SHUT'EM DOWN!

 

Malachi 1:10

"I wish that someone among you would shut the Temple doors so that these worthless sacrifices could not be offered! I am not please with you," says the LORD Almighty, "and I will not accept your offerings."

Man..what would happen if the Lord showed up at ReCovery church,  or at your church and said, "Lock the doors....I'm shutting you down." What if God said that our worship and our offerings made him sick and he was not going to accept them? I think we forget that everything that transpires in the Kingdom of God (especially when man is involved) comes from the heart. 

God doesn't look at the outward act or reverence and accept it because someone said, "Amen" or put $5.00 in the offering plate. He looks to the heart to see the motive and reason of why we do what we do. Is it to appease him? Is it that we are trying to hide sin and wrong behaviors from him? Is it because we think we can earn our way into his good graces by "doing" a bunch of religious stuff? 

What if every time we entered into a corporate gathering of believers, the true intentions and motives of our heart suddenly appeared on our foreheads? That others around us could see the real reason we go to church....sing in the choir......lead Sunday school....would we even return to church ever again?

I know that this is a drastic example of the verse in Malachi, but the truth of the matter remains that our heart and the state of it in the eyes of God is always the mirror that we should see ourselves in.

Verse 12 reads: But you dishonor my name with you actions by bringing contemptible food, you are saying, "it's all right to defile the Lord's table."

How many attend church each Sunday with sexual sin in their lives and hearts? How many sit and sing "Victory in Jesus" and yet all the while they live a lifestyle that is outside the will of God? Maybe the reason life is hard and our prayers don't seem to be answered is that we have removed ourselves from under the grace of God because of the sin we harbor. God help us.

Yet even with all of this, Jesus still responds by saying, "Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest." He is still willing to forgive, empower and restore those who turn from their sin. Today is a good day.

Don't wait until God locks the doors of your church and says, "I'll think I'll take it back since you aren't going to use it!

God on you....

mb

JAMES CHATMAN

 Riots in D.C. yesterday as the capital was breached by protesters. The count of the electoral college was suspended for a time until order could be restored. All the major networks turned the cameras and the attention of a nation to this even that was playing out.

At the same time, James Chatman crossed over from this life into the presence of His savior. Oh his death won't make national news, but it consumed my thoughts all through out the day.

James had his struggles and his battles. In fact, I first met James when he came to Rapha for treatment. Spent a lot of time sitting, listening, and sharing with him. Funny how when you get to know someone......when you see the gentleness of the soul and a smile that would light up a room, it's mighty hard to attach such to all the darkness they share about their life's journey.

Earlier this year, I received a message from James that he'd been watching our live stream from the ReCovery Church. He was tickled to death that he'd found me, and that we were able to reconnect. Not long after that, he messaged me that he and his son had come down with Covid and were in the hospital.  Asking for prayer, he sent me messages as long as he could, detailing every step that he was going through.

Yesterday, I received a message from Jame's cousin, Peggy, that he'd died. As always, the first thought that comes to my mind when I'm made aware of someones death is that "Now they know the truth of what I only believe." By this, I meant that eternity has now become reality. The presence of Christ is not just through His Holy Spirit, but James is seeing, hearing and experiencing what I believe will happen to all believers when it comes our time.

I spent the day with my memories of James...
Being the cook (at one time) at Rapha, I thought back to the time and effort he spent in prepping meals for everyone. I saw him, in my mind, dishing out meals and cutting up with the guys as they came through the chow line. I saw him as he attended our Bible studies, and services we held there at Rapha. James never missed a one.

So this morning, the pain of loss is there, but it is tempered with the hope and the assurance that family and friends have the option to see James again at some point. Those who have surrendered will and life over to the care of Christ will be reunited with James.

James.......I will see you. I will miss you until that time.

God on you...

mbb

RICHES? EARTHLY------OR HEAVENLY?

 

3 John 1:2-4
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.

The words I find in 3 John, give language to the thoughts that I carry around each day. I wish for everyone who reads this blog.....everyone who is seeking God....everyone who has turned their back on addiction in order to be saved by the One True Higher Power....that they prosper. That this prosperity extends beyond a bank account or an accumulation of material possessions and goes right to the heart our new, changed life.

There is one that does not wish to see you prosper in health and spirit, for he knows that such growth only empowers you to stay beyond his reach. Oh, he'll come round and try to knock you off you game, but that is all the more reason that we should press into this new life.

I live for the stories that you share with me about your triumph's and failures...for I know that real growth comes when we stumble and fall. We may fall, but we don't stay there. We don't wallow in guilt and shame and allow ourselves to be held in place. We confess, repent, get up and walk on. Sounds too simple doesn't it? The truth usually is pretty simple. We have a tendency to complicate the obvious and trivialize the momentous. It's all about a spiritual progress. Learning from our mistakes and making sure that we don't repeat the same mistake twice.

The sharing of stories is scriptural.
Proverbs 27:17 tells us that "Iron sharpens iron",  When a story is shared, it creates a bond between two people.When that story is directed and covered with God's Holy Spirit, it creates life between the two. It causes faith to increase It produces hope that stands against the darkness this old world holds. It causes us to keep on keepin' on and not give up. That is why I so enjoy phone calls and letters....Facebook messages and visits from men who have gone through the program and have been changed by the Power and Presence of God.

One last thing....
Don't discount your own story.
Some people feel as though their story isn't dramatic enough. Don't believe this!
If you have been saved and are living in Christ, then your story is totally one of victory.
You were formally dead.....
Dead in sin.
Yet the voice of Almighty God spoke into the death you lived in  and commanded you back to live...
A new, spiritual life of freedom from the bondage of sin/addiction.
In fact....your story and your life may be the only Bible some people ever read or see.
Don't discount what God can do through you.
Think on this today....

God on you....
mb

DID YOU SEE JESUS TODAY?

 

Cold last night.

Makes me wonder who was sleeping out in it.

who was searching for a warm place.

who was using

2 litre drink bottles filled with hot water from the Quick Shop,

stuffed inside a ratty coat to keep warm.

who was seeking out surgical waiting rooms at local hospitals for a place to sleep.

After all, the attendants don't know who has family there and who doesn't.

who was crashing on friends couches.

Sleeping in cars parked in deserted places, hoping and praying that no one bothers them tonight.

Some may even have been desperate to get arrested just so they would have 

"3 hots and a cot"

Some find themselves in places like this because of bad choices they made in life.

Now is not the time to point fingers and say, "I told you so."

Now is the time to help.

Jesus spoke of this in Matthew 25.

"For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison and you visited me."

The righteous ones Jesus was talking to said, "When? When did we do those things?"

Jesus replied, "I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!"

Jesus takes it very personal when we act outside of our own selfish interest and motive to help someone who truly needs help.

When our motive is love for that individual...not the syrupy kind of love

the world offers.

The "agape" unconditional, God-love that comes only through

the work and direction of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer.

God on you.......

mb

MAKE IT COUNT

 

The words floated through my mind like a very faint thought. But they became repetitive. Over and over I kept hearing the same words. It was last Saturday night during the meeting of ReCovery Church. I was listening to someone else teach, so it was a real pleasure to be able to take in what was being shared.

The message was built around the passage in Ephesians 6 concerning the armor of God, and (wait for it) football. The idea of being part of a team, and the necessary things that separates the great players from the others. Just as a football player has equipment that he puts on to participate in the game, so does a believer to go out into the world and face our opponent each day. The teaching pointed out the need to go out and face what 2021 might hold for all of us. This is when the phrase.....the words...formed in my mind.....

"MAKE IT COUNT!" Make what count? Time? My efforts....

"MAKE IT COUNT!" Over and over I kept hearing the words...Then it dawned on me (sometimes I am the slow one to catch on to what God is saying). 2021! Make it count. Don't take any day for granted. Don't be lax in what God has called us to. Then came the passage from Ephesians 5:  "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do  not be unwise but understand what the will of the Lord is."

There it was...right there on the page. I understood what "Make it count" meant. We have been called to take back the day...the time we've been given and redeem it for the Kingdom of God. To walk, talk, move, think and interact with love toward those we meet. Loving others is not to be an after thought, or something to be considered. It is the fuel of God's kingdom. 

Love God!  Love others as I love myself!" If I practice this...If I make it a part of my day, I will take back and redeem the time that the enemy wished to occupy. If I move in the love of God, I will be redeeming the time that Satan wants to rule in.

So, I guess if anything else needs to be said, it would be "MAKE IT COUNT" and lets see how 2021 unfolds.

God on you...

Michael B.

If I Stand by Rich Mullins (Lyrics)

Music Saturday---

Songs that stir me....words that are sharp, and have the ability to penetrate this old heart.

The line that always gets me is "The Stuff earth competes for the allegiance I owe only to the giver of all good things."

The reality that even though I am a follower of Christ, there are things that have and will compete for my focus, attention.......and yes even my love for Christ. Seeking to deter me from today's path, so that I am drawn away from the call and tug of the Holy Spirit to keep on keeping on.

Let this be the year that we resolve to not quit....

Resolve to never turn away.....

Resolve to never let our love grow cold...

And to fan back into flame the fire of God that burns with us, so that we are consumed by the sheer thought of being in His presence.

Have a great Saturday....

Join us tonight for The ReCovery Church on Broad Street. Live stream on our Facebook page.

Meeting starts at 7 p.m.

God on you.....

mbb

FIRST DAY OF THE FIRST MONTH = A NEW YEAR

 

January 1st....new year....new way of looking at things. Resolutions rise on the wings of the wind only to crash and burn in February. "I resolve to exercise more."  "I resolve to eat healthy." And on and on go the litany of self improvement.  Nothing wrong with making resolutions. We should all resolve to be a better people in this new year.

But long ago, God himself reset the calendar for a group of people who were getting ready to leave a world of slavery behind. Slavery was all they had known, and the land of Egypt was the place that held them in captivity. You know, when you've been in slavery for 400 years, that pretty much has defined who you are and how you view yourself.

In Exodus chapter twelve, verse two, we see God having a conversation with a man named Moses, and his brother, Aaron. Giving them instructions as to the leaving of this place of slavery. I like how verse one sets up this conversation. Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron IN THE LAND of Egypt. God spoke right down into the dark place where His people were being held captive. He these two to get ready because independence day was a coming. So what does this have to do with us today? Well, if your trapped in sin, no matter what your sin is, God is speaking to you. He is reaching out to you to break free of the captivity and bondage your sin has held you in. Of course, being a recovery church, our main concern is the darkness and death of addiction. 

Addiction is a nasty task master. Addiction is cunning, baffling, and powerful.....and if you don't watch out.......it is patient and will wait to attack you in an effort to bring you back under bondage. But the verse I want you to see this morning is that when you reach out to God for salvation from this dark life, God will reset your calendar. You see in verse 2 of Exodus twelve we read the following, "This month shall be the first month of the year to you." He was going to give them a fresh start to this new life. No more measuring the days by what took place in the past. The same is true today, only it's not a calendar that God resets, it is you.

When you come to Him to be saved, delivered and healed, He changes you! Read the words to II Corinthians 5:17..."Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation; old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new."  God came to lead a nation of people out of the darkness of slavery......Jesus came to die for and lead you out of the darkness of sin. 

If you are still struggling today, why not talk to God. I know, if you not use to talking to God, it all seems pretty foolish. Well, it isn't. He is real, and His desire is to hear from you. Ask Him to save you from your sin and deliver you into a new life. Confess to Him what you have done and how you lived your life according to your desires and wants. Ask for His forgiveness since you rejected Him in the past. Invite Christ into you life, your heart, your mind.....every portion of who you are. Find yourself a good meeting to go to, so you can connect with others who are on this journey in recovery. Hold on! It's going to be the greatest adventure you've ever taken.

While the world is proclaiming "Happy New Year" today....I will proclaim to you this morning "Happy New Life!!".

God on you.....

Michael B.