Monthly Archives: October 2012

No Distinction

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One of my favorite parts of today’s passage is what is says in verse 22 – there is no distinction. Listen to what it says in Romans 3:21-24 today:

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

I love that passage. There is no distinction at all. All are equal.

But in what ways are there no distinction? What does that mean?

Look what it says. It says there is no distinction in sin – all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory.

All of us. All of us have sinned. You. Me. all of you.

Yes, this morning, you and I have sinned. Now, that doesn’t mean that we are scum of the earth or beyond forgiveness or worthless or terrible.

We’ve just all sinned. All of us. We are equal in that. You and me.

But, that isn’t the only place where there is no distinction.

All are justified (saved) by grace through faith.

There is no distinction today. We are all equal. We are equal in a need for God. And we are equal in God’s love for us.

So today, let’s look past each others’ weakness, since we all have them. And let’s love each other, since God loves us all the same.

We are equal in our need for God, and we are equal in God’s love for us.

Today, may we live our lives with no distinction.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

Quiet

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I don’t like being quiet. It’s not in my skill set, not is it my spiritual gift. I’m a big fan of talking and running my mouth.

I don’t know if I’m any good at it, but I sure do enjoy doing it.

So, the notion of being quiet is not something that I look forward to or enjoy. For me, it seems more like a punishment than a reward.

But listen to what the text says today in Zephaniah 3:16-17:

On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

It says that the Lord is a mighty one who will save. That He will rejoice over us with gladness.

And He will quiet us with His love.

Sometimes in life, we do a lot of kicking. A lot of screaming (literally or metaphorically). We can get really, really, really worked up sometimes.

Listen to this. God will quiet you with His love. It’s ok. It’s alright.

No matter what you are facing. No matter what you are going through. No matter what is happening.

God loves you. He is here for you. He will not leave you. He will not forsake you. He will quiet you with His love.

You are loved today. Breathe that in. Understand it. It’s going to be ok, no matter what you are facing. God will not leave you.

He will quiet you with His love.

Today, in this day, may we rest in His love. May we know that love, that mercy. That grace. May we rest in His love today.

And may we know the peace that comes from resting quietly in His grace.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

Where God Lives

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Today in our reading, we look at Isaiah 57:14-15. This passage really spoke to me.

Take a second right now and read this. Slow down. Breathe. Listen. Listen to what it says.

And it shall be said, Build up, build up, prepare the way, remove every obstruction from my people’s way.” For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.

When I read this, this morning, the thing that jumped out at me is this thought. Where God lives.

This passage tells us where God lives. Or, the word it uses this morning is where He “dwells.”

This is where His spirit is. Where His presence is. This passages gives us that info.

His presence inhabits eternity. He dwells in the high and holy place. He is eternal. He is holy. He is the Lord God. He is the everlasting rock of ages.

That’s who He is. That’s the very being of God. He is high and lifted up.

He is God.

And we get that. And as awesome as that it, that’s not the part that really hit me this morning. It’s the last part that really spoke to me.

Where else does God live? He dwells with him who is contrite and lowly of spirit.

To be contrite means to be sorrowful. To understand your sin and your need for forgiveness. To understand your need for Him, and to know that we are needy.

Lowly of spirit to understand our place in things, to know that we are not the end all and be all, that God is God, and we are not.

So, God dwells in the high holiness of eternity. And God dwells in the humble heart of the one that knows that they need Him.

Wow!

Today, do you know that you need Him? Do you know that you are not what you need to be? Do you feel inadequate, do you feel like you are in need of forgiveness, a new start, a new hope?

Do you maybe even feel unworthy?

I am telling you, based off what the Bible tells us this morning. Right now. In this time. In this place.

God is with you. God is with the contrite and the lowly in spirit. God is with the ones that are in need. God is with the ones that understand their need for Him.

Today, no matter how broken, unworthy, unloved you may feel, God is with you.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

One Church

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There is only one church.

Now this church will have a variety of locations. And denominations. And worship styles. And theology. And opinions. And preferences. And visions.

But there is only one church.

Now this church my rural. Or urban. Or suburban.

This church may be made of older member. Or younger members.

This church may worship to “rock” music. Or the church may worship to “organ” music.

But there is only one church.

Listen to what Paul says today in 1 Corinthians 12: 4-7:

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

There are many gifts. Many services. But the same Lord. There many activities. But the same God that empowers them.

The Spirit is given for the common good.

Today, there is one church. Now that church may be Baptist, or Methodist, or Catholic, or Non-Denominational, or . . . . .

These labels don’t matter. There is one God. And we are His church.

Today, no matter what church we belong to, remember, there is one church.

And may we together work for the common calling of taking Jesus Christ’s love to the world.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

No Prayer is Insignificant

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One of the things that can really affect our prayer life, if not careful is this.

Well, why should I pray about this? Aren’t there more important things for God to worry about this? Aren’t there starving kids in the world, or hurts, or pains, or other things.

Why should I pray about this? It’s so insignificant.

That’s what we are tempted to think sometimes.

If you have ever thought that thought or struggled with that, listen to what Jesus says today in Matthew 10:29-31:

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

He says aren’t two sparrows sold for nothing, and God notices them? He even knows the very hairs upon your head.

He knows you. He loves you. He cares for you.

And whatever matters to you, really does matter to God.

No prayer that we pray insignificant. Really. God really cares about you today. Really. He really cares about your hurts, worries, and fears today.

He does.

Do not be afraid, or ashamed to pray to Him today. Don’t be afraid or worried to take your concerns to Him today.

He knows them. And He loves you. Today.

Your prayers matter to God today. No matter what they are. No matter how you may feel about them.

Even you feel like they don’t really “matter” they do matter to God.

Today, no prayer is insignificant. Give your worries and pains to God. Today, pray to God in all your places, in all your ways, and in all life.

Today, God cares about you more than you’ll ever know. Today, He longs to hear your concerns.

Today, give them to God!

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

Whom Shall We Fear?

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Jesus never promises us in the bible that things will always be easy and perfect. He never tells us troubles will not come.

In fact, what He says in scripture is quite the opposite. He does not say that troubles will be absent, but in fact, He goes the complete other way.

He says – you will face troubles.

You will have trials.

There will be tough times. There will be tears and worry and stress and pain.

There will be.

But, that’s not all He promised us.

Look what is says today in Matthew 10: 26-28:

“So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

We will have these things happen. But do not fear. Do not fear those in life that can “hurt” you. For they can’t. Dont’ fear the one that hurt the body.

Fear the one that will judge the soul.

We should not fear any other human. We should fear (i.e. respect) God.

Why should we not fear any other human? As a great picture on the internet put it, you’ve got an all-powerful, all-knowing, all loving, in control, three in one God on your side.

Now act like it!

I love that. It’s actually my phone background right now. God is on our side. God is for us. God is with us. Whom shall we fear?

No one. We can have NO FEAR today.  For God is with us! Rejoice. Be strong. Do not fear.

For God is with us. Whom shall we fear?

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

Some Questions and Answers from Yesterday’s Sermon

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One of the things about a sermon, particularly one that is different in style and substance, is that you don’t always see the background thoughts and processes behind what is said.

Several questions have popped up since yesterday’s sermon, so I thought I would answer them publicly in case anyone else may have been wondering the same thing.

What do you mean by apathy?

That is the $64,000 question. To me, apathy just means going through the routines, everything being the same; a loss of passion and motivation, just kind of floating.

And spiritually, I felt like that’s where we were headed. We had gotten into a rut recently where we were going in that direction – in worship, and in a few other areas.

Does that mean things are bad? No. God is blessing our church every Sunday. We are doing great things here each week. He is showering us with His blessings.

But, as pastor, I have felt this creeping complacency the last few weeks. I prayed about it, and nothing happened. I found myself growing frustrated with how to push us to that next level.

You know, how do we take that leap?

Why are you frustrated? Are you mad with Asbury? Did something happen?

Was I frustrated? Honestly, yes, I was, because as your pastor, and as your friend, I want to do all that I can do to help you achieve that “win” we talked about yesterday – growing closer to God.

But, I wasn’t at all angry with the church, or with anyone specifically. I was trying to impress upon you the importance of this moment, because I know what we can do here. I know our potential. I believe that we literally have the potential and ability to change Petal, Forrest County, Perry County and the entire world with the goodness of God’s love and grace.

Are you moving?

Gosh, NO! I was joking with someone today that I’ve learned that when I break out the stool, that’s where folks minds go! I am not going anywhere. I am as excited about the future of this church as I’ve ever been. We have HUGE things to do here in the coming years.

HUGE.

And we are going to do it.

Asbury is the absolute best place I’ve ever been in ministry. We have amazing potential. I want to see us achieve it. I want to see us achieve what God has for us to do.

Ok, so what do we do?

We take that leap. Move to what is next. In our lives. In our faith. In our families. We move forward. We share our faith with others. We plug in and serve. We pray, read our bible, and come to church.

We make every effort to be salt and light daily.

So, if I pushed a little hard yesterday, or seemed frustrated, it’s only because of this: I love you. I love this church. And I know what you, and we, can do together for the Kingdom. And

I want to see us do it.

Let’s be salt and light. Let’s make a difference today and every day!

Grace

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Grace is probably my favorite word in faith. Grace is the word that I probably use more than any others in sermons, conversations, teaching.

Grace is so important talking about God’s love for us, our response to that love, and our response for daily living.

Grace really is the foundation for the Christian life. Everything comes back to grace.

Everything.

Look at what happens today in Luke 9:53-56:

But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them. And they went on to another village.

They are rejected by a town of the Samaritans. James and John tell Jesus, hey, you want us to call down fire from heaven and consume them?

(First, by the way, they don’t have the power to that, only God can do that. Let’s not mistake what God is doing through us for “our abilities.” It’s God working through us)

And how does Jesus respond?

He rebukes them. He responds with grace.

He had just been rejected by this village. He had come to show them mercy and salvation and healing.

And He had been rejected.

How did He respond to that? Grace. He didn’t judge or bring down fire.

He rebuked the ones that wanted to.

Why? That word again – grace.

The ones that rejected Him just then, He would later go on to die for them, as He would die for the world.

He responded to their rejection by loving them anyway.

Just like He loves us, anyway.

Today, you are loved. No matter what’s happened in your life, happening in your life, going to happen in your life.

Today, you are loved. Remember that. Remember that everything, everything comes back to grace.

Today, live in the power of His grace.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

Access

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One of the most amazing things about the work that God did for us through Christ is this. We have access to the throne of grace.

No longer must we go through a priest to have access to God. No longer must we go through any person to access to God’s grace.

Listen to what it says in Hebrews 8:1-2 today.

Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.

We each have access to God through our high priest, Jesus Christ. He is seated at God’s right hand, interceding for us, pulling for us, there for us.

Each of us have access to Him. Each of us have direct access to Him. Directly. Through no one else.

You have access to God today. You don’t have to go through me. Or any other preacher or teacher.

You have all the access to God that you need.

You really don’t need me to have access to God. I’m here to love, teach, preach, care, pastor, be a friend, and lead. As many of your pastor, and many of your friend, and for some of y’all, just a dude on the internet, I’m here to help you in your walk with God.

But you don’t need me (or any other preacher) to have access to God.

You can stop right now. At this moment. And pray. And God hears you.

You can go directly to Him right now.

WOW!!!!!!!

That is awesome. The God of the universe hears your prayers. And you have access to Him.

Today, may we take advantage of this great blessing that we have. And may we turn to Him in this, and all, moments.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

God Hears Your Prayer

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God hears our prayers. No matter when or where we say them, He hears them.

He doesn’t just hear the prayers we pray in church.

He doesn’t just hear our safe, happy prayers of life being good.

He doesn’t just hear the prayers of blessings for ourselves or for others.

He hears the prayers of pain. Of anguish. Of hurt. Of regret.

Of loss.

Listen to what happens today in Jonah 2:1-3:

Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, saying, “I called out to the Lord, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your waves and your billows passed over me.

Jonah had run from God’s calling on him. God had told him to go and preach to people that he didn’t like.

So, he ran. He ran away, got kicked off a boat, and swallowed by a great fish.

And here in the belly of this fish, he prayed.

I’ve been in some bad spots, in some tight places, prayed in some odd places but I’ve never had to pray there.

Jonah did. And what happened? God heard his prayer. God heard what he said. God heard his plea.

And God freed him from the belly.

Today, no matter where you are, God will hear your prayers. He will. I promise you, He will.

God hears every prayer that we pray. Every one.

No matter how dark it may seem. No matter how dark it may be. No matter how lost the case may seem, know this. God hears your prayers.

Today – you are happy – pray.

If you are sad – pray.

If you are hurt – pray.

If you are lonely – pray.

If you are angry – pray.

No matter what is going on in your life today – pray.

And know that God hears your prayers. And He will be there with you, and for you. No matter what.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.