Tag Archives: Jesus

Charging Hell with a Water Pistol

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There’s some days when I’m reading the bible and it just says to me – Boom!

One of my professors used to talk about that sometimes when we really believe, I mean, really believe what we can do, or better said, what God can do through us, we will be so fired up that we will want to charge hell with a water pistol.

The odds may look long, but we know that with God on our side, me, you, a super-soaker, and God can defeat the power of Hell.

Today’s passage did that for me.

Look at what happens in Act 17:6-7 today:

And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.

They dragged the disciples before the leaders and said – these are the ones that have turned the world upside down.

Come on now. That’s it right there.

Don’t you want them to say about us, those are the ones that have turned the world upside down. They have this King Jesus, that they follow and the change the world.

They help heal broken families. They love the unloveable. They help the poor. They feed the hungry. They proclaim the freedom that is found in no other name but Jesus.

They are crazy enough to think that they can change the world. They have turned the world upside down.

Through following Jesus, through His power and life, through proclaiming the gospel, so can we!

It doesn’t have to be the same. It can change. We can change. The world can change. Through Christ and His power, we can turn this world upside down.

We can do it. Today. Through His power. Let’s turn the world upside down. Jesus told us that the gates of will not triumph against His church. Let’s charge hell with a water pistol today. Today, through Christ, we can do it!

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.

Who Do We Write Off?

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It can be easy to miss what God is doing. It can be very easy.

We can be distracted by the circumstances of life. We can be distracted by sin. We can be distracted by the stuff in our lives. We can be distracted by the stuff in others.

We can judge others too quickly. We can judge ourselves too quickly.

We can just not pay attention to the stuff of God sometimes.

And when we aren’t attuned to God, it can be so easy to miss what He wanting to do.

Listen to what happened in John 1: 45-49:

Philip found Nathanael and said to him, We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. Nathanael said to him, Can anything good come out of Nazareth? Philip said to him, Come and see. Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit! Nathanael said to him, How do you know me? Jesus answered him, Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you. Nathanael answered him, Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!

We see here that Nathanael almost missed Jesus Christ, even after Phillip pointed Jesus out to him. Why?

Because Nathanael, he just knew that nothing good could come out of Nazareth. Nothing. Nothing good could come from that.

So, he almost wrote off Jesus. He almost missed what God was going to do with his life, because surly nothing good could come from Nazareth.

Nothing.

He almost wrote Jesus off, because he already had him mind made up.

Today, be careful. Who do we write off? Who do we prejudge?

How can miss what God wants to do in our lives?

Today, be attuned to the stuff of God. Pray. Listen. Watch. Be gracious. Love.

Look for Jesus in the small things. Look for Jesus in the big things.

Today, if we look, we will see God in our midst. May we not quickly write off what God wants to do.

And may we be faithful in all things!

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.

Forgiveness is Freedom

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Forgiveness is hard. It is not easy. We don’t always like it. We don’t always want to do it.

Some folks have wronged us in some big and bad ways. They have hurt us, angered us, cause harm to us.

We don’t want to forgive.

It’s never easy. And, even the most devout saint, they never enjoy it.

But, we must forgive. Listen to what Jesus says today in Luke 17:3-4:

Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, “I repent,” you must forgive him.

Forgiveness. It doesn’t free “them.” It frees “us.” When we don’t forgive. When we hold on. When we keep grudges, when we keep old hate, old wounds, old hurts, when we hold onto them for years and years and years, the only person it hurts is us.

We forgive. Because that forgiveness is freedom. Forgiving them doesn’t release them. It releases us. It frees us. It set us loose.

If you haven’t forgiven them, you are captive to them.

Know it’s hard. It’s not fun. And it’s not done magically with one simple word or wish.

It’s done over and over and over again. Daily. Day after day after day. We take it to the cross and we give it.

Today, forgiveness is freedom. When we forgive, we set ourselves free.

Today, may we know that freedom. Today, may we forgive.

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.

Simple, Childlike Faith

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Today, we read about Jesus and the children. Listen to what happens in Luke 18:15-17:

Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.

Ever wonder why the disciples didn’t want the children around Jesus? I mean, really? What was about the kids that made the disciples fuss at folks?

I mean, we love kids, right? Everyone of us, particularly those of us in families, we value our kids above, well, most everyone and everything.

That’s the lives that we lead today.

That wasn’t the case in Jesus’ day. Back then, children were little more than property. Children weren’t that important.
In the mind of the disciples, Jesus literally had a million things more important to fool with than children.

But, that’s not what Jesus believed.

For Him, thought the children may not have mattered to the crowd. Or the disciples. Or even to society. They matter to Him. For He loved them. He valued them. He came for them.

And, instead of rebuking the children, he rebuked the adults. He said it’s not the children are unworthy. But if we want to see the kingdom of heaven, we must become like that child.

We must have simple faith. Simple trust. Simple belief.

Childlike.

Today, do we have that? Do we have that simple childlike faith? Even though it may seem naive. Even though it may be looked down upon by the world. Even though it may simple.

It’s what the Lord wants us to have.

And remember that they looked down on these simple children. And the Lord welcomed them in.

Just like, when we have that simple childlike faith, He will welcome us in.

Today, may we have that childlike faith. May we trust. And in that trust, may we glorify God with all that we are!

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.

Religion vs Relationship

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Paul went many places sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In his time, he literally traveled across the world, telling folks about the good news of Jesus.

But, one of the more interesting places that he went was went he went to Athens. Athens was a place that was defined by religion. There were literally places to worship everywhere across the city.

Athens didn’t have too little religion. It had too much religion.

What it was missing was not religion, it was the truth that is found in Jesus Christ.
Listen to what happens to Paul today in Acts 17:22-25:

So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, “To the unknown god.” What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.

Paul says – you don’t need religion. You need relationship. Relationship is what matters. Relationship is the key.

God is not wanting you to be “religious” today. He wants you to fall in love with His son, Jesus Christ. And if you fall in love with Jesus, feel His life and His grace within you today, the religion question will take care of itself.

Don’t worry about religion today. Focus on Jesus. His life. His grace. His power. Focus on that. And the rest will take care of its self.

God doesn’t need more religious folks out there. He needs more folks that love Jesus, and want to love others like Jesus.

If we, as the church, and as Christians do that, we will have the religion that God really wants us to have.

Chasing after Jesus. Everything starts there.

Today, may we chase after Him, and after that relationship with Him with every moment of our lives!

And in that, may we find true life!

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.

Different

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I have a joke that I like to make at Asbury, that is more than a joke – it’s true.

I tell my people, if you tell folks that you are a Christian, and they are surprised, that’s probably not a good sign.

Our lives should be different. Our lives should be different from the world and the culture around us. Our lives have a different purpose, a different goal, a different plan, a different hope.

We are supposed to be different.

Why?

Jesus makes us that way. Look at what happens today in Luke 10:5-8:

And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.”

Zacchaeus was a man who was a tax collector, meaning that took up taxes for the Roman government. He was also able to skim as much from the top as he could through that.

In other words, he was a thief. And when he met Jesus, he changed.

He was different. Jesus made him different. Jesus changed him.

That’s what He does for us as well. He wants to make you different today.

Not a bad different, a good different. Give you hope, peace, joy, life.

Give you something worth having.

Today, be different. Jesus has life laid out for us today that is amazing.

Today, be different. Today, know His life.

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.

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.