Devotional

January 31, 2014

You Can Persevere in God’s Strength

It’s human nature to feel tired when trouble comes our way or when we haven’t had enough rest or when we have selflessly given out to serve other. We’ve all had moments when our bodies just don’t want to put out any more energy. We’ve even had days it seems like everything is working against us. If we’re not careful, those days can turn into weeks and weeks into months. Next thing we know, we’re tired, discouraged, angry, and burning out.

I certainly enjoy ministering around the world, but even ministry can be tiring. God can still use us – even when we are physically drained – but we do need to take time to rest.

We may be stretched, but God doesn’t want His followers to lead exhausted lives. God wants to give us strength to live every day to the fullest. The apostle Paul asked God to strengthen every follower of Christ with an inward spiritual strength “through His Spirit (Ephesians 3:16).” In 2 Timothy 2:1, Paul compelled Timothy to “be strong strengthened inwardly in the grace that is to be found only in Christ Jesus.” Just as Paul encouraged Timothy to rely on God for physical and spiritual strength, you can rely on the Lord and to preserve in His strength.

“Finally, build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of his mighty power.” (Ephesians 6:10 GNT)

Throughout Scripture, God reminds His people that we need to run to Him when we feel weary. “The Lord is like a strong tower; those who do right can run to him for safety (Proverbs 18:10 NCV).” In Psalms, He refers to Himself as our “refuge” and as a “very present help” (Psalm 46:1). These images are strong illustrations of God as a safe haven for our immediate problems – both spiritual and physical, large and small. Even when troubles flood our lives God promises, “I am with you: do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you (Isaiah 41:10 NIV84).

Isaiah 40:31 is another promise from God’s Word that has sustained me:

But those who wait for the Lord and expect, look for and hope in Him, shall change and renew their strength and power, they shall life their wings and mount up (close to God) as eagles (mount up to the sun); they shall run and not be weary: they shall walk and not faint or become tired (AMP).

God has promised we can run the race of our lives with Him and with much strength, advancing from glory to glory and from strength to strength.

Refresh yourself in God’s strength by spending time in His Word. Using your own Bible or biblegateway.com, read the many Scripture references I have listed in this article. Take time to think about them. Meditate the Word of God (John 6:53-66). Keep yourself free from sin that drains away your strength (Ephesians 5:4; Colossians 3:8; Hebrews 12:15). Drink from the living water of the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-38).

Don’t let bad days become bad weeks. Don’t grow weary in well doing (Galatians 6:9). Don’t burn out. Set time aside to rest (Matthew 11:29). Stay connected with the Holy Spirit and discover rest in His grace and mercies because they are new every morning. As we pay attention to God’s Word and trust His promises we’ll become stronger each day.

November 5, 2013

Garden Hose for Jesus?

“Be a garden hose, a PVC pipe, a channel for God’s healing power,” Dad encouraged. “You don’t have to be fine china to be used by God. In fact, the Lord delights in using styrofoam cups, ordinary people just like us.”

A garden hose not connected to a water source doesn’t do much to benefit grass or potted plants. But, in the hands of a master gardener a hose connected to water becomes a perfectly suited tool to connect thirty flowers with life-giving water. You and I are the perfectly suited instruments designed to release God’s love on earth.

“Do not look upon the vessel, but upon what it holds.” (Hebrew Proverb)

Why not keep streams of living water flowing out you to keep the water fresh? Get the kinks worked out of your life so that living water can stream without impediment.

Keep yourself free from rebellion or sin that clogs and contaminants. “In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:20-21 NLT)

I am willing to be a garden hose for Jesus Christ.

The Lord wants to use us to communicate His message, to impart His love, to extend His forgiveness, and to minister His healing power. Are you willing to let the healing power of the Lord flow through you? Are you ready to be a garden hose for Jesus?

October 24, 2013

5 Goals of Congregational Worship

How can any Christ-follower not be passionate about worshiping God? You and I are made to worship. Our corporate expressions of worship need to truly allow our spirits to touch and be transformed by the Holy Spirit. I deeply appreciate the incredible significance and impact of each time I get to participate in congregational worship.

I hope that you will take a moment to consider FIVE GOALS of congregational worship!

#1 WE ENCOUNTER GOD’S PRESENCE!

We want to draw closer to God EVERY time we congregate. We should never lose sight of this goal. God’s presence should be the hallmark of every meeting.

Why is this goal so important? We encounter God’s Presence:

To prepare (cleanse and focus) people to encounter God. Congregational worship awakens people to yield their total person to a place of TOTAL worship.
To bring people into the presence of the Lord. God’s manifest presence is our priority. “Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing.” (Psalm 100:2 NASB)
To reveal the character and deeds of God. We gather to exalt the Lord. “Sing praises to the Lord, Who dwells in Zion! Declare among the peoples His doings!” (Psalm 9:11 AMP) When people see you worship, they should know that God is great by the way you praise.
To build a throne for the Lord’s rulership. We invite God to move among those worshiping Him. “Yet You are holy, O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel.” (Psalm 22:3 NASB)
To make every person God-conscious. Yes, God is really alive – transcendent, yet immanent.
To receive direction, change, enjoyment, and encouragement. We celebrate! Commission, direction, and edification occurs.
To become more like Christ and to bring people into right relationship with Christ. Worship draws individuals to Christ (evangelism). Lives are changed in God’s presence.

# 2 WE RELEASE THE HOLY SPIRIT’S CONTINUING WORK.

Congregational worship should be an open opportunity for the Holy Spirit to do what He desires today. Hundreds of millions of Spirit-baptized believers on earth today (October 2013) testify: “It is not strange to experience the work of the Holy Spirit today!” Holy Spirit did not end His ministry in 100 AD. The Holy Spirit’s continued work through two thousand years of church history is not strange fire; it is holy fire.

Our corporate worship releases:

Charismatic expression (Gifts of the Spirit including tongues),
Prophetic flow (Consider how Elisha calls for musician in 2 Kings 3:15),
Conviction, comfort, and guidance,
Unity in the Body of Christ, and
God’s miraculous power and anointing that breaks yokes (healing, salvation, deliverance, etc.).

#3 WE ENGAGE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE AGAINST THE ENEMY.

“Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand, To execute vengeance on the nations, And punishments on the peoples; To bind their kings with chains, And their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute on them the written judgment — This honor have all His saints. Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 149:6-9 NKJV)

#4 WE OFFER SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES TO GOD.

We serve God as priests – glorifying Him and pleasing Him. We come to the sanctuary with a focus to GIVE (not to GET). Our sacrifice of worship is an offering of something meaningful and valuable (consider the costs of our time, talent, treasure, energy).

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9 NIV)

#5 WE COMMUNICATE GOD’S WORD.

Congregational worship imparts truth, sound theology, strengthening, faith. Worship prepares people to receive God’s Word into their mind, into their hearts, and into their actual lives. Worship that touches heaven also inspires application and practice of the message.

Wow, have I see this! As a pastor called to teach and preach the Bible, I am still amazed by the impact of worship upon sermons. Congregational worship that really encounters God’s presence opens the way for the sermon and makes the delivery soooooooo much easier and much more effective.

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16 NASB)

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:18-19 NASB)

I gave you five goals; I will conclude with five things that congregational worship is not. Congregational worship is:

NOT Christian karaoke,
NOT a platform concert,
NOT a spectator sport,
NOT shallow or superficial,
NOT just music we play and songs we sing (no matter how long we have practiced or how much expression we put into it).

Worship is more than just words and music; actual communion with God is necessary. Worship doesn’t occur until spirit touches Spirit.

October 2, 2013

God Wants to Heal through You

The Lord wants to use us to communicate His message, to impart His love, to extend His forgiveness, and to minister His healing power. Heavenly Father wants your help. He wants to use you to bring His healing power to this generation. God wants His healing power to flow through you.

Jesus’ ministry on earth was characterized by teaching, preaching, and healing. Matthew summarizes Jesus’ earthly ministry as, “teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.” (Matthew 4:23b NIV) Jesus Christ is the ultimate example for a Christ-follower, so we should have a lifestyle and ministry that reflect His. Am I reflecting His example? Not all believers will be full-time paid pastors or traveling healing evangelists, but every Christ follower should have a part in proclaiming the Gospel and in healing ministry.

Are you willing to let the healing power of the Lord flow through you?

There are several steps I recommend to so anyone who would surrender to be a channel for God’s glory. The first step toward releasing healing ministry involves a healthy relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Love flows as a result of an intimate bond with Christ. Compassion and the gifts of the Spirit flow should flow naturally out of a personal connection with God.

The second prerequisite is personal communication with the Lord. Talking and listening to God is not optional; it is vital. Prayer is indispensable for spiritual strength.

A third important step is immersion in the Word of God. Reading, studying, and meditating the Bible transforms thinking patterns and prepares the way for signs and wonders.

Experience in actually praying for someone is the next step. With each step of faith, expectancy is likely to grow.

Some people benefit from being mentored by another believer who is active in the healing ministry. Connect with a pastor or elder (or another Godly minister who regularly ministers healing) and accompany the pastor or elder during healing ministry (while visiting in a home or hospital, or while in a service). This exposure to the healing ministry will encourage you and give you insight. Encouragement and teaching also inspires confidence to operate in the healing ministry.

Because the Lord forgives, redeems, loves, and empowers, believers should expect to have some type of healing ministry. The Holy Spirit prepares and gifts people for ministry. The Bible demonstrates various means whereby healing is administered, and I expect the Lord to continue His kingdom demonstration with healing. As a pastor, I may not be able to clarify every difficulty surrounding sickness and healing, but I can believe God and step out in faith.

October 1, 2013

The Holy Spirit and Healing

The Lord still heals today. On many occasions, I have felt led to minister healing to individuals because the Lord has given a word of knowledge. Sometimes I receive a spiritual impression or image within me, of a part of a body. When I recognize the Lord’s direction in this way, I am greatly encouraged to pray in faith for healing. The Lord has also lead me via dreams, impressions, or simply because another person asks for prayer.

The Holy Spirit prepares Christ-followers for healing ministry, firstly, in salvation, and secondly, in continuing empowerment. Paul rhetorically questions the Galatian believers on the basis of the God who gives His Spirit and works miracles (Gal. 3:5).

“I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ.” (Galatians 3:5 NLT)

Clearly, Paul affirms that God executes signs and wonders including healing. Paul glorifies Christ Jesus for the Spirit’s power which enables signs and wonders.

The Holy Spirit is regularly associated with power throughout Scripture. The prophets of the Old Testament are Spirit-filled messengers. Micah testifies the Spirit’s power (Micah 3:8) and goes on to powerfully declare the sins of God’s people in Judah. Outward visible power is evident to all that see and hear him. During His earthly ministry, Jesus acknowledges, “It is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons (Matthew 12:28).” Peter recognizes this outward manifestation of the power of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ life (Acts 10:38). Jesus promises power when the Spirit comes on His disciples (Acts 1:8). In Acts, the visible power of the Holy Spirit manifests after serious prayer (Acts 4:31, 33).

The New Testament teaches that healing may occur in connection with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Paul seems to emphasize the plural nature of healing in the twelfth chapter of 1 Corinthians by twice using the plural “charismata” when referring to gifts of healings (1 Cor. 12:9, 30). Perhaps this indicates that healing can function on many levels or in many ways to meet the needs of sick people.

While given for the common good (1 Cor. 12:7), gifts of healings function as the Spirit wills (1 Cor. 12:11). The apostles do not heal every need with which they come in contact, but they remain sensitive to the prompting of the Spirit. The Spirit-empowered believer must practice discernment. Possibly, this gives insight into why a Christian cannot administer healing to every sickness when visiting a hospital, yet can witness a tremendous healing during the same visit. Just as salvation and eternal life are a freely-given grace gift, gifts of healings are not earned or bought (consider Peter’s response to Simon in Acts 8:18-23).

I cannot buy Holy Spirit empowerment, but I can certainly surrender and yield. I welcome Holy Spirit to flood me afresh. Lord, use me as a channel to extend Your healing strength.

September 30, 2013

Beyond Aimless Living

You Have A PURPOSE. You are not an accident. You were created by God’s design, plans He had made up long before you were ever born.

With no mind, will, or emotions, toothbrushes don’t have to consider the reason for their existence. You and I, however, do have a mind, will, and emotions, and we need to seriously consider why God placed us on earth.

You were saved FROM something FOR something. In a sense, every Christ-follower should have two testimonies. The first should be about how God saved them; the second, about how God is using them.

Heavenly Father did not meet you for the first time on the day you came to Christ. He did not find out who you are when you accepted Him as Savior and Lord. There was no shocking heavenly surprise, “Wow, Mike, just came into my Kingdom! How about that? What am I going to do with him?”

Consider what the following verses reveal about God’s purpose.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5 NIV)
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalm 139:13-16 NIV)
“The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me. Lord, Your love is eternal; do not abandon the work of Your hands.” (Psalm 138:8 HCSB)
“being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6 NIV)
“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13 NIV)
“Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” (John 14:23 NIV)
“I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.” (John 15:16b NIV )

September 26, 2013

Wavy hair is great – just don’t let mine wave goodbye

Every time I visit the barber, the mirror-multitude spotlights the balding spot on my head that I would rather forget. Years ago, the stylists would encourage, “It’s not noticeable. It isn’t any larger than the last time you got your haircut.” Yeah, sure. Your mirrors make it easy for me to see the bright reflection of overhead lights from the top of my head.

As I shave in the morning, I don’t usually think about the spot because I don’t see the spot. But, the spot sure does show up when I see pictures of the back of my head. Please, pardon me today as I grieve the missing hair.

My greatest problem is not production, but distribution. My body still produces lots of hair. After all, I have plenty of hair springing out from my neck, back, ears, etc. Hair implants might get hair distributed to the used-to-be-small-patch on my head, but I am not interested in pain. I require less styling gel, but more sunscreen lotion. I am forced to wear a hat at the beach (wow, uncovered skins burns quickly!). I don’t mind having wavy hair; I just don’t want my hair waving goodbye.

I never had a spot in my twenties. According to missionary-evangelist E. Stanley Jones (1884-1973), baldness is the first of four signs of advanced age (bifocals, bridges, and bulges are the other three). Am I really getting older?

I try to console myself – I am a lover. After all, a man who is balding in the front is a thinker; a man balding in the back is a lover; a guy balding in the front and back thinks he is a lover. I do love Patti. Patti will love me either way. But, I wouldn’t mind God miraculously empowering my follicles with some fresh growth.

A balding head is better than none at all, but bald jokes abound.

You must be getting taller cause your head is starting to stick through your hair.
Once you go bald, you never grow back.
You aren’t getting balder – just more aerodynamic.

In the third season of Seinfeld (“The Fix Up”), Elaine describes George to a potential blind date, but her description fails miserably at the end, “He’s kind of – just kind of – losing his hair.”

“He’s bald?” the girl probes.

“No, no, no! He’s not bald . . . He’s balding.” Elaine responds.

“So he will . . . be bald?”

Her voice sliding despondently, Elaine answers, “Yee-ah.”

Yeah, I know. Feel free to fire some more jokes my way! I’ll try not to go all Old Testament on you, reminding you of 2 Kings 2:23-24. Know the story? After mocking baldheaded Elisha, forty-two young people get mauled by two bears. Just saying . . .

Why am I fretting? Why should I worry? Thankfully, the Lord is intimately aware of what I am going through. There are no secrets to Almighty God. His awesome omniscience tracks the tiniest details of my life. I should rest in faith, free from fear. Jesus encourages, “the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” (Luke 12:7 NLT) That is how much my Heavenly Father cares for me!

I am valuable to God. He watches over me. Hair or not – doesn’t really matter. A balding spot on my head doesn’t change my relationship. It’s time for me to stop whining and go on with the good stuff He has planned for me.

If only we could get hold of the life-changing fact that there are no little things with God! Your seemingly small trouble is of eternal importance to Him this moment. He has some lovely lesson in it for you. A lesson, which if well learned now, will affect you eternally. If you and I refuse to learn it now, He still cares. The next time we “fall to the ground” He will still be there. (Eugenia Price, Share My Pleasant Stones. Christianity Today, Vol. 35, no. 4.)

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September 24, 2013

God Cares For People Through People

Jesus Christ wants to use you as a conduit for His healing power. Healing Ministry is for EVERY Christ Follower.

The Bible expects us to model the example of Christ’s life. “If we say that we remain in union with God, we should live just as Jesus Christ did!” (1 John 2:6 GNT) Jesus exhibits great concern for bringing people back to the wholeness of God’s plan for their lives. I should minister as He leads. You should minister as He leads. God’s healing power enables us to administer healing under the inspiration of the Spirit to people in need. Jesus assures His disciples of the ability to do the things that He has been doing and “even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father (John 14:12 NIV).” Failing to focus on Christ can easily lead to spiritual stagnation depleted of life-imparting potency.

Healing aids us in fulfilling the great commission of proclaiming the Good News. Jesus states, “signs will accompany those who believe (Mark 16:17).” The early disciples experienced the reality of the Lord confirming the message by the accompanying supernatural signs (Mark 16:20), and we need to look for God to continue His mission in and through our lives.

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In his letter to the church at Ephesus, Paul clearly affirms the goal of “five-fold” ministry “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up (Eph. 4:12 NIV).” Based upon the commands of Scripture and from my own personal experience, I have learned that by myself, I cannot accomplish the healing ministry God desires at Valley Fellowship. As a pastor, I must train and entrust pastoral care and the healing ministry to others if I want to realize God’s full intention for Valley Fellowship. I must support and encourage believers to pray for others in order to meet the numerous emotional, physical, and spiritual needs within the body.

God cares for people through people. Take a step of faith and pray for someone today. Jesus wants to use you!

September 23, 2013

Faith + Patience = Promise Fulfilled

God always makes good on His promises. God promises; faith believes it, hope anticipates it, and patience awaits it.

The writer of Hebrews coupled patience with faith as a requirement for receiving God’s promises. “We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised” (Hebrews 6:12 NIV). Eugene Peterson paraphases, “Don’t drag your feet. Be like those who stay the course with committed faith and then get everything promised to them” (MSG).

Abraham is lifted up as an example of sticking it out to the end, “And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised” (Hebrews 6:15 NIV). Wait patiently. An old Alabama chicken farmer quipped, “you get the chicken by hatching the egg, not by smashing it open.” We can’t hurry God, but we can wait expectantly for what He has promised.

To get what is promised, we need:

Faith – To believe God’s Word, speak God’s Word, and act in agreement with God’s Word.
Patience – To remain the same from beginning to end, to calmly hold on until the end of the matter, and to be steadfast.

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Patience added to faith yields God’s promised fulfillment.

September 20, 2013

Promises Propel Purity

Have you seen the the Sister Carol Style clip (search youtube “Sister Carol Style Josh Laster) that was shown at the Valley Fellowship Christmas 2011 Banquet? Josh, Brock, and Jorge’s parody still makes me smile. At Kimberlyn’s sixteen birthday party, Mom joined in in the Wii room – but I don’t think she thought about all the phones with cameras. Mom is a “holy lady” whose lifestyle was certainly inspired by God’s Word.

God’s Word helped my mom and will help you, too. God’s promises offer you powerful tools to withstand temptation. Read the fourth chapter of Matthew and see how Jesus quoted Scripture – God’s promises – to win over satan’s temptation. In the wilderness, Jesus wasn’t carrying a scroll of the Book of Deuteronomy. How did He know the verses – the promises – that were needed for each challenge?

I bet He spent time memorizing God’s Word. His memorization and meditation before the battle equipped Jesus for victory. Notice that Jesus spoke the promise aloud. There is something significant about speaking God’s Word. We are strengthened by our confession and agreement with God’s promises.

Do you have enough Scripture stored within your heart and mind to be successful in the face of temptation, or fear, or rejection, or persecution, or hardship, or sickness, or what-ever-is-attacking-you? Do you have Scriptures hidden in your heart that bolster your faith to flee from sexual sin? Have you meditated God’s promises of His presence, His protection, and His provision to the point that when you are tested – you ace the test?

The apostle Paul reminds the readers of his letter to Corinth of several promises.

For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. (2 Corinthians 6:16b-7:1 NIV)

God’s wonderful promises should motivate our forward pursuit. As we hold on to His promises, His Word pushes us toward Christlike holiness and purity.

More than three hundred fifty years ago, Puritan pastor Thomas Watson expounded upon 2 Corinthians 7:1 in an afternoon sermon (August 17, 1662), wisely advising believers:

Trade much in the promises. The promises are great supports to faith. Faith lives in a promise, as the fish lives in the water. The promises are both comforting and quickening …. The promises of God are bladders [flotation devices/lifesavers!] to keep us from sinking when we come to the waters of affliction. The promises are sweet clusters of grapes that grow upon Christ the true vine. O! trade much in the promises; there is no condition that you can be in, but you have a promise. (Farewell Sermons, p. 200)

Let God’s promises propel your purity.