Remembering

Sometimes we need to revisit the past to

get our bearings on where we have come from, so

we can keep moving forward.

To reset our compass, so to speak, so that

our attention can be refocused on God.

Today's posting is from December 12, 2012

It has been 30 years since Keith Green's death.

Thirty years is a lot of memories....
A lot of life experiences....
A lot happens in 30 years.
Events and memories pile up and push things away that use to be important.
Things that we need to remember daily in order to push ahead.
After I got home last night, I went to the track at the high school to get in my daily "Walk". As always, I took my trusty mp3 player, freshly loaded with new messages and teachings. But on this night, I took something old and powerful....I took a teaching that Keith Green had done at Last Days Ministry entitled What's Wrong With The Gospel?

it wasn't a very good recording, in fact, it seems as though they may have recorded the teaching on a portable cassette recorder. What caught my attention was the voice of Keith. There was a simple passion in the sound of his voice that totally cried out..."You know...I LOVE JESUS!" That thought resonated deep in my spirit. the longer I listened to Keith teaching, the more it felt like coming home. Getting back to the roots of my first love. Remembering what it was like in the early days of my salvation...how goofy I was....how much I just wanted to hang out with others who loved this Jesus....
Thirty years had done some damage to that view of life.
Hard times....
Bad times....
I still believed in Christ...
Why I'd even gone into full time ministry but even that had drawn near to becoming a job and not "THE " call.
Keith's voice...
Keith's teaching made me realize just how much I did love Jesus.
This love translated into a love for His word....
A love that wants to tell others about Him.....
A love that wants to worship Him.....
A love that is willing to do whatever is asked of me...
Go where ever I am called to go.....
And to love who ever God places in front of me.....

You see, I'd turned into the church at Ephesus that we read about in Revelation 2:
I know your works, your labor, your patience.
And that you cannot bear those who are evil.
And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars. And you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake, and have not become weary.
Nevertheless I have this against you.....
That you have left your first love.....
My day's had turned into duties and tasks....not love.
I said I loved those around me.....
And there were still glimpses and glimmers of this love...
But it did not burn white hot like it use to ....

Now you have to understand...I'm not talking about a feeling...
I'm talking about an attitude and a belief....
I'm talking about a choice....
A choice to love...not because I have to...but because I want to.....
It colors and affects everything I say or do.
It moves me to reach out to others with the good news that addiction no longer has to hold you in its grip.
The love and power of Jesus Christ can break any bondage that sin/addiction has wrapped you in.

As I walked that track last night, with Keith's voice in my ear, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I knew that God was drawing me back to my roots...back to the place where I had lost my love.
I drove away from the high school with a new sense of purpose....
And a love for Christ, my first love.

God is good!

God on you.....
mb

Model For Living --- 24/7 --- 365

II Kings 17:9-10

And the sons of Israel did things secretly which were not right, against the Lord their God. Moreover, they built for themselves high places in all their towns, from watchtower to fortified city. And they set for themselves sacred pillars and Asherim on every high hill and under every green tree.

I find it rather odd that Israel could refer to God as "their" God but at the same time

carry on an illicit affair with other gods.

Not only believing in them but going as far as erecting and dedicating specific locations

for the sole purpose of worshiping these false deities.

Saying with their lips, "You alone are our Lord!" and all the while their affections and attention is set upon other gods.

I pray that I never find myself in this type of relationship with God.

One where I offer only lip service to him while all the time I am focused on serving another.

This is a good time of year for such a thing as I have written about to happen.

This time of year, people give lip service to the birth of Jesus.

We may even read an obligatory passage from Luke Chapter 2 in

order to soothe the religious spirit that rises up.

But our affections are turned toward gifts, parties, gatherings, and other such things.

Are these things evil? I don't think so.

But when we live the other 11 months of the year by not following the directives and

instructions of God, only to try and make up during the month of December......

Well, there is something wrong with what how we perceive relationship with God

to be lived out.

To me Christmas should be the culmination of a year spent growing in Christ.

To celebrate the beginning of the end of the power that sin held sway over mankind.

Christmas should be a time of gratitude and helping those who are struggling.

Truth be known, this is how we should live 24/7---365!

How can we ignore people for 11 months only to turn around in the 12th month and

pass along a bag of oranges and say, "God bless you!"?

Yes, December is a time marked to celebrate the birth of Christ....

but shouldn't every day be a celebration of living for Him?

Shouldn't we work and strive to love as He loved?

To do unto the least of our brethren as we would do unto Christ?

Look for Jesus today!

You'll see him.

You'll find him.

It won't be in the places you think you'd find him.

Merry Christmas!

mb

Rest Easy Old Friend

There are verses in Scripture that seem quiet harsh and hard. When we read them, it's like getting hit in the face with a glass of ice cold water. We acknowledge the truth that the verses hold, we just don't like admitting that there is nothing we can do about them. Nothing in our own power, strength or ability that can change these verses.

Ecclesiastes 3:2 - A time to be born..............and a time to die.
We know that this is the reality of our time here on planet earth. The moment we come from our mother's womb the clock starts ticking.
We all are headed toward a finality, unless Jesus comes back to take His body home. We all are given a given number of days to live out. Hopefully during our time here, we make the most of them by turning will and life over to the care of God. Still the idea of moving toward death is much different that being born. One is view as the start, the other.....an ending. But such is not true. It is merely a truth that comes from God. 

As we move through this world....this life that has been given to us, we touch the lives of the people we come in contact with, and we are touched by the life of others. Sort of a give and take on a spiritual plain. This touching of lives either makes us better and points us to God, or we become cynical and skeptical.

I received a call today to inform me that Walt Grambling had died. Heart attack. Immediately as the reality of his passing hit me, I began to have all these memories of Walt. His wit and humor were what drew me to him. He had the driest sense of humor of anyone I know. Always up for a laugh, Walt understood the value of being grateful and not allowing gloom and doom to overtake him.  Don't get me wrong, like all of us, Walt had his demons that sought to take him into the darkness. But this morning, he no longer struggles. This morning Walt is free. As I've written in the past when others I know have died...."Today, he now knows the truth of what we only claim to believe."

I love you, and I will miss you....
Rest easy old friend.....

Psalm 116:15   
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
Father, I ask that you would send Your Holy Spirit to Walt's family. That they may find comfort and solace in this time of grief.
In Jesus name...
Amen.

God on you...
mbb

The 411 On Luke

There will be a ton of messages taught using the book of Luke as the text during this Christmas season. The book of Luke will be used a guide to navigate the story about the birth of Christ. To me, if you begin to read Luke and have a basic understanding of what was going on when all of these "divine" encounters began to take place you see the Christmas story in a new fashion or way.

So here are some facts that you might not have known about Luke and book that bears his name.

1.) Luke was a physician (Colossians 4:14)

2.) He was the only Gentile contributor to the New Testament

3.) Luke gives us the longest account of Jesus' birth (Could it have something to do with him being a physician?)

4.) Luke records 20 miracles / 6 of which are not recorded in the other gospels.

5.) He gives us 23 parables (teachings of Jesus) -- 18 of them found nowhere else.
A.) In particular, he gives us the parable of the prodigal son and of the good Samaritan.

6.) Luke records Jesus' appearing to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus.

Here is some insight to events prior to Jesus' birth.

1.) Between the end of the Old Testament writings and the announcement of the birth of the Christ child, there was a period of 400 years where no communication came from heaven. This was prophesied in Amos 8:11.

2.) Many self-proclaimed messiahs came and went during this time.

3.) Serving God had become even more a matter of ritual and tradition. Within all this silence and lack of communication from God, we found that some still remained true to God's call to be a holy people.......such as Zechariah and Elizabeth, the parents of John the baptizer.

Throw into this mix a sudden intrusion into our time and space of angelic visitors with communication from the throne of God as to coming events and you have God at work bringing forth his plans. 

Don't let the commercialization of Christmas rob you of re-learning the true story of Christmas. A story of political intrigue and mystery. A story of families whose very lives were changed forever as they were called to follow God. A story of a baby boy whose birth shook the political foundation of a nation as a king searched to have him killed. People fleeing for their lives in the middle of the night, being warned in dreams of the intent of King to have their son killed.

Celebrate this birth.....
Hear the words again for the first time....."Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, Christ the Lord."

Merry Christmas!
mb

I Chronicles 5:20
....They cried out to God during the battle, and he answered their prayers because they trusted in Him.

Battles....
Warfare.....
Spiritual conflict.....
This is the truth for the life of all who are followers of Jesus.
You have an enemy (the devil.....Yes! Virginia, there is a devil) who seeks to destroy you.
To stop you from believing.
To discourage you and create such doubt and fear within that you simply give up.
Two things I truly like about the verse above.

1.) They cried out to God......
       a.) It wasn't a mental exercise. It wasn't something they simply thought about, it was a reality. It was a voice that wells up from within and explodes into the heavens. Very simple....prayers go up...answers come down. You know....what goes up must come down. 
       b.) The said "Crying out" took place during the battle. IT is at the point of realization that you, in your own strength, cunning intellect, and ability cannot win, that you cry out to God. Truth be known, the crying out part should take place before the battle actually begins, but sometimes we find ourselves caught up in a spiritual conflict before we even realize that is what is taking place. No matter.....Cry out to God!!!

2.) The Trust factor:
      a.) God answered their prayers because they trusted Him. The literally believed that God was who He claimed to be and would do what He claimed He would do. Trust........cling to..........rely on........believe in......they trusted God and He answered their prayers.
    
Do my prayers echo my trust in God?
Or are they simply desperate cries to get His attention and hope that He intervenes in my "battle?" I want to trust him more with each passing day and the only way this is going to happen is to trust him with my life. My heart knows that He is trustworthy, but my head tells me different..."What if God doesn't come through this time? What if he leaves you high and dry?" 
That is why Proverbs 3:5-6 is so important to me:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will make your path straight.
This is life changing truth. It takes our focus off of our own ability and intellect and places it solely on Jesus. All part of learning to follow Him and not our own way, desires and talents.

Think on these things....
God on you.....

mb

Bynum Thanksgiving 2017

Thanksgiving 2017....
Seems as though they come around with a greater frequency now days.
Not complaining...
Just saying....

As I've gotten older, holiday's such as Thanksgiving take on a greater significance to me. Oh, I'm not talking about all the hoop-la that goes into the celebration. To me, it's the little things that make this day wonderful. Yesterday my granddaughter, Ashley, came over to help with the preparations for our thanksgiving meal. The sounds that came from the kitchen were priceless as Vicki and Ashley tackled each recipe needed for our dinner. There was much laughter and activity as the two spent the afternoon together. See, that was the most important thing...not the prep work for the meal, but the simplicity of grand mother and grand daughter spending time together. Memories were made that will last way beyond yesterday.

At noon today, clan Bynum will pull their chairs up to the table to a feast that would shame the finest restaurants. We'll hold hands and go around the table saying what we are thankful for, then we will sing "Bless Be The Tie"...a Campbell family tradition that we've embraced in our own Thanksgiving. Plates will be heaped up, napkins will be put in place, silverware raised...and the race will be on. 

There will be much conversation...
Laughter....
Sharing of memories from the past...
I will sit there and take it all in, filled to the brim with thanksgiving that God has given me this incredible family. Josh and Heather will not be with us as they have gone to Ohio to spend Thanksgiving with Heather's family. But I'm pretty sure they will be going through the same traditions as we do here in Alabama. The menu may be a bit different but the feeling for family is still the same.

As day turns to night, we'll prepare for round two. My brother, Wayne, and his wife, Sue, will come to have pie and coffee. Of course when it comes to my brother, he'll also have some left overs from the noon meal. When we gather, the memory machine will kick in once more. Always look forward to being with them.

As the day closes out...
The dishes are washed and put away..
Whatever leftovers we had will be wrapped, stored and put away.
We will make our way to bed.
Totally worn out from all the activity, but nothing that a good nights sleep won't cure.
Once in bed, Vicki and I will talk about what all transpired today, an as we drift off to sleep, we will do so with thankful hearts.
God is good...
All the time...
Every day....

God on you....
mbb

The Magnificence Of God's Presence

Matthew 1: 21
And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS.....
For He will save His people from their sins.....

Not many ways you can tell the story of Jesus that hasn't already been shared....
But that doesn't stop me from proclaiming my love and life for Him.
Why?
Because everything I am....
Everything I possess....
Everything I know.....
IS because of Him.
Simple as that.
I live under the fullness and direction of His Holy Spirit, given as a guide to help me navigate this dark world.
By His hand, I base all my daily choices upon what His desire is.....
Not mine....

My life for His....
He killed the old "me" when I came confessing and repenting....
He killed that old nature that loved sin...and in doing so, He did three things for me.
He broke the power of sin in my life
He paid the penalty of sin, a debt I could never pay....
And He separated me from the presence of sin.....
That is why on this day before Thanksgiving, I give thanks for my HIGHER POWER!!!
JESUS!

Do you know Him?
I don't mean have you heard of Him..
Or do you have some information about Him.
I mean do you really know Him.
Have you been touched by the sheer magnificence of His presence?
A touch that you will not soon forget.
A touch that will change everything.
My prayer is that we all run into Him today.....

Happy Day Before!!!
God on you...
mbb

Today's offering comes from December 26, 2011.

The Church at Philadelphia

Revelation 3:10 - 11

Because you have kept the word of my patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Verse 8 - For you have a little strength, and have kept my word, and have not denied my name.

What is the message for us today found in the life of this church located in Philadelphia?
1.) The church which recognized its natural weakness, was supplied with supernatural ability through the power of God's Holy Spirit. It is amazing how we find the Twelve Steps hidden through out Scripture. The principals for living a godly life are all the same no matter whether you struggle with addiction or not. Remember the addiction is merely a sign or symptom of a greater problem. A sin problem. You don't have a drug or alcohol problem, you have a living problem. A broken relationship with Christ is at the center of the struggle. But here we see where God recognizes this church in Philadelphia because they have little strength. In other words, they know that as a congregation, they are powerless. 

2.) The church has kept God's word. In other words, the Bible was more than just a book, it became the very voice of God in their midst. They recognized the value in simply doing what God instructed them to do. How simple yet how profound is it to simply do what we read in Scripture.

3.) The kept ,or did not deny, the name of God. Names were important back in Biblical times because a name revealed the character of the person. Keeping God's name would imply a belief in the ability of God. How incredible is this! To trust and rely wholly on God's ability to take care and direct those whose hearts are committed to Him and His kingdom.  Matthew 6:33 -- Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you. Holding fast or placing all your trust on the name of God implies a reliance upon God's strength while rejecting your own ability or strength. This is the heart of recovery. "I've tried it my way and my very best thinking has got me in rehab." It's time to put down our way and embrace God's way. 

I guess the lesson for today (for me and hopefully you) is that God empowers those who persevere in the face of adversity. Realize that adversity is a given when you are putting your trust in God to deliver you out of your addiction. Not giving up ....Not giving in....Holding fast to God in the belief that He is truly who He claims to be and will do what He claims He will do is the heart of real life. Having this ongoing spiritual awakening is way to life. 
God bless each of you today....
mb

Making Noise For God

Psalm 100:1
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all the earth!

Taught from this verse this morning @ Northside Baptist.
Make a noise...
Make a shout.....
Did you  notice that is didn't just say "shout"...but make a shout. Something formed deep inside your very being.....let it roll.
Not just any shout, but a shout of joy. A shout with purpose. A shout that was a result of becoming in touch with the reality of what is and has happened to you because of God's Holy Spirit working in you. How could you distinguish one type of shout from another? An angry shout from one that is joyful? A shout of frustration from one that is grateful?

I could get a room full of people to shout...
Everyone would probably participate, if I asked them to shout....
It would create a huge, loud noise. But such a noise would have come forth for several different reasons. Some simply because I asked. Some because it just seemed like the fun thing to do. But what this verse speaks of (joyful shout) is something that is born in the heart of one who has become  very much aware, and in touch with, the salvation that has been extended to them. How could you not be joyful? How could you not shout for joy if you've been delivered from the darkness of this world, into the light of God's presence. Now that's worth shouting about.

What happened at the city of Jericho when the people who'd come out of Egypt finished their seven day parade around the walls of the city? They shouted. O.k....now what. Well, the shout, which God told them to do, brought down the walls of the city. I mean dropped them like a bad habit. The people moved in and took the city. Pretty cool, huh? A shout. See, it's not the fact that they shouted. It is the simple truth that they were obedient. God told them to shout. They did. Walls fell. End of story.  But this shout we read about in Psalm 100 is different. It is a response to what God has done to us....for us...and through us.  Think about this. We always have reasons to rejoice. We live in God's presence, under his continual care, and because of this, we experience His love every day. Each time we gather for a meeting, we should remember the One who made it possible for us to have the life we currently have. Our hearts should be filled to overflowing with gratitude and praise. In spite of my mess ups and getting down in the ditch from time to time, God never stops loving us. He always keeps His promise to help us when we call on Him.

So......
How 'bout it.
Do you feel like a shout of praise?
Then do it.

God on you...
mbb

Kingdom Work Doesn't Always Look Like What We Think It Does

Parking lot was crowded yesterday. It was near noon and people were taking care of their business, hurrying in and out of the building. I had concluded my own business and was walking back to the car when I spotted him. Slow walk...shoulders stooped and sagging, as if the weight of the world and the years were crushing him.  Head down, he moved from person to person. I could not hear the conversation, but I knew what it was all about. One after another, people shook their heads and got in their cars. He continued this behavior as he moved to the next person he saw. 

I knew that he was asking for help...
Didn't know if it was money he needed...
A ride somewhere....
Maybe even a place to stay....
But I knew he was at the end of his own ability and wits.
As he approached me, I could see that the years had not been kind to this man. Probably been a while since he'd had a bath, ate a hot meal, or even had a kind word spoken to him.

O.k.....let's take a side bar here at this point.
You know and I know that there are a lot of lazy people who simply want to scam you out of some money by telling you a hard luck story. Ones such as these have made others wary of helping. Some are just lazy, don't want to work, only want a hand out. Those we need to stay away from. But the truth is, we need to ask God to help us see the exact nature of someone who is asking for help. I'm just crazy enough to believe that if I ask God to show me if I should help or not, He will. Now back to the story.

"Mister, I sure could use some help...any at all would be appreciated."
Going on with his story, he told me that he'd been robbed the night before...
Young guys...
They took everything he had....
All his ID's...
What little money he did have...
His backpack with all his belongings....
I asked him, "What is it you need?"
He didn't ask for the moon.....
"Just something to eat," he replied.
With kind of a crazy little giggle, he went on to explain to me that it would have to be something soft because he'd lost most of his teeth.
Still not sure whether he was on the up and up, I asked him a question.
"Do you want me to go get you something?" If he were going to  use the money for other purposes, he would say, "No...that's o.k., if you can help me out I can buy my own food."  But he didn't answer that way. "You mean it? If you could do that, it would be great." I knew he was on the up and up.

"How about a loaf of bread, a pack of bologna, some mayo and a bottle of coke?"
You'd thought he had won the lottery. His face lit up and gratitude was very evident. As we took care of our business, I told him about VRC. Told him that we met on Saturday nights, that we were downtown on Broad Street, and we would have hot coffee and cookies. Told him that he was more than welcome to join us. With a hesitancy, he looked himself over as if to gauge what he was wearing. Before he could say anything,  I told him, "Your dressed just fine. You'll fit in perfectly." He smiled.  I asked him if I could pray for him. He agreed.
So there in that parking lot, we took care of some kingdom work. Pray was short...but to the point. Tears in his eyes, he shook my hand and said, "Thanks, I appreciate it." He turned and started off to who knows where. But this time there seemed to be a little more spring to his step.

Whether or not he will show up tomorrow night for VRC I do not know. I hope he does. But I know that a seed was planted in his heart. This encounter was more than money, or food bought. It was about the God of the universe reaching out to one who felt forgotten and abandoned. Let me say one last thing. I did not post this so I could get you to think I am some kind of spiritual giant. I ain't. This whole encounter wasn't even about me. IT was about God reaching out. It was about someone who was running low on hope. Someone who needed a little help. I can bet you that at some time yesterday, this man probably threw up a prayer out of desperation asking God to help him. He may have not even believed in God when he did it. When you're desperate you do some crazy things. But the God of the universe looked down on this prayer and answered it. I pray that wherever this man is this morning, he would be stirred to pursue this God we so strongly believe in. What if we all threw up prayers on this man's behalf? Who knows what might happen today.

God on you...
mbb

"What Are You Going To Do? Stand And Fight....Or Run"

Psalm 144:1
Blessed be the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle---
My loving kindness and my fortress. My high tower and my deliverer. My shield and the ONE in whom I take refuge, who subdues my people under me.
On this week before Thanksgiving, I want to remember that life is hard---is it not?
Life comes at us in many different ways and directions and sometimes blindsides us.
We get caught off guard or maybe we are thinking we can stop and catch our breath.
BLAM! A situation arises that sends us reeling.
Sometimes I forget that living a spiritual life (relationship with the real/deal God) in a fallen world is kind of like oil and water. It just doesn't mix and it never will mix, no matter how bad I want it to.
I forget that there really is a declared enemy out there who stands against everything God stands for. This enemies job is to stop me, discourage me, interrupt me and, dare I say it? Even Kill Me!.
Sounds like "war" to me.

I love the verses in Psalm 144 because it puts the focus on God training me for such combat and life battles that I will face daily. Mixed in with all this language of war and combat and battles, we also find words like Loving kindness. Strange isn't it? That Loving kindness be mentioned in the same breath with battle and war. You see, sometimes I discount the power of Love. Especially the love God has called me to have for Him, myself, and those I come in contact wit. The love of the Father poured out on me, and the love of Jesus that should be flowing from me.
Jesus didn't defeat the devil through power (although power was involved). He defeated the devil by taking the devil's own weapons (death and the grave) and rising above their capability to destroy. As wonderful as Jesus' death and resurrection is, you know what is even greater? The fact that it was from a heart of love and obedience to His Father that caused or moved Jesus to go to the cross.

Hebrews 12:2 reads: looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Did you catch that? The joy set before Him (Jesus) aided him in enduring the cross. That must be some kind of joy. It is the same Joy that Jesus wants to impart to us so that we can face each trial and situation for His glory, not our own. 

Bible says to "ask, seek and knock and it shall be given, found and opened unto you. Let the Joy of the Lord become a part of you. 
Remember.....
We choose to love....
We choose to seek the joy of the Lord....
Or...
We can choose to give into the spiritual darkness that seeks to destroy us.

God on you....
mbb

Another Good Un'

John 12:31
And when I am lifted up from the earth, I  will draw everyone to myself."

You may recognize the picture above as being the cross @ Rapha....
On more than one occasion, I've had men tell me that when they come back from a weekend pass, the moment they round the curve and see that cross, there is a sense of coming to a safe place. They've been out in the world. They've seen it with  new eyes...fresh vision, and they can clearly see the darkness they use to be engulfed in. That spiritual darkness that clouds the mind, stirs the flesh, and places bondage and chains upon the heart. Seeing that cross gave them a sense of coming back to a place where they first met Jesus.

Last night's Bible study @ Rapha was another doozy.
Ever since we moved the start time to 8 p.m., the number of men attending has gone up.
We had fifteen who came last night, and (Heavens to Betsy) they even brought their Bibles. How cool was that?

Topic for the evening: "LEARNING TO SIMPLY FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS" / Genesis 6.
Noah: only man left on earth who was referred to as being blameless and righteous.
Why? Because Noah walked with God. That meant that Noah followed God's directives and instructions in his daily life. Not because he had to...but because he wanted to. There was a relationship established with God and Noah. 

The earth had become corrupt. Humanity had rejected God to the point that there was only one left who listened to and followed God. I shared with the men that this was a picture or example of the incredible love that God has for us. If Noah could become connected to, and follow this God, then it stands to reason that such was available for everyone. But "everyone" did not desire this. They followed their sin nature and gave it what ever it wanted, rejecting God and sealing their own fate.

God gave Noah some very clear instructions on what He wanted done.
1.) Build yourself a boat....
2.) It is to be made of Cypress wood/ waterproofed inside and out.
3.) The boat is to be 450' long....75' wide.....45' high.
4.) Put three levels inside the boat...upper...middle..and lower decks.
"There...now go do it."

Nowhere do we read where Noah asked, "Why?"....Or complain that such a task was too hard. Noah simply "Nike'ed" it....He just carried out the instructions. By doing so, Noah saved himself, not to mention his entire family.

So at the end of the study, I invited the Holy Spirit to come and open our hearts. To show us where we really stand with God. Are we truly in a relationship with God? Or are we fooling ourselves by simply playing the religion game? Or maybe we've never really thought about what it means to be saved by God.
Five of those who were present were saved.
They confessed and repented...
God saved.
Beautiful.
Please pray for these five who have begun this journey with Jesus.
It was a good night.

God on you...
mbb 

Promises Of God

Psalm 19:12-13
How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep Your servant from deliberate sins! Don't let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin.

Why did God give us life? The answer......to live. 
There are things that we face daily that are beyond our control. Life is messy. Life is hard. Life is, well.....it's life. But we make a statement each day when we get up and go out to face life. By our belief's and our actions, we say to the world...to life....we will not bend our knee and worship the things of darkness. We will not give into the rule of this world. Now these are not the empty boasting's of someone trying to convince themselves that they have a power of their own to defeat life. No! This is the declaration that comes from knowing and having a relationship with God. 

God has made promises to those who chose to turn over will and life to His care. He has brought to bare the entirety of His Kingdom Rule and Reign in the lives of those who have chosen to follow Him.  Such a life, while tempted to return to the bottle, the needle or the pill, will not surrender to the call of the darkness.  A person who has turned to Christ for the freedom they are now living in, will dig their heels in when the winds of darkness blow hard against them, trying to turn them and lead them back into old ways, old thoughts and old places....not to mention old "friends". 

My all time favorite promise that God has made is found in II Chronicles 16:9
"The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." He we see the giving of power and resolve by God to those who have decided to follow Him. It is this strengthening that enables us to get up and face the day. To not turn and run from whatever situation or circumstance is out there waiting to undo us.  I'd like to end today's post with a poem I found.

You never have to use again my friend

Your life is a garden you must tend

When the wind blows, you must bend

a knee to God and He will send

The help you need and He will blend

The rainbow around the bend.

Sometimes your berries may die in the snow

Sometimes your crops may die for lack of rain

But God will be there with His rainbow

and your needs fulfillment blossoming

into the soothing of your pain

Relief is just around the bend

You never have to use again my friend.

May you find God today....

May He become to you more than just an idea, or a concept....
May He become truth that invades your every thought and action.

God on you...

mbb