Love Your Enemies

Friday my son Yordon walked into the house looking tired and complaining about his foot hurting, as a parent I have learned to read my children's faces and their body language. I stopped my counseling session with a client and asked my son to come forward. I informed him that he hadn't told me everything. Yordon took a deep breath and said it was nothing. I ask Yordon to tell me what was the nothing. Yordon said on his way from home another schoolmate  called him Nigga, my heart fell my client was speechless. I asked my son what did he do when this kid said it to him. He said he smiled and walked on, I asked Yordon why, he said you told us Dad years ago that a Nigga had nothing to do with pigmentation but is a person who has no self respect or dignity for self or others. I smiled and said  yes I did. He said he already forgave the kid because knew this kid was ignorant didn't understand what he was saying.


43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you (Matthew 5:43-44).  Love your neighbor the word does not say love them only when they say things that I can bare, love them only if they are kind to me first. No when people do harm to you,  say harmful things against you, give it God for is able to bear it. Please remember that our Savior was spit upon punched and hated and murdered, he told us that the world would hate us too. We are told that if we are to be worthy of the death we must take up our crosses and follow Jesus. Love your enemies, for we remember we were once an enemy of Christ.

An Imaginary Pre-Christmas Conversation between the Father and the Son.

An Imaginary Pre-Christmas Conversation between the Father and the Son.

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Scriptures to read: John 3:16-17,  John 14:6,  Isaiah 53:2-12

Well Son, are you ready?

Yes Father, I am ready.

You know it won't be easy Son.

You will have to set aside your royalty.

They will reject you.

Mistreat you.

Abuse you.

Finally, they will kill you.

And when all of their sins have laid upon you, I'll have to turn away.

Father, we've discussed this...We both know that there is no other way.

If there was...but there isn't.

This is the only way to take back what is ours from the Fallen One.

And there's just too much at stake...

Not to do this.

I love the fallen ones too much...

To leave them in their fallen state.

You are my Son...

And I am well pleased with You.

Go forth and do My will.

I am pleased do this.

For I love the fallen ones too much also....

To leave them in their fallen state.

In Christ our Lord,

Don 

Keep your eyes on God

Stop listening to lies of the devil, when he tell you that God does not care about you and that he does not love you. That what is happening because God is punishing you. Many people are convinced they are too bad for God to help, or they have problems that are too big for God to handle. They seem to have more faith in their inability than they do in God's ability. They seem to have more faith in the problem than they do in God. This happens when we focus on the problem, instead of looking to God who is the solution. As long as we focus on the problem and let it consume our attention, we will have faith in it to defeat us. Ask Peter what happen when he took his eyes off of Jesus,  its take you step out on faith and walked toward Jesus. Do you really think you got here by yourself, remember foot prints in the sand, that one set of foot prints was Jesus carrying you, and Jesus would not bring you this far to leave you, so don't you give up on Jesus when he didn't give up on you.

18. While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18).

Forgiveness is not for the other person

                     


 "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses."
 "But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses." (MARK 11:25-26 ).

Your spouse cheated on you, you were abusedYou must forgive others. No matter what they have done. Maybe your parents or family members hurt you as child. Maybe even someone from the church hurt you ,what do you do??? Get revenge? Carry the burden? God ask you and I to forgive those who harmed us. Forgiveness is not for other people but for your benefit. To not forgive hurts you both physical and emotionally, you can end up with high blood pressure, stress, depression etc. Refusing to forgive is like swallowing poison daily. It will destroy you. Jesus said we should forgive when we stand praying. So we don't have to wait until people apologize. Nor does forgiveness require a long time. Forgiveness is not a feeling. It is a decision to quit holding something against someone. When we forgive people we must release them and forget it. You may think it is impossible to forgive someone who has hurt you. With God it is possible. He never asks us to do anything that we can not do, plus Jesus is with us always and  If we bring it to the cross and lay it at his feet. 

Suffering through to get your blessings

Christians often live in a imaginary world where they believe that if its God will  it will be a smooth straight path with no troubles in between you and your blessings. Like the brother whose believing that God going to provide him with a job someone will come knocking on the door asking him to come work for them. Instead of him getting off the couch and looking for work his pastor told him to name and claim it.  Then there is those sisters in the church that believe God  going to deliver  her new husband to her Saturday up in the club. Well let ask the Israelites if that was true for them, or did they have to be line with God's plan  before they got the blessing??? They had to fight the giants in the land to possess what God said was already theirs. The promised land belonged to them already because God had given it to them. But it was still inhabited by others (including giants), who had to be driven out before they could enjoy the promises of God. How is your faith???? God said and  you and I must by faith believe it.


 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy (1 Peter 4:12-13).

Created in God's Image

Created in God's Image.

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Scriptures to read: Genesis 1:26-27, Matthew 12:50, John 8:39-44, 2 Peter 3:9, John 1:11-13

We as human beings (both women and men) are creatures who have been created in God's image. (See Genesis 1:26). But are we all God's children by “default”? According to the bible, no we are not all God's children. Who are God's children? (See Matthew 12:50 for one scriptural definition, according to Jesus Himself.)  And how do we become one of God's children, if we aren't sure?  Well, whoever receives Jesus and believes in His name have now been given the right to become children of God.

Now... since we are all created in God's image, how should we treat our fellow human beings?  We should treat them (both those who are saved and those who are unsaved) as people created in the image of God...with as much respect, honor and dignity as we can. You can never tell how that will affect that unsaved person...be they your family doctor or the homeless person who is down and out. For our Lord isn't willing that any of those created in His image should perish, but that all should come to a saving knowledge and be granted the gift of repentance. God just might choose to use one of us (the saved) to water a seed in that unsaved person who hasn't yet become a child of God. And in time, that seed might mature and the person be saved. When it comes to the unending power of our Lord, you just never know.

In Christ our Lord,

Don 

God is God all by himself He is not Allah

Does God care what we call Him? Do Muslims and Christians worship the same god? The God of the Bible is not Allah, and Allah is not the God of the Bible.

For some time now,many non Christian groups have suggested that Christians s adopt new names for God. One denomination went so far as to affirm names like “Giver, Gift and Giving” in place of the “Father, Son and Holy Spirit” to be used in worship. Feminist theologians have demanded that masculine pronouns and names for God be replaced with female or gender-neutral terms. But to change the name of God is to redefine the God we reference. Changing the name of God is no small matter.  When Moses said what God shall I say sent me, God answered Moses, “I Am who I Am” (Exodus 3:14) Say this to the people of Israel, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations” (Exodus 3:15). We are to use the names God has given for Himself, and we are to recognize that God takes His name seriously because He desires to be rightly known by His human creatures. We cannot truly know Him if we do not even know His name.

Christians must keep this central principle from the Bible constantly in mind as we consider some of the most urgent questions we face in the world today. We must certainly have this principle in mind when we think about Islam. An unlearned  bishop in the Netherlands suggested that Christians should call God “Allah” in order to lower theological tensions. He also argued that calling God “Allah” would be commonplace in Christian churches within a century and that this would lead to a synthesis of Islam and Christianity.


Muslims do not speak of God as their heavenly Father. In the Islamic faith, Allah is not only a different name for god; the deity it designates is far more impersonal than the God of the Bible. Father—the very name that Jesus gave us as the designated name for use in prayer—is a name that simply does not fit Allah as depicted in the Quran. Furthermore, Muslims claim that Allah has no son. This represents a head-on collision between the God of the Bible and Allah is a monotheist god.  Yet Jesus Christ tells us that if we have seen Him we have also seen God for the two are one.

 Muslims deny that God has a son, they explicitly reject any Trinitarian language therefore making Jesus a liar, which I do not believe Christ was a liar.  Islam denies what Christianity takes as its central truth claim: the fact that Jesus Christ is the only begotten of the Father. If Allah has no son, then Allah is not the God who reveals Himself through the Son.

Islam teaches that the doctrine of the Trinity is blasphemous. But the Christian faith is essentially and irreducibly Trinitarian. The Bible reveals that the Father is God, that the Son is God, and that the Holy Spirit is God. Jesus is not merely a prophet, as acknowledged by Muslims, He is God in human flesh. This is precisely what Islam rejects.

The Trinitarian language is the language of the Bible, and it is essential to Christianity. Indeed, the Christian faith points to Christ and announces that we can only know the Father through the Son. Confusing the God of the Bible with Allah of the Quran is not only a mistake, it is a dangerous distortion of the Gospel of Christ.

The Trinitarian nature of God is embedded within the Great Commission. Jesus tells His disciples to go into the world and make disciples of all nations and to baptize them “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). Christians are those who bear the names of God even in our baptism, and those names are Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Which one are you? Goat or Sheep

Which one are you? A goat or a sheep?
Why then do you look and act like the goats aka( the world), you place your face down and eat from the trash and the raw sewage of these world.  While telling other sheep aka (the children of God) your doing this in order to minister to the goat, really!!! I mean really!!! Years ago I  sat at a Southern Baptist pastors convention and listen intently on how we guard our sheep from goats who might enter the church to disrupt the church. But the reality is now the sheep have gone out after the goat and sadly many of the goat think that we are goats too, simply because we eat from the trash aka  (sin/sewage). Lie to yourself while laughing at your co-workers sexual jokes, lie to yourself and tell yourself your a sheep yet you do not eat from the green fields the good Shepard endeavors to lead you into.  Tell me do you know which you are any more goat or sheep cause the goats can't tell anymore, you eat the same rotten garbage that they eat and seem to love it.   How many goats have lead to the green pastures???  We are so supposing to be set apart a unique, as we are the children of God, so if the world loves you then how are you a follower of Christ??? He told his followers that as the world hated him it would also hate all those that take up their cross and follow Christ.

" By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).

Which Jesus do you serve

Yes your right this one is a repeat , so which Jesus do you serve the one who still hanging on cross in some churches??? Or perhaps the one who surely will not send you to hell because your  have done some good deeds. Or maybe the Jesus you serve says go forth and win souls for the ministry and you will earn your way into heaven.  Which Jesus do you serve??? Me my Jesus left glory and came and died for a sinner like me, because you see my good deeds were in the sight of God nothing more than a minstrel rage that was taken outside the camps and barred. Jesus gave sight to blind and had issue with the church of that day just as I do with the church of this day, for they were blind just as todays church is. We are the children of God not the children of the world, when the last Christian leaves the church please bring the Word of God with you.



Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2)

 The call to imitate God is a call to separate ourselves from the world though we may be in but not of it  (Ephesians 4:17-19) and how we have been made new (Ephesians 4:20-24) and then gave us specific ways to do that (Ephesians4:25-32).

Our call is to live with the same love that Christ has demonstrated.  Jesus laying down his life for us, was first of all an expression of his love for his Father. Jesus did it, not only because of his love for us, but because first of all he loved the Father and this was  the Father’s will. This ‘life of love’ is not to be something we do to make ourselves feel good or appear good, it is to come out of and be an expression of our love for God Himself.  When John says, “We love because he first loved us,” (1 John 4:19). The first thing we need to do in the Christian life is become utterly convinced of God’s love.

On Sunday they raise their hands to heaven and declare that it is Jesus that they serve.
Then why do we look so much like the world?
Did you know that the wheat and the tare, the world can't tell which is which and quite frankly neither can I. So I pose the question again, which Jesus do you serve?

My Savior bleed and suffered and died and rose again for a sinner like me. My Savior, was a friend to friendless, He remembers the forgotten ones among us, Which Jesus do you follow?
 Which Jesus do you serve?
Is it this picture of the American dream that you chase after? Is the prince of this world who you serve or did you miss that part when you decided you want fortune and power?
If Jesus was here would you walk right by him or cross over to the other side of the street?
Would you even recognize him or have time to speak to him?
Pretty blue eyes and curly brown hair and a white complexion Michael Angelo version of Jesus ,is that the Jesus you serve? My Savior was battered and bruised for my sins, did you miss that part? Sometimes I ponder do we really understand what the price he paid for us?
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for they understand and they know My Savior. So which Jesus do we serve. is it the one whom we pray to bless us with great wealth? Or the Jesus who said
blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousness?
 So who do you serve? The one whose promises are like shifting sand?
Marine says it God , then country and the marine Corp, what comes first for you?
My Jesus would he be accepted in your churches today? All bloody and bruised with no shoes on his feet, would we want him sitting next to us?  He was not rich he didn't have a pillow to lay his head upon. Today my Jesus would look like a homeless man or perhaps we would see him as mentally insane.
He spent His time with criminals and those that are considered the least among us. Did you know he had a heart for the poor, so which place would  He come to eat Sabbath meal at your house or among those that were forgotten by society?
Its time we decide which Jesus do we serve but I'm not sure we understand what that means to be like Christ,
Jesus said to live like HIM, love like HIM but then does that mean we must be willing to die for HIM as he died for you and I???
Can we be Imitators of Christ? Can we live like our Savior?  Which one do you want to be ? I turned on the TV set today and heard a man preaching Jesus wants to make you rich and that he never intended for us to be poor.  Is that the Jesus your seeking??? Heard a pastor say that his Jesus says that we should never be sad. Yet my Jesus wept when heard his good friend was dead. So which Jesus do you serve?  I know that I want to be more like my Savior and less like me.  I want to be an imitator of my Savior what about you????

Do you have love for those who hated you like Jesus did

 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful (Luke 6:35-36).

If you call yourself a Christian know this your heavenly father loves the sinner, but not his/her sins. If God can let it rain on the saved and the unsaved then should we not also show love. Now if your flesh this is an impossible request of us. Which is why daily we must be in the word and praying daily for us to die more to self and become more of Christ and less of Wills for I'm from my birth a sinner saved by grace, which is the number reason why I must have grace and mercy for others because Jesus showed me grace and mercy instead of what I deserved which was hell. While we were yet Jesus enemy He came down and showed us the greatest love ever he died for us.  I'm also reminded that if I do not show those who harmed me mercy and forgive them, how then can I ask God for the same.

If God is love and we are the children of a loving Father should we not also demonstrate love also???

Are you ready

Are you ready???
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.(2 Peter 3:10).

Like the Master who left his servants work to do, what have you done with the talents the Lord gave you??? Let every man and woman while it is day be about our father's business for Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior shall return and each of us must give an account for what he have done. Not just your pastor or your deacon, or your bishop, or your Sunday school teach but all of that are true Christians were given the great commission, which was to proclaim the gospel to all those who would listen.  What shall the Master do with those servants that finds not busy doing the work he left them to do. When your work is tested shall it stand the test of time???

God's Path Verses Our Way

God's Path Verses Our Way.

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Scriptures to read: Proverbs 16:10, Proverbs 3:6, Matthew 5:13-16

What does it look like when God directs our path? Is the path smooth...without interruptions to our daily schedule? Probably not.

It might be a missed plane.

Or maybe, the traffic in front of you slows you down on the way to your first stop of many stops. The person in front of you is going 10 miles an hour under the posted speed limit. Finally, you arrive at your first stop....just in time.

Completing your errand at your first stop, you continue on to your second stop. As you arrive at your second stop, there's someone carrying a burden that is very much like the one you (through God's grace) have been carrying for several years now. But this person has only had that burden for a little over a year. He or she is hurting. Looking at you, the person asks you how you do it. You have the wisdom, knowledge and mercy which God has woven into your life for years, through the trials that He has brought you through. So, you talk to the person...share the love of Christ that is in you. You tell him or her about the grace and strength that God has given you and still does on a daily basis. Maybe you pray with them. Maybe give the person a devotional and encourage him/her to read it.

You've just let “your light shine”. You didn't hide “your light” under a basket. The salt is still salty. Your good works which the Father gave you to share...That person has just seen those good works. And our Father in heaven is glorified!

Maybe, that's what it looks like when God directs our path.

In Christ our Lord,

Don 

Salvation what does it look like to you???

What is Salvation?  In Christian community : the act of saving someone from sin or evil : the state of being saved from sin or evil.
Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

However if I look up the biblical definition of the word salivation I find it to be said as follows: "spiritual rescue from sin and death." This b word of God tells you and I that we are  sinners in need a of a savior. because  God's judgment stands against mankind.  The Christian faith is based on the belief that christ alone can redeem us and Christ alone will judge us
Jesus said, "I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved" (John 10:7-9).
It is easy to use words such as "saved" and "salvation" without regard to the biblical context or some of the overriding qualifications when the entire subject is brought into focus. Anyone may quote a scripture or two, and if it is quoted long and loud enough, it is easy to come away feeling that is all that the Bible has to say. Yet the Bible is a book with many texts that are qualified by other Biblical texts. When there are over a hundred verses on "being saved" and only one or two are used, there is a danger that we may come away with an improper or inadequate view.

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved," is a beautiful text (Acts 16:31). But what does it mean to "believe"? James tells u you and I, that even the devil himself believes there is a God  (James 2:19).  What is salvation to you "saved"? Uttering the words I am saved" is not a mantra with magical powers that will deliver us into God's Heavenly Kingdom.   Did you know  that when the Catholic church wanted to get men participate in their holy wars, they assured these men of two thing of riches and land on earth and if died he would receive a reward in heaven, hmm true or false. No mention of confess Jesus Christ and as Lord and that we are in need of a savior, that we are dirty sinners who deserve hell, but once we invite Christ into our hearts and lives and to become master and Lord over us. Without repentance can you have salvation?   Muslims  are told if they martyr themselves in a holy war, their god will reward them with seventy virgins. This sound more about what man can do to get into heaven when we are told its not something we can earn.  Jesus made it very clear when he said this  “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

Where is trust placed

"Neither pray I for these alone , but for them also which shall believe on me through their word: That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me" (John. 17: 20, 21).

Do you put your trust in your church denomination or in the one who can save anyone?
What does the word of God say about denominations?   Christ said that many would fail to keep the Word of God  simply because they loved the traditions of man more than the true word of God.
The traditions of men that will not earn right standing before the lord  only faith, love and a true relationship with God, not  the religions of men.
Catholics, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Muslims, Buddhists, Faith Prosperity and many Christian Religions and People are caught up in denominations!!!! God has been removed from the equation, some say the greatest trick that Lucifer ever pulled was the day he convinced man he did not exist, I say it was the day he invented denominations and told man it was good and man drank from that polluted cup of blasphemy.
There is only way and it is not Mary or the Pope or Allah or Muhammad or Joseph Smith or Michael the  Archangel, or Gautama Buddha nor You or I.   Denominations have become many people new god, Christ told the religious nut jobs of his time, that they knew the way in but did not go and hindered others from going in also.
Now, please do not conclude that I'm  against fellowship for  iron sharpens iron, my concern is that the theories of men are taking the place of the Word of God. No where in the word of God at least not to my knowledge did he advocate us creating different denominations, Jesus wanted us to focus more on Loving the father and believing in who the Father sent which was Jesus.

Dear God let us see what  we have been to blind to see, that it  is only  one way to heaven and that way is through Jesus Christ our savior, not a denomination, but the living breathing savior.

Let Go and Let G-d

One of the easiest sayings for most of us but, how often do we(yes even I) hold so hard on too what we have and seemingly refused to give "it" too G-d? And without Letting go and Letting G-d have every aspect of our life's we will ever really know true Shalom(Peace) of God or Happiness in our relationships.
   To start the Letting go, you must identify the things that keep you from having a closer relationship with G-d. It may be relationships that keep you from G-d, like a sexual one outside of marriage, or keeping friends that keep you from fellowship with brothers and sister in Christ. Or it maybe your time management, not making the time too read the Word or pray daily. Or it could even be the pursuit of money keeps you from seeking the L-rd.
   
  This therefore I say and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the Gentiles(Unsaved) walk: in the futility of their mind, being darkened in understanding, alienated from the life of G-d, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart,  who, becoming callous, gave themselves over to licentiousness, for the pursuit of all uncleanness in greediness. Ephesians 4:17-19 LEB 

   
^{Now we now need to equip ourselves with the tools to over come these things witch keep us from G-d. In the hope to bring ourselves to place where we can surrender and give ourselves too G-d.}

Because of this do not become foolish, but understand what the will of the L-rd is.  And do not be drunk with wine (in which is dissipation), but be filled by the Sp-rit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and singing praise in your heart to the L-rd, giving thanks always for all things in the name of our L-rd Yashua HaMashiach(Jesus Christ) to the G-d and Father, being subject to one another out of reverence for Christ .... ^{Ephesians 5:17-22a}
 Finally, become strong in the L-rd and in the might of his strength.  Put on the full armor of G-d, so that you may be able to stand against the stratagems of the devil,  because our struggle is not against blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Because of this, take up the full armor of G-d, in order that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand. Stand therefore, girding your waist with truth, and putting on the breastplate of righteousness, and binding shoes under your feet with the preparation of the good news of peace, in everything taking up the shield of faith, with which you are able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one, and receive the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Sp-rit, which is the word of G-d,  with all prayer and supplication praying at all times in the Sp-rit, and to this end being alert with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints, ¹and for me, that a word may be given to me at the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,  for the sake of which I am an ambassador in chains, that in them I may speak freely, as it is necessary for me to speak. Ephesians 6:10-20 LEB


  Now hopefully what I have given can help you surrender yourself and willing give yourself for the closer relationship with G-d.

   

Laying Aside that Extra Weight – Spiritual Weight Loss Plan

Laying Aside that Extra Weight – Spiritual Weight Loss Plan

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Scriptures to read: Hebrews 12:1-11

Are you carrying some extra weight? There are times when I had some extra weight. It's that sin that so easily entangles. It can slow us down, bring our walk to a complete halt. We might even find ourselves going in the opposite direction that God wants us to go in. Maybe going back the way we came.

If we belong to God, He's not going to sit idle. Like a loving Father, He will discipline us. He disciplines and corrects those He loves. Those who have given their lives to Him. It's been said that the most miserable person isn't someone who doesn't know Jesus, but someone who's walked with Him and has allowed sin to take them away from Him.

If that describes you, He's waiting. Look to Jesus. He is the Author of your faith! He gave it to you. And He will see you through. He is the finisher of your faith. He endured the cross. He loves you too much not to discipline you in love. So, surrender and let Him have His way in you. What He has is so much better than any “pet sin”.

In Christ our Lord,

Don 

Feed “My” Sheep....Jesus

Feed “My” Sheep....Jesus

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Scriptures to read: John 21:15-22; Matthew 28:18-20

After Jesus was resurrected, He spent some “quality” time with His disciples. When He had eaten breakfast with the disciples, He took Peter aside and had a “one-on-one” conversation with him.  He asked Peter, “Do you love me?” When Peter responded, Jesus told him to “feed and tend my sheep”.     A pretty tall order.  Here was a fisherman who had just “dropped the ball” when he denied Jesus.  He had just let down his Lord. It's probably safe to say that he wasn't feeling up to the task that Jesus was putting before him.

Points that we can see in these verses....

1. Jesus told Peter to feed “His” sheep, not feed Peter's sheep. Jesus was still retaining the final responsibility for His sheep, not turning that responsibility over to Peter.
2.  Jesus was restoring Peter to what He was calling him to, not counting Peter's sin of denial against him.  It (Peter's sin) had been dealt with at the cross.
3. Peter's responsibility would be to nurture and feed the sheep.

If we have children, this is also the task that God calls each of us to. A pretty “daunting” task.

But once we receive Christ as Lord and Savior, we begin to follow Him. Read His word. Seek Him. As we are following Jesus, He will lead us and teach us how to feed those sheep that He has put under our care and entrusted us with.

You may be wondering....Where do I start? A good place to start might be doing a family devotional 3 to 5 times a week possibly during or right after dinner. Maybe you can only do it once a week at first. That's ok, God will honor that. And it doesn't have to last for an hour or even a half hour. A few minutes at a time with a prayer before would be good.

Here are some practical suggestions for devotional resources:

- Greg Laurie's Devotional at http://www.harvest.org/devotional/

- In Touch Devotional with Charles Stanley at http://www.intouch.org/magazine/daily-devotion

- RBC Ministries Daily Devotional at http://odb.org

RBC Minsitries will be more than happy to deliver a paper booklet with daily devotionals if you request it from them. The link to their website above has a link to get the booklet mailed directly to your home.

It may seem hard at first, if you've never done something like this on a daily basis. But don't be discouraged. Trust God and lay it before Him. He loves you and He loves those sheep that He has placed in your care. He will equip you to do His will.

In Christ our Lord,

Don 

The Prodigal....A Look at the Father

The Prodigal....A Look at the Father

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Scriptures to read: Luke 15:11-32

Are we as parents more concerned about our reputation as “christian parents” than we are about our children's eternal destiny?

Reading and meditating on the story of the prodigal son, there are some lessons that we can see concerning the father of the prodigal son.

What was the father's perspective concerning his son wanting to take his inheritance and hit the road to party?

Was the father critical and judgmental of his son, when the son walked away from his father?

Was the father wanting his lost son to pay for embarrassing him? He let his son take his inheritance even though the father knew that his son was walking in the wrong direction. He didn't condemn his son at any point in time for his decision to go to the world.

The situation for the family was probably embarrassing.

He (the father) let his son go into the world, even though it probably hurt the father.

The son had to make a decision to follow the ways of his father or not to on his own. Free will.

It seems that the father of the prodigal was more concerned about his son than his own reputation with his neighbors and fellow church members. He displayed an unconditional love for his son. The bible says that the father “displayed compassion for his son when he was returning when the son was a great way off”.

Many of us as “christian parents” have suffered and some of us still do because of a “prodigal son or daughter”. I pray that our Lord grants us the strength and grace to do as the father in the story of the prodigal. Maybe those prodigals will return and be saved.

In Christ our Lord,

Don 

Jesus...When are You going to return? Or.....Geeez God...What's takin' You sooo long?!?

Jesus...When are You going to return? or.....Geeez God...What's takin' You sooo long?!?

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Scriptures to read: 2 Peter 3:9, Ezekiel 33:11, 2 Peter 3:10 – 13

Talking with a fellow brother in Christ last week, he and I both believe that the Lord's return is near. The world seems to be getting further from God.

Should we look forward to our Lord's return? Yes, I believe that we should.

But as for the tribulation and judgement that God will bring on the Earth.....

Is this something that God looks forward to? Does He (God) long to bring wrath and destruction on the Earth? Will it be the “high point of His day?”

I don't believe so. Peter says that the Lord is longsuffering toward us and that He (Jesus) doesn't want anyone to perish but wants all to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and repent (turn from their sins and turn to Jesus).

Ezekiel says that God doesn't take pleasure in the death of the wicked.

As I sat in my car the other night after a bible study, I thought longingly about the return of Jesus. But I began to think about what it would be like during the tribulation....the suffering and death. And I thought about people that I knew who do not know Jesus...they are not following Him. Co-workers, their spouses and children, some of my family members who aren't christians. I began to weep.

So, as we are anticipating our Lord's return, we should seek to be about His business. Praying for those who we have doubts about. He (Jesus) doesn't want our co-workers, family members and friends to perish. He wants them to have eternal life also.

In Christ our Lord,

Don 

Which Wisdom to Walk in?

Which Wisdom to Walk in?

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Scriptures to read: James 3:13-18 ; 1 John 1:5-9; Psalm 139:1-4

Two kinds of wisdom.....

One kind displays bitter envy. It also seeks after it's own (self-seeking). Quoting from James, he states that “ it (this wisdom) doesn't come from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.” And even though we may not want to admit it, sometimes, it's what we have in our hearts. And we can't hide from the Holy Spirit...eventually what is in our heart will come out. So why try to hide or lie to God? He already knows what's in our hearts. (See Psalm 139:1-4).

The other kind of wisdom from above is pure. It is gentle and can yield to others. Full of mercy. It is without partiality. Able to treat others with respect and love as people created in the image of God...whether they are a homeless person or a doctor. There's a lack of hypocrisy or to state it another way....A person with this kind of wisdom is what we like to call “real”.

But do any of us walk in the second kind of wisdom all of the time? I know that I don't.

In the book of 1 John, John writes that if we say that we don't have any sin, we are deceiving ourselves. But if we can get real with God and be honest, He can and is more than willing to free us from any sin (See 1John1:9) He (Jesus) died so that we wouldn't have to stay in our sins. He loves with a perfect love.

So, let us confess that sin that our Lord already knows about anyway so that we can be forgiven and cleansed from it. He (Jesus) paid too high a price for us to turn down His offer of forgiveness.

In Christ our Lord,

Don 

Who wants to be like Gideon?

Who wants to be like Gideon?

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Scriptures: Judges 6:11-24; Judges 7:7; Judges 8:4-10; Hebrews 11:32

Gideon....Hiding on a threshing floor from the enemy. Israel was being oppressed by the Midianites. The Israelites cried out to the Lord for help.

God chose Gideon...a man who at the time was hiding on a threshing floor. He (God) called Gideon a mighty man of valor. God must have seen what Gideon would be when he would step out and start to trust in God.

God allowed Gideon to step out in “smaller steps” of faith as He (God) was preparing Gideon to be used in the deliverance of Israel from the Midianites.

32,000 against 135,000 or 300 against 135,000? . 32,000 troops against 135,000 doesn't sound like good odds....but 300 against 135,000?!? But wait....Israel had God on their side! Guess that was bad odds for the 135,000 troops!

In the end, Gideon and his army of 300 prevail and God gets all of the glory! And Gideon is now a hero!

Oh...almost forgot to mention...God honors Gideon in the “hall of faith” in the 11^th chapter of Hebrews!

So....Who wants to be like Gideon?

In Christ our Lord,

Don 

Daniel in the Lion's Den....Remaining Faithful

Daniel in the Lion's Den....Remaining Faithful

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Scriptures: Daniel 6:1 - 28

In the 6^th chapter of the book of Daniel, is the story of persecution that Daniel experienced in his later years. It is estimated that Daniel was probably around 80 years old at the time. He was one of three governors over the Persian Empire. Darius was the ruler of Babylon.

Daniel was faithful to performing the duties of the “secular” job (governor) that God had placed him in. He also faithfully sought God three times a day.   Because of his faithfulness, Daniel was recognized by the king. The bible says that he (Daniel) “distinguished himself above the governors and satraps.”  See Daniel 6:3.  So, the other governors and satraps were jealous and sought to find something against Daniel.  Knowing Daniel's habit of praying and seeking God three times a day, they wrote a decree and convinced king Darius to sign it.  It forbid anyone petitioning any god or man other than the king for thirty days.

But even though Daniel knew of the petition, he continued to pray to God. Simply being faithful to God.  The others told the king of this.  Even though Darius didn't want to, he saw no way around the decree he signed....He threw Daniel in the lion's den.  In fact, Darius was so distraught that he fasted and could not sleep through the night.

God had a different plan though.   Through this set of circumstances, in a culture that seemed “anti-God”, God used this.  He (God) saved Daniel from the den of lions.  Darius recognized that Daniel's God had saved him from the lions.  It caused a change of heart in Darius.  Darius passed another decree.  This one gave glory and honor to God.  It recognized God as the living God “who rules forever”.

In effect, the actions and faith of one man (Daniel) who chose to remain faithful to his God indirectly influenced a nation for God.

How could God use each of us in our daily “hum-drum” lives if we were to simply be faithful to what He has shown us and called us to?

In Christ our Lord,

Don 

Contentment....

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Scriptures: Philippians 4:4 – 13; Matthew 11:28 - 30

Contentment....True contentment.....

Being at peace within ourselves.....truly at peace.

Resting in the arms of our savior (Jesus).

It seems that none of the above comes “naturally”.  Each of us has burdens.

Maybe it's a spouse that just doesn't hear what you have to say. The two of you just don't seem to be communicating on the level that you should be. Maybe it's a child. You just can't seem to get through to them. That “home” seems more like a “war zone” then a home. You'd rather be on the roof in the cold eating a cold sandwich, than in your house with your family.

Whatever the burden is, true contentment and that peace that passes all understanding sometimes escapes us because of the burden.

In the first book of the new testament, is a quote from Jesus. He tells us to come to Him. All of us who are weary....Heavy laden. Emotionally feeling like we have been “drug through the mud”. He says “come to me. All who are weary.” He says that He (Jesus) will give us rest.

Then Jesus says to take His yoke and learn from Him....willfully submit to His direction in our lives. He (Jesus) is gentle. He states that if we take His yoke and learn from Him that we will find rest for our souls. And then He wraps it up by saying that His yoke is easy and the burden that He gives us is light.

In Philippians, Paul (inspired by the Holy Spirit) writes to be anxious for nothing but with prayer and thanksgiving to bring our requests to God....Cast that burden on Him.

Then the peace of God which passes our understanding will guard our hearts and minds through Christ.

What a promise from our Lord!

How great is His love for us! He doesn't want us carrying burdens that we weren't meant to carry.

When we come to Him and bring those burdens to Him, it doesn't mean that the situation will go away or we'll have an “instant cure” to our problems. God isn't a “spiritual microwave”. But now, that burden will be on the “back” of the One who has the strength to carry it. And we can have that peace that passes all understanding...knowing that He will work all things for good in our lives.

In Christ our Lord,

Don 

Itching Ears or God's Word Hidden in our Hearts?

Itching Ears or God's Word Hidden in our Hearts?

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Scriptures: Psalm 119:10 – 12; II Timothy 4:1-5

In II Timothy 4:3–4, Paul warns of a trend that we will see.   It is a time when men and women will not endure sound doctrine, but instead will be drawn to teachers who teach fables (stories) and are not teaching doctrine.  He says that “they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”

In Psalm 119:10 – 11, the Psalmist writes “With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!  Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”

So, each of us (including myself) has a choice before us. We can choose to listen to the teachers who seem to be teaching fables and not teaching the word of God, or.....

Listen to the teachers who respect the word of God (see Psalm 119:160; II Timothy 3:16) and teach it in its entirety, fearing God and not man. And then, read, meditate and begin to hide God's word in our hearts so that we will be able to stand in our day of trials and temptations.

In Christ our Lord,

Don 

Those who worship God must worship in spirit and truth

Those who worship God must worship in spirit and truth

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Scriptures: John 4: 21 – 24; Psalm 150

In John 4, we read of the story of the Samaritan woman's encounter with Jesus. Concerning worship, Jesus tells her that true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. He also says that the Father is seeking such (true worshipers) to worship Him.

So, what is true worship? Can we only truly worship with a certain style of music? Psalm 150 names several instruments that we can use to worship and praise our Lord with. But the last verse in that Psalm says “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” That sounds like an open invitation from God to use whatever we want to use to praise and give Him glory with...guitars, drums, etc.

Probably like most christians, I have certain styles of music that I tend to prefer over others. A couple of weeks ago, I was able to attend a gospel concert with a gospel quartet singing hymns and other songs. The style of music is not my favorite style. But as I listened, I began to worship the Lord.

I watched as others (many in their senior years) were worshiping and getting ministered to by the Lord. Just like christian rock bands that I have listened to and learned to respect, the words of the songs that the gospel quartet were singing sounded like they came “word for word” from the bible. I sensed the same Spirit at this concert that I do when singing the more contemporary worship songs at church or at home.

God wants us to focus off of ourselves and on Him in true worship. It's not that He (God) needs to be worshiped. We have a need to worship something or someone. We have a need to worship God. Because of that need, we will end up putting ourselves into something or someone. But there is truly only one place (actually person) who is worthy of our praise and worship. Only One is truly worth pouring ourselves out for. That is God in the person of Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit.

In Christ our Lord,

Don 

Paul and Barnabas...God's “perfect” will in their separation?

Paul and Barnabas...God's “perfect” will in their separation?

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Scriptures: Acts 15:36-41; Ephesians 4:2-4; Philippians 2:1-3

In the book of Acts, we read of Paul and Barnabas going their separate ways. Paul chose to take Silas with him, going through Syria to strengthen the churches there. Barnabas chose to take John-Mark with him.

God did use both new teams (Paul and Silas) and (Barnabas and John-Mark).

John-Mark came back later and was considered “useful” in the ministry by Paul. So most likely, Barnabas took John-Mark “under his wing” and began pouring into him...discipling John-Mark.

And Paul and Silas did go to Syria to strengthen the churches there.

But was it God's perfect will for Paul and Barnabas to have a sharp disagreement over John-Mark?

Maybe, Barnabas could have approached Paul and told him that God had put it on his (Barnabas's) heart to disciple John-Mark. Maybe Paul could have told Barnabas to go ahead with the grace of God and do that. But neither one of them (Paul and Barnabas) were perfect. Just like the rest of us, they still had a sin nature that is selfish.

Later in the book of Ephesians, Paul writes to the church there to “keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”. Then in Philippians, he stresses to be of “one accord, one mind and esteem others better than yourself”. It seems that Paul had a “change of heart” somewhere along the way.

Evidence that God does change us from “glory to glory” over the years as we follow Him daily.

In Christ our Lord,

Don 

OVERFLOWING BLESSING

Give and you will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over,
will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Luke 6:38

If you're a baker these words speak to you about how to measure  flour shaking it and patting it down to fill in the air pockets so your measurements might be exact or your recipe will not come out like you were expecting. The only thing different between your recipe and God's recipe of return to his children is the when cooking there is no room for overflow. God's recipe is not only packed in without air pockets but overflowing filling us back up with even more than what we started with.
In those times when you fell truly lead by God to give in whatever form, we don't need to worry about what we see as dwindling amount of personal resources to suit the task. If God has endorsed it we can feel free to go ahead with complete contentment and willingness in knowing that He will always give back far more than what we can expect.
The content woman, when required to give of her time, love, resources, herself, is secure in knowing that she possesses enough to do it. She also looks forward to experiencing the promises of a great and vast return on her investment.
I know that at times we think to ourselves, my energy level is low,my love tank is almost empty, my patients has been all used up and the week isn't even over, my wallet is emptier than I thought and my financial needs are never ending. Just  when you feel that you have nothing to give because of all those reasons that makes us feel justified, we hear a still small voice saying "Give and it will be given to you." We trust in the Lord that we know will give us back in abundance because He has told us so. His blessings will be piled up high with His favor and grace in a a rounded heap that spills off to the sides  with more than you can hold.
This is the reward for the woman resolved to contentment. So "Give and you will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
It seems that the best way to get more is to give the little you think you have left in the way and the time He leads you to do so, even when doing so seems impossible because you don't feel you have enough.
So, sisters, resolve to be content and look up towards heaven with holy anticipation of the overflowing blessings that will pour down onto you. Be responsive to God's prompting to serve and be prepared for God's overflowing blessing.

The Love of Christ Compels...

The Love of Christ Compels....

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Scriptures: John 20:11-17; II Corinthians 5:13-15; James 3:1

Does the love of Christ compel us? Is that love the motivating factor in our lives?

An example of Jesus' love is found in the gospel of John.   Jesus had just risen from the dead.  Mary Magdalene was standing outside of the tomb of Christ weeping, still in grief from her Lord's death.  She thought that someone had taken Jesus' body.  She didn't yet realize that Jesus was risen from the dead. When she first saw Jesus standing there in front of her, she didn't recognize Him.

Too caught up in her grief, focused on the situation and not really focused on Christ.

Jesus asks her whom she is seeking. She asks her Lord where the body of her Lord is.

Jesus simply calls her in love by name....”Mary”.

I can hear the concern and love in His voice for her as He calls her name.  As His voice breaks through her grief, she turns to Him and says “Rabboni!”.

Several translations of the bible use an exclamation point at the end of her statement, indicating excitement and fervor.

In various versions of the bible the word “Rabboni” seems to be translated in two ways.

1. Teacher
2. Master

Master combined with the exclamation point, shows Mary's joyful, exuberant and willful surrender to her master, Jesus.

There is no better person to surrender yourself to. His love is a perfect love. No one else can understand grief and loss better than our Lord.

The grief and loss that our Lord felt when the first human beings (Adam and Eve) sinned drove Him to the cross to pay for our sins and buy us back with His blood.

That's what the compelling love of Christ is.

In Christ our Lord,

Don 

What makes you a follower of Christ

For you my brothers and sister consider yourselves to be children of God please take note of this story

 Pastor Jeremiah Steepek (pictured below) transformed himself into a homeless person and went to the 10,000 member church that he was to be introduced as the head pastor at that morning. He walked around his soon to be church for 30 minutes while it was filling with people for service....only 3 people out of the 7-10,000 people said hello to him. He asked people for change to buy food....NO ONE in the church gave him change. He went into the sanctuary to sit down in the front of the church and was asked by the ushers if he would please sit n the back. He greeted people to be greeted back with stares and dirty looks, with people looking down on him and judging him.

 As he sat in the back of the church, he listened to the church announcements and such. When all that was done, the elders went up and were excited to introduce the new pastor of the church to the congregation........"We would like to introduce to you Pastor Jeremiah Steepek"....The congregation looked around clapping with joy and anticipation.....The homeless man sitting in the back stood up.....and started walking down the aisle.....the clapping stopped with ALL eyes on him....he walked up the altar and took the microphone from the elders (who were in on this) and paused for a moment....then he recited

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

After he recited this, he looked towards the congregation and told them all what he had experienced that morning...many began to cry and many heads were bowed in shame.... he then said....Today I see a gathering of people......not a church of Jesus Christ. The world has enough people, but not enough disciples...when will YOU decide to become disciples? He then dismissed service until next week.......Being a Christian is more than something you claim. It's something you live by and share with others.
Pastor Jeremiah Steepek (pictured below) transformed himself into a homeless person and went to the 10,000 member church that he was to be introduced as the hea...d pastor at that morning. He walked around his soon to be church for 30 minutes while it was filling with people for service....only 3 people out of the 7-10,000 people said hello to him. He asked people for change to buy food....NO ONE in the church gave him change. He went into the sanctuary to sit down in the front of the church and was asked by the ushers if he would please sit n the back. He greeted people to be greeted back with stares and dirty looks, with people looking down on him and judging him.

As he sat in the back of the church, he listened to the church announcements and such. When all that was done, the elders went up and were excited to introduce the new pastor of the church to the congregation........"We would like to introduce to you Pastor Jeremiah Steepek"....The congregation looked around clapping with joy and anticipation.....The homeless man sitting in the back stood up.....and started walking down the aisle.....the clapping stopped with ALL eyes on him....he walked up the altar and took the microphone from the elders (who were in on this) and paused for a moment....then he recited

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

After he recited this, he looked towards the congregation and told them all what he had experienced that morning...many began to cry and many heads were bowed in shame.... he then said....Today I see a gathering of people......not a church of Jesus Christ. The world has enough people, but not enough disciples...when will YOU decide to become disciples? He then dismissed service until next week.......Being a Christian is more than something you claim. It's something you live by and share with others.

We as Godly women seem to have forgotten the secret of being satisfied, content, that inner sufficiency that can only be found through a solid foundation in your relationship with God.
Life has taught us through the media what it is that we need to be happy. We're constantly bombarded with advertisements that tell us what brands are acceptable. If you're single your told that marriage will complete you. If your married being single would be the best thing because no one can make you happy but yourself. If you live in a rental or a condo you will be happier in a house with more space and a back yard, but once anyone acquires these things make the changes, buy the things will you truly be happy,will you be satisfied, will you have real contentment?

Philipians 4:11
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstance.

Philipians 4:12
I know what it is to be in need ,and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

Philipians 4:13
I can do all things who gives me strength.

Truly how do you think Paul was able to endure the innumerable hardships he suffered?
He figured out the secret and put it in motion throughout his life time.

The secret, as I have already mentioned is simply finding contentment in your personal relationship with God. Trusting that He will keep His promises to each and everyone of us as it is written in His word, because when put into action, we can find fulfillment in the joy and emotional stability that will get us through anything in life. We become free and can fully participate in the situations we face at any given point in our lives.

2 corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.

So in closing, I challenge you to look at your life situation and weed out those things that causing you to feel incomplete, substandard, unhappy, uncontrolled, unfulfilled, dissatisfied, and cast them into the sea of forgetfulness and trust in you Lord and savior to take care of those things you truly have no control over and take in His joy and peace so you can get through those situations in your life you are facing or will be facing.

John Mark...A Character Study

John Mark...A Character Study

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Scriptures: Acts 13:13, Acts 15:36-39, II Timothy 4:11, Colossians 4:10-11

John Mark (referred the majority of the time in the bible as Mark) was a cousin of Barnabas.

Apparently, he was a young believer. His first missionary journey was with Paul and Barnabas to Perga, a port town in Pamphylia which was located in the Northern Mediterranean Sea, North of Cyprus. Scripture (Acts) tells us that Mark left Paul and Barnabas and returned to Jerusalem. It does not say why Mark left. Evidently, the pressures of missionary life were too much for young Mark.

Later, when Paul and Barnabas were preparing to go on another missionary journey, Barnabas wanted to take Mark, but Paul didn't. Paul felt that since Mark left them in Perga, he wasn't dependable and just didn't have what it took to be a missionary with Paul and Barnabas. But Barnabas wanted Mark to go with them. So, Paul and Barnabas split up. Paul took Silas and Barnabas took Mark.

Now scripture doesn't tell us much about what happened with Barnabas and Mark. Did Barnabas take Mark “under his wing” and really begin to disciple him? Barnabas is known in the bible as a person who had the gift of encouragement. We can speculate about what happened, but God's word doesn't say much.

What we do know is that years later, Paul asked for Mark by name and said that he (Mark) was helpful to him (II Timothy 4:11).

Later, in the book of Philemon, Paul includes Mark as one of his fellow co-workers! What a change! What a compliment from Paul!

Also of note....History tells us that this same Mark (with Paul) wrote the Gospel of Mark!

So, before you are ready to “kick that person to the curb”, you might want to seek God on it first. You can't see what God is doing in the person's heart...only our Lord sees the heart.

John Mark.....A testament to the changing power of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

In Christ our Lord,

Don 

The IF(s) of the Bible pt2

On our last installment, we explored the differences between man's perception and God perception.
  
King David in the Old Testament ask God "to search me and try me and see if there's any wicked way within me". So as modern day Christian believers in Jesus Christ, we should as well have a heart like King David's.
  Let's explore your relationship with Christ. how often do you pray, how often do you read the Bible, how often do you serve with the church? Or have you even have a relationship with Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? Too this last question if you are unsure this series will be completely pointless to you.
  Prayer: how do you expect to have a relationship with a friend, lover let alone God if you don't simply talk to them? Look in the Psalms God describes himself as a lover of your soul. As your friend, as your comforter. and then you can look and the revelation of John where he refers to us is the bridegroom of Christ. prayer, is nothing much less than simple conversation, communication between us and God.
  If you find yourself to be one with the a problem with praying. Find a private place such as you Drive to work, in the shower ect. and pray out loud to God have a conversation as if your having a conversation with a friend.