Making Room

Scripture: Genesis 26:22, “And he removed from thence, and digged another well; and for that they strove not: and he called the name of it Rehoboth; and he said, For now the LORD hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.” (KJV)

Observation: This was the third well that Isaac had dug for his people. The first two wells were dug, but the herdsmen of Gerar disputed with the herdsmen of Isaac. There was much conflict over the first two wells, but when the third well was dug God made room for Isaac and his family.

Application: I have been pastoring StoneBridge Baptist Church for a little over  seven years. Our first meeting place was a very temporary spot called the Lakeview Resort. We held services there for about four months. After four months, God opened the door for our church to meet at the Warner Theatre (downtown Morgantown). Most of our ministry was located downtown until recently.  On October 3, 2010, StoneBridge began meeting at the Hollywood Theaters. Since the beginning of this agreement, we have “strove” with Hollywood.

On January 13, 2011, I was contacted by New Cinemedia (the Mediator between StoneBridge and the Hollywood Theaters) stating that Hollywood wishes to terminate our contract; leaving us with about three weeks to find a new location to house the people called StoneBridge. We are amped about the possibilities, but are looking for our “Rehobeth”. I am anticipating a place where the Lord has made room for us so that we can continue to be fruitful in the land, called Morgantown.

Prayer: Dear Father in Heaven, StoneBridge Baptist Church belongs to you! It is our desire to find a place where you will make room for us. We want to be fruitful in this place, but we know that it will not be without obstacles. Guide our hearts and minds and direct our paths. In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Fruits Of Repentance

Scripture: Luke 3:8, “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.”

Observation: John the Baptist proclaimed the message of genuine repentance. Repentance is a change of mind, which always leads to a change of behavior. This does not mean that John was looking for perfect people; but changed people. When you have an encounter with Jesus Christ your life will be radically changed! You will desire not only heaven, but you will desire to serve God more faithfully, and you will desire that others come to faith in Christ.

Application: What kind of fruit areyou producing? Do you love Jesus, and others more today than you did yesterday? Are you in the Word of God? Are you applying God’s truths?

Prayer: Dear Lord, it is with great appreciation that I come to you today! Thank you for giving me eternal life! Thank you for the conviction to serve you more today, than I did yesterday. Please help me to be a servant that produces much fruit for you! In
Jesus Name. Amen!

The Two Shall Be One Flesh

Scripture - Genesis 2:24, “²⁴ For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.”

Observation - God made the woman for the man to be a helper suitable. To be a blessing, a friend, a companion to go through life, and a constant source of encouragement to remain faithful to God. When God blesses man with a wife, the Proverbs says he has acquired a good thing. For those of us who are married, let us be reminded of the blessing we have received from the Lord!  May we cherish the first institution that God established on the face of the Planet, Marriage and Family. May we seek to be kinder, gentler, and more loving in 2011.

Application – I just celebrated my fifteenth year of marriage on December 30th, so, my desire (for this year) is to be a better husband. I want Kristie to know that she is a blessing to me. I desire for God to transform me to be more like Christ each day in 2011. It is my desire to do a better job of parenting; and to be a better husband this year than I was in the previous years.

Prayer – Dear Lord, I desire to be a godly man! I desire to be in your Word this year more than I ever have in the past. I desire to pray more and to be a better husband and father. Lord, please transform me into the image of your Son! In Jesus Name.  Amen!

Dealing With Conflict

S-Scripture:  Acts 15:36-40, “³⁶Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” ³⁷Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, ³⁸but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. ³⁹They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, ⁴⁰but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.”  (NIV)

O-Observation: Barnabas and Paul had a great ministry together.  Barnabas was first seen reaching his hand out to Paul after Paul’s conversion to Christ.  When the church at Jerusalem was afraid to embrace Paul, Barnabas reached out!  One thing we can learn from Barnabas is the need to be a little more encouraging to others, a little more loving, a little more accepting of those we are a little afraid of.  In this passage of Scripture, Barnabas believed in giving people a second chance.  Even though John Mark had deserted this ministry team, Barnabas was willing give him another opportunity to serve.  I am so thankful for second chances!  Aren’t you?  This decision to take John Mark or not to take him, left Barnabas and Paul in a heated disagreement.  The disagreement was so strong that they parted ways.

A-Application: When we are faced with disagreements in our lives we must understand that God has a plan and a purpose for the disagreement.  Because of the disagreement, Barnabas took John Mark and Paul took Silas.  Both of these teams were very successful in reaching people for Christ.  As a matter of fact, at the end of Paul’s ministry, he took notice of the usefulness of John Mark.  Here’s what we can take home from this passage:  When we face conflict with others, we can run away from the person, the problem, or we can agree to disagree and still be effective for Christ.

P-Prayer: Father, please help me to understand the other person’s point of view when faced with a conflict.  This passage of Scripture teaches me that I don’t always have to agree with the person about their point, but I do have to be brotherly.  Help me to love people and help me to exemplify the love of Jesus in every situation.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

A Hilarious Giver

S-Scripture: Luke 6:38, “38 give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, shall they give into your bosom. For with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again.”

O-Observation: One of the responsibilities of a disciple is to be a hilarious giver!  I think this relates not only to giving financially, but it has to do with the giving of our time, talents, abilities and even more so, our influence.  When we become a hilarious giver in these areas, the rewards far out way the initial act of “giving  away”.

A-Application:  I’ve read (listening to) Leadership Gold by John Maxwell.  Great book!  One of the lessons in the book dealt with the concept of empowering people to help you (as a leader) achieve a goal to add value to others lives.  When we give away responsibilities and allow people to find their strengths we will complete each another.  When we think of the word “give” many times we fail to carry out the “give” because we’re afraid we will be the ultimate loser in the end.  So not true!  Actually, it’s just the opposite.  When we give, the Bible says it will be given to you.  This year, I want to give my time, my ear, and my influence to others so that I can reach more people for Christ .

P-Prayer: Dear Lord, it is a privilege to give!  Help me to be a hilarious giver.  Help me to lend a hand, an ear, and my influence to reach more people for Christ in 2010.  I praise you that you are going to answer this prayer.  Thank you.  In Jesus Name.  Amen!

What A Blessing!

S-Scripture:  Genesis 12:3, “I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”  (NKJV)

O-Observation:  Genesis 12 begins with Abram.  God tells Abram to Get out of his country, from his family and from his father’s house.  To a land that God would show him.  According to Romans 4, Abram believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness.  Galatians 3 parallels with Genesis 12 by informing the readers who the blessing was!  The Blessing was none other than Jesus Christ.  Through the SEED of Mary, Jesus Christ would be born and all the families of the earth would be blessed by the promised child, Jesus!  Because of Jesus, sinful man has the opportunity to have the righteousness of Christ credited to our accounts!

A-Application:  I am grateful for the BLESSING!  Because Abram believed God….Because  (you fill in the blank) __________ believed God that Jesus would come, die for your sins, was buried and arose again the third day, according to the Scriptures you have EVERLASTING LIFE abiding within you!  I have EVERLASTING LIFE!  Wow!  Thank you, Lord!

P-Prayer:  Dear Lord, I too am among the people who have believed you!  As Abram believed in the coming Savior, I too believe.  I thank you Lord for coming.  Thank you Lord for loving me enough to die for my sins.  I am accepted in the beloved because of what Jesus Christ has done for me!  Thank you, again!  In Jesus Name.  Amen!

God’s Global Positioning System

S- Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:12-13, “If you think you are standing strong, be careful, for you, too, may fall into the same sin.  But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience.  And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it.  When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.”  (NLT)

O-Observation: Paul warns and admonishes the church to be careful about self-reliance against the temptations of the flesh.  He tells the church to:  Remember that temptations are common to man, God is faithful to help us, and God will keep the temptation from becoming too strong for us to handle.  If temptations overtake us, it is not because God did not do His part.  When we give in to temptation, we simply ignore and rebel against the conviction of the Holy Spirit so that we can enjoy the pleasures of sin (for a moment).

A-Application: I will do my very best to heed the conviction of the Holy Spirit.  I will rely on God and other people to help me be the most effective disciple of Christ.  I will work hard to work within my strength-zone so that I’m not distracted, and will help others find their strength-zone so that they too can be empowered to do the work of Christ!

P-Prayer: Father, help me to lead myself effectively, so that I can properly and effectively lead others to do the work of Christ.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

Got Milk…or Meat?

S-Scripture:  1 Corinthians 3:1-3, “Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to mature Christians. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in the Christian life.  I had to feed you with milk and not with solid food, because you couldn’t handle anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready, for you are still controlled by your own sinful desires. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your own desires? You are acting like people who don’t belong to the Lord.”  (NLT)

O-Observaton:  Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church to engage the people in much needed dialogue concerning divisions within the Body!  When Paul heard the news of the lack of unity and harmony, he immediately wrote this letter to fan the flame of Spiritual Maturity.  He charged them with being Spiritually Immature. As a matter of fact he said, “You are acting like people who don’t belong to the Lord.”

A-Application:  These words cut to the very core of my heart.  I had to ask myself the question, “What if Paul were writing to StoneBridge Baptist Church, or better yet, to the pastors of this local body?  What would he say to us?”  Would he slam us?  Would there be accusations of our lack of Spiritual Maturity and Growth?  Would he write the same type of letter to us?  Personally, I know that there are areas in my life where I need God’s wisdom, grace, and strength to become a Spiritual Carnivore.  It’s time to quit nursing and start eating!

P-Prayer:  Father, it is my prayer to overcome my deficiencies so that I can develop the Leadership skills necessary to lead Your Church.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Equality With God

A-Scripture: John 5:18, “Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.”

O-Observation: Jesus proved His Deity by healing, forgiving, and by claiming equality with God.

A-Application: When Jesus called God, “Father”, He was not only demonstrating an example to His Disciples on “how to” pray, but He was setting a precedent among the Jews…He was God in the Flesh! This verse can be used as a defense towards those who do not believe in the Deity of Jesus Christ!

P-Prayer: Dear Father in Heaven, Thank You for revealing You Word to me today! Thank You for being more than a good man, leader, or prophet. You are God! Thank You for rescuing my life! In Jesus Name. Amen.

Let Your Words Be Few

S-Scripture:  Ecclesiastes 5:2-3, “2 Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God.  For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few.  3 For a dream comes through much activity, And a fool’s voice is known by his many words.”  (NKJV)

O-Observation:   The wisest man who has ever walked the earth (besides the Lord) gives us some great advice concerning our words.  Words are dangerous if not used in the proper context.  They can be harmful, hurtful, and heretical (I had to get all of my H’s in there…haha).  Our words are to not be spoken rashly or quickly.  James 1:19-20 says, “19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”  (NKJV)

A-Application:  These verses speak loud and clear to me.  I am one who usually “opens mouth and inserts foot” on a regular basis.  I need the wisdom of God concerning the “things” which I say with my mouth.  Also, I must remember when I communicate, God is (in heaven) listening to everything I have to say to others.  A lot of people have great dreams, or a great vision, but vision is not accomplished by our words, they are accomplished by our activity!  So, we must take the advice of King Solomon.  And, to put it in the words of my mother while sitting at the dinner table, “How bout a little less talk and lot more action!”  Guys, let’s not just dream dreams, let us fulfill these dreams by our dependence on God and the work which we put forth to see the Lord’s churches grow and His Kingdom advanced!

P-Prayer:  Dear Father, I have heard it said before in a prayer…”Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth.”  I think this is a great prayer!  Thank you for your love, and for giving us the desires of our hearts.  Help us to not just talk about dreams, help us to accomplish these dreams for Your glory!  In the name of Jesus.  Amen!