Restoration!

This is a day of restoration. God can restore your life to what it was before you sinned. You must ask, expect (believe), and receive. Won't you come to service today and receive your restoration? See you there.

S,O,A,P,

5-3-2015         Luke 1:21-22

S.       21And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.22And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.

O.      God carries out the pronounced action on Zacharias.

A.      God will always keep his word. I must be careful to be obedient to every command of God.

    P.       Father; teach me your word and imprint it on my heart. Guide me by your Holy Spirit that I                may be perfect in your eyes. Amen. 

Angry

I am angry today! Angry about all the suffering I see around me. I am declaring WAR! I know that many of my suffering friends are not worthy of the pain and difficulty s that they are in. It must be the attack of satan. God's word tells me that I have authority over him. Sound the trumpet, assemble the army, set the strategy and let's march into the camp of the enemy and take back the things that are already ours; HEALING, PROSPERITY, JOY, PEACE, FELLOWSHIP AND POWER!

S.O.A.P.

3-3-2015         Romans 8:35-39

S.       35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?36As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come.39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

O.      Paul’s declaration about the strength of God’s love.

A.      I must not worry and doubt. God will love me and keep me and go with me through every trial and test of life.

    P.       Father; thank you for loving me, even before I ever knew you. Amen. 

The return of Christ may be Today

Jesus is coming to remove his faithful, watching, prepared servants. It could be today........are you ready, are you wearing a wedding garment that is without spot or wrinkle? Modern Christianity seems to be failing when it comes to preparing itself to meet Jesus. When every thought or action is centered on self (catering to the flesh) no room for serving God remains. Me, me, me, I, I, I, are traps created by too much interest in the flesh and the flesh decays into sin every time. Jesus may return today.

S,O,A.P.

2-24-2015      Romans 8:16-18

S.       16 the Spirit itself Beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

O.      One becomes a joint-heir with Christ when the Spirit of God enters and sin is overcome. Suffering leads to glory.

A.      I am adopted into God’s family and made an heir by accepting (believing and repenting) the substitutionary work of Jesus on the cross, converting (abandoning all sinful practices), welcoming the Holy Spirit to abide within (filled with the Spirit) and fellowshiping and worshiping God every day on my life’s journey.

    P.     Father; reveal to me the things that hinder our fellowship and help me conquer my flesh by                the power of Grace. Amen.  

Redefining God???

With all the terrible things going on in this world today a person could get pretty scared. I hear about fear on a daily basis. Fear of Isis, fear of our president and his christian hating ways, fear of the health care laws, fear of guns, fear of environmental changes, fear, fear, fear!
The thing that alarms me the most: People redefining God. I see people chasing sin, embracing sin one minute and the next they are talking faith and love of God. Pure and contaminated do not flow from the same source. How do these people live with the imbalance, the contradiction?  Easy......just redefine God. God is removed as the creator, the sovereign judge and perfect and then redefined into some sort of heavenly bell-hop filling orders for any and all who speak his name in a positive manner. 
Awake or perish for when the blind lead, the ditch becomes your home.


S.O.A.P.

2-17-2015      Romans 7:22-25

S.       22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

O.      The battle with sin as fought with the mind (under the law) is always lost.

A.      Paul paints a very dim picture of spiritual life when lived under law. He is building up a contrast to describe how the law was incomplete and needed to be improved. I will remember my past as a reminder of where I came from. I came out from under the law and into the Power of Grace.

P.       Father; I know that my flesh is weak and that without your help I will fail. Fill me with the power of your Grace, the guidance of your Holy Spirit and the joy of holy fellowship. Amen.

Famous Last Words!

Famous last words of a "redneck"; Hey y'all watch this! Trying to out-do the other fellow will often have poor results. The only guy I need to out-do is the guy I was yesterday.

S.O.A.P.

1-14-2015      Romans 3:28-31

S.       28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. 29 Is he the God of the Jews only? Is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: 30 seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. 31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

O.      It is faith that justifies, whether Jew or Gentile.

A.      Faith comes from God and is given to all, how we use that faith will determine our eternal destiny. I choose to invest my faith into Gods perfect will for my life.

P.       Father; increase my faith as I exercise my spiritual man to bring my physical man into subjection to your perfect will. Amen.

Happy

Happy is the man whose God is the Lord! I am happy, happy as a man, happy as a husband, happy as a father, grandfather, great grandfather, I'm just happy in every way. Not that temporary, situational happy that comes and goes. I am soul happy, from the inside out, complete and satisfied. I am a blessed man. I have been made whole through Jesus and our relationship......therefore I am happy!

S.O.A.P.

12-23-2014    Mark 14:43-52

S.       43 And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.44 And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.45 And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.46 And they laid their hands on him, and took him.47And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.48 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.50 And they all forsook him, and fled.51 And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:52 And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.

O.      Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss and all the disciples forsake Jesus.

A.      A kiss is a token of love. True love can never betray, ridicule, abandon or vanish. I will learn true love and because of that love I will follow Jesus. I will follow in good times and bad, in times of plenty and times of want, in health and sickness I will live my love.

P.       Father; Fill me so full of your love that I may spill out that love to all I meet today. May people see you, in me, today! Amen.

Too Busy?

Busy, busy, busy and never catching up. I call that normal. So glad that every item on the list is not essential. I will do what I can, and be happy.....just move the remainder of the items to tomorrow's list, then about once a month.....throw the list away and start over.....no problem. The world goes on.....even after I don't get everything done. Just be happy where you are and with who you are, in Jesus, of course.

S.O.A.P.

12-19-2014    Mark 14:17-21

S.       17 And in the evening he cometh with the twelve.18 And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me.19 And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?20 And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.21 The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.

O.      Jesus reveals his knowledge of the betrayal of Judas.

A.      Jesus reveals the truth to me to warn me and keep me from sinning. This is his love in action in my life, not judgment. He wants to spare me from judgment and pain of failure.

      P.       Father; thank you for mercy and favor. Speak to me….I am listening. Amen. 

Fight the GOOD fight, overcome yourself!

Are you growing, changing and becoming the person you should be? Each time I reach a goal, master a problem or overcome a weakness I think to myself; another step up the ladder of success. Then I find myself in another challenge. When will I find a finish? When Will I arrive at my full potential? Some questions do not have an answer.  So, I will keep on fighting the good fight>

10-17-2014    Mark 5:25-34

S.       25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

O.      A woman is healed by touching the garment of Jesus. Jesus tells her that it happened because of her faith.

A.      Faith is the foundation of my spiritual life. Faith saves, heals, supplies and keeps me. Faith is a gift from God. He gives everyone a portion. Faith will increase or decrease depending on how it is used (or un-used).

     P.      Father; increase my faith as I grow and become more like Jesus. Help me to overcome all doubt and fear. I                         commit my everything and my all to you. Amen. 

Family

9-30-2014      Mark 3:31-35

S.       31There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.32 And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.33 And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?34 And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

O.      Jesus declares the source of family; doing the will of God!

A.      I will learn the will of God from his word and keep it before my face daily. I will submit my will and obey the voice of the Lord.

P.       Father; I want to be a part of your family, show me how to accomplish your will. Amen.

River Jordan

9-6-2014         Mark 1:7-8

S.       7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

O.      John declares that Jesus will come and baptize man with the Holy Ghost.

A.       Repentance brings a person into right standing with God. The Holy Ghost is the ambassador of God who dwells in man to aid him in his new walk.

P.       Father; baptize me fresh today and renew my spirit. Amen.

The Beginning of The Book Mark

Mark 1:1-6

S.       1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.6 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;

O.      Mark begins his letter by introducing John the Baptist and his ministry; A ministry of repentance.

A.       Today’s message should include repentance, every message should include repentance. All other messages become useless until repentance is achieved. 

P.       Father; I repent, I seek to be found guiltless in your eyes. Thank you God for sending your son, Jesus, to pay the debt of sin that I could never pay!  Speak Lord and I will obey. Amen.

Follow God!

9-3-2014         Acts 28:26-28

S.       26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.

O.      Paul declares that the message of Jesus is open to the Gentiles because the Jewish people are not responding properly.

A.      Our response to God will decide our future. I will follow with all my heart, mind and spirit. I will embrace God and reject sin.

P.       Father; I reach out to you with all that I am. Cleanse me from sin and keep me on the right path. Fill me with your Spirit that I never stray. Amen.

Seek and Tell

9-1-2014         Acts 28:17-22   Labor Day

S.       17 And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.18 Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.19 But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.20 For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.21 And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

O.      Paul is now in Rome and he meets with the Jewish leaders to share with them the reason of his arrest. A time is set to hear Paul’s defence and to learn about the Christian sect.

A.      We must actively seek out people and tell them our testimony. The message of salvation is needed today. People are hurting, sick and afraid and we have the message of hope, healing and love. I will share!

P.       Father; guide my steps today to those that need your love, hope, healing and salvation. Increase my courage and help me speak. Amen.

Viper Strike

8-29-2014      Acts 28:1-6

S.       1 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.2 And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

O.      On the shore after the wreck while building a fire to dry off and keep warm Paul is bitten by a snake. The local people that were gathered to help the victims of the shipwreck expected Paul to die. When Paul lived, and showed no effects at all, the locals deemed him to be a god.

A.      Paul was serving, helping and doing what he could to comfort his fellow travelers. Like Jesus, Paul is a servant. We must apply ourselves to serving. Not just preaching, singing and testifying but in the everyday needs of life as well. Sharing ourselves and our substance to comfort and aid our fellow travelers.

P.       Father; train me in your mercy, that I may show mercy. Train me as a servant that I may serve. Teach me love and compassion that I may be a good servant. Amen.

Listen to God!

8-27-2014      Acts 27:9-37

S.       9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.12 And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west.13 And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:17 Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands strake sail, and so were driven.18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.26 Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.27 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;28 And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.29 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.30 And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.32Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.33 And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.34 Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.37 And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.

O.      The journey is filled with danger and hardship. God gives Paul knowledge; if all the people stay together, none shall die. The sailors and soldiers do all within their human strength to overcome the terrible storm and save the ship.

A.      Humans will go to great length to make things turn out the way they want them to go. Trusting God is seldom the direction taken. We must first believe in God as the “only true source” of help and direction. Then we must listen to his direction and obey his voice.

P.       Father; speak to me from your word and declare your will. Direct me by your Holy Spirit in all matters of life, both great and small. Amen. 

Ordinary Days?

8-26-2014           Acts 27:1-8

S.       1 And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band.2 And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.3 And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.4 And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.5 And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.6 And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein.7 And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone;8 And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.

O.      Paul’s final leg of his journey to Rome begins under Julius, a understanding and fair, centurion.

A.      These were long weary days of difficult travel. Changing ships often, uncomfortable lodgings and many schedule disruptions. No great miracles or events are mentioned, just ordinary life and struggles. We must face days like these often and keep our faith strong and our joy intact. God is the God of the ordinary day just as he is in the day of miracles.

P.       Father; Keep me strong and encouraged through the ordinary days of life. Help me to show your joy to others and be an example of a happy servant. Amen.