Daily Devotion

 2 Timothy 4:2-5 Preach the Word ; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

This past month I re-connected with an old friend, he had been living in a town where there is a lot of religion, huge churches with big organizations but very little real teaching the word of God. Then just a few days ago, Suzanne and I were watching TV when we came across a TV preacher who has a huge church with thousands of people gathered to listen to him preach. Yet we were very disappointed when all we heard from him was a couple of lame jokes (I’ve seen them all on e-mails) and a “pep talk” living a good life that could have been from any motivational speaker. His message, live a good life, take care of your health, dress nice, present your best.

What does that have to do with faith in Christ? Absolutely nothing! Paul tells his apprentice Timothy, to “Preach the word.” What word? The word of God, the good news, the message of the cross. Apparently in Paul’s day as well as today, there were people who thought that the word of God is not enough. They turn to myths, they turn to good lessons for life, they use all kinds of methods and techniques to present as watered down gospel to satisfy itching ears.

Today many church are more about the presentation then the proclamation. Where the Apostle Paul said that it is the proclamation that shows God’s power. When he preached to a church that was embracing the world and sin, he message was straight forward.

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.

Paul’s charge to Timothy is the same charge for all believers throughout history, those in leadership, those ministering in the trenches of life. “Keep focused, endure whatever comes, keep sharing the good news, and be faithful in your ministry.” The cross of Christ is a simple message yet some people (for all kinds of reasons) think it is not enough. As for me, there is only one message that brings hope and life. The cross of Jesus, our hope of salvation.

1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

Philippians 4:9 … And the God of peace will be with you.

In a world that is full of anxiety and stress it is awesome to know that there is a peace that passes all understanding. The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Philippi, about joy. When he wrote them there would seem to be little reason for joy in his life, he is in house arrest and awaiting his day in court with Caesar Nero. Yet Paul writes of joy, he writes of peace, he give us a great recipe for overcoming depression, anxiety, and stress that we will face in this world. Consider the what he writes in this chapter and consider the wonderful promise of peace.

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Take your cares to the Lord in prayer, take your burdens to him and give thanks for his many blessings. That is when your heart and mind are guarded from anxiousness. Paul continues.

Philippians 4:8-9 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Just as he said in another place, Paul says, put your mind on things above, think about, meditate on godly things, and then take what you have learned from the bible and put it into practice, again the promise stated a in a personal way, — “the God of peace will be with you!”

How awesome is that, that the very maker of the universe the God who’s nature is peace will bring his presence and his nature into your life.

PRAYER:

Lord, when life is overwhelming and stress is too much, help me to give those things to you in prayer and to live by faith and not by sight.

Grace and peace.     Pastor Rich <><

Every so often there comes a song that blesses your heart and is so easy to worship to, this is one for me.  I hope and pray it speaks to you as you view, listen and sing along!

Pastor Rich <>< 

How Great Is Our God By Chris Tomlin

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Suzanne and I are just finishing up our Texas vacation and are enjoying our last day with our kids and grandkids.   I hope and pray all is going well back in Nevada.  

 If you are being ministered to by these blog posts, I hope you will post a comment at the end of the blog. 

Proverbs 27:17  ”As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”

 Daily prayer:

Lord guide my mind, my actions and my journeys, help me to be your representative wherever I go, whatever I do. 

Blessings and Grace.

Pastor Rich <>< 

Proverbs 17:6 “Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.”

As I sit here on vacation in Texas and write out a few thoughts, I am starring at my oldest grandchild, Jacob who is sleeping on the sofa because his bed is occupied by some of the company that has invaded his home for a few days.

How awesome it has been to be here not just to visit and see the new home and neighborhood that my son and his family have made, but to realize the torch of our family (more importantly our faith) has been passed on. The “Kids” are in a wonderful church, not unlike back home, they meet in a storefront and are in desperate need of space. Just like HSF the Holy Spirit is alive in that congregation. God is working in a very churched community to bring the systematic teaching and study of the word of God to life.

As we did all the tourist things here in San Antonio, walking around with the grandkids, holding their hands, I was reminded of the Proverb, “Children’s children are a crown to the aged.” A crown as we get to witness childlike faith, as we get to love on them and be a safe haven for them. A crown as I “proudly” show them off everywhere we go, riding bicycles, walking the neighborhood or riding the rides at the amusement park. Yes there is a crown now on earth, the joy of seeing your children’s children and being allowed the privilege of helping mold their lives and faith.

But there is a greater crown, the crown of righteousness that awaits all who know and love the Lord. That crown far surpasses all the joys of this earth. All the blessings (and they are many) that we get to enjoy in this life are amazing but there is something better when we pass from this life, to eternal life.

2 Timothy 4:8 “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

Are you longing for his appearing? No matter how much you enjoy this world, no matter how many blessing you have if Jesus is your Lord and Savior, there awaits a greater joy then you will ever know here on earth. Are you suffering with trials of many kind? Perhaps they are of your own making, or just the trials that come in this life, what peace you can have now — knowing that there is a crown of righteousness that awaits all who long for the appearing of the Lord. So we all can say (those in trials and those with blessings) “Even so, come Lord Jesus!”

Pastor Rich <><

 Micah 6:6-8 “With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

When Israel lost their vision of who God was. When they were divided into two kingdoms (about 750 BC), God sent Micah, to speak the truth to a back-slidden nation.

When Israel was relying on who they were and what they did for their relationship with God. Micah told them how God viewed their religious life. What Micah said still has great meaning for those who desire to serve the Lord today.

First he asks a hard question. “What offering I can bring to worship God?” Today, like then, people want to appease God with financial giving, self denial, religious activities, group affiliation, or how they dress. So Micah asks questions to provoke thought: “Just what is it that allows people to come to a holy God?”

Its not sacrifices, the price of a man or womans soul is greater then the death of an animal. It’s not costly offerings, God is not concerned about the value of your gift but how much it cost you.

When Jesus was watching the offering box, many wealthy people put in large amounts of money (making sure everyone knew how much) when a poor widow woman put in two copper coins worth about a half a penny. Jesus said of her; (Luke 21:3) “…This poor widow has put in more than all the others.” She gave out of a desire to hear from God the others gave out of their surplus.

So sacrifice or offering do not get us to know God. Perhaps giving his oldest child would appease God. Of course that’s ridiculous, for that is what the pagans do, offer their children to false gods.

But there is a Son that was sacrificed that can bring us to God. The only price that proved to be enough to purchase people from the sin that separates everyone from the living God.

2 Corinthians 5:21 “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Micah looking thought time knew there was coming one who would show just what “the LORD requires.” Jesus Christ became the justice, mercy and humility that bridges the gap to God. By faith in him and what he did, suddenly the only sacrifice that could get a anyone to God gives us access to God. By that faith and though God’s grace – you can be saved.  

 ”Only by the blood of Jesus God’s son can we be made right with God.”

Blessings – Pastor Rich <><  

Hebrews 1:1-2 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.

Have you seen those slick commercials on TV? You know the ones that seem to be interviewing people on the street about religion. If you haven’t seen them, they are very well done. If you have seen them, then you know that the group putting them on claims to have “reclaimed” a connection with God. They claim they alone have some new revelation about God. Well, the only problem with their claim is God was never lost.

The writer of Hebrews reminds his first century readers as well as us today – that in the past God spoke by the Patriarchs, Moses, the Judges, and the prophets. He spoke by direct revelation, he spoke through sacrifices, he spoke by the law and he spoke through them and to them by events that He orchestrated.

But now, says the Bible, things are different, he has spoken to us by his Son. The one who created all things, the one who was there in the beginning, the one and only savior, Jesus Christ. Why do people think they need more revelation when the living Word of God, Jesus, (John 1:1) is enough?

Of course true believers in Jesus Christ are not fooled by actors in some slick commercial, nor do they believe that some book is really another “testament”of our Lord. But I think its important to ask ourselves; Why don’t we believe that their “gospel?”

There are hundreds of arguments about the different cults and religions that claim to have extra revelation, but the bible says it the best.

Eph 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

Grace is the free gift of God, no boasting, no further revelations, no special garments, its by grace you have been saved. G.R.A.C.E. God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense! When the Apostle Paul was looking for a way to reach the people of Corinth, his methods were very simple and direct. Friends, those same methods still work today.

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.

Lord we know you sent your Son, Jesus as the final word, help us to listen to his revelation, and by the grace you have given, know that you paid the price. Help me to know the power of the cross, and the wonders of Your Grace.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 — “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

Solomon who most likely wrote Ecclesiastes was looking at all of life’s troubles and trials and came to the conclusion that it is all meaningless. So he began a lifelong search for meaning. Of course his search went full circle, taking him right back to the God of his father, David. But here in what we call the fourth chapter of Solomon’s search we find a hidden pearl. A nugget of wisdom that has great application for every person in life.

Loneliness is a major issue in our society, but then again it always has been an issue. In the creation, everything that God made was good. But the one thing that was “not good” was that the man was alone. He had no companion, he was by himself without human relationships. So Solomon concludes that; “two are better then one.”

Two are better in several ways, they can accomplish more, they can protect one another and they can keep warm together. For a married couple they share the privilege of raising their children together, they share the chores, the tasks of life, they bear one another’s burdens, they have a companion to help them in tough times, and to share the good times with.

But even for the single person having a friend is huge. When you are lonely there is someone to listen, when you need a hand there is someone there to help. Two are better then one. If you are lonely today, married or single, God has provided a great friend in our Lord Jesus Christ, who will not leave you and who abides with believers in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

The church is an important connect for those who are lonely, the church is the voice of God on earth, and the hand of God here until Christ returns. Have you connected to your local congregation? I say congregation because the church is much more then that. The church is world wide, the church crosses all ethnic and age boundaries. The church is believes in Jesus Christ everywhere. For, “everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Acts 2:21) Yet connecting with a local congregation is important for accountability, fellowship, encouragement, and exhortation. Connecting is more then attending, its involvement, its being part of what is going on, and being used as much as attending.

Solomon continues, when two lie together they keep warm. So, who are you warming with the word of God? Who are you warming with the fellowship of the Spirit and with comfort? Who are you warming? How are you reaching out to those who are hurting? Some people are always taking and never giving, well there is a truth in that when you give out the things of God, you find that you yourself are warmed by them. Comfort comes to those who comfort others, joy comes to those who share with and reach out to others.

Solomon concludes with these powerful words. “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Suddenly he recognizes that when the Lord is in the mix we can do great things without being broken. How could the martyrs go to their death for Jesus? How could the missionaries give up all life’s comforts for the needy? How could anyone take on any thankless task in life? By the power of the indwelling Christ. Jesus said, he would not leave us, he promised to send the Spirit who will abide with believers forever.

For a married couple, the husband the wife and Jesus, will not easily be broken. For the single, yourself, your church and the Lord can accomplish anything. For all of us keeping Jesus as the “binding cord” in our lives keeps us strong.

Lord, help the church to keep its focus, help us as believes to keep you binding us together with the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Father, send your grace and power so that we might understand the power of three.

Look at nature in awe!

Psalm 19:1-3 “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.”

I find few things as awe-inspiring as the thunder and lightning of a sudden summer storm over the Sierra. As a Christian these things remind me of what the Psalmist wrote about the power and greatness of God.

That’s exactly what inspired a Swedish pastor named Carl Boberg, in 1886. As Pastor Boberg walked one summer day he was caught in a sudden thunderstorm, the rolling thunder, torrents of rain, and the return of sunshine with singing birds simply overwhelmed him. He dropped to his knees in worship and later, from that experience, wrote a poem about the greatness of God.

Although he did not realize it at the time, that poem would one day become one of the most popular hymns of the church. As the story goes, it was several years after he penned the words as Boberg attended a church service he was surprised to hear his poem being sung by to an old Swedish melody. Then it spread throughout Europe until Stuart Hine a British missionary to Russia began using it in evangelistic services.

When World War II broke out, Hine returned to England and translated Boberg’s hymn into English, adding a fourth verse about the return of Jesus Christ. By 1974 this great hymn has so grown in popularity it was voted the number one hymn in America. The hymn is still one of the most Powerful songs of the church today, “How Great thou art.”

O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder.
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made.
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder.
Thy power through-out the universe displayed.

When through the woods and forest glades I wander.
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur.
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze.

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing.
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in.
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing.
He bled and died to take away my sin.

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim, my God. how great Thou art!

CHORUS:

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee.
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee.
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Let us all join with this anthem of the church and like nature itself, declare the greatness of our God!

1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (NIV)

What a heavy statement, that if anyone loves the “world”, more then they love God then the love of God the Father is not in them. What is this thing called “the world”? How do you know where your affections are?

The term “the world”, is used throughout the new testament in the bible, and it speaks about the systems of mankind that are opposed to God. The things that our society and culture say are acceptable but God says are not.

Take MySpace for example, although there is nothing wrong with a blog or having a MySpace site in general, the MySpace people reflect the culture of our time. The very fact that when you sign up for MySpace the site automatically puts your astrological sign in your profile shows you what they believe. The fact that they ask your sexual orientation is another example of “the world.”

The bible says that “God does not change or move like the shadows.” His standards are still his standards, even though our society progresses and changes and accepts what God says is not right. To look to the stars for help is called an abomination, to practice sexual relationship without being married is called sin. Yet we go on as a society each year buying into more “tolerance” of what God in his word, the bible says is wrong.

So… Do you love the world, are you motivated by materialism, are you striving for acceptance or do you love the father?

Hebrews 2:1 We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. (NIV)

What have you heard? Have you heard about God’s love sent through Jesus? Have you heard about God’s law, the commandments are his standard. Pay more careful attention to what you have heard!

Pastor Rich <><