

Perhaps God isn't limited to just giving correction.
Perhaps He wants to give encouragement during trials.
Perhaps we should also ask God-

"What am I doing that is good?"
"Where am I in Your Will?"
"Please show me where I have been obedient?"

Silent God

2010-07-01T14:27:00.000-05:00

The easiest and best thing to do when facing uncertainty or heavy decisions is to ask God for Wisdom. God gives it liberally and without an 'I told you so', 'Its about time you asked' or a 'Why should I help you out, you're just gonna mess it up anyways'. It says so in James 1.5-7. I dunno if Wisdom has always existed or it was the first thing God created but according to Proverbs 8.22-30 wisdom was hanging around before God created the world.

Sometimes, the struggle for me, after having asked God for Wisdom, is following through with the insight He has given me. Getting Wisdom doesn't mean that I can figure a way outta my problems or having to face up to my sin. Getting Wisdom has equipped me to take on my problems and how to deal with the consequences of my sin.

There have been times in which I have asked for Wisdom and it seems like God ignored the request. I know that ain't true because His Word says otherwise. What I have concluded (wondered) is if God was leaving a decision entirely up to me. After all, He created me, He knows how I am wired. God knows my past, present and future. He also knows my strengths and weaknesses much better than I do. Was God just laying low to see how I was gonna respond to a situation? Or was He wanting to see how I would handle circumstances or trials after having learned some lessons?

It is scary thinking that God trusts me to make the right choices. There are some decisions I just don't wanna make because I could wind up making another mistake. Life can be a lot easier when things just sort themselves out. But living life in that manner just ain't for me. I don't believe God has everything laid out for me to do. I believe He gave me a mind to think for myself (Proverbs 16.9). He gives me the desire and the ability to do all things (Philippians 2.13), its just a matter if I wanna settle for boring and below average or if I wanna take on the fullness of life and Jesus (Ephesians 3.20).

Because God has equipped me, because He wants me to grow in Faith and because I trust in Him and His ways, God will remain silent. He ain't ignoring me, He is trusting me. There are times when God is silent because He doesn't need to talk me through a situation. Sometimes, His silence to me is a display of confidence in me.

Expectations?

2010-06-29T19:14:00.003-05:00

My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55.8-9

Don't get caught expecting God to only move in one way. Don't limit God in how He is gonna show up in your life. Don't miss out on what God is doing in your life and the lives of others because you haven't seen it happen that way before. Don't miss out on His Glory being revealed around you or through you because you 'know' how Jesus is gonna get things done.

Think about how the Jews were baffled by Jesus hanging with sinners, eating, drinking and enjoying himself. These are the same knuckleheads who were critical of John preaching in the desert. (Matthew 11.18-19) Remember, up until Jesus ascended to the Throne, the disciples still expected Jesus to overthrow the Romans. (Acts 1.6-7)

God has always used broken and the ugly to reveal His Perfection and His Glory. God ain't about doing things our way or in always in a manner that is understandable. Sometimes, even after looking back with the perfect 20/20 vision that only hindsight can give us, we still can't make sense or explain how God did what He did, we just know that He did.

For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.
1 Corinthians 1.25

World's Greatest Dad (Long Winded Version)

2010-06-23T07:10:00.000-05:00

I have times when I am a selfish Dad. There are times when I wanna just hang out in front of a football game or MMA match and I plan things accordingly. I will 'treat' the kids to a dvd or two just so I know I can watch the game or matches with the least amount of interruptions. There are times when the kids have gotten to stay up later because I was watching a night game and the kids got to stay up a lot later so I could see the end of the game and still get to do the night routine of prayers and laying beside each one before they fall asleep.

There are times when I am a really selfish Dad. Times that I misuse my time by playing video games or times where I don't do the things that are needed because I wanna sleep later. There are the times when it is easier to pick up a pizza or subs on the way home instead of making supper. Or the times where I scold my kids for bothering me because I am trying to blog about the Love and Patience of Jesus. (Kinda ironic, huh.)

And then there are times when I am a horribly selfish Dad. Times that I lose my cool, feel over whelmed or feel sorry for myself. Moments in which there is no reflection of Jesus in my words or actions, just my selfishness spewing all over the place. I often wind up apologizing for these moments or my wife and kids tell me how I have messed up.

I am a good Dad and I know it. My wife and kids tell me so. Friends and family tell me and Holy Spirit reminds me. I know the times when I have sacrificed my time or my desires so my kids could do something or have something. I know that is what a Dad does. He makes sacrifices for his children so they can be blessed.

I am not writing this to hype up or diminish my parenting skills. I am writing this to remind others and myself that God is an awesome Dad. If I can do good things for Naomi, Logan and Jensen, then I will bless them just to bless them. My wife and I will treat the kids to a movie or a snack that they don't need, let alone deserve. We do this because we wanna give them Joy, we wanna show our Love through our actions.

It is because of my selfishness as a Dad that helps me understand God's Love and generosity. I know that I try to do what is best for my kids even with all my shortcomings and selfishness. Because I know this, I know that a Holy Dad is gonna do what is best for me. I know that God will bless me. Not because I am the best behaved kid. Not because of anything I do as a child of God. He will bless me because He is such an awesome Dad.

Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!

Matthew 7.9-11

World's Greatest Dad (TCV)

2010-06-23T06:13:00.001-05:00

Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him! Matt 7.9-11

God blesses us not because we are such a great kids, but because He is the World's Greatest Dad!*

Matt 7.9-11

*Tevet Caffeinated Version, TCV for short, isn't a complete Bible 'translation' and there will never be a published version unless you compile one. So as the mood strikes me, I will take a verse or two that I have come across and break it down or slang it up and pass it along.

Opposition

2010-06-22T13:09:00.000-05:00

In Acts 9.10-16, it is recorded how God declared Paul as His chosen vessel to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles. Luke writes about Paul's 'destiny' in Acts 13.47 and Acts 22.17-21.

Paul wrote how he had been given a specific job to do in God's name in Romans 15:15-17, Galatians 1.16, and Ephesians 3.1-7. Also, Paul he writes in the first line of both letters to Timothy that an ordained mission. (1 Timothy 1.1 and 2 Timothy 1.1)

Ok, if you know even a little bit about Christianity, I ain't laying down anything new. Paul was called by Jesus and called to the Gentiles. But look at what Paul wrote in a letter to the Corinthians.

There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me.
1 Corinthians 16.9

Even though Paul knew he had a mission to do and there was great opportunity for the Gospel in Ephesus, he recognized there was still opposition.

My point with this entry is this: We should expect negativity and struggles even when walking in our Giftings, our Calling and God's will. There will be warfare no matter when and where we share Jesus. I also want to point out that it isn't for us to prove ourselves right. Only God can change hearts all we can do is share Truth and love. What we have to do is be obedient to what He is leading us to do and who He is leading us to.

Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.
2 Timothy 2.25

Less is More

2010-06-18T19:19:00.001-05:00

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 16.18

Pride gets in my way and trips me up a lot. It also keeps me down after I have fallen. My pride gets in the way of admitting that I messed up or that I was wrong. Pride gets in the way of me admitting I have weaknesses and shortcomings. I dunno why I can't easily put down my pride or why I can't put down my front before an Infinite God and those who already know me as a man with many limitations.

I do know that when I do own up to my mistakes and wrong attitudes, that is when Jesus can move on my behalf. When I acknowledge that He is God and that I am not, then He can move through me and for me. It's a lot like my Salvation. I had to admit that I wasn't perfect and that God is. I still have to continually acknowledge His Lordship in my life and my own up to my shortcomings. Its not that God is demanding me to constantly declare my filthiness and His Perfection. God is asking me to not deny His perfection by ignoring my sin and selfishness.

Basically, when there is less of me, less of my strength, less of my capability and of course less of my pride, there will be more of Jesus. When I declare my weaknesses and admit that I aint got enough to get the job done, then Jesus will be at His greatest in my life.

Less of Dave means more of Jesus.

Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.
1 Corinthians 26-29

Each time He said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
2 Corinthians 12.9

Sam Holton, Ed Kimball and You

2010-06-18T07:51:00.000-05:00

I don't know much about Samuel Holton. I don't know when he was born, when he died, what kind of life he lived or if he was a Christian. I do know that he was D.L. Moody's uncle and Holton reluctantly hired Moody to work for him at his Boston shoe store. Additionally Holton required Moody to attend Mt. Vernon Congregational Church in order keep his job. I know some about Moody, basically because of what I have read today. I know he was born in 1837, raised by his parents as a Unitarian, he has a college and publishing company named after him and he died in 1899. Previously I have read a little bit about him, nothing too in depth though. I have read more about Smith Wigglesworth, John G. Lake and other 'heavy hitters' of the Faith.

Another man I know very little bit about is Sunday school teacher Edward Kimball. Kimball taught Sunday School at the Mt. Vernon church that Moody attended, as required by his uncle. One day, Kimball visited Moody at work and shared with him the Love of Jesus and Moody was a changed man after that. After awhile, Moody left Boston for Chicago and immersed himself in sharing the Love of Jesus with others.

Moody was a pioneer of the Faith. He ministered to and equipped women and children in the late 1800's, not a common practice at that time. He saw beyond denominational limitations and preached Jesus wherever he was invited. His burden for the poor, minorities and uneducated children led him to start schools. Eventually Moody's vision of a school to equip people with the Gifts and train them to minister. He also started Bible Institute Colportage Association (BICA) in 1894 in his desire to provide Christian literature to average American.

So why the brief history lesson on the life of Dwight Lyman Moody? I want to show the importance of one man's ministry. No, I am not writing about Moody's ministry, I am writing about Holton's ministry to his nephew and Kimball's ministry to another church member.

What if Holton would not have had compassion upon his nephew? What if he would not have cared about his nephew's Spiritual development? Where could have Moody have wound up?

Kimball said the following about Moody before his Salvation, "I have seen few persons whose minds were spiritually darker than was his when he came into my Sunday School class."
Imagine if Kimball would have been too timid to visit Moody at his job and share Jesus with him? What if Kimball would have written off Moody as a waste of time?

Think of the millions that have been reached in the name of Jesus because of the efforts of D.L. Moody. Think of the millions that have been reached because of the efforts of Sam Holton and Ed Kimball.

Now take a look around yourself. Is there someone Holy Spirit has laid upon your heart? Is there someone who needs you to be the compassion of Jesus? How are you going to reach millions? Will it be with your words or your works? Or will it be from reaching the one who reaches millions?

Faith Like Abraham

2010-06-16T19:30:00.002-05:00

It was in 2006 when I was going through a pretty dark time in my life. There seemed to be no clarity in my life after what I thought was my following God's leading to a new town. I hated my job and where I was living,I was going through a custody battle, I wasn't fellow shipping with anybody consistently and money was getting tight.

I would talk every now and then with my Spiritual big brutha. This wasn't always a good thing, because Ray treats me like a little brother. I know that Ray is NOT the one to talk to when I am wanting sympathy. He will slug me in the shoulder before he pats me on the back if he thinks I'm being too much of a sissy. If I call him up in a time of need, he is faithful to give me Biblical advice, even if he has to slap me in the face with the Word, whether I want to hear it or not.

During this stretch of darkness in my life, I had complained to Brutha Raymos about God's failed promises in my life. And I am thankful I was talking to him by celly, cause I believe if I had been in the room with him, he would have literally slapped me with my own bible. Right now I couldn't tell you what he said, but what I got out of it was how selfish I was to want "my" promises fulfilled so quickly when the Father of our Faith, Abraham endured so much more. It wasn't anything I wanted to hear at that time, I didn't want to feel sorry for Abraham, I wanted to feel sorry for myself. Needless to say, I responded just like a little brother, atleast like how a 7 or 8 year old little brother would respond, I hung up on him.

Becaus Ray preached the Word of God and not what I wanted to hear, his message took root. I set out to prove Raymos wrong. I would dig into Genesis and prove to Ray and myself that Abraham had it easy, Abraham was a bible superhero, not a common guy like me.
What I discovered was Abraham made mistakes, he had times of unbelief and his walk was not perfect, sorta like me. I typed it up and shared it with a few friends by email. One commented, "That attachment you sent was really long, I didn't have time to read it."
Now with my new found, but still limited, skills through html and biblegateway, I can share a "condensed" version with the actual Scripture just a click away, followed by my "observations".

Genesis 12:1-3
The promise is spoken, not many specifics given through God speaking to Abram.

Genesis 12:7
God appears face to face, then Abram offers to God.

Genesis 12:11-13
Abraham gives into doubt/fear.

Genesis 13:14-18
God gives more specifics regarding the promise.

Genesis 14:14-16
On our way to a Promise their will be warfare and there will be victory.

Genesis 14:19-20
Giving praise, offerings to God. Celebrating the victory in God.

Genesis 14:22-23
The victory is contagious, don’t let others compromise the promise, even unintentionally.

Genesis 15:1-6
God speaks again, and is questioned by Abraham. God reassures him.

Genesis 15:7-12
Sacrifice is needed, very messy, can be very disturbing.

Genesis 15:13-16
God foretells events centuries beyond Abram’s existence, declaring the importance of the promise He has made to Abram.

Genesis 15:17-21
God comes down to receive the sacrifice and makes a covenant with Abram

Genesis 16:2
Trying to get the Promise moving along. Receiving bad advice.

Genesis 16:5
Passing the blame.

Genesis 16:12
There can be consequences to deal with from getting out of God’s plan or timing.

Genesis 17:1-16
The promise becomes very specific. This is the first time in which God indicates that Abraham’s child will come from Sarah. And all this was said AFTER Abraham and Sarah tried to fulfill God's Promise by themselves. (Please forgive me Jesus for all the times I have done this?)

Genesis 17:17-18
Abraham, in God’s presence, still questions and doesn’t understand.

Genesis 17:19-22
God reassures Abraham and gives very exact details, promises.

Genesis 17:23-27
After the prophetic Abraham rededicates himself and his household. God made the promise and then Abraham responded. The promise wasn’t made because of what Abraham had done.

Genesis 18:1-10
Within a year of the promise, God visits Abraham again, reiterating the promise after fellow shipping with Abraham.

Genesis 18:11-15
Was Abraham’s doubting, his unbelief, contagious? Remember Sarah is also listed in Hebrews 11:11 as a superhero of the Faith. (Please forgive me Jesus for the times my unbelief has leaped off of me and onto others?)

Genesis 18:16-21
An example of God’s friendship, He wants to share what He is doing with us, as a friend and as a teacher. God also shows that He is slow to anger. (Psalm 103:8)

Genesis 18:22-23
Abraham isn’t on the ground, but standing, physically he is drawing closer to God. The longer Abraham walks with God, the closer he gets to Him. Physically and Spiritually.

Genesis 18:23-33
More warfare, this time Abraham intercedes with petitions and not physical force.

Genesis 20:2-11
Abraham loses his courage and adopts short sighted thinking again less than two years before Isaac is born. After all, God had already given him Isaac as the name of his son to be, then why would God allow Abraham to die before the Promise was fulfilled. (Please forgive me Jesus for all the times I have done this?)

Genesis 20:13
Abraham puts the fault on God, even blames Sarah because of her beauty, excusing himself. (Again, please forgive me Jesus?)

Genesis 20:14-16
Abraham is still blessed in spite of his stumbling, doubting.

Genesis 21:1-3
God fulfills His promise according to His Word and not because of what Abraham did or didn’t do.

Genesis 21:14
Eventually, we will need to confront our past mistakes, deal with them according to God’s way and trust God to take care of all involved. (Please show me Jesus the mistakes I need to confront and deal with from my impatience with your timing?)

Genesis 22:2
Abraham is asked to show his faith in God, perhaps because of his unbelief in the past.

Genesis 22:16-18
At this point the promise is fulfilled and Abraham just has to live in the promise. Ultimately, the promise of God can only be fulfilled through faith. Thankfully God is not as apt to give up on us as quickly as we may give up on Him! GLORY!

When

2010-06-14T21:06:00.000-05:00

After falling down, with Jesus in your life, its not a matter of IF you will get back up, but WHEN you will get back up.
Protimverbothy 26.29*

*TCV Fused (Tevet Caffeinated Version) is a loose 'translation' of the Word that fuses a verse or two from a different books of the Bible and generates a new verse.

If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny who He is.
2 Timothy 2.13

For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity.
Proverbs 24.16