There’s No I in Success

Joshua 1:7

 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.”

 This week during my lunch break at work, we were watching the news, and I saw an interview with a little girl named Honey Boo Boo.  I had never heard of this girl so I looked up a little bit of information about her.

Honey Boo Boo is actually Alana Thompson who lives in McIntyre, Georgia.  Her parents have put her in beauty pageants since she was four years old, and she is now seven years old.  They have recently made a TLC T.V series reality show about her redneck family that has been airing since August that is titled “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo”.

The feeling that really struck me during the news interview was sympathy.  I felt sorry for that little seven year old girl.  The interviewer asked if Honey Boo Boo realized that a lot of little girls wanted to be just like her.  At first she had shook her head no, but then she said, “yes, I know.”  Alana’s belief system and worldview is starting off in a very bad way!  Because of decisions out of her control, starting when she was four years old with the beauty pageants, this little girl believes that the world revolves around her.

According to a book I’ve been reading by Tim Elmore, the generation of teenagers that are just starting to get into the work force and younger are an over-served generation.  “They feel entitled to special treatment as they enter the adult world.  They know they are in the spotlight and all eyes are on them.”

I know that generalizations do not apply to all teenagers and all people in a target group; however, there are many influences today that do push against God.  Below are the influences mentioned in the iY book that are making teenagers narcissistic and me-centered:

• From Mom and Dad, who dote on them.  Parents of the iY generation often need special orientation sessions to help them “let go” when they drop their kids off at college.
• From TV networks who’ve created entire channels just for kids—like Disney, Disney XD, Nickelodeon, Boomerang, Discovery Kids, and the N.
• From retailers and marketing campaigns that create products like Kids’ Aquafresh, Pert Plus for kids, Dial for kids, and Ozark (bottled) water for kids.
• From nationwide programs, sponsored by state and federal governments, like No Child Left Behind.

Just like people before used to think that everything revolved around the earth until they learned that the earth actually revolves around the sun…Let’s realize that life doesn’t revolve around us.  This life is not about us, but it’s about Almighty God—Creator and Sustainer.  He is the reason that we live and breathe and He is the one that we live for.  Let’s live our lives to reflect our beliefs about God and let’s teach the next generation the truth about who is supreme and who everything revolves around.

If we want to truly be successful…it’s not about money, or friends, or certain jobs, or what people say about us on Facebook, or having our own show…but let’s think today about what God told Joshua would bring success.

-RB

Joshua 1:8

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

Trust in the Lord

I have been wrestling with a few things as I study my science this semester. I am taking environmental science; and, it has many disciplines of Science in it: geology, chemistry, biology, and archeology to name a few. Well, inevitably the subject of evolution comes up along with carbon dating and stats as to how old the planet is, etc. I have to admit I was educated to believe that the planet is millions of years old; although, I have never believed that we evolved from apes.

As I struggled with this issue I had to stop and think. Does it really matter how old the planet is? He saved me, what else matters?

Yes, it does matter what I believe about creation! Maybe I don’t understand it all, but just because I don’t understand everything about God it doesn’t mean I should not believe what He says is true!  There are many things I will never understand about God’s plan. I am comforted in the fact that He loves me and I trust Him. He is gently leading me and encouraging me; although, at times I am so like Brother Danny’s donkey. It is at those times that God gets His cattle prod out. ~MES

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Knock, Knock…

When Jesus came to the region of

Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples,

“Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

 A week ago, Bro. Danny was preaching a sermon about Jesus.  Well, now I guess most of his sermons are about Jesus, aren’t they?  🙂

I remember him talking about an encounter he had with a couple of Jehovah’s Witnesses that came around to witness.  He shared how his encounter had gone and the truths he shared with the two witnesses.  I pondered my own encounters of the past and as I sit here today, the same two ladies that come knocking are most likely planning their next attempt to witness to the folks at 1731 Gaissert Road.

I am burdened for the “Baptist” response to the Jehovah’s Witnesses.  Sometimes we laugh in retelling our latest strategy for running them off.  Please understand me…when the ladies came to my house the week after I lost my mother to cancer, I was in no mood.  I answered their questions bluntly and with no amount of love in my tone.  They left and I was glad they did.

But was that the Christian response?  I’m afraid not.  I am a Baptist by choice, but I am a Christian by the blood and work of Jesus Christ.  And quite frankly, my response to other belief systems can be appalling.

So let’s take a moment to ponder the question of Jesus from the verse above.  Who do people say that I am?

 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

 This world has many opinions in regards to this question.

“But what about you?” he asked.

“Who do you say I am?”

Ah, now this I can handle.

I will not try to outline what other faiths believe about Jesus, but the reason I am a Baptist by choice is because I hold fast to the doctrines found in this group.  I believe the fact that Jesus is the Son of God.  He is God who took on the form of man and set about the task of redeeming us through the payment of His blood.  He did that on the cross of Calvary, and He tells me in His Word that if I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead, then I would be saved.  Saved from what?  I am saved from the wrath of God and eternal damnation.  Yes, hell is real.  It is as real as heaven.  Heaven and hell are more real than what I currently see, feel, touch, smell, or taste.  I’m currently in the womb of life.  After I walk through death, I will experience true birth and walk into heaven thanks only to the atoning blood of the Son of God.

How do I know these things?  And why do the Jehovah’s Witnesses not know the same things?

Well, it certainly isn’t anything I’ve done. 

 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah,

 the Son of the living God.”

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.

 Do you know why I know the Savior?  Father God in heaven revealed it to me.  I don’t know why He did, but I praise Him every day for that fact.  As the Word says, I am blessed.

Why do these two ladies not understand?  The veil is still in place. The truth has yet to be revealed to them.

I am encouraged.  Are they not seeking?  Are they not searching?  Can I encourage them in this pursuit and do my part on their journey?

This is a hard task.  I have found it most difficult to put anything into their hands.  I have offered to take their literature if they’ll take mine.  They haven’t taken me up on that.  I’m still devising a strategy, but I know I must first and foremost begin by building a relationship with them.  This is the model that Jesus gave.  As this relationship grows, I can share truths with them in love and pray for the veil to be lifted.

God can do the impossible.  Am I saying it’s impossible for a Jehovah’s Witness to be won?  No.  It’s not any harder for them to be saved than it was for me.  We just have to be careful to follow the model of Jesus, be in the center of His will through prayer, and be well-fed on a healthy diet of the Word.

Get ready.  They are coming.  They are in training each week.  Are you?

-bbm

 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.  I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

 

Surprise!

Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 1 Cor. 15:51-52        ESV

 I love surprises. I love to receive them, but I really like to pull one off.  I remember the fun we had this past February planning a surprise birthday party for my mother-in-law.  She had no idea and we all had a blast roller-skating the afternoon away.

Let’s face it though.  Sometimes you plan and plan and it just doesn’t work out.  Like the time I planned to give Bro. Paul a class ring for his graduation present from Tech.  I had lost his high school class ring, so I felt compelled to the marrow to pull it off.  I saved and planned for months and the day finally came…the ring arrived and I headed on over to give it to him.  When I pulled up, he met me at the car and walked me into the house.  His brother was in the kitchen and asked him, “Hey, how’d you like your class ring?”  I could have died on the spot!  His brother almost did.

Then there comes the time when you are the one to receive the surprise.  My dear husband asked me out on a date this week, but wouldn’t cough up any of the details.  Said it was a surprise.   So, I sat back and relished the thought of the surprise date.  Only, the problem was, three times in the past 24 hours, other people have let me know the details of my date.  Oh, not on purpose, just by mistake.  Seems like I’m the only one who knew it was supposed to be a surprise.

But let me tell you, the best surprise is yet to come.  You might know the one I mean…the surprise when we all hear the trumpet and are caught up with Him in the air.  That’s one surprise I am glad I won’t miss!  And you know the really cool element to this?  Jesus doesn’t know when He’s coming either!

But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.  Matt. 24:36 ESV

You see, He’s sitting up there in heaven at the right hand of the Father waiting.  Just waiting to hear the word.  Go get your Bride, Son.  You see, I must be like God in this way:  He must love surprises, too.  He’s planning the biggest surprise party ever.  It’s a wedding actually.  Will you be there?  Or will you be the one surprised most of all…the one left behind.-bbm

Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.  Matt. 24:40-42 ESV

 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 14:1-6

 

Just Say No

Daniel 1:8:

 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat.

This evening, a good friend of ours allowed me and my husband to go fishing at his pond.  Either it’s the wrong time of year, weather wise, to catch fish or maybe we were using the wrong lure, but we didn’t really catch anything.  I caught one brim and one small bass in the couple of hours.  However, the entire time that we were standing there (not catching anything) there were fish jumping around the entire lake…even right next to us.  It was like the fish in the pond were mocking us and teasing us.

 The way the fish were splashing and making us want to catch them, made me think about the world and its temptations.  Many times, we find ourselves surrounded by temptations that seem to pop up all around us.  In the verse above, “Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat.”  Other translations say that “he made up his mind” (NASB) or that he “resolved that he would not defile himself” (ESV).  This shows me that Daniel had intentionally decided in advance that he was not going to give in to the world and then he acted on this decision.

Below is from today’s devotion on sbc.net:

“We must be careful in life whenever someone offers a reward or prize. Often, we find out our so-called great reward was nothing more than a scam to cheat us. The king was choosing some of the best and the brightest. He truly believed this would work against any future problems from the enslaved Israelites. The Israelites were commanded to teach God’s Word diligently to their children (Deut. 6:6-7). Daniel and his friends had been captured as teenagers and had been taught God’s principles from birth. In getting these men, the king, unknown to himself, was choosing some of the most dedicated men of God. He was training them to be like Babylonians, but they never lost their faith in God. If anything, God strengthened them for those hard times that they would face in their stand for God. Still today the Lord says: Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage (Gal. 5:1).

One of the requirements of these “privileged” men was to eat the same food that the king ate. But Daniel and his three friends were permitted to not eat the “defiled” food (which probably meant that it was not prepared according to God’s Levitical standards). As a result, God honored these men with healthier bodies and clearer minds than any of the others. God will always bless obedience to His Word. Even though the trials may seem never-ending, we must not compromise but press forward for the cause of Christ. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:14).

Although it may sometimes be difficult, God expects His children to remain true to godly principles in every situation.”

Let’s decide in advance that we are going to be dedicated to God and to say “No” to the world and its temptations.

RB

Titus 2:11-14:

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.  It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

What Will They Think?

James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. KJV

I was riding through Barnesville, GA with a very close friend last week. As we headed out of town, we passed by some apartments and out in front there was an ambulance and a police car. The paramedics were loading someone into the ambulance as we rode by. In that moment, I knew what to do. Stop and voice a prayer for that person, that family, and that situation. It has been a standard practice with my family since I was a young child to pray together anytime we see a fire-truck, ambulance, police car, etc. with their lights on.

However, in that moment, I was caught off guard by the hesitation. Why did I hesitate? Of course my friend wouldn’t mind praying with me! A few seconds passed and then I said, “Hey, I’d like to pray for those people, let’s pray together…” I still don’t understand the origin of my reservation to pray aloud in that moment, but I believe it was some form of peer pressure. Maybe I thought that my friend would think I was bragging. Maybe I thought that my friend would think I was being childish, after all I could have prayed silently in my mind. Maybe I thought I would look “super spiritual” if I did that.

Whatever I thought, I know this now… the thought was a lie from Satan! The Holy Spirit was screaming inside, “pray, pray, pray” while another voice was screaming, “just pray silently, don’t do it!” In that moment I wrestled with the same question that many of you will wrestle with today: “what will they think?” Guess what, that’s not your problem. But if you disobey the Holy Spirit of God, now that’s your problem! Don’t worry about what they will think…Go after God! BP

Galatians 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. KJV

Responsibilities of the Flock

And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake.

1 Thessalonians 5:13a.

When we go to a doctor, we expect him to evaluate accurately and tell us what to do about any life-threatening conditions he sees. When we go to a financial planner, we expect him to give an accurate assessment of our financial status and tell us how to improve our financial standing. We
expect truth and dependability from our auto mechanic. I can’t think of an industry where we pay for something and expect to get something other than what we paid for. Except preachers.

The back of my study Bible has an index of key Bible doctrines with supporting scripture. I couldn’t possibly include all the scripture in a short devotion. But here are the listed responsibilities of a church leader: avoid giving unnecessary offense, preach the gospel to all, feed the church, build up the church, have concern for their people, teach, exhort, rebuke, comfort, convince opponents of truth, and wage a good warfare. Hmmm…sounds a lot like the doctor looking at my weight, blood glucose level and activity level and telling me I need to exercise and watch what I eat to avoid snagging a diagnosis of diabetes or heart disease. But I don’t get on twitter or facebook and ruin his reputation. I don’t call all my
acquaintances and tell them he’s not worth going to. He’s done exactly what I paid him to do. Yet pastors who unpack the truths of God’s Word before a congregation of over indulgent Christians are criticized for it. If they stay in “safe” areas, they’re ok, right? Talk about not feeding the poor but don’t tell me I feed on worldly pleasure and it’s a sin.

Just under what my Bible describes as the church leaders’ responsibilities, it lists the responsibilities of the flock to church leaders…regard them as God’s messengers, don’t despise them, follow their holy example, respect them, love them, pray for them, obey them, give them joy, help and support them, and pray for their numbers to increase.

I’m a mother of a son. I feel he’s safer going into the military and going to war than going into pastoral ministry. Pastors shouldn’t feel the need to defend themselves against the Bride of Christ. Satan yes. Christians no.  October is Pastor Appreciation month. What a great time to renew our commitment to being a faithful flock, a gift much more appreciated than a Cracker Barrel gift card. -MP

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable. Hebrews 13:17. NKJV

 

Be Still and Know that I am God

Right now I am sitting at my desk full of angst because I should be studying. I always get so wrapped around the axle about what I have to do, and boy do I feel overwhelmed most of the time. I have to force myself to have quiet time with God. I am cringing as I admit this, even though God already knows.

Yesterday I had a paper that was due and I was running behind as usual. I stopped what I was doing and forced myself to read the DPOD, pray and have a visit with God. I am so glad I did. My day went easier and the paper got done along with everything else I had to do. Now here I sit again with an exam looming ahead of me. I just found out I am completely unprepared for it. I need to be studying. Why is this even an issue? He is my Father; I should make time for Him. Thank God He makes time for me.

I felt like a hamster running around in its wheel; so, I stopped everything and went to my Father. He loves me so much that no matter how bratty I am behaving He is always there with a hug and encouragement. I just have to step into His arms and quit trying to do everything myself. As I began this DPOD I had those anxious feelings in the pit of my stomach; but now I am calmer and feeling more peaceful. Thank you God for putting your gentle healing hand on my shoulder, I love you.

-MES

“Be still and know that I am God,” Psalm 46:10

 

I’ve Been Waiting a Long Time for the Moment to Come

Psalm 27:14

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

Umm…yeah, so the last 6 days have been an absolute whirlwind to say the least! This time last week She-wood and I were recovering from the end of the previous week when we had prayed really hard and felt God telling us to pass an opportunity for our adoption profile to be shown to a birthmother. We were broken. We were questioning God about the timing of this whole thing (adoption, that is). We were wondering what God was trying to teach us through this two year long process. We had come to the conclusion during the incidents of the previous week that we had to quit trying to force God’s hand into giving us a child. Rather it was God who was the one in control, not us trying to help God understand what we needed. (You know in writing that even now I realize how dumb that sounds, but walk with me for a minute as I let you inside our hearts for a minute.)

We had begun to become so impatient with this process. We thought to ourselves, “God we have done everything that needs to be done. What are You waiting on?” How arrogant! To think that we were waiting on God to get His act together and make this adoption happen. I honestly believe that God has been waiting on us to get to the point spiritually where we are fully relying on Him and His provision. For so long we have been hustling to do everything in our power to make this adoption move, but in actuality God has had a plan for us in place since before the foundations of the earth were laid and He is working out that plan.

Little did we know last Monday that our lives would be changed in less than a week. We received a call Wednesday that there was a child for us. A little boy who was, at that time, 6 days old, and that the at risk period to terminate maternal rights would be over at 5pm yesterday. We were elated, scared, excited, and expectant! We got to meet the little bugger on Friday. It was surreal! Holding this little boy in my arms that didn’t even weigh 6 pounds. Trying my best to guard my heart from becoming too attached, knowing that there was the possibility that the birthmother could change her mind in the next three days. But already, in my heart, falling in love with this perfect little guy.

We left the adoption agency office Friday afternoon, and I’m pretty sure that She-wood and I actually floated to the car. Could this really be happening? Were we really going to become a family of 5 in just three short days? Would we be able to maintain our sanity for the weekend? Would I have a stress ulcer when I woke up on Sunday from wondering about all of it?

Well, as of 5pm Monday September 10, 2012, we are now He-wood, She-wood, Wee-wood 1, Wee-wood 2, AND Wee-wood 3!!!!! God is so good! After all of the paperwork, all of the classes, all of the doctors appointments, all of the fingerprints and background checks, and after all the waiting we were actually driving home with a little boy in our back seat. And he is our son!

There have been times over the past 2 years that I have wondered if we had made the correct choice. There were times when I had to question what God was doing. There were times when I wondering if all of this was really worth it. But this morning at about 5:15am as I sat there staring into the eyes of this perfect little boy and he smiled at me, any question of worth that I had was answered by God with a resounding, “YES, it was more than worth the past 2 years. Trust me, I know what I’m doing.”

I now have a better understanding of Romans 8:28. “God works everything for the good of those who are called by His name, according to His purposes.” That in no way means that everything is always going to be fun. The past 2 years of waiting have been very difficult at times. But it does mean that God will work everything in the end to His glory, and that is the good that I seek. His glory.

-JA

 

What is Worship to You?

John 4: 20-24

Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”  “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.  You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.  Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.   God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

What is worship to you? Is it the part of your weekly church service where you sing old hymns, contemporary praise & worship songs, or a combination of both? Is it when the preacher stands and opens the Word of God and delivers a message? Both of these things should be part of our worship; however, they cannot be what makes up the entire experience.

Some of the most worshipful times I have experienced have been at church.  Some have been away from it though. True worship will influence our daily lives.

The word for worship in John 4 is Proskuneo (pronounced prah-sku-nay-o):  to prostrate oneself in reverence, adoration, or worship;
(figurative picture) a kiss: like a dog licking its master’s hand.

Think about dogs. They are called man’s best friend; seeking constantly to be with their master that they adore. Dogs live for their master.

During our Sunday night spotlight, Ken Hamm said: “why is the church not touching the culture? Because the culture has invaded the church.”

Our failure to live a life of worship serving the master who feeds us, clothes us, provides our shelter and even the very air we breathe is why we aren’t touching the culture. We allow ourselves to act like the world outside and all the while we allow the world to influence our “worship.”

What influence can we ever hope to have if we act exactly like everyone who doesn’t know God? Let’s strive to let our earthly worship be like the worship we will experience in heaven: consistent, complete, central to our existence.

-RH

Revelation 7: 13-17:

Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?”

I answered, “Sir, you know.”

And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.  Therefore, “they are before the throne of God  and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.  ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’nor any scorching heat.  For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’  ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.