Bought With A Price


20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.
1 Cor 6:20 (NASB)


Paul must have wanted to drive this point home because he mentioned again in the next chapter.


23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.
1 Cor 7:23 (NASB)


Bought with a price. This isn't one of those feel good verses is it? It makes me squirm a little bit. It speaks of ownership. As a matter of fact in a previous verse (6:19) Paul says that we are not our own. Paul, on numerous occasions, goes as far to say that we are bondslaves of the Lord Jesus Christ. That doesn't echo of political correctness does it? In essence it is saying that when we sign on to God's program, He owns us lock, stock and barrel; to be used by Him for His sovereign purpose any way He sees fit. That would seem to answer a lot of the "why" questions(not all, but a lot) we have about life.


21 Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?

Romans 9:21 (NASB)


That being said let me get down to it. I labored for many years under a delusion of what success really was. Truth be known it was so ingrained within me that I still from time to time wrestle with my sense of "success" in this life. In reality, my battles have not been with my crowning successes, on the contrary, it is a sense of failure that has haunted me. Ever feel that way? Can't see the great things God has done in your life?No, no, it's the shortcomings and failures that glare back at you. Yeah, I feel ya. You know in our world success is usually measured in material wealth or in accomplishment. It seems that in ministry it's all about numbers. Better programs, bigger buildings, more people, you know what I mean? In the world, success and with it self worth is graded by you know...cha ching...who's got the most bling! Amen? He who dies with the most toys wins!! I believe God does the grading on a different scale. It's not about success, it's about FAITHFULNESS. Yeah, I know..it's taken DECADES for that to get down into my soul and I still deal with it. Remember our verse? Bought with a price. God uses us,you and me, for His purposes, whether the world puts a successful tag on it or not. Let me tell you something(and me too!smile) Our circumstances, our ministries, our lives may not measure up in the world's eyes. Heck, they may not measure up in OUR OWN EYES! But, if we are faithful to God's call, no matter what it is; if we are following His path as best we can, then we are measuring up in HIS eyes!


3 But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself. 4 For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord.
1 Cor 4:3-4 (NASB)


Let me give you an example from Scripture of an "unsuccessful" ministry. Turn with me to Isaiah please.

Isaiah's Commission

8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!" 9 He said, "Go, and tell this people: 'Keep on listening, but do not perceive; Keep on looking, but do not understand.' 10 " Render the hearts of this people insensitive, Their ears dull, And their eyes dim, Otherwise they might see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, Understand with their hearts, And return and be healed." 11 Then I said, "Lord, how long?" And He answered, "Until cities are devastated and without inhabitant, Houses are without people And the land is utterly desolate

Isaiah 6:8-13 (NASB)


You know Isaiah boldly answers God's call. "Here am I. Send me!" That's the way it is with us sometimes isn't it. We're going to jump right in and save the world. Then reality sets in. Look at verse 9. Isaiah basically was told that his ministry, his God called, God ordained ministry was going to be a.....FAILURE! Isaiah you're going to minister to people that will not understand, they will not perceive. They will be insensitive, dull and dim. Hmmm. I can hear Isaiah now. " Jeez Louise, this isn't going to be much to write home about. No entourages flying about. No great audiences filling up auditoriums every where I go.Hmmm...I don't know about this??" Once he gets the big picture, he asks God a question, "Lord, how long?" God's answer in so many words,"..for the rest of your life"


God has a purpose and His purpose is sovereign. It can't be thwarted. You remember that soul that you gave an encouraging word to last week? That was just as important(maybe more so) in God's eyes as that mighty preacher who ministered to thousands. That child or parent or neighbor that you helped will receive the same reward as Billy Graham or T.D.Jakes some day. Your circumstances may not be what you desire. People may look at you like you are a nobody. You may even feel like a nobody, but, just take a page from Isaiah. I'm sure he felt like a failure when the people rejected him. But, he was able to trust that God had His back and would keep and protect him through it all. Well, look where his messages and sermons ended up! Amen!! Keep on keeping on. Be encouraged. You and I are where we are for a reason and a purpose. We are bought with a price.


4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Psalms 23:4 (NASB)


God Bless

Why Am I Like This?


Well, the Super Bowl is over and my team lost. So, I will be on football withdrawal until next August when the only team worth watching, The Big Orange kick it off again! That being said, have you ever asked yourself the above question? You know how it goes, you will do something dumb or you will slip up and do something you shouldn't and before long you'll be kicking yourself and asking yourself the above over and over. Right?


I had conversations with two different people this week and they both posed that same, identical question. Exact same words.. everything alike. WHY AM I LIKE THIS? Both were beating themselves up over the fact that they had fallen short this week. How could I be so stupid? I can't believe I did that! Sound familiar? It certainly does to me. All I could say was "Welcome to the club." I have said this before and I will say it again. The truest words ever spoken to me outside of Holy Scripture were these,"There are two kinds of people in this world, the caught and the uncaught, everybody's guilty." You know it's at these times, when we've failed, that the devil will perch himself on our shoulder and start whispering in our ear. Many a time I have sat and not only beat myself up but have listened to the enemy agree with me by telling me how sorry I was and how could I call myself a Christian and do something like that. Amen? As I sat and listened to these folks this week, my mind went to the seventh chapter of Romans:


14 For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. 16 But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. 17 So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. 19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. 20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. 21 I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. 22 For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, 23 but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.
Romans 7:14-25 (NASB)


This passage of scripture is my message today. That answers the question why we are like we are. Allow me a couple of observations before I go. The devil will tell you that God doesn't love you, and you're not really saved etc., etc., blah, blah blah. But, the Bible says that if you believe in the Lord Jesus you are saved. The problem of yours and everybody else's sin, past,present and future was dealt with at Calvary. The Lord Jesus Christ paid the price for every sin that you and I have ever committed or will ever commit.Amen? IT IS FINISHED. PAID IN FULL.


30 Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, " It is finished!" And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
John 19:29-30 (NASB)


Your eternal life is just that.. ETERNAL. Never ending. God doesn't take it away ever time you or I fall short. Keep that truth in your heart. Read the last two verses of Romans 8. Sin is not even mentioned. It has been dealt a death blow through the Cross. BUT, there is a battle raging within your body. Read Romans again. Your flesh is waging a war against your spirit and your mind. That's how the enemy slips his two cents worth in. he will tempt your flesh and do nothing but accuse you. But, listen to me God is not waiting on you to screw up so He can zap you. On the contrary, He wants us to lean on Him and yield to Him in our times of weakness and He has said He will deliver us from ourselves. It may take a while but if we will continue to trust Him we will get there. But, and let this sink in. He loves you and is not condemning you when you fail.


1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1 (NASB)


No ifs ands or buts. Its that simple. NO CONDEMNATION!


1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; 3 Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases; 4 Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;

Psalms 103:1-4 (NASB)


God Bless

The Book


105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
Psalms 119:105 (NASB)


We had a quiz in my class yesterday and above the groans of all in the room, I heard Josh(a young classmate of mine) boom out "I don't have a prayer!" Well, after the quiz we were allowed to grade each other's paper and just as Josh said, he didn't have a prayer!(smile) So, as the class progressed, the professor, stressing over his students' poor performance I imagine, asked a question. Rather straightforwardly he asked us what was giving us problems. Josh immediately spoke up and answered, "I'm just not very good in language." Our professor, trying to encourage him replied "that's not true" and so the banter went back and forth for a couple minutes before Josh was asked point blank "What's giving you trouble? Show me in the book." At this point Josh sheepishly replied "I can't, I don't have a book." The professor replied very calmly and cooly "Josh, how do you expect to learn French if you don't have a French book?" That interchange reminded me of something I had heard over the last few days. A big time, respected man of God recently said on his show that the overwhelming majority of American christians were biblically illiterate. Now, I don't know whether that is true or not and I don't have the right to scold anyone for their Bible reading habits.Amen? But, allow me to share some of my thoughts with you today. O.K.?


You know there are a lot of voices in the world today. Political voices, economic voices, cultural voices but no where and I mean NOWHERE are there more voices than in the religious arena.Those voices come in all sizes, shapes and persuasions. You feel me? You know I used to put a lot of stock in revelation, prophecy,words of knowledge and such. Not so much anymore, BUT,understand that's just me. God can speak anyway He wants to. For example, He spoke to a man through a donkey one time(Numbers 22:28). Another time He spoke by a supernatural handwriting on a wall(Daniel 5:5) God can choose to speak in any way and at anytime He so desires. That being said, with all the voices flying about these days it pays us to "test the spirits."


1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
1 John 4:1 (NASB)


How does one go about testing the spirits? The best and in my opinion, the ONLY way is to see if they line up with what God's Word says. You have to read the Book. Amen? You have to study God's Word.


15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
2 Tim 2:15 (NASB)


I like the KJV better here.


15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Tim 2:14-15 (KJV)


You see in the old days God spoke through the mouths of prophets, holy Men of God; but, today He has given us a more sure word of prophecy:

19 So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.
2 Peter 1:19 (NASB)


What the Apostle Peter is saying here is that these written words, these scriptures are based on eyewitness accounts.(vs.16) They make the prophetic word more sure. But, look at the middle of that verse, " to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place,"


You see the only way to discern these voices is to "pay attention" to the Book. If the words of any voice, my voice included, do not line up with God's Word..reject it. It's that simple. The only way to find guidance for your life is to read the Book. But, you know something? There's another, even better benefit to spending some time in The Book. It get's us alone with God Almighty. It helps us to tune in to what He is saying in our personal lives. He can speak to us generally through His written word but He can also quicken our spirits when we come across a verse meant specifically for us, at that very point in time of our lives. You know what I mean don't you? You know how you will read a verse and you get a stirring in your inward parts. You 'know that you know' that the Holy Spirit is speaking to you through His word. No one has to tell you, YOU KNOW IT! Amen? That's what I'm talking about and that is what gets us talking and listening to Him.God sent and still sends preachers to speak and teach and preach His word. O.K.? BUT, He also wants to speak and teach and preach to us PERSONALLY. He wants some one on one. His will is revealed in His Word. You gotta have the Book
.

Brothers and sisters these are troubling times... Dark, perilous, sinister times. Deceivers, counterfeits and abusers ABOUND. It's a mark of the days in which we live. There's only ONE safe harbor for your soul...it's the Lord Jesus Christ. But, in order to hear and learn about Him. In order to be comforted and encouraged by Him. In order to know Him.. you gotta have the Book.


3 For what does the Scripture say?

Romans 4:2-3 (NASB)


39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me;
John 5:39 (NASB)



God Bless

Futile Speculations


Here in Knoxville because of the valley that we sit in between two mountains the weather is about as erratic as it gets. You know the old saying "if you don't like the weather here just wait 24 hours, it will change?" Well, I believe that saying originated here! Within the span of 72 hours we will have gone from sunny and mild to freezing rain and ice and back to sunny and 60 again. Oh well, it is what it is.


I was musing to myself this week that just a cursory glance at the newspaper; or five minutes listening to any of the never ending newscasts on television will leave you with an idea of what a mess we have made of things in our world. You agree? However, this week as I watched events over the boob tube I was struck by a single sight. When I saw this group of people stroll across the big screen, a verse from God's Word strolled across my mind.


21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Romans 1:21 (NASB)


That phrase "...futile in their speculations.." was what hit me. It seems to me that our nation and our world have hit the wall. We have put God on the back burner, no, that's not accurate..we have put Him in the deep freezer. Our policies and laws no longer reflect an acknowledgment of God or His truth. Amen? Consequently, we as a nation and people have become futile in our speculations. Look at those two words.

Greek NASB Number: 3154

Greek Word: ματαιόω

Transliterated Word: mataioô
Root: from 3152;

Definition: to make vain, foolish:--

List of English Words and Number of Times Used
became futile (1).

—NASB Greek-Hebrew Dictionary

Greek NASB Number: 1261

Greek Word: διαλογισμός

Transliterated Word: dialogismos
Root: from 1260;

Definition: a reasoning:--

List of English Words and Number of Times Used
argument (1),
disputing (1),
dissension (1),
doubts (1),
motives (1),
opinions (1),
reasonings (2),
speculations (1),
thoughts (3),
what...were thinking (2).

—NASB Greek-Hebrew Dictionary


The dictionary definition of futile is "incapable of producing any result", "useless"


That is what is happening in our nation and world today. Without God and His truth as a measuring rod, our thoughts and opinions,...our reasonings and speculations of what is the right course have become futile or useless. Not only have our thoughts and reasonings become useless, they are INCAPABLE of producing ANY results! Folks, that is a scary proposition. If you read on in that chapter, it says that because of this futility their hearts became "darkened." They exchanged the one true God for false Gods and became foolish. Sound familiar? Let me state this here and now. Jesus Christ is the ONLY way.


6 Jesus *said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
John 14:6 (NASB)


I saw a Facebook post from one of my friends this week, it went something like this.
In our lives when we "wing it" on our own without God's way,instead of winging it we end up "hoofing it" doing it our own way. That pretty well describes the current plight of our world don't you think? One of my favorite verses is found in the Book of Proverbs:


3 The foolishness of man ruins his way, And his heart rages against the Lord.
Prov 19:3 (NASB)


You see when we as individuals and we as a nation decide to "wing it", or "do our thing" we end up in trouble. We ruin our way. But, the kicker is that we find a way to blame God for all our woes and the fruit of our ways. Amen?! That's the way of it today isn't it?We refuse to acknowledge God in our political houses, in our schools, and pretty much in all of our public life, then BLAME HIM when things go awry. Hear me. The Ten Commandments are not the cause of all our problems, they are the SOLUTION! Through all of this though God remains faithful. He is still chomping at the bit to show His power and love in our lives .


9 For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.
2 Chron 16:9 (NASB)


Read the story that accompanies this verse. It's about a King that had trusted in the Lord IN THE PAST, but had failed to trust Him in this particular instance. Much the same as what is going on today.
At any rate, whether or not our nation chooses to acknowledge God, indeed whether or not our
world chooses to acknowledge Him,He is WILLING AND ABLE to work in your and my life. Listen, He isn't looking for some great confession of faith, neither is He looking for perfection in our lives. He simply wants us to acknowledge Him as God and Jesus His Son as savior. THEY WILL DO THE REST! AMEN?!


The world has it's course and God has His. I can PROMISE you this. The God of all the Earth is going to win out. It's all going to end up EXACTLY the way He says it is. Jesus Christ is KING of KINGS and LORD of LORDS. All we need do is acknowledge that fact in our hearts and He will do the rest.He is ABLE to see us through.


14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.
Psalms 19:13-14 (NASB)


God Bless

Angry Birds


Ever see that internet game Angry Birds? I have never played it and don't know anything about it. I asked my sister if she had ever played it and she told me that she had and it made her angry just playing it!lol I daresay if you look on the internet these days, you will not only see some angry birds but a whole host of angry people! Amen? The debate rages over any number of issues and the longer the dialogue continues the more heated the combatants become. Remember that song that said "everybody's right and nobody's wrong"(Buffalo Springfield? Can't remember) At any rate,"Have you ever gotten angry?" Now that's a no brainer isn't it. This message is born from an incident that your's truly had a few days ago. I got angry. I mean I got really angry. To be honest I lost control and "went off." Ever had one of those episodes? Yeah, I feel ya. You know God has a sense of humor though. Not 24 hours after my outburst I opened my Bible and it"automatically" opened to the Book of James where my eyes immediately fastened on the 19th verse..


19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.
James 1:19-20 (NASB)


My attention was drawn to vs.20. "...the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God."


The KJV is a little more forceful. It uses the word wrath.


19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
James 1:19-20 (KJV)


That was closer to what happened inside of me.It was beyond anger it was wrath!!(smile)

It seems these days there is a lot to make us angry. Forget the politics and whatnot, the PRESSURE of just surviving is enough to make you holler. You work your backside off just to stay afloat and in a lot of cases you still take a step backwards.Amen?

If we aren't careful it can build up inside of us. You know how it goes don't you. It starts out with pressure at home..kids, money, you fill in the blank. Then you get a raw deal at work. Maybe it's a reprimand that you didn't deserve. Maybe you got passed over for the promotion. Maybe,God forbid, you just got laid off. Then you go to church seeking some refuge and someone says something hateful to you or no one says anything to you at all! And to top it off you get the flu bug or one of the kids hurt themselves at football or cheerleading practice.... WHATEVER!Can you relate? It seems like it never ends. You are doing the best you can and it just keeps on keepin on. It's very easy to become resentful and bitter. Trust me on this, I HAVE BEEN THERE! Here's what the Bible says:


15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;
Heb 12:15 (NASB)


Man, it's a battle these days just to maintain your SANITY, much less those lesser(?) issues that plague us. But, if we can just tune into God there is a way out. If we can muster up enough faith to take it all to Him, He can fix it.


. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:5-7 (NASB)


That "everything" in vs.6 incudes all our anger and resentment. It takes in our hurt feelings and all the other trials and tribulations this life has to offer. He has promised to make it happen for us if we will just ASK Him.

Will you ever get your feelings hurt again? Yes. Will you still battle your emotions? Absolutely. Will the devil still try and bring you down? Count on it. BUT, there is help and hope. No, better than that there is deliverance in the Lord Jesus. He will give us grace to endure and overcome.


9 And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
2 Cor 12:8-9 (NASB)


He is most powerful when we are at our weakest. His grace is SUFFICIENT for all of the mess that comes our way. Amen? AMEN!!


2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies.
Psalms 18:2-3 (NASB)


God Bless

I Just Want To Celebrate

Remember that song from Rare Earth? It came across my mind last night.


I just want to celebrate another day of livin'

I just want to celebrate another day of life.


That was brought a little closer home today as I sit writing this, well,actually writing some notes to this message in the ER of a local hospital. Memaw(my mother) had to come up here today for a problem. At any rate this song was playing through my head last night and I was reminded of a verse.


13 Come now, you who say, " Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit." 14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away
James 4:13-14 (NASB)


Focus your attention on vs. 14. "You are just a vapor..." As I dwelt on that verse last night and now as I watch these people walk through these hospital doors I realize how fragile and fleeting this thing we call life really is. It can be altered or even snuffed out in a New York Minute.(thx Don Henley lol)


I'm realizing more and more that in my case every day with Memaw is a gift and is precious. It's been said a zillion times before but I feel the need to say it again today. It's very easy to get caught up in the business of living or should I say the BUSYness of living. Go to work, do this,do that, take BillyBob here, run Mary Jane there. I understand that. We've ALL been there. It is a part of living. But, sometimes we need a jolt to knock us off that treadmill and to smell the roses. Ya know what I'm sayin'? What I am trying to get across is that we all(you, me, ALL) should take a time out from the press and call a loved one just to say hello. Or maybe spend some time with the kids. Or better yet get alone and spend some time with God and let Him minister to us. You gettin' my drift here? This world can be a daunting place to live but it's the only one we have! Amen?


The Lord Jesus said He had a better way.


10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
John 10:10 (NASB)


I just want to celebrate.


Look at this for a minute.


2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalms 18:2 (NASB)


"The Lord is........my deliverer," Jesus is not only our Savior but He is our DELIVERER!

Hebrew NASB Number: 6403

Hebrew Word: ‏פָּלַט‎

Transliterated Word: palat (812b)
Root: a prim. root;

Definition: to escape:--

List of English Words and Number of Times Used
calves (1),
carries it off (1),
deliver (5),
delivered (4),
deliverer (5),
delivers (3),
escape (1),
preserve (2),
rescue (3).

—NASB Greek-Hebrew Dictionary


A DELIVERER, A WAY OF ESCAPE!


I just want to celebrate another day.


I don't know about you but I could stand a little deliverance! Amen? It's not more of this or more of that.It's a solution that we need. It's an answer, isn't that right? What is it for you? Crushed dream? Impossible circumstance? Sickness, defeat, hopelessness? Or is it the burden of just trying to survive? Whatever it is, you have a DELIVERER! He has promised US, His children,an ABUNDANT LIFE. Yes, there are storms all around. It is a fight! We are on a battleship not a cruise ship, BUT, we have a deliverer. Selah.There's a verse in Proverbs that says this.. (in our language today)"Pay attention to Me, then just relax." Let God do what He does best. Be God. Let's take a deep breath, breathe in, breathe out and relax. He is our refuge and strength, our high tower, our DELIVERER!




1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?
Psalms 27:1 (NASB)


God Bless

Able

2013! PTL! We made it!! Fiscal cliff, Mayan calendar, praise God we're still standing!! One of my New Year's resolutions is to teach myself to keyboard. I downloaded a free program off the internet and have started practicing. HOWEVER, for my message this week it is hunt and peck, as it would be this time NEXT Friday getting this message out if I attempted to type in a correct manner. lol


I was musing this week on just what 2013 might hold and let me tell you brothers and sisters, if you look at 2013 through the world's glasses, IT AIN'T PRETTY.(excuse the bad grammar plz)
Our political landscape in this country and the entire world is uncertain. No... that's not the right word. It is broken, inoperative, etc.,etc.
Strolling over the economic landscape and it's like one of those huge rocks that you see out west being supported and balanced by a feather. Can I get a witness? As Supertramp said years ago "it's a bloody mess." BUT( you ought to do a study on the word but, it is interesting) BUT, as I was driving last night thinking about what I would write on today a verse ran across my mind's eye..


20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,
Eph 3:20 (NASB)

Greek NASB Number: 1410

Greek Word: δύναμαι

Transliterated Word: dunamai
Root: a prim. vb.;

Definition: to be able, to have power:--

—NASB Greek-Hebrew Dictionary


I did some snooping around in the Word to look at that word able. To have power. First off, what I found was that we of the human family are powerless to save ourselves.


25 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
Heb 7:25 (NASB)


Not only that we can't keep or maintain that great salvation on our own merit.


8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Eph 2:7-9 (NASB)

BUT, HE is able to save and keep us.


24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy,
Jude 1:24 (NASB)


You know something though? God not only has our spiritual back but He's got our physical and material back as well. Now, I am not one of those who maintain that we can walk through this life experiencing total victory in any and all circumstances just by standing in "our faith", or "walking in the power of God." I don't believe that is the teaching of the scriptures nor has that been my(or anyone else's that I know) experience. No, no. We all experience setbacks, disappointments, mistakes, lost battles, and sufferings.


Now, I don't know about you but as for me, a lot of times I have a hard time trusting God. You know what I mean? Sometimes in the face of difficult circumstances whether those circumstances are mine or someone close to me, I want to take matters in my hands. I want to do something or say something that will "fix" it or make it all better. Ya feelin' me?


You know it's a dangerous and brutal world out there these days. It can be frustrating and frightening all at the same time. But, if we can somehow learn to trust God to see us through, He has promised to do just that.

12 For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.
2 Tim 1:12 (NASB)


We are all at different stages of our lives. You may be starting out, family to support, kids to raise, or you may be on the other end of the cycle looking closely at eternity. It doesn't matter where you are we all have struggles and concerns.It could be anything.. money, kids, health, loneliness, a desire of your heart, the list stretches further than the eye or heart can see. But, the Apostle Paul at sometime had the light bulb turn on. At some point in his journey he learned a great truth. He became CONVINCED that God was ABLE, He had the POWER to keep or guard that which he had ENTRUSTED to him. Same with you and me. What are those issues that concern you? What is it that you just can't seem to get a grip on? What is that secret of your heart that you desire? God can make that future a great deal brighter. He can make that desire a reality. If you and I can just learn to trust God with those"cliffs" fiscal, spiritual or otherwise, then He is ABLE to get us to the other side. Amen?

11 In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?
Psalms 56:11 (NASB)


God Bless