This past Thanksgiving was a blast. I had the opportunity to spend it with my wife's family from Richmond. They arrived Wednesday night/Thursday morning and didn't leave until Sunday afternoon. I am thankful not only to have married my wife, but also to be part of a wonderful family. I told my wife that since day one, they made me feel as if I was born into this family and I never felt like an outsider.
A few highlights that blessed me tremendously:
1. Most of the young men in the family have a hunger for God. That brought great joy to me, because the Word said blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness.
2. Saturday afternoon all of the little cousins went to see Happy Feet 2. I was overjoyed looking at them enjoy the movie. By the way, the movie was pretty good.
3. Sunday morning, we all worshiped together at my church. That was a tremendous blessing as well.
I'm looking forward to our trip to Richmond. God Bless!
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Let us give thanks
As we enter the week of Thanksgiving, take an inventory of your life and give thanks. I would encourage you to give thanks to friends, family members, co-workers, employers, pastors, and elders. Don't forget about the people that serve you by collecting your trash, police officers, bus drivers, teachers, doctors, and others. Most of all give thanks to the Lord.
However, many times it's difficult to give thanks because we spend a lot of time focusing on what we don't have and don't like. If we're not careful, we can let our hearts become more ungrateful than thankful.
Webster defines ungrateful as showing no gratitude.
Today my Pastor Billy Johnson encouraged us to give thanks from 1 Thessalonians 5:18. When I reflected on my level of gratitude, I haven't been thankful. I might be thankful, but my failure to express my gratitude, is still showing no gratitude. However, how beautiful it is to hear the words thank you. Think about it, when you take the time to say thank you and express gratitude, it leaves your heart in a wonderful place.
This week thank the Lord for giving you life. Thank Him for being humiliated for you. Thank Him for being spit on and punched in the face for you. Thank Him for being mocked for you. Thank Him for being pierced in His side for you. Thank Him for wearing a crown of thorns for you. Thank Him for being crushed by God the Father for you. Thank Him for being crucified for you. Thank Him for standing before God the Father as if He was sinful for You. Thank Him for dying in your place. Thank Him for coming back to life for you. Thank Him for giving you salvation.
Because in our life we have all spit in God's face with our sinful lifestyles, we've mocked him, we've pierced Him with our complaining, if given the opportunity we would have pressed the crown of thorns harder on His head and caused Him more pain. Yet Romans 5:6 says "For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly." You and I have all lived ungodly lives, and if you are a Christian and you intentionally sin before God, you grieve Him more than the unbeliever.
Brothers and sisters, give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.
However, many times it's difficult to give thanks because we spend a lot of time focusing on what we don't have and don't like. If we're not careful, we can let our hearts become more ungrateful than thankful.
Webster defines ungrateful as showing no gratitude.
Today my Pastor Billy Johnson encouraged us to give thanks from 1 Thessalonians 5:18. When I reflected on my level of gratitude, I haven't been thankful. I might be thankful, but my failure to express my gratitude, is still showing no gratitude. However, how beautiful it is to hear the words thank you. Think about it, when you take the time to say thank you and express gratitude, it leaves your heart in a wonderful place.
This week thank the Lord for giving you life. Thank Him for being humiliated for you. Thank Him for being spit on and punched in the face for you. Thank Him for being mocked for you. Thank Him for being pierced in His side for you. Thank Him for wearing a crown of thorns for you. Thank Him for being crushed by God the Father for you. Thank Him for being crucified for you. Thank Him for standing before God the Father as if He was sinful for You. Thank Him for dying in your place. Thank Him for coming back to life for you. Thank Him for giving you salvation.
Because in our life we have all spit in God's face with our sinful lifestyles, we've mocked him, we've pierced Him with our complaining, if given the opportunity we would have pressed the crown of thorns harder on His head and caused Him more pain. Yet Romans 5:6 says "For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly." You and I have all lived ungodly lives, and if you are a Christian and you intentionally sin before God, you grieve Him more than the unbeliever.
Brothers and sisters, give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
The Fear of the Lord
You may have heard of the phrase "the fear of the Lord". Are we to be scared of the Lord? What does this fear looks like?
The Bible has a few verses that can give us some insight.
What is the fear of the Lord?
Proverbs 8:13 - The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverted mouth, I hate.
Proverbs 9:10- The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Proverbs 14:27 - The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death
Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Summary: The fear of the LORD is to hate evil, it's a fountain of life, it's the beginning of wisdom and knowledge.
What are the benefits of fearing the Lord?
Proverbs 10:19 - The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be shortened.
The Bible has a few verses that can give us some insight.
What is the fear of the Lord?
Proverbs 8:13 - The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverted mouth, I hate.
Proverbs 9:10- The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Proverbs 14:27 - The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death
Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Summary: The fear of the LORD is to hate evil, it's a fountain of life, it's the beginning of wisdom and knowledge.
What are the benefits of fearing the Lord?
Proverbs 10:19 - The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be shortened.
Proverbs 19:23 - The fear of the LORD leads to life, So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.
Proverbs 14:23 - In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge.
Psalm 128:1 - How blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways.
Summary: The benefits of fearing the LORD is prolonged life, satisfying sleep, strong confidence, and being blessed by the Lord.
What are the consequences of not fearing the Lord?
We can see the warning in the verses above: Your life will be shortened, sleepless nights, lack of godly confidence, and a lack of wisdom.
Brothers and sister, I hope that you would grow in the fear of the Lord.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Tuesday Worship - Make My Life a Prayer To You
Here's another beautiful song by Keith Green. I would encourage you to listen to the words. It's beautiful.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Trusting in the Lord
The other day I was talking to my boys and I was encouraging them to trust in the Lord. My oldest Noel asked me, "Daddy what does trust mean?"
I was thinking, hmmm. How can I make this relate to a 4 year old? I thought about his chair.
I said, "Noel, Think about your chair for a second. What do you do with a chair?" "You sit in it," was his reply.
I said, "Correct. You sit in the chair because you believe it will hold you and not let you fall. If the chair was weak, you would fall, but since the chair is strong- you will not fall, and once you're in the chair you can sit back and rest in the chair. When we trust in Jesus, we can use Him for support and rest in Him. He is strong and He will not let us fall."
I asked him, "Does that makes sense?" He said... "Hmmm, Nope." I just smiled.
I was thinking, hmmm. How can I make this relate to a 4 year old? I thought about his chair.
I said, "Noel, Think about your chair for a second. What do you do with a chair?" "You sit in it," was his reply.
I said, "Correct. You sit in the chair because you believe it will hold you and not let you fall. If the chair was weak, you would fall, but since the chair is strong- you will not fall, and once you're in the chair you can sit back and rest in the chair. When we trust in Jesus, we can use Him for support and rest in Him. He is strong and He will not let us fall."
I asked him, "Does that makes sense?" He said... "Hmmm, Nope." I just smiled.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Tuesday Worship - Oh, Lord You're Beautiful
For the next few weeks I'm going to share one of my favorite Christian artists with you. His name is Keith Green. He amazingly makes worship songs that stirs you in such a way that drives you to want to love Christ even more. Enjoy.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Troy Davis - A different perspective
Recently I learned about Troy Davis and was saddened by his lost. As I reflected upon Troy Davis and the stir that it has caused in America, I saw a connection between Troy Davis and the Gospel.
Troy Davis
Troy Davis, a man that's claimed his innocence, was recently executed on September 21, 2011. People protested, appeals were made, marches were conducted and many other efforts took place to spare his life.
Let's imagine if one of these protesters stepped forward, and said, "Let me die for Troy Davis, and let him go free." Would you have given up your life for him? Let's say your love for him moved you to actually die in his place. You would give up your life so that he could have his. Do you think he would be grateful for your sacrifice? I believe he would be extremely grateful. And the world would claim you as a hero. Troy would be sad that you died, but he would forever honor your love and sacrifice, because for whatever reason that motivated your sacrifice, you didn't have to die in his place.
The Gospel
About 2,000 years ago, there was a man named Jesus Christ who claimed to be the actual Son of God. He never broke God's commandments and was the most righteous man that ever lived. However, His life was tragically ended as a criminal, and amazingly He came back to life on the third day after His death. To those who would believe in Him would be given eternal life.
The Connection
Spiritually speaking we are all in the same situation that Troy Davis was in. Troy Davis was on death row, and the nation was hoping that he would be pardoned or given clemency (a fancy word for mercy or lenience); however it never happened. For those who don't know what pardon means it is the forgiveness of a crime and the cancellation of the relevant penalty. Each of us must face God for judgement when we die. If we're honest with ourselves we are all guilty of breaking His commandments. Do not lie. Do not steal. Love God with all your hearts. If we're guilty, we will be sentenced for every offense that we've committed against God. God will see to it that every lawbreaker is punished on the Day of Judgement. So in essence mankind is on death row.
However, God in His mercy made it possible for mankind to be pardoned. This undeserved pardon is possible because Jesus historically stepped in place of mankind and suffered the execution that God demands at the cross for every lawbreaker. Although we deserve our punishment because we knowingly did wrong and can't claim innocence, Jesus took our punishment in exchange for His righteousness (I will discuss later, but to keep it simple - It's like wearing the perfection of Christ as a trench coat that covers all of our filthiness and when God see's it, it says that we're perfect just like Christ). For those who receive this pardon, they don't have to fear the Day of Judgement, because they have escaped the punishment to come because Jesus suffered for them.
Sadly many people do not believe this actually happened or know that they need God's pardon. Many enjoy celebrating His birthday, but don't want God's gift (Jesus Christ). To many Jesus Christ is not a hero. But to others He is their Hero. They love Him with all of their heart and out of gratitude for His sacrifice they want to honor Him in everything they do, because they recognized that they deserve the execution of God that awaited them, but now they are free!!!
Troy Davis
Troy Davis, a man that's claimed his innocence, was recently executed on September 21, 2011. People protested, appeals were made, marches were conducted and many other efforts took place to spare his life.
Let's imagine if one of these protesters stepped forward, and said, "Let me die for Troy Davis, and let him go free." Would you have given up your life for him? Let's say your love for him moved you to actually die in his place. You would give up your life so that he could have his. Do you think he would be grateful for your sacrifice? I believe he would be extremely grateful. And the world would claim you as a hero. Troy would be sad that you died, but he would forever honor your love and sacrifice, because for whatever reason that motivated your sacrifice, you didn't have to die in his place.
The Gospel
About 2,000 years ago, there was a man named Jesus Christ who claimed to be the actual Son of God. He never broke God's commandments and was the most righteous man that ever lived. However, His life was tragically ended as a criminal, and amazingly He came back to life on the third day after His death. To those who would believe in Him would be given eternal life.
The Connection
Spiritually speaking we are all in the same situation that Troy Davis was in. Troy Davis was on death row, and the nation was hoping that he would be pardoned or given clemency (a fancy word for mercy or lenience); however it never happened. For those who don't know what pardon means it is the forgiveness of a crime and the cancellation of the relevant penalty. Each of us must face God for judgement when we die. If we're honest with ourselves we are all guilty of breaking His commandments. Do not lie. Do not steal. Love God with all your hearts. If we're guilty, we will be sentenced for every offense that we've committed against God. God will see to it that every lawbreaker is punished on the Day of Judgement. So in essence mankind is on death row.
However, God in His mercy made it possible for mankind to be pardoned. This undeserved pardon is possible because Jesus historically stepped in place of mankind and suffered the execution that God demands at the cross for every lawbreaker. Although we deserve our punishment because we knowingly did wrong and can't claim innocence, Jesus took our punishment in exchange for His righteousness (I will discuss later, but to keep it simple - It's like wearing the perfection of Christ as a trench coat that covers all of our filthiness and when God see's it, it says that we're perfect just like Christ). For those who receive this pardon, they don't have to fear the Day of Judgement, because they have escaped the punishment to come because Jesus suffered for them.
Sadly many people do not believe this actually happened or know that they need God's pardon. Many enjoy celebrating His birthday, but don't want God's gift (Jesus Christ). To many Jesus Christ is not a hero. But to others He is their Hero. They love Him with all of their heart and out of gratitude for His sacrifice they want to honor Him in everything they do, because they recognized that they deserve the execution of God that awaited them, but now they are free!!!
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