Have Faith

I was trying to read the Bible. You know...just minding my own business. Here I am in Hebrews 11 and I'm reading about Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, etc. These are the people of faith. I don't know about you but this list has always felt a little unattainable. Noah? How many of us would build an ark all those years without even a rain cloud in the sky?

Then things got a little personal. After going through the "Big Names" I found that there were others. The writer of Hebrews says in 11:32, "And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of..." And I realize something. They are all "Big Names!" Sure we hear about the former ones a little more often but there were so many others who walked in those same shoes: the shoes of faith.

"And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again..." 11:32-35

So many others (many nameless) who were counted faithful and were able to overcome by their faith. What a list! I especially love the part where God says that they became valiant in battle. That means in the midst of the fight they (through faith) took care of some serious business.

The writer continues to speak of those who had faith but still went through torture, mocking, scourging, chains, imprisonments, stoning, being sawn in two, and being lonely. However, he said that they overcame by faith. Wait! They overcame as well? Yes, because they obtained a good testimony.

I can't promise you that everything you pray for will happen they way you want it to. What I can promise you is that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. I can promise you that God will never leave you nor forsake you. I can promise you that God is able to supply all you need according to His riches in glory. How can I promise that? Because God promised that!

You just need to have faith.

In the end - you will be named with those who obtained a good testimony.

May God increase your faith today.

What is the Cost of Liberty?

Patrick Henry, before the Second Virginia Convention in 1775, spoke these words: "It is vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry peace, peace - but there is no peace. The war is actually begun...Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death."

AMEN!

As I have thought about these words and what they meant to our nation, I couldn't help but think of their application in the spiritual life.

Basically, what Henry is saying to the convention is that there is no true freedom in chains or slavery. Amen? Amen! Is life so dear that we dare not risk losing it for the sake of freedom? Is peace so sweet that we are willing to be bound rather than step into true liberty? In the natural life and for the sake of our country most of us would do whatever necessary to live as free men and women. However, spiritually speaking, far too many are willing to live in bondage to a religious system rather than shake free from their chains. Don't believe me? Let's keep going.

How many people have stayed in the same church for years although they are dead spiritually because they are afraid of what others would think if they left.

How many believers have been willing to give in to their convictions to satisfy the beliefs of someone else?

Have you ever been legalistic? Ever? Of course, most of us have at some point in our lives. Are we willing to submit to what God says about certain things rather than what the preacher says? {They do get it wrong some times!}

I remember thinking that there was something seriously wrong with people if they weren't at church every time the doors were open. Ever thought that yourself? Now, as a pastor, I look for ways to get people outside the doors. Funny how things change. But that is the work of grace that God has worked in me.

The cost of liberty in the spiritual life is death. Yes, there must be some blood shed. The good news is that blood has already been shed to set me free - the blood of Jesus! Galatians 5:1, "Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you." Message Bible.

We aren't saved to enter into a religious lifestyle. We are saved to live free from sin, free to enjoy God's grace and goodness, free to grow in our relationship with God. Dear friends, please understand that God wants you to enjoy your salvation and to stand fast in the liberty that He gives.

So let's stop worrying about hair, tattoos, clothing, music, Bible translations, etc. Let's start showing and teaching people how to enjoy this new found freedom in Christ. The problem with too many people is that they have never nurtured this freedom in their own life. Therefore, they adopt a set of religious principles and rules. THEN we take those same principles and rules and put them on other people. Misery loves company doesn't it?

I have finally come to a place in my walk with Christ that I'm willing to risk it all for the freedom He has given me. I'm willing to risk to share the Gospel. I'm willing to risk to follow God's leading. I'm willing to risk so that I may hear the sound of His voice. I'm willing to risk! Just saying it is a liberating feeling.

"My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing Grace" -Chris Tomlin (Amazing Grace - My Chains are Gone)

America's Words of Freedom

As we left Washington D.C. during vacation, we decided to take the kids to Mt. Vernon. I must admit that visiting the home place of George Washington turned out to be one of the most inspirational moments of our adventure. Before leaving we decided to go through the gift shop to pick up some memorabilia. I came across a book called "America's Words of Freedom" that contains speeches, documents, and writings that moved our country.

The very first entry is "The Mayflower Compact" from William Bradford's "Of Plymouth Plantation" 1602-1647. As I read these words, God reminded me of the significance of America and her founding fathers.

"In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign Lord King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, king, defender of the faith, etc., having undertaken for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and honour of our king and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the Northern parts of Virginia..."

I cannot tell you how many times I have heard it said that the pilgrims came to America for religious freedom. However, what I have found is that these men and women came for the advancement of the Christian faith or more importantly the Kingdom of God.

I have also found it interesting that the plan was to plant a colony in the Northern parts of Virginia for this advancement. WOW!!! God had moved upon the hearts of men to advance the faith of Jesus Christ by moving them out of their homeland to start a new country. Where is that in the history books? Where is that in the speeches of our new president? America was founded upon the principles of the Christian faith AND for the advancement of the Gospel.

Why do you think God has blessed America? Why do you think that God allowed this nation to defeat a nation that had never lost a war? Why do you think that God's sovereign hand was upon men like George Washington to ensure America's liberty and freedom? I believe it was because of the very thing stated in the Mayflower Compact. God wanted a nation separated for His glory and the Gospel's advancement in the world.

I encourage all of you to take a journey to our nation's capitol. I encourage you to rediscover the principles surrounding our nation's independence. Read the writings of our founding fathers, look into their legacy, appreciate their vision. There is no doubt that God was instrumental in our nation's founding and her security. God's hand has been upon us for His glory. And I truly believe that if we will continue to preserve the principles and practice these mandates that God will continue to bless and use this nation for His good.

I will tell you that this adventure enforced my beliefs in the great ideals of America. It reminded me that this nation can overcome oppression from without and within as long as we have men and women who are willing to lay it all on the line for God's glory and the good of America.

May the words of the "Declaration of Independence" ring true in our hearts today: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

May God continue to bless America for His glory. Amen.

I'm Back & Will Be Back...

Please be patient. I will be back to blogging this week. I had some things to take care of this morning and then was playing catch up the rest of the day.

Thanks for stopping by.

Good to be back.

VACATION...Here I come.

Planned Mission Trips (for me) are over for the year.

My "To Do" List is done...most of it.

MDA "Lock Up" took place today and I'm free.

It's time for VACATION.

That's right folks! Me and the family hit the road for a few days in D.C. and then off to VA Beach. Time for a little fun in the sun.

Isn't it amazing how your mind, emotions, and body know when it is time to go? Yes...even pastors need a break every now and then. I'm looking forward to having my family all to myself. Part of me hates to miss our Youth Pastor's 1st sermon to the congregation. However, I'm sure that Ernie will do a great job.

Lord willing, I will be able to come back refreshed and recharged. I'm sure that this week away will give me some new blogging material as well. I appreciate all of you who take time to read and pray that you will have a great week while I'm away.

Please pray for us as we travel. Who knows what person God will place in our path that we can minister too. Sure, I'm taking a week off from the pulpit but I never take time off from being a believer that is equipped with the Gospel!

Be Blessed. I will speak to you soon.