KINGDOM WORK DOESN'T ALWAYS LOOK WHAT WE THINK IT SHOULD

 

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 by securing the much needed food, I told him about ReCovery church. Told him the times we met Saturday nights, that we were downtown on Broad Street, and we would have hot coffee and snacks. 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. Prayer 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 for our meeting 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

WHO LET THE DOG OUT!!!

 

Joshua 14:14 - Therefore, Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite until this day, because he followed the Lord God of Israel fully.

Interesting side note- Caleb's name means "dog".
What do you think his parents were thinking when they named him this? I don't know. I hope it doesn't have reference to his looks. I think it may be found in his nature, the reason he was named "dog".

A dog follows his master.
A dog is obedient and waits for his master. Sometimes a dog doesn't know to back down from a fight. Sometimes a dog doesn't follow the pack, but rather his master.
Caleb followed God (as it says in Joshua 14:14) fully. Wholly. With all his heart and soul and mind and strength. Caleb was like a dog following his master.

When the 12 spies were sent out to check out this land God had promised to Israel, Caleb was the first to report to the people. "HEY GUYS! It's everything God has said it would be. Come on let's go now. Let's not wait another moment. We can do this. We can go into this land and take it."
Of course the story goes that the report of the other 10 spies caused the people to doubt and fear and not be obedient to God.

Israel was disciplined by God, commanding them to travel 40 years (1 year for each day the spies were in the promise land) until everyone who grumbled and complained and rebelled against God was dead. Imagine how unfair this is. Caleb who had done everything God had asked was now having to endure the 40 year wandering because of someone else's sin. But Caleb followed God fully. He walked every step out of this journey out. But Caleb got to go into the promise land and not only that, but Caleb got to request the portion of land that he desired to settle in.
Caleb asked for Hebron.
Caleb never lost his tenaciousness for following his master, God.

How much dog do you have in you today?
How hard are you willing to follow after God today?
Be a Caleb.....

God on you....

mb

JOHN NEWTON AND AMAZING GRACE

 

I know it is the Vogue, especially in this day and time, to post in blogs and quote famous people.
To give the impression that every posting is done in sincerity. Today's posting is not one of those times. Today I wish not to impress anyone. I have nothing with which to impress you with, save the simple fact that God saved me. Not of my own doing, but because of His great love.

Whenever I hear Amazing Grace, I am reminded of a Phil Donahue show I saw back in the late 80's. He had some celebrity singer who had been saved as a guest on  his show,  and this person was sharing their story of what had transpired in their life. 

Coming back from a commercial break, the audience was being led by the this individual singing Amazing Grace. Mr. Donahue said to the guest, "You don't really believe that do you? I mean I know the song says "saved a wretch like me", but I'm no wretch. I'm a pretty nice guy. I pay my taxes, I don't beat my wife, I take care of my kids. I don't think I need saving."

Well, from the bottom of my heart, I declare to you today that I embrace the words written by the Apostle Paul in Romans 7: 24-25 -- What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord!

I was in need of being saved by God's Amazing Grace.
I make no excuses for my need.
Nor do I wish to appear puffed up and full of self.
I was in need of being saved by God's Amazing Grace.
As the Big Book of A.A. states....."God did for me, what I could not do for myself."
I was blind...
Now I see....
I was lost....
Now I am found.....
Praise God...for His love and gift of eternal life.

God on you..............
mb

THE NEED TO REMEMBER OUR PLACE IN THIS DANCE OF LIFE

The post below is from my good friend Jeffery Cothran. 

We all need that punch to the gut sometimes, to remind of us of where we've come from, and where it is we are headed. We do not have the luxury of simply "trippin'" through life, care-free, picking daisies, and wishing for a better life. Every day we look to THE POWER that is greater than ourselves, who could (and can) restore us to sanity.

Thank you Jeffrey for sharing this morning!

Mbb

 We carry the message. We don’t carry the alcoholic.

Anonymous

——-=——-

THE PROCESS

I been guilty lately.

Getting out in front of God.

With my director chair.

The martyr.

The prophet.

Laugh out loud at me.

Embarrassing.

Writing on the wall how people should.

Writing on the wall how they shouldn’t.

Directions to the destination of sobriety.

Like I own the map.

Rerouting.

Nobody could tell me man.

Not until the process beat me down.

Nobody held my hand during the beating.

They didn’t stop it.

They couldn’t stop it.

The beating softened me up.

Softened me to receive mercy.

Willing to take suggestions.

I’ve tried to soften the blow for a

couple of my close friends here lately.

Preacher of that I can’t control.

Interrupting their very own process.

Playing God.

A role I have no control over.

Pulling back.

Getting in my own lane.

Continue working on me.

Hopefully stay sober myself.

Call on grace.

Be around to help after the process does what it does best to my friends.

I know what is coming.

Not preaching.

But here’s the caution.

Addiction always swings on us addicts/alcoholics hardest during the holiday season.

———————

I'm not a martyr

I'm not a prophet

I won't preach to you

But here's a caution

You better understand

That I won't hold your hand

But if it helps you mend

Then I won't stop it

~ Audioslave / Cochise

One day at a time

BROKEN HEART OR STIFF NECK?

 

PSALM 51:16-17 - You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.

I don't get to see a lot of brokenness these days.
I don't see many who are truly broken before God, knowing they are in need of His salvation.
Reckon why that is?
Is our time and season any different from years past.
Are we worse off as a species than say the middle ages?
I know that man's character and what makes up his humanity has not changed.
We still struggle with greed and hatred.
Cheating and lying.
Adultery and drunkenness.
And many other facets that are caused by our fallen nature (sin nature).
But are we living in a different time, ordained by God that allows the "real" us to come out?
Could be.

I know that in II Timothy 3, Paul makes reference to the "Last days".
Are we in the last days?
I would probably say that is a big yes, but before you start packing for heaven, know that we don't know how long the "last days" will ..............last.
Paul makes reference in II Timothy 3 that in the last days there will be difficult times. The word difficult is translated from "Stressful".  Stress implies that our character, our true nature will rise to the top because of the events of day. The real-deal nature of man will come forth and reveal itself to either be in cahoots with the devil and his kingdom of darkness.........or..........will be saved by the blood of Jesus and be a son/daughter of the Most High God. In other words, we will see an uncovering.
People will be uncovered and seen for who they really are.

I remember the firs time I watched the movie TITANIC.... O.k.....I confess...I watched it. But not for Leonardo DiCaprio...I just wanted to see the ship sink  (kind of sick ain't it). Anywho....with all the hubbub surrounding the sinking of the ship, we saw the character of men and women come forth. When given the right moment and the right situation, we cast aside all our false fronts and facades.  In the movie, the crew was trying to load the lifeboats with women and children first. There were some men who tried to hide and sneak aboard the lifeboats. Some even tried to cover themselves and pass themselves off as women. Like I said, given the right situation, our true nature comes forth.

In the II Timothy 3 passage, Paul lists the attributes or character that mankind will exhibit.
Lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful and proud and ungrateful. Unloving, unforgiving, considering nothing sacred. Excuse me, but if you watch the news or read the newspaper, you'll see this is more the norm today than the exception. God is pulling back the covers on humanity and flooding our planet with His Holy Spirit....the Holy Spirit convicts the world of its sin. We all stand uncovered before God, and for this very reason, I look to Jesus Christ as the only means of true life.
He is the one.
What about you? Pray today and ask Jesus to reveal Himself to you. Confess your sins (wrongdoings) and ask Jesus to clean you up spiritually and emotionally and mentally, making you a new creation.
Let Him flood you with forgiveness and place His Holy Spirit deep inside you to be a kind of compass that will direct you in the days ahead.
If you prayed and asked Jesus to save you, then find someone and share what has happened to you.
Now this is awesome!

God on you..........
mb

WORLD GONE MAD

 

Let me start by saying that I am not trying to create a theology based on a few scriptures. Taking a few verses and try to make them fit into this time and space. But when I look around and see things that do not make any sense (at least to me), I have ask, "What is going on?"

I'm fully aware that each generation has a unique view and voice that is shaped by their beliefs and what they perceive to be "right" and "proper". Being a child of the 50's and 60's, I watched as our message was "Tear down the establishment!" With it's outdated morals and restrictive sexual repression. The 60's were all about "Free love" which eventually was discovered to not be so free. It eroded and brought down family after family, as divorce became a quick way out of relationships that didn't "gee" or "haw". I do not want to paint a broad stroke over those who have divorced, as there may have been extenuating circumstances that called for such a measure.

The one thing I have kept my eye on over the years, is that this steady push by society to remove any and all references to God has slowly pushed forward with this agenda. Today we are seeing a new level of rejection and spiritual darkness that is covering our land. As radio personalities, Rick and Bubba, repeat on a constant basis...."Common sense has become a super power." 

I am seeing attitudes and beliefs in this day and time, that I never thought would be a part of the American fabric. That is why I think maybe scripture has some answers for us. First off, the question is asked over and over...."Are we living in the last days before Jesus' return?" Taking a page from John Wimber, I like how he answered such a question. "I don't know. I just know that we are last-er than we've ever been." Such is what I believe. Now, on to the verses I've been wanting to share.

II Thessalonians 2:9-12 - The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders.

And among all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie.

That all my be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Could it be that we have reached a tipping point in our country that God has sent a strong delusion over those who have rejected Him and His salvation? To me, it sure looks like it. But then again, what do I know. I'm just an old guy who wholly believes God's word. I believe that we must continue to share the gospel message to those around us. I believe that God's ability to keep me is greater than the devil's attempts to destroy me. 

II Thessalonians 3:3 - But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.

Thanks for letting me ramble this morning....

God on you as you move through you day today!

Michael b

TABOO TOPICS WE ARE NOT SUPPOSE TO TALK ABOUT

 

(Originally posted here in November 2018)

Seems to the be theme of Christianity today (or at least for what passes as Christianity).
There are certain dark subjects that we don't speak of.
We don't want to upset people.
We don't want to frighten them.
We don't want to make them run away.
Gee! I think I read somewhere  "You will know the truth and the truth shall set/make you free."
But there are certain topics that have now slid to the back burner of teaching in the church.
Sin being one.


Don't tell people they are sinners. They already know this. True....it's hard to not know that you are born under and in sins curse. The idea is that by talking about sin, we will make people uncomfortable and maybe even hurt their feelings. We will make them feel excluded and not a part, so let's not openly refer to sin. Instead, lets talk about God's love. True...God does love and God is love....but he is also just. Part of his justice is that a payment be made for sin. Since sin is against an eternal God, then the punishment for sin is an eternal punishment. That being the case, there isn't anyone on this planet who can meet the requirements to free us from this punishment. With this thought we are faced with the cold hard facts that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." 

Since there is this falling short, isn't there a consolation prize? I mean, come on, we are human after all.....
Well there is a prize.
It's not so much a prize as it is something that we earn for ourselves.
"For the wages of sin is death."
O.k......
We are all going to die.
True.
We are.
But this is a 2nd death. 2nd death? Yes.
Receiving the wages we earned puts us in a place outside of God's presence. Separated from Him and from his blessings and plans.
What place? Why hell of course.
Track a little farther in Romans and you'll read where the "Gift of God is eternal life IN Christ Jesus our Lord."  Interesting thought. We earn the 2nd death and, consequently hell...but we receive a gift when we turn life and care over to God. Notice what that verse from Romans said...."The Gift Of God!". Not the gift from God. God gives Himself to us. Jesus opened the door for us to have this new live, God places His Holy Spirit in each person who does turn to Him. Don't fully understand how this happens....I just know it does.

Well, back to hell as we continue on. I have heard more than my fair share proclaim (proudly too)   "I don't believe in hell!"
Hell does not need your belief to exist, and your disbelief doesn't make it one degree cooler.
In Mark Chapter 9, Jesus says the same phrase three times.
"Where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched."
This phrase is spoken in reference to the reward for those who enter hell. Those whose sin is not forgiven.
Jesus says, "It is better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell-fire where the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched."

John Wesley, the great Methodist founder, spoke on these verses from Mark Chapter 9.
"The punishment of loss -- this commences in that very moment wherein the soul is separated from the body. In that instant, the soul loses all those pleasures, the enjoyment of which depends on the outward senses. The smell, the taste, the touch, delight no more. 

The organs that ministered to them are spoiled, and the objects that used to gratify them are removed far away. In the dreary regions of the dead all these things are forgotten or, if remembered, are only remembered with pain seeing them gone forever. All the pleasures of the imagination are at an end. There is no grandeur in the infernal regions. 

There is nothing beautiful in those dark abodes----no light but that of livid flames. And nothing new, but one unvaried scene of horror upon horror! There is no music but that of groans and shrieks--- of weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth. Of curses and blasphemies against God. Those who find themselves in such a place are totally separated from all the things they were fond of in this present world. All the pleasure they ever enjoyed is lost, gone, vanished away."
Like I said at the very beginning of this post, to speak of such things as hell and sin are not very in vogue today.

You may be angry at what I have written. I write not from someone who thinks himself better than or outside of the topic. I, like John Newton, author of AMAZING GRACE, know only two things.............I am a great sinner............and He is a great God.
Don't let the words of this post fall on deaf ears or hard hearts.
Let God's Holy Spirit show you truth.
If you aren't saved..........pray. Now!
Confess your sins..........own them........be responsible and ask God to forgive you.
Receive this forgiveness and by faith believe that Jesus is Lord. That He is who He says He is and that He will save those who reach out to Him.

God on you...

Michael b.