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.

To be or not to be content

When I was "volentold" to write the Sunday devotional, I wasn't particularly happy because I'm not one to write for public consumption. So I prayed and pondered upon what I should write and I also consulted with my dear husband who has the gift of words both written and spoken.  Then I was reminded about a book that my dear  sister Kathy and I are reading "The Resolution for Women".

The following isn't just for women because it can be applied to the male persuation also. So with that the question becomes "are you content or are you looking towards the next thing coming? That new this or better that or change because you're not happy? The bible tells us "Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment." 1Timothy 6:6. In the book I'm reading it speaks about how we are always looking to the next something. The next career move, the better car, getting married, having children, getting the children out of the house, but we don't seem to take the time to enjoy that college graduation, the engagement, the marriage, the little things in life really. "Not that I am speaking of being in need . For I have learned that in whatever situation I am content." Phil. 4:11. " Keep your life free from love of money and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Hebrews 13:5. The word of the Lord is clear, yet we fail to listen because even in the study of the word, we're looking to what's coming next not taking the time to really listen and take in the Word, not allowing it to reveal itself to us we just don't seem to have the time. We don't want to slow down and be content with what the Lord has to say in His Word nor what He wants to show us through our daily lives. We seem to think that we can do it all ourselves even though we can't se where God is trying to lead us.
As a woman trying to be a Godly wife, mother and individual, I can truly say I fall short daily, but I do try daily to remind myself that my God is in control, He knows the why of all that is going on in my life and though I can't trust anyone else I can trust Him to make me the Godly wife I need to be for my husband. A Humble wife who holds her husband only second to the Lord without trying to be an overbearing nagging wife that feels she needs to control everything because the husband can't be trusted to execute the role God created him to have in his household. So I trust God and endeavor to be content in my life situation to learn from it and grow my faith within it. To enjoy the happy moments, and have faith and look to God in those times of trouble.
So what are you going to do, take the time and be content where you are, seeking the Lord for guidance or are you going to do what most do, take the situation on by your own strength and carry the burden God never intended you to carry?