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October 16, 2010 in Devotional Thought, Personal, Preaching, Quotes, Theology 0 Comments

Bless Believers Hearts

One great commentary set is the Reformed Expository Commentary. Bryan Chapell has written a couple of them and they are superb! Here is a quote from Chapell on Ephesians 1.5-6,

Paul is using the doctrine of predestination not to separate believers, not to instill pride in our being chosen, nor to vaunt any special knowledge of how God works, but simply to assure hard-pressed believers that God has loved them loved them and does love them apart from any merit of their own. In other words, predestination is meant to bless believers’ hearts. It is not meant for endless argument; it is not an excuse not to evangelize; it is our basis of comfort when we face the limitations of our actions, will, and choices.

This is why the doctrine of predestination is so beautiful to me and fills my heart with joy, comfort and confidence in Jesus, not me.

September 23, 2010 in Devotional Thought, Writing 0 Comments

My Dire Need

I know we understand that there is Spiritual warfare in the world and Satan his demons their attacks and effect are present and real. The only problem is that we don’t really pay any attention until these things come into our lives. It seems like this moment in the history of my life and ministry Satan has unleashed his menace upon this guy. Here are some of the things that have been going on over the past week, and how my soul has been filled with Joy because of the cross.

Twitter - I just started following Paul Washer. I know he is a polarizing guy to some (I find him refreshing), but one thing about him is he has a passion for prayer. His tweets every morning and afternoon about prayer and his dire need for prayer in his life have been a blessing to my soul. Because of this my soul has been encouraged. It has brought me to a place where I not only know my need but I see the reason I need more time in the Word and prayer.

Problems - This past weekend was a somewhat busy weekend, nothing in comparison to many in our ministry. Yet this weekend there were 2 or 3 different things that happened to my leaders, all unexpected, where they had to bail out, and for totally legit reason. All of this added more to my plate, showing me the need for prayer in my life just to make it through.

Students – One student contemplating suicide, two who might be going to jail and a host of others who have family problems, relationship problems, money issues, addicted to sex, porn and a whole list of other issues that are going on in their life. I have to, and am, understanding that the students need my prayer! If there is going to be any real change it has to be empowered by the Spirit.

Atmosphere - It always seems like as we move forward the powers of evil strike us hard, over and over again. We had a great leadership meeting, yet I could sense that there was an under-current of sin within the meeting. We need to be praying for other people, my fellow leaders, the students and those who will be in the group some day.

Sermon - I was in school, NEBC, and the chapel speaker talked about Mark. 11.15-19, where Jesus cleans the temple. The reason Jesus was upset is that they are not people of prayer. They had turned His temple into a place where there was trade not worship. The speaker challenged each of us and our ministries to be built upon prayer. He challenged us to make a whip and chase out the things that cause us not to pray. Those things, even the good things, that get in the way of our prayer life.

Forgotten God - I have been listening to Francis Chans audio book, Forgotten God. I was listening to chapter 6 on my run and what he said struck me. He talked about how we can create great programs, draw people to our church gatherings and do it all in our own power. We need to be people of prayer, who trust the spirit for the works in our life and to work through our life.

All of this has lead me to understand and see my dire need for more of the word of God and prayer. I need to be on my knees pleading to God for the teens in my life. I need to pray over my wife, my kids, my ministry and everything in my life. My prayer needs to be more about hearing from God and His will for the moments in my life then my measly little to-do lists.

July 29, 2010 in Devotional Thought 0 Comments

Mark 8.1-10 – Just a Thought

In my reading through the gospel of Mark I wrote this, thought I would pass it along to you. Maybe it is a devotional thought, a challenge to our hearts or maybe just a little explanation either way take it for what it is worth.

Mark 8.1-10

In these passages we see that God is a providing God, even when it seems there is no other way or hope for provision, God provides. If we follow Him, cling to Him and heed His word, forsaking our personal comfort, and normal way of Life, He will sustain.

He sustains not merely the peoples spiritual need, and how much was their spiritual need that they would forsake their lives for 3 days to sit at His feet and drink deep from the mouth of their savior. They condition was deep, yes. Unsatisfying, yes. Lost, yes. They had a deep need for a sustaining meal for their souls, and amidst all of this need, God provided. May we not merely see Jesus as a good teacher but Jesus is satisfying to the deepest levels. We must pay close attention that Jesus cared for their spiritual need and hunger, which no doubt was deep, but He saw their physical need and He provided. He fed them both the bread of life, but also the bread that would sustain their lives there that very day.

That we would be like Jesus not merely teaching truth but allowing that truth to open our eyes to the needs of the world around us. May the gospel we preach not only bless their life here and now, but may it also give them eternal joy and satisfaction in their savior. It is a constant balance we must navigate.

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