Tag Archives: Life

Struggling with “Stuff”

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Jesus is having a conversation with the rich young man in a text in the Bible. Jesus tells him to sell all that he has, give it to the poor, and follow Him.

The young man can’t do that, and the disciples are stunned. They are unsure how to react. This doesn’t make sense.

So, they talk to Jesus, what are we to do? If that guy isn’t going to be faithful and follow, who can? Peter, as always gives voice to their fears and concerns. Listen to what happens in Matthew 9:27-30:

Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world,when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

IHeartMyStuffZipperPouchPeter says, ok, we’ve done it. We’ve left it all to follow you. What will happen to us?

Jesus tells them, anyone that has left what they have to follow me, they will receive ten-fold in eternity.

For, this world is not our home. This world is not the end. This world is just the beginning.

One of my struggles is with my “stuff.” I love my “stuff.” I love my iPad, my iPhone, all my stuff. I’m a geek. I like stuff.

Stuff is not bad. Anytime we read these passages we are tempted to think that our “stuff” is bad.

That’s not what He’s saying. What He’s saying is this. You can’t love your stuff more than you love Him.

You can’t love your “stuff” more than you love Jesus. When you do that, that’s when you get in trouble. The stuff of this world is fading. It will not last. It will pass away.

The stuff of God is unfading. Everlasting. Full of life and hope and glory forever.

So, our stuff is ok. Our hope is in Jesus.

Today, where is your hope? In your stuff? Or in Jesus? Only one is everlasting and truly gives life.

Today, may we find that life in Jesus.

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 Cannot Lie

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Crossing out Lies and writing Truth on a blackboard.God cannot lie.

That’s a big thing to understand and remember. He cannot lie. It is not part of His personality and nature. It is not part of who He is.

He cannot lie.

Every promise He has made to us will come true. Every Word of His that we stand upon is sure.

Jesus, who is the visible image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15) tells us that He is the way, the truth, and the life. So, God is truth. And God cannot lie.

Today, trust in that.

Listen to what it says in Hebrews 6:18-20:

so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

We, who have turned to God for refuge, can have that hope and encouragement. God cannot lie. He will keep His promise.

He will not leave us or forsake us. He will not turn us aside. God is with us.

He has promised us that. His word has echoed that truth in our ears. We know it, we read it, we have heard it preached.

But, know this. It is truth. He cannot, will not lie. He will not leave your side. He loves you, He cares for you, He will not forsake you.

You are His.

No matter the weather, the context, the mistake, the failing, the hurt, the pain, the whatever.

God loves you. He has promised. And He cannot lie.

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.

Holy Land 2013 – Day Seven – Up From the Grave

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Today was our last day in the Holy Land. It’s been a great trip. I’ve learned so much. So much of what I have learned and experienced is because of the great work of our leader, Dr. Sam Morris. Sam has been phenomenal and I can’t thank him enough for what he has taught me in this trip.

DSCN0728Today was one of the days where we really walked where Jesus walked. We spent the entire day in the Old City. We started the day off by entering in the city through the Dung Gate. From there we went on top of the Temple Mount, seeing the Al-Aqua Mosque and the Dome of the Rock.

Leaving there, we saw some steps at the bottom that literally go back to the first temple. Yep, the one that Solomon built. Cool, huh?

After that, we went to the Western Wall. This is the only wall left standing from Herod’s Temple after Rome destroyed the city and the temple. This is the holiest place in all of Judaism. We were able to go and pray there. It was pretty neat.

DSCN0786From there, we went to the teaching steps. This is where Jesus would have taught from, specifically the Seven Woes found in Matthew. So, standing here, we literally stood where Jesus stood. We know that we know that we know that we know Jesus stood here and taught. There is no doubt.

After that, we went to Bethesda where He healed the man on the Sabbath. And from there we walked down the Via Delarosa ending up at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. This is the actual site of the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. Hear me, y’all. This is the actual site of these things.

DSCN0845We got to touch Mt. Calvary. We got to see the place where the earthquake spilt open the mountain. We got to touch where the cross was put in the ground. We got to see the place that Sam feels very confident in the actual tomb, we got to see what a tomb would have looked like, and we got to the traditional spot of the tomb.

Wow!

And this is my take away from today, and really from the entire trip. As we were in a tomb that is next to the actual tomb, we read the story of the crucifixion and burial. We prayed. And then we sang together “Up From the Grave He Arose.” From next to the spot where He arose from.

It was amazing. I’m tearing up right now thinking about it. To sing of His death, and then to sing “Death could not keep its prey” is amazing.

And that’s my take away. As awesome as this place is (and you each need to come. Really. It will change your life and your faith) this is even more amazing. Up from the grave He arose!

Where oh death is your victory? Where oh death is your sting?

Sin, death, and the grave are defeated! Christ is victorious! Through Him, we have nothing to fear. We have won.

We are not a people of places or of churches. We are people of relationships. With each other. And with God.

I’ve been convicted of my sin this week by seeing the places where my Lord suffered from. I have felt that strong hand of conviction on my heart in this week. I have been reminded of what my sin cost my Lord.

Today, through, I was reminded of this – He is not dead. He is alive.

Death could not hold Him down. The grave could not keep Him.

My sin, your sin, it has been paid for. Jesus has paid the price. And the grave is empty. Death has been defeated!

We are not judged. We are not condemned. We are not forsaken.

We are loved. We are freed. We are given grace.

Today, I’ve seen the tomb. And hear me friends. It is empty! Life has won.

He is not in the ground. He is not here. He’s in us.

Up from the grave He arose! Wow! Yes! Praise Jesus!

Live forgiven. For you are. You are a forgiven child of God. Live in that grace today!

See you back in the good ole US of A.

For Our Good and God’s Glory

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One of things that I know in life that is true, is that all things will work out for our good and for God’s glory.

All things.

God is going to use every circumstance of your life and everything that happens in your day today for your good. And for His glory.

Listen to what God says through Paul today in 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12:

To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1-all-things-markHe says that God will give us power to fulfill every good work, so that the name of Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him.

In other words, today, in what’s happening, God, through His power, will work it out, in some way so that He receives glory.

No matter what it is. Somehow, no matter what’s happening, He is going to use it for His glory somehow.

His name will be praised through the circumstance of your life.

I don’t know how all the time, but it will.

And likewise, even if you don’t understand, He will work it out for your good as well. Somehow, someway, whatever it is that you are going through, God will work it out for you good.

You may think it’s impossible. And it may not be immediate. But, this situation you are going through, somehow, someway, God is going to work it out for your good, and for His glory.

He promised.

And He is true to His word.

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.

Our True Home

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pt320_house_block_outlineC.S. Lewis said “If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.”

This world is not our home. We are created for a world other than this.  As awesome as life here is, as awesome as it, as many things as we love, as many blessings as we have, this world is not our home.

We were created for something better.

We were created for our true home.

Jesus puts it like this in John 18:36-37:

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

Jesus said, I am a king, but my kingdom is not of this world.  He is not an early king.  He is a heavenly king.  And that is our true home.  Our true home is at home with Him.

But, here’s the cool part. Think about what Lewis said in the beginning. If we know that our true home is with God, we have all the more motivate and call to work hard in this life.

I want as many as possible to join me in our true home. So, I’m going to work to share the good news of grace and mercy.

I want “thy will to be done on earth, as it is in heaven” to not just be something that we say in church, but something that we live out every day.

I want as many as possible to know that freedom and forgiveness that comes in Jesus Christ.

I believe in heaven. And I can’t wait to get there. So because of that, I have the freedom, the call, the joy to live my life with our true home in mind all times.

There is life in that.  Are you living today with your true home in mind?

Won’t you join me?

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.

Learn to do Good

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I love reading the Bible and seeing a certain phrase or concept just sort of jump out at you.

That’s what happened to me today in reading Isaiah 1:16-18.  Listen to what it says:

Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause. “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.

20learn-600I was reading and I got the part that always encourages me, verse 18, about the forgiveness of sins offered to us by God. And that’s always good stuff. Good to ready, good to remember. That always motivates me and fires me up.

But the part that stuck out to me was verse 17. Where it says this.

“Learn to do good.” I like that. Learn to do go. Learn good. Work on it. Get better at it.

We aren’t just magically going to do right. We are going to fall. We are going to make mistakes. We are going to mess up. It’s going to happen. To me. To you. That’s human life.

Daily, each day, each moment, learn to do go. Work on it. Keep trying. Keep working. Keep being faithful.

You can do it! God loves you. God has forgiven you. Through His blood, you are redeemed, you are restored.

Learn to do good. Be faithful. As I like to say – pray, read your Bible, and go to church.

Learn.

When you fall down, get up. Today is a new day. Live it fully.

Today, you are forgiven. Today, work on being faithful. Live in His love.

And learn to good. May the God of mercy fill us with His grace, that we may be faithful today, and each day!

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.

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.

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.

For God’s Glory

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God has promised to take care of us. To give us what we need. To give us life, grace, and mercy.

To restore us. To give us a hope. To give us a future. To give us life and peace.

The word says that God will give us the desires of our hearts. Now first, through He must have our hearts. So, when He has our hearts, the changes them, and forms them in His image.

And then, as our hearts are drawn closer to His heart, we gives us the desires of our heart.

But does all this, not just for us. But, for Him. Listen to what it says in Ezekiel 36:23-24:

And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land.

God will be at work in us, and for us, not just for us. But for His glory.

He is going to use all things in our lives in our lives and for His glory.

All things.

He is going to use you today in this day to bring glory to His name. You are His prized possession. You are the apple of His eye. He loves and adores you.

And He will give you life and grace and peace.

And He will use all of your life, all of your circumstances, all that you are for His glory.

Today, all things in life, they will work for our good. And for God’s glory.

All things will. He has promised us.

And so when life is hard, we don’t understand or question or doubt or are afraid.

Remember. It will work for our good, and for God’s glory.

Remember. 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.

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.