2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Open the Door!

When I was training to become a chaplain we were instructed to choose the Bible verses on “why we wanted to be a chaplain”. 

These were mine;

2 Corinthians 1:3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 

We live in a time of trouble! But I’m positive that every generation believed that. War, famine, elements, unrest, all spell trouble.

But when we live for God and seek Him, He comforts us. We have to stay focused on the prize! Our eternal life with Him! 

Man can kill you but they can’t kill your soul.

Turn everything off, go into your closet and close the door.

Look up towards Him, talk to Him and tell Him your troubles and thoughts. He is your God, your Creator, your Father, He’s listening and waiting for you to tell Him what’s going on. He knows it all, but is waiting on you to come to Him.

You have to open the door!

Do you hear Him knocking?

Blessings, David 

Acts 20:22-24 Be courageous and be a “Paul”!

Acts 20:22 And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23I only know that in town after town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions await me. 24But I consider my life of no value to myself, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

Why would Paul knowingly walk into the midst of the lions den? The Jews wanted to kill him.

He was compelled by the Spirit.

It was part of God’s plan. He wanted Christianity spread throughout the world. 

Are you involved in a ministry? Do you believe afflictions await you?

Maybe it’s part of God’s plan. 

Be a “Paul” and continue faithfully following the Holy Spirit’s guidance. 

Don’t give up when you meet opposition, but be stronger in the faith knowing that you are effective since Satan is using opposition to thwart you.

Be courageous and be a “Paul”.

Blessings, David 

John 5:24 Thank the Father!

John 5:24 Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life.

This was Jesus speaking to the Jews who sought to kill him because He healed someone on the sabbath.

Do you believe the Father sent Jesus as the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world?

If so, you have crossed over from death to life. 

Because you accepted the free gift of salvation you have been given eternal life, you will not die the second death.

Barnes notes on the Bible:

“On him that sent me - On the Father, who, in the plan of redemption, is represented as "sending" his Son to save men.”

Thank the Father for sending His Son!

Blessings, David 

John 13:12-13 The lord or the servant?

John 13:12-13 “When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”

Lord or servant? That is the question! We have noticed a difference with volunteers in the children’s ministry in our church verses our previous church. We are not sure of the cause. Could it be different area of the country, changing times or background and ages of volunteers?

In our previous church the volunteers would often ask, where do you need me? 

In our current church we hear things like; 

I will only volunteer in this room.

I will only volunteer with this person.

Our group serves together in that room.

I’m not doing that.

When asked at closing, to pile the toys the children have played with in the center of the room so the cleaning crew knows which toys to clean. We hear, no I won’t do that.

Or if someone disagrees with the churches written guidelines they gossip and spread dissension.

But in these verses we see the Lord, our God, the Teacher, remove His outer garments and humble Himself and wash the dirty feet of his disciples. It was about the lowest job a person could do. Back then they wore sandals, didn’t have socks and walked everywhere. When you entered a home a servant would remove your sandals and wash your dirty, dusty, stinky feet. 

But what example would we have had if Jesus said, no I’m not doing that?

Before we serve:

We need to pray, pry open my hands and my heart Lord!

We need to pray for a servants heart.

We need to pray, where do you want me to serve?

We need to pray, Lord please remove my stubbornness.

Pray.... Father remove my pride and allow me to serve where I’m needed.

Will you “wash one another’s feet”?

Do you want to be the lord or the servant?

Blessings, David 

Genesis 9:10-11 The Signed Contract!

Genesis 9:10-11 and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you; of all that comes out of the ark, even every beast of the earth. "I establish My covenant with you; and all flesh shall never again be cut off by the water of the flood, neither shall there again be a flood to destroy the earth."

Spring is in the air, the snow has melted on the north side of the barn and the birds have returned! They are singing like there is no tomorrow. 

In this verse God is making a covenant to Noah, all flesh and every living creature that “never again be cut off by the water of the flood, neither shall there again be a flood to destroy the earth”. 

What is the sign of the covenant, this contract? If you read further in Genesis 9 you will see God set His rainbow 🌈 in the clouds.

Next time it rains and you see a rainbow remember this is God’s sign of this covenant, His promise!

The signed contract! 🌈 

Blessings, David 

Hebrews 10:29-31 & Jude 9:9 Have you judged someone?

Is it ever ok to tell someone they are going to hell?

It’s ok to tell someone their sins have consequences but it’s not ok to tell someone they are going to hell. By doing so, you are putting yourself in God’s judgement seat. 

Hebrews 10:29–31

29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, can insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” 7says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Notice ““The Lord will judge His people.””

Consider what Michael the archangel said in this verse.

Jude 9

9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

It’s ok to tell someone they need salvation to go to heaven or their sins have consequences and to repent before it’s too late!

But it’s never ok to tell someone they are going to hell! By doing so you are putting yourself in the judgement seat!

Can you see their heart?

Remember, “The Lord will judge His people.” 

Have you judged someone?

Blessings, David 

I didn't know. Psalm 3:6-8 NLT

I had a neighbor in Tucson I did NOT get along with. I know, hard to believe. I tried but we just couldn't seem to make it work. I remember one November I had been sick. It was a nice enough day outside but the house was cold so I had a fire going in the woodstove. I walked out to check the mail and my neighbor came over and asked to talk to me. Sure. She proceeded with profanity laced name calling related to the smoke coming out of the chimney. I had to walk away before I said something I would regret. Inside I was fuming. I stood on my back porch with clenched teeth and balled up fists. 

Then I prayed. I prayed for her. I didn't know what was going on in her life. I didn't know how her morning had gone. I didn't know what was happening with her family. I didn't know what trials or stressors or conflicts were brewing in her life. But God did. God knew. I asked God to bless her, to give her peace, to protect her. I asked God to use whatever was going on in her life to draw her to Him. I asked God to give me compassion towards her and not hold any ill will towards her. 

I really wanted to pray like David. "Slap all my enemies in the face!  Shatter the teeth of the wicked!" But that's not what Jesus teaches in Matthew 5:44b "Pray for those who persecute you!" 

Who do you need to pray for today? 

Psalm 3:6-8 NLT

6 I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies 

who surround me on every side. 

7 Arise, O LORD! 

Rescue me, my God! 

Slap all my enemies in the face! 

Shatter the teeth of the wicked! 

8 Victory comes from you, O LORD. 

May you bless your people. 

Interlude 

Blessings, Cecilia