Brutality of Slavery

Read the first few chapters of Exodus and you will recognize the enslavement and oppression that the people of God had to endure in Egypt. You will see the unfolding of God’s providential plan to rescue and redeem His people as He leads them to freedom. And you will read the words of encouragement and promise that God speaks to His chosen people as He reveals His plan.

“Therefore, say to the people of Israel: ‘I am the Lord. I will free you from your oppression and will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgment. I will claim you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God who has freed you from your oppression in Egypt. I will bring you into the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as your very own possession. I am the Lord!’” (Exodus‬ ‭6:6-8)

These are words of encouragement, words of hope, words of promise, and words of redemption. How will the people of God respond? 

So Moses told the people of Israel what the Lord had said, but they refused to listen anymore. They had become too discouraged by the brutality of their slavery. (‭‭Exodus‬ ‭6:9‬)

I sometimes wonder if the people of God - today - often “refuse to listen anymore” and then God reveals His message and sends someone to proclaim it among us. 

I sometimes wonder if the people of God “refuse to listen anymore” because they have “become too discouraged by the brutality of their slavery”. 

We must...

...recognize the enslavement and oppression that exists in our world today and acknowledge the areas that we are personally enslaved.

...admit before The Lord the areas of discouragement that we deal with in life and confess to The Lord the brutality of the slavery that we are enduring.

...listen closely to the voice of The Lord and for the message from The Lord, ensuring that it lines up with Scriptural truth and the known character of God.

...walk in obedience with The Lord, faithfulness to The Lord, and confidence of The Lord every day; being encouraged by His Word and His Church around us.

Calling

My daughter went out to ride her bike in the parking lot. I watched her through the window for a few minutes and then turned my attention away. Looking back two minutes later I saw her bike parked in the driveway but she was not with it. 

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Minutes later I still did not see her so I opened the front door and called for her. 

No answer. 

I walked to the back door, opened it and called for her. 

No answer. 

Walking through the house, back toward the front door, I called for her. 

No answer.  

Stepping out the front door, into the driveway, I called for her. 

No answer. 

Scanning the parking lot, the front yard, and the side yards, I called for her.

No answer.

Running to the back yard, looking in the pool and into the woods, I called for her.

No answer.

Back inside, frantically running from room to room, I called for her.

No answer.

Through the front door again, panicked in the front yard, I called for her.

No answer. 

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Turning toward the swing set there she now stood - smiling and waving - without a word.

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So I asked;

Did you hear me call for you?

Why didn’t you answer me?

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And I wondered;

How often does God call for me?

How often do I hear Him call?

How often do I answer Him?

#preparetheway

Focus

This morning I sat down to enjoy the National Prayer Summit leading into #GC19 and I had difficulty concentrating. Three things are keeping me from giving my full attention; I am tired, I am cold, I am hungry. 

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Yet, as I strive to focus, to listen, and to pray this morning, it occurs to me that these are not simply physical struggles for me right now. 

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I am spiritually tired. O God wake me up to Your desire for my life and You desire for Your Church. 

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I am spiritually cold. O God light the “fire” of Your Holy Spirit within me, my prayers, and Your ministry through me.

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I am spiritually hungry. O God feed me through Your Word, Your Spirit, and Your Church.

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What might be keeping you from focusing, hearing, and responding to God today?

I Need Help

I went to lunch today. At the moment I walked in the individual working was already complaining to a customer.

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She was hurried and rude as she took my order. She told the woman in front of me; “We just opened so you’ll have to wait for ice”. A gentleman came in after me and she yelled; “I’m all alone back here, it’s going to be a while”. Several minutes later a young man walked in and she yelled; “Oh no, we’ve had too many customers. Either you’ll have to wait or the food is going to suffer”.

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It wasn’t until later, when a co-worker came in that I came to understand that she was upset because she was there all alone. 

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I don’t share this to complain but, instead, to share a thought.

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Do we sometimes complain those we are called to serve because we are feeling overwhelmed? Do we sometimes hurry and rush those that we are called to share with because we feel overburdened? Do we sometimes yell at those that we are called to help rather than taking our needs to the one that can come along side us and give us peace and lift our burdens? 

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If you are feeling overwhelmed or overburdened today, God cares and can help. Perhaps He is simply waiting for you to call out to Him for assistance.

Farmers Need The Rain

Record rainfall has flooded many roads and fields. And, inevitably, someone calls out in ignorance “but the farmers need the rain”. 

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It is true, the farmers need the rain. The farmers need the rain to prepare the ground for the planting of the seed. The farmers need the rain to nurture the plants and help them grow throughout the season. The farmers need the rain to prepare for the planting and for the harvest. But, there comes a time when the farmers do not need more rain. 

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It occurs to me that - just as rain is God’s preparation for the ground and nutrients for the plants preparing them for harvest - Bible studies within The Church prepare The Church for the planting of seeds - evangelism - and for nurture Christians as we grow and mature in our faith. 

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But, just as there comes a time when the farmers do not need more rain, there comes a time when The Church does not need more Bible study. There comes a time when believers must open the doors, walk out into the world and begin to sow the seed of God. There comes as time when The Church must plant the truth of Jesus into the lives of those that are lost, hurt, and in need. There comes a time when Christians must help make the fields ready for harvest. 

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This is the call on The Church today.

The Wait

People are waiting 8, 9, 10, 11 hours - in the rain - for the newest roller coaster at Universal Studios in Orlando. And most of these people are saying that the ride is  “totally worth the wait”.

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What are you willing to wait for? 

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So often we talk about the things that we want - that we need - that we are desperate for. But are we willing to wait? Are we willing to ask - to seek - to labor - - and to wait? 

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What are you desperate for right now?

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What are you waiting for right now?

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Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:14)

Leadership Confidence

I was preparing to preach from Exodus 13 and 14 this morning - a well known passage detailing the Israelites crossing the Red Sea - when God grabbed my heart. .

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Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptian you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (14:13-14) THEN THE LORD REVEALED HIS PLAN OF DELIVERANCE TO MOSES.

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Could it be that God’s deliverance through the Red Sea, utilizing Moses, hinged on Moses’ faith and declaration of victory in God?

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We need to be people faith and conviction. We need to be leaders that proclaim victory and deliverance through the Lord’s power even when we do not have all - or any - of the details of God’s plan.

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Will we step forward in faith and proclaim victory in God and through God? 

#preparetheway

You Are Powerful

God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)

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Many people are going through life fearing what lies ahead - afraid to speak and act - operating in a mode of timidity, uncertainty, and apprehension.

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Yet God, through His Spirit, offers a better way; power, love, and self-discipline.

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This means that we can - you can - be boldly confident - courageously assured in all things. We are given a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. And we are called and commissioned to use this power to affect others for Jesus - in love - and to live a life of obedience to Jesus - through self-discipline.

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Today, own this. Be filled with God’s Spirit. Be powerful. Be loving. Be obedient. Be self-disciplined.  

Could it be

Could it be that God is sitting on His throne prepared to pour down blessings upon His Church...prepared to break down barriers and tear down walls...prepared to bring healing and hope to lives and to families...prepared to bring His Church together in unity and revival... 

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Could it be that God is waiting for the commitment - the faith and faithfulness of a few - to come before Him in prayer? 

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Could it be that God is waiting for His Church to call out in agreement?

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Could it be that God is waiting for His Church to cry out in desperation?

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Could it be that God is waiting for His Church to be ready?

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Could it be that we need to pray?

Court-side

The kids and I went to the Indiana vs. Arkansas basketball game this afternoon. We were given tickets to sit court-side. I’ve been to several IU games but - by far - this is the closest I’ve been to “the action”. 

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This experience left me with few observations;

(1) I could hear what the players, coaches, and officials were saying and they could hear what I was saying. (I will admit that I yelled several encouraging words at the Hoosiers and some not-so encouraging words to the opposing team and the officials.)

(2) You must be aware that more people will see you - in the arena and on television. (We showed up in the “big screen” twice and two people sent me “screen shots” of our family on ESPN.)

(3) Fans are much more passionate and engaged court-side than they are “in the rafters”. (Every play was an occasion to jump up and cheer or stand up and yell.)

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Then I think about The Church; Could it be that many people are not close enough to “the action”? Could it be that many people are satisfied watching from a distance in the rafters (or even watching on tv or Facebook)?

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Perhaps this is why some Christians cannot hear the voice of God, why they struggle to understand His Word, or feel as though God cannot hear them. Perhaps this is why some believers fail to live a life of love, joy, and peace before others, as Jesus has called His followers to. Perhaps this is why so many followers of Jesus lack a passion and excitement to worship and serve The Lord.

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Could it be that you are not sitting “court-side” with Jesus right now? Could it be that you are missing out on “the action”? Could it be that you have never experienced His presence in this way?

Respond

We are in an all out war. We are facing an enemy that has spent centuries on this earth deceiving and distorting. This enemy wants to steal, kill, and destroy our lives, families, and children. How will we respond?

Parents, we have been entrusted with one of the greatest gifts from God - the ability to influence and nurture a life. We have the responsibility of affecting the generation to come - in small and large ways. How will we answer?

Your child's...

...friends cannot save them

...technology cannot save them

...sports cannot save them

...politics cannot save them

Jesus is the only hope for our future.

Jesus is the only hope for you and me.

Jesus is the only hope for victory.

Jesus is the only hope for your child.

Read and discuss Scripture with your child - daily.

Sit down and pray for and with your child - daily.

Get engaged in a Bible-honoring faith community - weekly.

We are in an all out war. How will you respond?

Family Devotions

Family devotions are often an emotional time (especially for Bennett). Here are the highlights from tonight...

The verse; “Do not love the world or anything in it. If you love the world, love for the Father is not in you.”

‭‭(1 John‬ ‭2:15‬ ‭NIRV‬‬)

Benn: I’m not really getting this? Does that mean I have to get rid of everything?

Me: Not necessarily, just the things that go against God or keep you away from God.

Benn: *starting to cry* But you (mom and dad) are things in the world. 

Me: Well, for you it might be tv or technology. But for some it is moving away from their family because their family keeps them away from God.

Benn: *full blown snot cry*

Me: We have got to come to a point where we live God more than anything else. That includes our money, our technology, and even our families. And, as you fall more in love with God that’s going to get easier. Because, someday, everything else will pass away, but God remains forever. 

Benn: *sobbing uncontrollably* Someday I’m going to have to live in a world without you? I already have to live in a world without Great Grandpa Poppy! 

Before I was, You were

God, my Father, before I was, You were.

Before I was formed, You knew me.

You spoke my life into existence. 

You knit me together in the womb.

You spoke my life into existence. 

You speak all things into creation.

You have wonderfully made me.

You created me in Your very image.

Before I was born, You consecrated me.

You know the plans you have for me.

You protect me with Your right hand.

You comfort me with Your rod and staff. 

You prepare a table of blessing for me. 

You are my help, You sustain me always.

You have given me all that I ever need.

Before I knew right, You died for me. 

You laid down Your glory and put on flesh.

You served in humility and lived in poverty. 

You showed grace by loving your murderers.

You came for the powerless and sinful.

You freely gave Your life to pay my debt.

You are the perfect eternal sacrificial lamb. 

Before I speak, You know my every word.

You have searched my heart and mind.

You know me fully and completely.

You known when I sit and when I go.

You know when I sleep and when I rise.

You know my thoughts from afar. 

You know my needs when I am unsure.

Before I knew You, You chose me.

You have made Yourself known to me. 

You surround me with Your presence.

You go before me preparing my path.

You fill me with Your love, joy, and peace.

You empower me through Your Spirit. 

Your Word is a lamp to my footsteps.

Before I chose You, You chose me.

You accept me just as I come to You.

You called me Your friend and Your son.

You trust me to bear Your great name.

You call me to partner with You in ministry.

You gave me the ministry of reconciliation. 

You give me an eternal inheritance.

Before the world was formed, You were.

You are good.

You are perfect.

You are love.

You are eternal.

You are righteous.

You are all I need. 

We Wait

Advent is the season of hopeful waiting.

Mary waited in expectation of her son.

Israel waited for their eternal King.

The Jews waited for their Messiah.

The angels waited to declare Jesus’ birth.

The world waited for their redeemer. 

Waiting does not come easy to any of us.

Waiting is something that must be taught.

Waiting is something that must be practiced.

Waiting is something that must be learned.

The promise of a gift gives us hope.

And yet we must still wait. 

We anticipate. 

We hope. 

We wait.

The Psalmist begins; “I waiting patiently for the Lord...”. This is a good reminder for us all - to wait and to wait patiently for the Lord. And yet, he concludes his Psalm; “...God, do not delay” (Psalm 40). 

What are you waiting on right now? 

Are you waiting in hopeful anticipation?

Are you waiting patiently for The Lord?

“Blessed are this who trusts - who hope - who wait - in The Lord” (Psalm 40:4).

The Rest

What about the rest?

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One of the men, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” Luke 17:15-19

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How sad to think that only one out of the ten returned thanks to Jesus for the cleansing, the healing, the life-transformation that He gave to them. Yet, this is probably proportionate to the thanks I return to God.

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For all that God has done, does our thankfulness - our thanksgiving - fall far short? 

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For all that God is doing is our faith illustrated through our thanks - or lack thereof?

Who You Really Are

From my devotional - “UncomMen” - this morning; Here’s a list of what God says "Who You Really Are" as a follower of Jesus Christ.

I am blameless and free from accusation. (Colossians 1:22)

Christ Himself is in me. (Colossians 1:27)

I am firmly rooted in Christ and am now being built up in Him. (Colossians 2:7)

I have been made complete in Christ. (Colossians 2:10)

I have been spiritually circumcised. My old unregenerate nature has been removed. (Colossians 2:11)

I have been buried, raised, and made alive with Christ. (Colossians 2:12-13)

I died with Christ, and I have been raised up with Christ. My life is now hidden with Christ in God. Christ is now my life. (Colossians 1:1-4)

I am an expression of the life of Christ because He is my life. (Colossians 3:4)

I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved. (Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:4)

I am a son of light and not of darkness. (1 Thessalonians 5:5)

I have been given a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)

I have been saved and set apart according to God’s doing. (2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:5)

Because I am sanctified and am one with the Sanctifier, He is not ashamed to call me brother. (Hebrews 2:11)

I am a holy partaker of a heavenly calling. (Hebrews 3:1)

I have the right to come boldly before the throne of God to find mercy and grace in a time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

I have been born again. (1 Peter 1:23)

I am one of God’s living stones, being built up in Christ as a spiritual house. (1 Peter 2:5)

I am a member of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a People for God’s own possession. (1 Peter 2:9-10)

I am an alien and stranger to this world in which I temporarily live. (1 Peter 2:11)

I am forgiven on account of Jesus’ name. (1 John 2:12)

I am anointed by God. (1 John 2:27)

I am a child of God, and I will resemble Christ when He returns. (1 John 3:1,2)

I am loved. (1 John 4:10)

I am like Christ. (1 John 4:10)

I have life. (1 John 5:12)

I am born of God and the evil one, the devil, cannot touch me. (1 John 5:`8)

I have been redeemed. (Revelation 5:9)

There I Was

There I was, lying in an open field, surrounded by the freshly cut hay. I could feel the rough grass under my bare legs and the itch of dozons of insects crawling across my body. 

One question immediately came to mind; “How did I get here?”. 

I was fatigued and injured, unable to continue on my own. Although I couldn’t process the full reality of the situation and all of the decisions that led me to this moment, one thing was clear to me; I was dying. 

As I came in and out of consciousness, the scorching heat of the sun and the thick humidity of the day drained any energy that I had remaining. I attempted to roll over with no success. I fought to cry for help but nothing came out. 

So, in a brief moment of clarity I considered again; “How did I get here?”

I managed to open my eyes and caught a glimpse at the afternoon sky. Through a painful squint I saw death hovering above, waiting in anticipation for me to draw my final breath. 

As vultures circled above my limp, lifeless body. I was taken to a different vantage point. Experiencing an out of body moment, I watched as the vultures circled. Faster now, and swooping closer to the ground, they seemed to be in a competition for my flesh. 

My inevitable final breath would be their starter’s pistol. And so I fought all the more for another breath knowing that my next one might be my last one. 

How did my life come to this? How did I get here? 

I awoke from my nightmare, covered in a cold sweat and gasping for air. My eyes tore open and I was certain that I would see the vultures circling above my bed. 

And that question that was now written on my mind and flooded my heart with fear; “How did I get here?”.

Perhaps you can identify. A series of bad choices, a plethora of wrong decisions have landed you in a territory you are not familiar with. 

Maybe you have been here before. You are - physically, emotionally, spiritually - tired, injured, unable to carry on. 

You want to get up but you’re unable. You want to cry out for help but you can’t find the words. 

So now, with the vultures circling above - declaring your death to the world around - you wait to take your final breath. 

But God says to you the very same thing He said to me; “This is not the end.”

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” ‭‭(Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

You may feel like you’re all alone in that field right now. You might feel like the next breath you take will be your last. The vultures may be circling over your relationship right now. You may feel like there is no hope for your finances. You might feel like a grim future awaits you.

Today, meditate on the promises of God. He has a plan for your life - a purpose that is to be fulfilled. He knows the plan He has for your life - He has not and will not forget it - He has not and will not forget you. His plan is one that will see you prosper - a plan that will bring you success. His plan is one that will bring hope to your darkest days and a future that you think is impossible. 

I encourage you - right now - to call out to the Lord. It may seem difficult to form the words. It may seem impossible from where you are laying right now. The simplest words are enough. He is waiting to hear you call. “Father God, help me.”

I urge you - right away - to get up. The vultures may be circling but this does not have to be the end. There may be signs of death but God can make all things new. 

There I was, lying in an open field, and I remembered God’s promise; “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to give you hope and a future.” 

And I called out to the Lord. He met me where I was, helped me up, fought off the vultures of death, and revealed His plan for my life.

For I Know The Plans

2017 started and ended on Sundays. It's amazing to start and the end the year in worship and to have the privilege and honor to preach God's Word as "bookends" to the year.

Both messages will focus on the same theme - "HOPE" - and both messages will bring us back to the truth of Jeremiah 29:11-13; 

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

In this early hour of the final day of the year I sit and contemplate this passage and encourage you to do the same.

Various questions come to mind as I contemplate the words of this passage;

Do you trust that the Lord has a plan for you?
Do you trust that the Lord's plan is one that will prosper you?
Do you trust that the Lord's plan will bring you hope and a future?
Are you seeking the Lord?
Are you seeking the Lord with all your heart?
Are you finding the Lord?

I read this passage again this morning; 

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

And more questions strike me;

Have I trusted in the Lord's plan for my life this last year that I have been able to rest in His hope for me - His future for me?
Have I found that Lord is such a profound way that I know Him better at the close of the year than I did at the start of it?
Have I pointed to Jesus - helping others to find Him and His plan - His hope and future - for their lives?

Again, I read;

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

And I ask myself;

In 2018, how will I seek and find the Lord more passionately?

In 2018, how will I trust more in His plan for my life?
In 2018, how will I help others do the same?

Three Groups

There are three different scenarios when it comes to believers and sin.

First, there are professing believers who overlook sin because of hardened hearts. 

Second, there are professing Christians who believe the lie that we are all by nature sinners, that the blood of Jesus is powerful enough only to free us from the penalty of sin, but not from bondage to it. 

These two groups, being given to sin, are like kryptonite in the body of Christ, bringing weakness to the entire body because of their willful disobedience to Christ. 

However, there is a third group—believers who are in a struggle to get free from sin [and recognize that freedom from sin is possible and promised through Christ].

- “Killing Kryptonite by John Bevere

Superhuman

The truth is, the first-century Christians were the superhumans of their day, and the world stood in awe of them. Here are just a few of their exploits found in Scripture:

No one in their communities lacked anything—no one had physical needs of any kind, and there was no one on government assistance (Acts 4:33–35). Entire cities came to Jesus in a moment, and the gospel swept through entire regions in a matter of years (Acts 9:32–35, 19:10). 

God’s power operated through them so much they had to convince people they weren’t gods (Acts 10:25–26, 14:8–18)—think about that for a few seconds. They had worship times so powerful they shook the ground (Acts 4:31). And as a result of those things, they had a reputation of being people who had turned the world upside down (Acts 17:6). 

What should really challenge us is that God makes it clear in His Word that the Christians of the last days will do even more than these early believers.

From “Killing Kryptonite” by John Bevere