John 2:1-11
Jesus showed up for a wedding party and everybody was having fun. The electric slide was playing, people were laughing, and food was awesome. But they quickly ran out wine and it was customary to have the wine flowing at a wedding celebration. Now the wine of that time was not the kind we have now. The wine back than was for water purification and not meant to get people drunk. To us it would taste like flavored water. Jesus' mother Mary was also there and heard that there was no more wine, she went to Jesus for help. His reply was "Women, what does that have to do with me, it's not time for me to show miracles yet" Mary turned to the servants who were responsible for serving the wine and said "Do what He says" (John 2:1-5) The next thing we know Jesus says, "Fill the water jugs used for purification up with water and go out and serve the guest." The servants filled the water jugs and when they began to serve everyone exclaimed how must people wait until the end to serve the best wine but they can clearly see that they are drinking the best wine now (John 2:6-10). And when those following Jesus saw the water had become wine the believed in Him and God was given the glory (John 2:11).
Such a rich moment of time that is retold here in the book of John. How hard do we make it for God to show Himself strong in our life? We come to Jesus much like Mary with a need that is present in our lives or the lives of someone else. We plead with Him for help and when He gives us direction all we have to do is what He says. We do not need to add to the plan of God or take away from it. All we simply need to do is what He says regardless how ridiculous it sounds to us are how dumb it seems. cannot read God's Word and get clear direction of how He desires for us to live and then neglect to actually do what He says. The Bible calls this mindset foolishness (Matthew 7:26-27) and it says that we are deceiving ourselves (James 1:22-25) thinking we enjoy success doing it our way. We have to actively do what God's Word says and not merely passively listen. Because for those who trust in God's Way, He will do what His Word proclaims and He will never fall short of His Word (Isaiah 55:10-11). But we have to willingly obey His Word to receive His result for us about the situation we are facing. God's faithfulness is not in question but our faithfulness to God's Word is. We all have failed in this area from time to time but thank the Lord for His Grace, Mercy, and Patience with us.
When it comes to following God's Word we must replace our fear with His Faith. Replace our doubt with His trust. And replace our will with His Way. Then we can watch how He turns our water (our situation) into wine (our testimony), He will receive Glory, and others will come to believe in Jesus. You can do this!
Read the Word, Spread the Gospel, Be Accountable
"In His JOY!"
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Sunday, June 23, 2013
"The Hero's Club"
Romans 1:16
Jesus was rejected and called intolerable. He was mocked, ridiculed, called a lair, and the devil. But this did not stop Him from sharing the Good News that salvation and forgiveness was for all who accepted Him as the Savior of the World, Lord of their life, and as God in a human body. He lost friends, associates, and eventually His life. However he gained so much more in return, He was resurrected and gave us all eternal life if we choose to accept Him.
But if Jesus had been a coward, salvation would have never been possible. Because He willing embraced shame instead of fame. Because He considered obedience worth more than comfort. Because He considered God's Way better than the devil's temptation all this is possible. You and I can embrace Salvation, walk in forgiveness, have peace, and see God's Truth. But remember Jesus choose to please God and not those around them. In pleasing God He bought eternal comfort to the masses. He could have remained an ordinary carpenter and become skilled in His craft and could have changed the few by giving them designer furniture but He chose to give us all something better. He gave a way to be with God and enjoy His Love.
Let us be courageous like Jesus and share the Gospel. Let us step out the ordinary and walk with Jesus. Sharing the Gospel is not a heavy burden. But living without Jesus is a weight that cannot be carried or moved by human hands. It takes a God like strength to move that weight. There are many imitators who try to lift it but they always fail. Only Jesus can lift it off the shoulders of humanity. But the world will never know the feeling of relief from the burden of life if those who know Jesus are too afraid to share the message about the "Ultimate Weight Lifter". Share the Gospel friends it's the highest expression of love you could ever offer to anyone. Stay focused, you can do this!
"In His JOY!"
Jesus was rejected and called intolerable. He was mocked, ridiculed, called a lair, and the devil. But this did not stop Him from sharing the Good News that salvation and forgiveness was for all who accepted Him as the Savior of the World, Lord of their life, and as God in a human body. He lost friends, associates, and eventually His life. However he gained so much more in return, He was resurrected and gave us all eternal life if we choose to accept Him.
But if Jesus had been a coward, salvation would have never been possible. Because He willing embraced shame instead of fame. Because He considered obedience worth more than comfort. Because He considered God's Way better than the devil's temptation all this is possible. You and I can embrace Salvation, walk in forgiveness, have peace, and see God's Truth. But remember Jesus choose to please God and not those around them. In pleasing God He bought eternal comfort to the masses. He could have remained an ordinary carpenter and become skilled in His craft and could have changed the few by giving them designer furniture but He chose to give us all something better. He gave a way to be with God and enjoy His Love.
Let us be courageous like Jesus and share the Gospel. Let us step out the ordinary and walk with Jesus. Sharing the Gospel is not a heavy burden. But living without Jesus is a weight that cannot be carried or moved by human hands. It takes a God like strength to move that weight. There are many imitators who try to lift it but they always fail. Only Jesus can lift it off the shoulders of humanity. But the world will never know the feeling of relief from the burden of life if those who know Jesus are too afraid to share the message about the "Ultimate Weight Lifter". Share the Gospel friends it's the highest expression of love you could ever offer to anyone. Stay focused, you can do this!
"In His JOY!"
"He did not ask for a slice of pie! He wants the whole thing"
Deuteronomy 6:5
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
God wants all of you and nothing less. A simple statement filled with complexity. All of me, He truly wants all of me. He tells me there is nothing to gain in this World but a world of abundant life is in Him (Luke 9:25, John 10:10). He tells me to change the way I think based of His Words (Romans 12:12). He tells me that His Word brings life to me (1 Peter 1:23). And yet He tells me still to love Him with all that I am (Deuteronomy 6:5).
But at times I get so afraid to give my all to God not because future scares me. I mean I know that Jesus has great plans for me. And it is certainly not because I feel I can't trust God because I have found Him to faithful and true. Sometimes fear grips me because I realize that I, unlike the Perfect God I serve, am imperfect. I have flaws and faults that seem to haunt me in my sleep and thoughts. Past sins and failures seem to randomly appear and remind me how inadequate I truly am. And it hurts because I think "I can't do this God! What you are asking of me is not impossible, I am going to embarrass you with my ugly sin!"
Think how many times we let ourselves get in the way of God. How many times have we struggled to do God's Will because of lack confidence in us not due to lack of faith in God. We all have a measure of faith (Romans 12:3) but we may not have enough confidence to believe that God has made us and equipped us with the tools, people, and gifts to that will make us successful to do His Will.
When God called Jeremiah, Jeremiah was hesitant to answer Him (Jeremiah 1: 4-10). He told God "Wait I am too young!" But God reminded Jeremiah that He would be there with Him despite what may come. He told Jeremiah that He would deliver him from trouble. This is key because it shows that Jeremiah would face failures, set backs, and disappointments but regardless God would be there as his Savior. And then the Lord filled Jeremiah with His Precious Word. But Jeremiah had to wiling give his all to God. He had to see past himself and see only God. Jeremiah had to lose himself to gain God.
We are clay in God's hands. Our short comings are nothing more than marred clay in the hands of Gods. And what He desires is to take that imperfection, that mistake, or that secret shame and heal you. But we have to give it all to God. Trust me when you give your all to God, He will exchange the ashes of your life for His beauty (Isaiah 63:1).
Don't worry there will be failure and heartache but God will turn it around for YOUR GOOD (Romans 8:28)! But you have to know He has prepared you for the task He has called you to do. You are ready whether you know it or not, you can do this. But it all starts today at this moment. You have to take that courageous step and give your all to God. And NOW is the TIME, this second is your moment. So take hold of it and utterly surrender to God, give Him your all.
Don't say to yourself, this was a good little blurb of information but it's not for me because it is. How long will you flirt with Giving Jesus every bit of you, when will you go and grow? This is for all of us Christians. The time for change is now we have only seen what God can do with a small amount of us imagine if we gave Him all of us. Just imagine…. Stay focused, you can do this!
"In His JOY!"
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
God wants all of you and nothing less. A simple statement filled with complexity. All of me, He truly wants all of me. He tells me there is nothing to gain in this World but a world of abundant life is in Him (Luke 9:25, John 10:10). He tells me to change the way I think based of His Words (Romans 12:12). He tells me that His Word brings life to me (1 Peter 1:23). And yet He tells me still to love Him with all that I am (Deuteronomy 6:5).
But at times I get so afraid to give my all to God not because future scares me. I mean I know that Jesus has great plans for me. And it is certainly not because I feel I can't trust God because I have found Him to faithful and true. Sometimes fear grips me because I realize that I, unlike the Perfect God I serve, am imperfect. I have flaws and faults that seem to haunt me in my sleep and thoughts. Past sins and failures seem to randomly appear and remind me how inadequate I truly am. And it hurts because I think "I can't do this God! What you are asking of me is not impossible, I am going to embarrass you with my ugly sin!"
Think how many times we let ourselves get in the way of God. How many times have we struggled to do God's Will because of lack confidence in us not due to lack of faith in God. We all have a measure of faith (Romans 12:3) but we may not have enough confidence to believe that God has made us and equipped us with the tools, people, and gifts to that will make us successful to do His Will.
When God called Jeremiah, Jeremiah was hesitant to answer Him (Jeremiah 1: 4-10). He told God "Wait I am too young!" But God reminded Jeremiah that He would be there with Him despite what may come. He told Jeremiah that He would deliver him from trouble. This is key because it shows that Jeremiah would face failures, set backs, and disappointments but regardless God would be there as his Savior. And then the Lord filled Jeremiah with His Precious Word. But Jeremiah had to wiling give his all to God. He had to see past himself and see only God. Jeremiah had to lose himself to gain God.
We are clay in God's hands. Our short comings are nothing more than marred clay in the hands of Gods. And what He desires is to take that imperfection, that mistake, or that secret shame and heal you. But we have to give it all to God. Trust me when you give your all to God, He will exchange the ashes of your life for His beauty (Isaiah 63:1).
Don't worry there will be failure and heartache but God will turn it around for YOUR GOOD (Romans 8:28)! But you have to know He has prepared you for the task He has called you to do. You are ready whether you know it or not, you can do this. But it all starts today at this moment. You have to take that courageous step and give your all to God. And NOW is the TIME, this second is your moment. So take hold of it and utterly surrender to God, give Him your all.
Don't say to yourself, this was a good little blurb of information but it's not for me because it is. How long will you flirt with Giving Jesus every bit of you, when will you go and grow? This is for all of us Christians. The time for change is now we have only seen what God can do with a small amount of us imagine if we gave Him all of us. Just imagine…. Stay focused, you can do this!
"In His JOY!"
Saturday, June 22, 2013
"Just trust the Author, the ending is going to be great"
We may not know the outcome but we still trust God. Faith isn't knowing the end, it's trusting who writes the ending.
Romans 4:19-22
Read the Word, Share the Gospel, Be Accountable
"In His JOY!"
Romans 4:19-22
Read the Word, Share the Gospel, Be Accountable
"In His JOY!"
"Get up and move!"
Romans 12:1-2, James 1:21-25
Choosing to follow after Christ is not a passive action. But an assertive move towards God's Will and an aggressive stance against your personal will. The tool we use to accomplish this is the Word of God. Read it and live it.
Read the Word, Share the Gospel, Be Accountable
"In His JOY!"
Choosing to follow after Christ is not a passive action. But an assertive move towards God's Will and an aggressive stance against your personal will. The tool we use to accomplish this is the Word of God. Read it and live it.
Read the Word, Share the Gospel, Be Accountable
"In His JOY!"
Guard Me
Psalms 91
Christians do not have need for Guardian Angels nor do we believe in them. We have the ultimate Guardian, His name is Jesus. He our protector, refuge, deliverer, and provider. All He requires is that we make Him our dwelling place.
Read the Word, Share the Gospel, Be Accountable
"In His JOY!"
Christians do not have need for Guardian Angels nor do we believe in them. We have the ultimate Guardian, His name is Jesus. He our protector, refuge, deliverer, and provider. All He requires is that we make Him our dwelling place.
Read the Word, Share the Gospel, Be Accountable
"In His JOY!"
"I will take the steak and make it well done"
Matthew 20:25-28, 1 Peter 4:8-11
It is funny when we talk about church because many churches have two or more services to help better accommodate people. You have probably said this before to another church member "Which service do you attend, the 9:00 or the 10:30?" Haven't you said that before to someone? But what is funny we do not think about what we just said, so let's word it another way. "When do you get served 9:00 am or 10:30 am?" Because that is what is really happening.
A lot of church goers are looking to have someone serve them in some capacity. Some of us are looking for somewhere to drop our kids off for an hour and a half. Others are looking for someone to stroke their ego. Yet others still are looking for someone to read the Bible and pray for them because their hectic work week prevented them from doing it themselves. (Yea that hurt me too). Simply put, Church is not a restaurant where we pay (with our tithes) for someone to give us what we want when we want it.
The church is always looking for volunteers to help but there is never a shortage of people who want to get served. You come to the body of Christ to serve not be served. Much like you join the military to serve your country. Or like you go to work to serve you employer. It is what we as Christians do, we serve. We are here to serve Christ in whatever capacity He chooses.
"But brother, I am a minister of the Gospel", great teach the lesson to the children's church they need more teachers. "But brother, I am so busy doing the week, I cannot usher", awesome all we need you to do is volunteer an hour a half, I mean you work almost 40 hours that doing the week what is an hour and a half going to do? "But brother I don't know how to run sound", great it will be an opportunity for growth. "But brother I am trying to reach the lost", great help them find a seat, smile at them, get their number and disciple them.
Service will take sacrifice, it will mean some long hours from time to time, and it may even mean you miss somethings. But the more Christians we having serving in the Church the more seats we will have open for the lost to hear the Gospel. The more Christians we having praying and reading the Word the more people we will have equipped to bear the burden the Pastor feels. Get up out of your seat and serve. Stop dropping kids off at children's church like it is daycare and stay and help. All do it all without grumbling. If a waiter came up to you in a restaurant and said "I really hate my job but I a m here to serve you", would you leave a tip? So do away with the complaints and serve with JOY! If the same people do the same thing the church will turn stagnant and will not grow. But if we work together and do serve, God will add to our number daily. So instead of asking someone what service they attended ask "When did you serve today 9:00 or 10:30" Stay focused, you can do this!
Read the Word, Share the Gospel, Be Accountable
"In His JOY!"
It is funny when we talk about church because many churches have two or more services to help better accommodate people. You have probably said this before to another church member "Which service do you attend, the 9:00 or the 10:30?" Haven't you said that before to someone? But what is funny we do not think about what we just said, so let's word it another way. "When do you get served 9:00 am or 10:30 am?" Because that is what is really happening.
A lot of church goers are looking to have someone serve them in some capacity. Some of us are looking for somewhere to drop our kids off for an hour and a half. Others are looking for someone to stroke their ego. Yet others still are looking for someone to read the Bible and pray for them because their hectic work week prevented them from doing it themselves. (Yea that hurt me too). Simply put, Church is not a restaurant where we pay (with our tithes) for someone to give us what we want when we want it.
The church is always looking for volunteers to help but there is never a shortage of people who want to get served. You come to the body of Christ to serve not be served. Much like you join the military to serve your country. Or like you go to work to serve you employer. It is what we as Christians do, we serve. We are here to serve Christ in whatever capacity He chooses.
"But brother, I am a minister of the Gospel", great teach the lesson to the children's church they need more teachers. "But brother, I am so busy doing the week, I cannot usher", awesome all we need you to do is volunteer an hour a half, I mean you work almost 40 hours that doing the week what is an hour and a half going to do? "But brother I don't know how to run sound", great it will be an opportunity for growth. "But brother I am trying to reach the lost", great help them find a seat, smile at them, get their number and disciple them.
Service will take sacrifice, it will mean some long hours from time to time, and it may even mean you miss somethings. But the more Christians we having serving in the Church the more seats we will have open for the lost to hear the Gospel. The more Christians we having praying and reading the Word the more people we will have equipped to bear the burden the Pastor feels. Get up out of your seat and serve. Stop dropping kids off at children's church like it is daycare and stay and help. All do it all without grumbling. If a waiter came up to you in a restaurant and said "I really hate my job but I a m here to serve you", would you leave a tip? So do away with the complaints and serve with JOY! If the same people do the same thing the church will turn stagnant and will not grow. But if we work together and do serve, God will add to our number daily. So instead of asking someone what service they attended ask "When did you serve today 9:00 or 10:30" Stay focused, you can do this!
Read the Word, Share the Gospel, Be Accountable
"In His JOY!"
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