Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21)

Evil vs. GOOD......

Agree or Disagree.....

There is no middle ground when it comes to the origins of evil! No matter how it disguises itself, evil has one author: SATAN!!!!

Believers have no part with him or it. We must resist . . . We must flee!   Light does away with darkness. No one desires to walk in darkness. It is a TRICK!  Let that little light shine . . . especially this night!

https://youtu.be/J14fxMogEo0

There is no middle ground when

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21)

Evil vs. GOOD......

Agree or Disagree.....

There is no middle ground when it comes to the origins of evil! No matter how it disguises itself, evil has one author: SATAN!!!!

Believers have no part with him or it. We must resist . . . We must flee!   Light does away with darkness. No one desires to walk in darkness. It is a TRICK!  Let that little light shine . . . especially this night!

https://youtu.be/J14fxMogEo0

We Think We Are So Smart!

“For who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has become His counselor?”

“Or who has first given to Him
And it shall be repaid to him?”(Romans 11:34-35)

Oh yeah, we have our degrees, titles, and positions . . . we think we are so smart, so intelligent, so calculating . . . then we read this!

Much like Job, (Job 40) when face to face with God, what are we , really?  Paul, with all his credentials as a Pharisee, Roman citizen, and "Hebrew of Hebrews", would say it this way:

Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ. (Philippians 3:8)

Once committed to Christ, we are humbled, broken, and the facts of how frail we really are becomes reality. What can we possibly accomplish that is worth anything aside from God? It is all temporary except what we do for Him and His glory. Any repuatation we might have, our character among man, whatever legacy we leave behind, is NOTHING without a foundation in Christ!

Forget about the history books. Check HIS-tory . . .What is written about you and me in the Lamb"s Book?

A Promise

 . . . if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”(Romans 10:9-13

If we do as Paul stated in the words above, there is a promise as a result of our actions: We will be saved!

This cry for help comes from the depths of one's being, as a baby crying for his mother or victim screaming from a burning building . . . " H E L P!!!!!

We never truly know who is saved or not, but God does. The question is, "Have you called upon the name of the Lord for the forgiveness of your sin?" Have you had enough of the struggle? Have you given up trying it on your own?

There is a promise from God. Believe on Christ and what He did for sinners like you and me. Ask Him to forgive you. Commit to His will and His ways. He WILL save you! Your life will never be the same!

"It will all work out by and by"

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

This is a very challenging verse for many. Oh, we love to quote it to those who are going through challenges. However, when we are the challenged, it can be a bit annoying!

Old folks would say it like the is: "It will all work out by and by". You live long enough with the Lord, and you will begin to understand. Depending upon how we handle challenges, even the worst days become "good" . . . well, for those who "know" the Lord!

The second part of the verse is key: loving God and answering His call. We must commit to Him. So allow me to ask you . . .
Do you know Him, love Him and serve Him?

Then it will be alright! Hang in . . .

It has to get better

Have you ever seen the face of a kicker when his kick hits the goal post and bounced back in play? What about a foul shooter who air balls a game winning foul shot? Perhaps an outfielder dropping a fly ball over the fence for a home run?

Can't believe it! How did that happen? Well, worse things can happen. We could wake up and find our car stolen. We could get that call that a loved one suddenly passed away. Perhaps it is the call from the boss to come see him and he has that I'm sorry I have to tell you this look on his face. Maybe you are a student and you just found out your grant fell through just as you entered your senior year. It may be even be as simple as watching the storm roll in and rains fall just as you arrive at the beach for a long awaited vacation.

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession [g]for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is,because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27)

Not now! Why Lord? What am I to do? What can I say? Who do I call? How will I get through? Rain, rain, go away!

Yet God the Holy Spirit knows. As believers we long or groan for the things of God! This world does not please us anymore. It's hard. It's grueling. It's challenging. The closer we get to the Lord the more challenges we face!  But God is at work for our good. Trust this!

It has to get better . . . and it will . . .we must allow our hearts to rest in Him!

From Slave to Son

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba,  Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,  and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. (Romans 8:15-17)

 Imagine . . . from slave to son in an instant! The moment we ask Jesus to be our Lord and Savior, repenting of our sinful condition, we become sons and daughters of the Most High God, the King of kings and the Lord of lords, the Creator of all things! One moves from being bound to the power and penalty of sin to experiencing the freedom and favor of being a rightful heir to all promised to the legal child of the King!

Like a child awaiting the wrath of his father to return home for punishment to a child experiencing the warmth of Daddy's strong and protective embrace!, those of us who call Him "Abba" have been not simply set free, but also granted privilege in place of punishment.

There is a distinct difference between slavery and sonship . . . Do you know Him as Daddy?

God is enough!

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,  nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.(Romans 8:37-39)

The presence of God is enough!  Knowing Him and knowing He is with me, should be all I need to know in order to fulfill His tasks for my life. So why do I allow all the other distractions to keep me off task? What can I learn from Paul?

Paul experienced near death. He no doubt fought demons. He was chased down and persecuted by government authorities and armies. He was beaten and left for dead. He was imprisoned. He experienced the highest highs and lowest lows. Yet he continued to trust in God!

I in no way have or will experience these things, yet I can be encouraged by them. If this same God is for me as well, in fact if He indeed lives and breathes within me,  then I too can be victorious!

God is enough!!!!

What is Baptism?

For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,  knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.  For he who has died has been freed from sin.  Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,  knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.  Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.(Romans 6:5-11)

So what is baptism anyway? If it required? Is it needed? Is not being baptized disobedience? Churches and various doctrines differ. Obviously, baptism does not save a person from sin, or those baptized by John would have not needed a Savior and the good thief would be in hell, making Jesus a liar.

However, baptism was important enough to Jesus that He gave us these final words of instruction:

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20)

You decide. What is  baptism? Is it required? Is it disobedience if one is refusing to be baptized or if we do not require it for proper fellowship among believers?

What a Homecoming!

For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven,  if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.(2 Corinthians 5:1-8)

What a Homecoming that will be!  While many schools and even churches are celebrating homecomings these days, including where I work, there is a greater homecoming all Christ followers can look forward to one day!

Groaning each day because of the trials in this world, we know one day we will be with the Lord and all whom call Him Lord and Savior. One day it will all be worth the sacrifice, tears, struggles, rejections, questionable looks, and backbiting. To be sitting with all the saints of HIStory and fellowshipping with Jesus Himself, experiencing  the presence of God and all His glory . . .to see friends, family, and those in HIStory who made it through . . .to finally hear; "Well done"!

Now that's a HOMECOMING!

More like Him . . . What a Character!

What a Character . . .this God I serve! How can He care so much for a sinner like me yet be so Holy? How can He have so much power yet be so Gentle? How could He have created so much yet He loves and cherishes one like me who fails daily?

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.(2 Peter 3:9)

The people of the Old Testament witnessed this patience yet viewed God as a menacing and punishing God. They quarrelled and questioned Him. We have witnessed a sacrificial God, sending Jesus to suffer and die for our sin so we do not have to suffer.  Yet we now take advantage of that and sin despite His sacrifice!

Lord, let me really feel Your character this day. Help me not only to receive Your love and patience and forgiveness, but to share it with others as well. Perhaps that will allow me to really know Your character and by sharing it, I can be more like You!

God is EVERYTHING!

Teddy Roosevelt once said: "Children do not care how much you know until they know how much you care!"

Lots of anniversaries this year . . .This is my 40th year of serving young people. I began coaching middle school boys my senior year in high school and over the years have coached boys and girls high school basketball, grade school football, adult coed softball and even a little track. Since 1998, 20 years now, my wife and I have been serving youth and families in outreach ministry, welcoming more than 50 children and even their moms at times into our home. For the last 15 years we have been "coaching " teens after school and on weekends in life skills; etiquette, finance, relationships, academic choices and biblical instruction. This is also my 10th year teaching in CHRISTian school in the DMV.

Along the way, we have realized that we are nothing and God is everything!

My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.(James 3:1-2)

Recall Jesus' parable of the faithful and evil servant?

 Then Peter said to Him, “Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?” And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.  . . . . For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. (Luke 12:42-48)

 I ran across this quote this morning:

"Integrity is choosing courage over comfort; choosing what is right over what is fun fast or easy; and choosing to practice our values rather than simply professing them"

I share all this morning to encourage everyone to press on despite the challenges. We will never know the entire impact of our lives until we see Jesus and He shows us. Several of the young people we have served have gone on be the first in their families to graduate from Christian schools or earn college degrees, Many have married and have children of their own. Some call us "mom" and "dad" or "coach" to this day. Every once in a while we receive that text, email, or just  a few years ago, an invite to give a "daughter " away in marriage.

After all, only what we do for Christ will last. (2 Corinthians 5:9-10)

God is indeed . . .EVERYTHING!

Who is like my God?

The Lord is high above all nations, His glory above the heavens.Who is like the Lord our God, and Who dwells on high,

Who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth?

He raises the poor out of the dust,  and  lifts the 

needy out of the ash heap,

That He may seat him with princes— With the princes of His people.

He grants the barren woman a home, Like a joyful mother of children.

Praise the Lord!(Psalm 113:4-9)

Who is like the Lord our God? What can compare? Who has His power? Who has His authority? Who would give up even a small percentage of what God gave up to save you and me from destruction?  Who can repair the lost and lonely hearts like our God?

Do you know Him?

I can't not talk about Him! For Him to reach down and call my name to be among His children is beyond awesome! To think Jesus went through all He did for me? What a glorious and unselfish God to save me from destruction . . . to save me from myself!

All I can do is commit to serve Him, despite my failings. I will always fall short (Romans 3:23). Yet His promise is to save me! (Romans 10:9-10) He will stay with me and work through me until the end. (Philippians 1:6) For this, I will proclaim His name and never be ashamed! (Romans 1:16)

He is my God....no need for anyone or anything else!

Always on Guard

I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help?

My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore. (Psalm 121)

God is always on guard! He never slacks. He is always watching, caring, providing,  preserving, keeping! Who else can we say does such? Parents will let us down. Children will disappoint. Spouses may forget from time to time. Friends will hurt us. Even our dog will fall sleep on us! But not my God!

He never needs a nap. His eyes do not wander. He doesn't lose focus......unless we decide to turn our backs on Him! Yet even then, He awaits our return with an offer of grace, forgiveness and restoration. (1 John 1:9)

There is no one and no thing like my God! He is always on guard!  

Image is everything?

For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works and that my soul knows very well.

My frame was not hidden from You ,When I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed .And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them. (Psalm 139:13-16)

Alwys trying to look like someone else or  be someone else. . . Hair like hers, clothes like him, shoes like that or cars like that. Image is eveything in this world! Ahh, but if  we could live as God intended:

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)

Seek the image God has designed for each of us. Live out His purpose! Do His will. Seek to be like Him and His image. As the psalmist wrote, God designed us before there were even days for us to live! He made us unique. Why try to be someone we are not and be frustrated trying to accomplish what we were not designed to do?

In the grand puzzle, we are all a unique piece.  Just where we fit in is God' s design. No two pieces alike. What would our churches, our families, our world be like if we all would live how God designed? God's image is everything!

Welcoming or Repulsive Sense (Scents)

 Lord, I cry out to You; Make haste to me! Give ear to my voice when I cry out to You. Let my prayer be set before You as incense,
The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, To practice wicked works with men who work iniquity; And do not let me eat of their delicacies. (PSALM 141:1-4)

Many of our homes and offices are filled with plleasant scents from flowers, melts, or oils. Some burn candles and even use scented house filters. The aromas can be welcoming or repulsive, depending upon the person.

I can call to mind even now the smell of a funeral home . . . nice but not inviting. However, the salty ocean breeze or calm mountain morning rain seems rather inviting right now!  Saturdays in my home are rather special as I awake to the smell of fresh coffee brewing as my wife has risen early to prepare my first cup! It is usually placed right at my nightsatnd as I take in the soothing yet awakening aroma! Ahhh!

Welcoming or Repulsive? But what does God sense (scents) from us daily? Are our prayers a sweet aroma up to heaven? Are our words to others like a field of fresh lavender? Are our attitudes like the morning dew? Is our life likened to a cool breeze off the ocean on a hot summer day?  Or are we repulsive to the Lord?

Want are we offering? (Romans 12:1-2)

The Body?

Behold, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who by night stand in the house of the Lord!

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord. The Lord who made heaven and earth. Bless you from Zion! (Psalm 134:1-3)

This final song of ascent was sung to the Levites (priests) as the Jewish worshippers heading up to Zion to worship. They travelled together, encouraging one another, praying to their God, depending upon one another and their God, excited to gather among fellow worshippers to honor and extol a God Who defended, provided,  corrected, directed, and led them in battle.

Together . . . Unified . . . Worship . . . Dependent  upon God and not themselves . . .what an example of The Body!

What has happened? We today are self-centered, distant, disconnected, greedy, independent and arrogant. We need no one but ourselvs. We seldom give cheerfully but out of guilt and duty. We are not willing to sacrifice unless we have extra time or money.

The Body today is weakening. We are sick and struggling. We need each others support and encouragement. We are in need of our God's direction and care. We need His correction and direction. But where are we headed? Have we lost focus upon Zion?

God alone provides what we need and not ourselves. Take time today to realize how much we depend upon our God, our Savior, for all we have!

Head to Zion with praise and thanksgiving all you servants of the Lord!

A Weapon of Protection

My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel. Shall neither slumber nor sleep.The Lord is your keeper; (Psalm 121:2-5)

This ascent psalm was sung on the way up to worship. It was a dangerous and tiring journey over mountains, through valleys and past potential robbers and thieves. Much like life today!

The psalms were sung aloud for all to hear, not whispered under the breath. The worship was public and unashamed. It gave the Jew confidence and a sense of protection. Worship was a weapon of protection both spiritually and physically, as many feared the God of Israel, even the worshippers of false gods!

We need that weapon back today. Let people know Whom we serve and Who our Weapon of Protection is. Never be ashamed to worship!

 Jehovah Nissi....lead us!

Live for all to see!

What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?

I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.

I will pay my vows to the Lord now in the presence of all His people. (Psalm 116: 12-14)

How can we ever repay the Lord? We can stop trying! All we can do is live a life of appreciation by living out our salvation!

Be faithful! (1 Corinthians 4:12) Be visible. Don't hide our relationship with Him! Live for all to see!!!

I Can Relate!

Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. (Romans 7:13-25)

I can relate.....Yes, this is me! Paul may be writing of himself, but this is so me! I want to do so much good. I wake up with a mind stayed on Christ, then life happens. Plans, emotions, distractions, emergencies, everything I don't want to happen occurs.

I let my wife down. I did not properly prepare for school. I was not the best dad. I forgot a birthday. I haven't visited family in too long. My to-do list became a she-got-it-done-by-herself list!

Life would be great if not for.....well, LIFE! It happens day after day.  I let God down. I let people down. I let myself down!

But thank God for another day and grace! (Psalm 103:8-10) Today is a new day!