Hello everyone, I am back and I am so excited to be back writing on my blog. I know I said I would be back on Saturday, but it was a really busy weekend, with building a few pieces of furniture and praying that God will use me as vessel to get His word out. Like I have said this round of devotionals is going to last right up to the VBS for my church, which is about 100 days away. I also really encourage input from everyone that joins in on the devotionals, as it says in the Bible in Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
Now lets dive into our first day of the devotional. Over the next few months we are going to be challenged to examine our thoughts, behaviors, priorities and our habits. We will look at ways that we can strengthen our talents, and opportunities to strengthen our relationship with our God. In Psalms 1:1-3 it says;
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
Billy Granham observed correctly, "Integrity is the glue that holds our way of life together." In our day to day lives we find it very easy to be dishonest with ourselves, our families and loved one, and even our God in heaven. We, as Christians, are to walk with God and follow His commandments. But today our world offers us so many temptations that will try and pull us from God's path.
The act of dishonesty is a habit that once we get that train rolling down the track, it is so hard to stop. It always starts out that we are just going to "bend" the truth a little bit, because we are trying to "save" someone's feelings or just trying to stay out of trouble with someone. We forget that, while we may not be in trouble with man, we are in trouble with God. It is always better to be honest no matter what than to be dishonest. I know it is hard to remain completely honest with everyone when it is so easy to "bend" the truth just a little. Especially when you are saved any trouble right now, but sooner or later the truth always comes out.
So let's do away with the habit of dishonesty and let every one of us make a promise to ourselves, that when we are tempted to "bend" the truth even in the slightest that we ask, what would God want me to do? I would also say find someone that you can make that promise with and that can help hold you accountable, and vice versa. Whether it's a close friend that you trust or your spouse and family. Then we listen to what God has to say about it, and your integrity and character will start to take care of itself. To quote Warren Wienbe, "Before God changes our circumstances, He wants to change our hearts."
Today let's take time to think about our character, let's look at our strengths and our weaknesses. Then let's make a list of a few aspects of our character that we would like to change over the next 100 days. Then let's ask God to be our partner while we make the steps to improve ourselves and our lives.
The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out. Proverbs 10:9
Monday, March 8, 2010
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Taking a mini blog vacation this week.
My wife pointed out tome that I might want to let everyone that this week I am taking a mini blog vaction. I wanted to break it up this week since the new devotional that I have that I will start covering is for 100 days. With this break in the devotional, this devotional will end right at the time that VBS at church will be starting up. I plan on being really involved with VBS this year and I know that I will really busy on that week and I will be starting a new devotional book right after that. So I hope that everyone has a blessed week and I will talk to everyone on Saturday.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Out of the wreckage
I think that today is one of the most exciting devotionals that I have done yet. It shows us that we are not to forget of God's grace and mercy on us. In the end everything ends up in the wreckage, it says in Ephesians 2:1-7;
As for you , you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
After reading this passage of Scripture, and reading my devotional, I think that the author of my devotional that I have been reading, "Before the Thunder Rolls" by Dale Beaver captures this verse the best. He tells about how he had the chance to meet Doug Macmillan, the best friend of Todd Beamer. Todd Beamer being the "Let's roll" guy of Flight 93 on 9/11.
Doug met up with Dale in Dover, Delaware, before a race there. Doug handed Dale the contents of a small velvet bag. At first Dale thought it was just a piece of scrap metal, but then realized that it was what was left of a Rolex watch. Then Doug told Dale that was all that was left of his best friend and how it had been pulled out of the wreckage of Flight 93.
Todd had bought it celebrating his accomplishments in his career, and it was his prized possession. Now after a tragic turn of events, that watch was nothing, it had been pulled from the wreckage. That is what Doug wanted Dale to remind all the race drivers, in the end it all ends up in the wreckage.
I think that it is not just celebrities that need reminding of this. I think we all need this reminder from time to time. We all find ourselves getting distracted by the things of the world, and forget that one day it will be gone. Cars, watches, houses, and even money will not last forever. You know what though? There is something that does last forever, GOD'S LOVE. Through Jesus we can receive God's grace, love, and mercy. Through our faith in Jesus, God will pull us from the wreckage and put us in a life that He intends us to be in. A life that is incredible with the wealth of his favor and kindness.
So my questions today is, what material things are important to you? What do you feel that you could not live without? How do you think you would feel if those things were gone today and you could not use them?
My challenge today is make a list of material things that you feel are important. After you make your list, write down what you think your life would be like without these things. I would also like, if you are comfortable enough, maybe you could post your answers on here and share.
I'll start us out. First, I will say my cell phone, I think I would be just lost, figuratively of course. I "think" my whole life is in there, all my phone numbers are in there. Second, I would have to say my tool belt, because man does it ever keep all the tools I need right there on my hips. I hate walking back and forth to get a tool that I know that I am going to be using most of the day. I know those two things sound really vain, but I live a simple kind of life and being a "redneck" like me, I am easily entertained. God bless you and I hope to see some of your lists.
As for you , you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
After reading this passage of Scripture, and reading my devotional, I think that the author of my devotional that I have been reading, "Before the Thunder Rolls" by Dale Beaver captures this verse the best. He tells about how he had the chance to meet Doug Macmillan, the best friend of Todd Beamer. Todd Beamer being the "Let's roll" guy of Flight 93 on 9/11.
Doug met up with Dale in Dover, Delaware, before a race there. Doug handed Dale the contents of a small velvet bag. At first Dale thought it was just a piece of scrap metal, but then realized that it was what was left of a Rolex watch. Then Doug told Dale that was all that was left of his best friend and how it had been pulled out of the wreckage of Flight 93.
Todd had bought it celebrating his accomplishments in his career, and it was his prized possession. Now after a tragic turn of events, that watch was nothing, it had been pulled from the wreckage. That is what Doug wanted Dale to remind all the race drivers, in the end it all ends up in the wreckage.
I think that it is not just celebrities that need reminding of this. I think we all need this reminder from time to time. We all find ourselves getting distracted by the things of the world, and forget that one day it will be gone. Cars, watches, houses, and even money will not last forever. You know what though? There is something that does last forever, GOD'S LOVE. Through Jesus we can receive God's grace, love, and mercy. Through our faith in Jesus, God will pull us from the wreckage and put us in a life that He intends us to be in. A life that is incredible with the wealth of his favor and kindness.
So my questions today is, what material things are important to you? What do you feel that you could not live without? How do you think you would feel if those things were gone today and you could not use them?
My challenge today is make a list of material things that you feel are important. After you make your list, write down what you think your life would be like without these things. I would also like, if you are comfortable enough, maybe you could post your answers on here and share.
I'll start us out. First, I will say my cell phone, I think I would be just lost, figuratively of course. I "think" my whole life is in there, all my phone numbers are in there. Second, I would have to say my tool belt, because man does it ever keep all the tools I need right there on my hips. I hate walking back and forth to get a tool that I know that I am going to be using most of the day. I know those two things sound really vain, but I live a simple kind of life and being a "redneck" like me, I am easily entertained. God bless you and I hope to see some of your lists.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
The water of life
Today I am really excited, because I have been kind of dragging out my devotionals since my book was coming to the end. But today I am happy that I have got a new book to continue on with my devotionals, we will start on it next Friday. The new devotional will be inspired by not only the Bible but also a daily devotional called "100 Days of Integrity for Men." I will be making it so that everyone will be able to enjoy and participate in it, and look forward to comments and questions on the next book.
Now on to today's devotional on the water of life that Jesus gives us. We will be talking about John 4:13-14 which reads;
Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
We know that when Jesus said this, He was talking to a woman that had come to a well to get water during the heat of the day. We all know that we need water to survive, since our bodies are 2/3 water. He told her that if you drink from me you will never thirst again. She then ran back to town to tell everyone about Jesus, and the thing is she left her water jar behind. We are shown here that Jesus gives us an over flowing life source, that can not run dry. If we are following Jesus, we have the daily supply of His water for our souls. This water that Jesus gives us can not be contained any earthly containers, and should be shared with others.
I believe that not only do we need to drink the water, but we should share the water by sharing the word of God. In a world that kicks holes in our hearts and souls, Jesus gives us a flow of grace and peace. All we have to do accept it from Him. Jesus is the water of life and He is there for us daily. So let's drink deeply of the water of life.
Now on to today's devotional on the water of life that Jesus gives us. We will be talking about John 4:13-14 which reads;
Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
We know that when Jesus said this, He was talking to a woman that had come to a well to get water during the heat of the day. We all know that we need water to survive, since our bodies are 2/3 water. He told her that if you drink from me you will never thirst again. She then ran back to town to tell everyone about Jesus, and the thing is she left her water jar behind. We are shown here that Jesus gives us an over flowing life source, that can not run dry. If we are following Jesus, we have the daily supply of His water for our souls. This water that Jesus gives us can not be contained any earthly containers, and should be shared with others.
I believe that not only do we need to drink the water, but we should share the water by sharing the word of God. In a world that kicks holes in our hearts and souls, Jesus gives us a flow of grace and peace. All we have to do accept it from Him. Jesus is the water of life and He is there for us daily. So let's drink deeply of the water of life.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Receive God like a child
Today I read Mark 10:13-16, which reads;
People were bringing little children to Jesus to have Him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them.
I think Mark 10:13-16 is just about self explanatory. We are told here that we need to come to God with the heart and innocence of a child. Every day that I read my Bible I am taken back by how little I know about my God. I get the sense of a being child-like when I spend time with God. I get the feeling like I am new to the world, and I know I am since I was not always trying to follow God's will.
I think that if we all take in God's truth with the open mind and heart of a child, we could learn so much more. I know that if you are hard headed like I am that is easier said than done. It is so easy to say, "I got myself into this and I can get myself out." Then we close our minds and hearts, so we miss so much of what God is trying to show us. I put a strong emphasis on "trying" because if we do not want to see, then no matter how much God tries to show us, we will not see. If we read our Bibles we will see where God is always trying to talk to us, and I believe if we come to God like a child, He will teach us so much more.
So I ask you to think of the children in your life and watch them as well. Do you enjoy when they come to you for something? Then ask yourself, do think God enjoys you that much? I can say that He does. God bless you.
People were bringing little children to Jesus to have Him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them.
I think Mark 10:13-16 is just about self explanatory. We are told here that we need to come to God with the heart and innocence of a child. Every day that I read my Bible I am taken back by how little I know about my God. I get the sense of a being child-like when I spend time with God. I get the feeling like I am new to the world, and I know I am since I was not always trying to follow God's will.
I think that if we all take in God's truth with the open mind and heart of a child, we could learn so much more. I know that if you are hard headed like I am that is easier said than done. It is so easy to say, "I got myself into this and I can get myself out." Then we close our minds and hearts, so we miss so much of what God is trying to show us. I put a strong emphasis on "trying" because if we do not want to see, then no matter how much God tries to show us, we will not see. If we read our Bibles we will see where God is always trying to talk to us, and I believe if we come to God like a child, He will teach us so much more.
So I ask you to think of the children in your life and watch them as well. Do you enjoy when they come to you for something? Then ask yourself, do think God enjoys you that much? I can say that He does. God bless you.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Disqualified
Today in NASCAR, even with all the officials that hover around the garage area, there are teams that still try and cheat. Then end up getting disqualified for the race all together, and if that is not enough, there are fines and suspensions that can come along with it. So with that being said, how are we running the race of life? Are we running a race that brings glory to God and follows God's will? Or are we doing it our way?
In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 it says;
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly, I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
I have found, over the last year and a half or so that I have been involved with my church, that the people that I know outside my church have come to expect me to be a man of honesty, faith and virtue. I have no problems with those expectations and in fact I love the accountability, but shouldn't those standards apply to everyone no matter how involved we are with the church? Whether we are leaders in the church or just starting with the church, our adventure of a life following Christ should call us to a higher and nobler life.
I believe that in every one of us that we have an imprint of our Creator on our souls. You can see it every time there is a disaster somewhere in the world, everyone jumps in and lends a hand to help people that they don't even know. I think that it is God's holy character that comes out when that kind of stuff happens. We all have times that we go the ways of the world instead of God's way, and if you are like me there are more times that you have done it than not. Even as I sit here and write this, I look back at the times that I could have done God's will and have not, and I get upset about it. However, we can not look back on our failures but look for the opportunities that God gives us, and do everything we can to not let it happen anymore.
I can say that in the race of life, that thankfully we have been given the perfect qualifying lap and the perfect race through Jesus Christ. Jesus gave His life as a perfect substitution on our behalf to bring us into a right standing with God. We can not earn our way into God's favor, but since Jesus got us God's favor, we can live our lives as an offering to Him. As we grow in our faith we start to take on Christ-like behavior, and it will be His character people will see in our day to day activities.
I think today we must submit our lives to God's authority if we want to produce a life that is consistent with Christ's character. By faith, Christ has qualified every one of us to run the race. So lets not take ourselves out of the race, but let's set a pace that others can follow.
In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 it says;
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly, I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
I have found, over the last year and a half or so that I have been involved with my church, that the people that I know outside my church have come to expect me to be a man of honesty, faith and virtue. I have no problems with those expectations and in fact I love the accountability, but shouldn't those standards apply to everyone no matter how involved we are with the church? Whether we are leaders in the church or just starting with the church, our adventure of a life following Christ should call us to a higher and nobler life.
I believe that in every one of us that we have an imprint of our Creator on our souls. You can see it every time there is a disaster somewhere in the world, everyone jumps in and lends a hand to help people that they don't even know. I think that it is God's holy character that comes out when that kind of stuff happens. We all have times that we go the ways of the world instead of God's way, and if you are like me there are more times that you have done it than not. Even as I sit here and write this, I look back at the times that I could have done God's will and have not, and I get upset about it. However, we can not look back on our failures but look for the opportunities that God gives us, and do everything we can to not let it happen anymore.
I can say that in the race of life, that thankfully we have been given the perfect qualifying lap and the perfect race through Jesus Christ. Jesus gave His life as a perfect substitution on our behalf to bring us into a right standing with God. We can not earn our way into God's favor, but since Jesus got us God's favor, we can live our lives as an offering to Him. As we grow in our faith we start to take on Christ-like behavior, and it will be His character people will see in our day to day activities.
I think today we must submit our lives to God's authority if we want to produce a life that is consistent with Christ's character. By faith, Christ has qualified every one of us to run the race. So lets not take ourselves out of the race, but let's set a pace that others can follow.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Approaching God
Today I would like to talk about approaching God. I think that the thing that prevents us from a vibrant life with God is that we don't always know how to approach Him. In Psalm 100:3-4 it says;
Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His, we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise His name.
I think that sometimes that we approach God the wrong way. The Lord is NOT a vending machine with a selection of various satisfactions available with a push of a button. We as God's children need to have awe and respect that His divine presence commands. As we understand how great God is we can approach Him confidently, but more reverently. I hope that we may approach God with the level of respect He is due. Also with gratitude and the hearts that are devoted to doing God's will.
The questions I am asking today is, how do we enter God's presence? Do we possess the balance of awe and respect? I also challenge everyone to ask God to help guide us to better approach Him. I hope that everyone has a blessed day today and that we all make time to listen to God's lessons everyday.
Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His, we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise His name.
I think that sometimes that we approach God the wrong way. The Lord is NOT a vending machine with a selection of various satisfactions available with a push of a button. We as God's children need to have awe and respect that His divine presence commands. As we understand how great God is we can approach Him confidently, but more reverently. I hope that we may approach God with the level of respect He is due. Also with gratitude and the hearts that are devoted to doing God's will.
The questions I am asking today is, how do we enter God's presence? Do we possess the balance of awe and respect? I also challenge everyone to ask God to help guide us to better approach Him. I hope that everyone has a blessed day today and that we all make time to listen to God's lessons everyday.
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