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