Mondays Devotional

April 21, 2008 - The Power of Confession - Philippians 4:10-13

Welcome to the In Touch Devotional. By Dr. Charles Stanley

Sometimes we set ourselves up for defeat by letting adversity dictate our decisions. Christianity would’ve lost a great leader and teacher if the apostle Paul had stopped serving the Lord because of his difficulties. Paul endured a shipwreck, persecution, beatings, and poverty. Instead, Paul made a bold proclamation from prison. In Philippians chapter 4:13, Paul says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Paul prepared himself to perform any service or face any trial for the Lord. His willingness was rooted in the belief that God would always be faithful. He could’ve regarded prior difficulties as a run of bad luck and chosen to give up. Instead, the apostle viewed his experiences as proof that the Father would provide what was required in any circumstance. Paul wrote in Philippians 4:12, he had learned to be content in every situation. He says God always met his physical, spiritual, and emotional needs at the right moment.

The apostle tackled each new challenge with the confidence that Christ would equip him to do the job well. Too often people ignore a new opportunity that feels unfamiliar. Never having tried it, they anticipate being unable to meet expectations. But the Lord’s call to a fresh area of service means He’s about to do good work through His child.

If a believer is willing to serve God in any capacity, he’ll make an impact for the kingdom. Remember, Paul’s proclamation is also ours. We can do all things through Christ, who’s our strength.

April 19-20 - Expanding the Church’s Horizons - Acts 1:1-8

Welcome to the In Touch Devotional. Dr. Charles Stanley

The line where the sky meets the earth is called the horizon. It is the farthest point of land or water that a person can see. But, the universe extends far beyond what the eye can behold.

In a similar way, the church’s vision can be limited. God’s mandate is to bring the gospel to every nation. Some believers often confine their outreach to what they see as manageable. Sometimes what holds them back from fulfilling God’s command is their limited experiences and understanding.

In other words, the believers frequently act according to logic. Our Father calls His children to obey in faith. Rational thought might lead people to avoid missions in a foreign country because of safety concerns or a language barrier. No excuse can nullify the truth of Jesus’ statement from Luke chapter 18:27: “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God”.

The Lord expects His followers to obey when He says in Matthew chapter 28:19, “Make disciples of all the nations.” But He knows human limitations. So Acts chapter 1:8 tells us He empowers through His Spirit. The Holy Spirit provides guidance, wisdom, and strength to accomplish His will.

The church is to share the gospel. God will call individuals to fulfill this commission in different ways. All believers are to participate through prayer, giving, and action. Pray for direction and wisdom in communicating the good news of salvation to the world. The Holy Spirit will lead and empower you.

Daily Devotion

I have added to this post a daily devotion that will be placed here. Great men of God from Charles H. Spurgeon to Charles Stanley will be posted at random. I hope you enjoy the daily devotion and make it a part of your devotion plan daily. In our Basic Training Sermons we have featured the extreme importance on studying the Word of God. We must take the time to read the word of God. To forsake it causes us to be unaware and ill prepared for what will face us daily. To neglect it will make you weak and anemic in your daily battles with the enemy of your soul.
It's time Christians replace the TV with the Bible and return to the call and mission he has called us to. Until next time, Semper Fi, Pastor T

Devotion for Today - C.H. Spurgeon

“Behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.” - Mat_27:51
No mean miracle was wrought in the rending of so strong and thick a veil; but it was not intended merely as a display of power-many lessons were herein taught us. The old law of ordinances was put away, and like a worn-out vesture, rent and laid aside. When Jesus died, the sacrifices were all finished, because all fulfilled in him, and therefore the place of their presentation was marked with an evident token of decay. That rent also revealed all the hidden things of the old dispensation: the mercy-seat could now be seen, and the glory of God gleamed forth above it. By the death of our Lord Jesus we have a clear revelation of God, for he was “not as Moses, who put a veil over his face.” Life and immortality are now brought to light, and things which have been hidden since the foundation of the world are manifest in him. The annual ceremony of atonement was thus abolished. The atoning blood which was once every year sprinkled within the veil, was now offered once for all by the great High Priest, and therefore the place of the symbolical rite was broken up. No blood of bullocks or of lambs is needed now, for Jesus has entered within the veil with his own blood. Hence access to God is now permitted, and is the privilege of every believer in Christ Jesus. There is no small space laid open through which we may peer at the mercy-seat, but the rent reaches from the top to the bottom. We may come with boldness to the throne of the heavenly grace. Shall we err if we say that the opening of the Holy of Holies in this marvellous manner by our Lord’s expiring cry was the type of the opening of the gates of paradise to all the saints by virtue of the Passion? Our bleeding Lord hath the key of heaven; he openeth and no man shutteth; let us enter in with him into the heavenly places, and sit with him there till our common enemies shall be made his footstool.

Evening
“The Amen.”
- Rev_3:14
The word AMEN solemnly confirms that which went before; and Jesus is the great Confirmer; immutable, for ever is “the Amen” in all his promises. Sinner, I would comfort thee with this reflection. Jesus Christ said, “Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” If you come to him, he will say “Amen” in your soul; his promise shall be true to you. He said in the days of his flesh, “The bruised reed I will not break.” O thou poor, broken, bruised heart, if thou comest to him, he will say “Amen” to thee, and that shall be true in thy soul as in hundreds of cases in bygone years. Christian, is not this very comforting to thee also, that there is not a word which has gone out of the Saviour’s lips which he has ever retracted? The words of Jesus shall stand when heaven and earth shall pass away. If thou gettest a hold of but half a promise, thou shalt find it true. Beware of him who is called “Clip-promise,” who will destroy much of the comfort of God’s word.
Jesus is Yea and Amen in all his offices. He was a Priest to pardon and cleanse once, he is Amen as Priest still. He was a King to rule and reign for his people, and to defend them with his mighty arm, he is an Amen King, the same still. He was a Prophet of old, to foretell good things to come, his lips are most sweet, and drop with honey still-he is an Amen Prophet. He is Amen as to the merit of his blood; he is Amen as to his righteousness. That sacred robe shall remain most fair and glorious when nature shall decay. He is Amen in every single title which he bears; your Husband, never seeking a divorce; your Friend, sticking closer than a brother; your Shepherd, with you in death’s dark vale; your Help and your Deliverer; your Castle and your High Tower; the Horn of your strength, your confidence, your joy, your all in all, and your Yea and Amen in all.

The man and his message...

I spent some time today reading a book on the life of a preacher who ministered from 1933 till his death in 1965. Off and on I would read it until I almost finished the whole book. A friend of mine is wrapped up into a church that practically deifies that preacher. As I read about him and his life I was more and more taken by the way he became encased in his "calling". The author of the book told about the mans life as it was evolving through the eyes of those who witnessed his ministry. He used heliography's of the man. Yeah I asked the same thing. What is Heliography? I had to look it up in a dictionary. Anyway the short explanation is that the writer of the biography Idolizes the subject about whom they are writing. In other words they worship him and he can do no wrong. There were comments about this preacher by some that were not so flattering as well. The book was interesting as it gave details not only about the man but also about the growth of particular denominations as well as the mans on religious body that came to be and in my continued opinion still is cultish. There is an inherent danger to lifting up a man to the point of being above all others. This man, William Marion Branham, was and is considered not just a prophet but the only prophet for the end time age. As I read his story it reminded me of the story of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon religion. Full of visions and of course the "Angel". I have attempted to be fair in my discussions on this person but the more I look into it the more disturbing this becomes. For anyone to lift up a preacher to that level is as I said before, dangerous. The persons in this church, that prides itself on non denominational ism, is within itself a denomination and Branham is the leader. This is factual today even though he was killed from injuries he received in an automobile accident in 1965. The pastors of the groups that are linked to this man quote him more than anyone in the Bible. His words are trusted as even to some, as equal to scripture. It was not surprising to me that he was one of the top preachers in the early Pentecostal and Charismatic churches, having his background in early healing crusades and associates like F.F. Bosworth, Moore and Parham. I only mention this in my blog because there is that danger today. Christians should be on guard to what any preacher, pastor, spiritual leader or the like is feeding them. In every case the message should always be taken back to scripture and to the proper context of the scripture. One rule I have always followed, let scripture interpret scripture. Be ever cautious about the man and his message, make sure it is not his message but HIS message and that it is backed up by the bible. No man has a monopoly on scripture, the Bible itself says that it is of no private interpretation. Christians should make sure they are following Christ. Jesus said, follow me and I will make you fishers of men. The essence is on following Christ. I surmise the Apostle Paul put this way, follow me as I follow Christ. To follow Christ is not to lead apart from Christ or his teaching or doctrines. I am still convinced that the warning in Revelation holds true, that anyone who adds to or takes away the prophecies of this book (the Bible) will face a penalty stricter than anything imaginable.
It's an awesome responsibility to be a pastor, to preach the Word of God and to be appointed the shepherd of a flock. Just being a pastor scares me enough to be careful of what I believe about my calling is as well. Pastoring and preaching the Word of God is more than tearing down other ministries, more than trying to make a name for yourself. It is lifting up the name of Jesus Christ above all others, lifting up HIS Gospel, preaching and teaching HIS Word. The Apostle Paul gave a warning to us. The Apostle Paul wrote in Gal 1:6-9 "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: (7) Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. (8) But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. (9) As we said before, so say I now again, If any [man] preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." Even as I have shared this scripture with some followers of this man, they turn even it, to show it as a shadow of William Marion Branhams life. A man that saw Visions, spoke to Angels, believed to have had supernatural powers granted him, should be looked at with extreme caution. Remember the New Testament advise from the Apostles. Beware of false prophets and those whom you would call and consider a prophet. Well this is enough for now. I still have about 20 pages of the book to read. However, I do not believe my opinion will change. Well all the information about him or any other person who calls themselves a prophet or self appointed apostle is something to think on or as I am fond of saying, chew on it. My advise however is to spit it out, and whatever you do don't swallow it hook line and sinker. In Christ, Pastor T

Watch and Pray!

Watch and Pray that you not be left behind when Jesus comes again. The question is still: Are You Ready?

Are You Ready?

The devotion for this morning was Hebrews 12:24. "We are come to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel." KJV. Have you come to the blood of Jesus? Have you come to that place where you have accepted Christ? Until you come to that point you cannot be "Ready". Except you be ready you will not be accepted to the marriage supper. In the words of ole Snuffy Smith, "Times a Waistin"