Election Day Good News

Hello, as I went to exercise my freedom here in the United States and vote for federal, state and county government elections, I was overwhelmed with thanksgiving for Gods blessings in my life! He is so good to us! I was thinking about the devotion my wife and I had recently, it was from the book of 1st John chapter 1: 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. This says that Jesus Christ has been with God from the beginning. It says that Jesus is the light of all mankind or the human race. In otherwords he is the hope of the world! Through him all things were made and the light (that's Jesus) shines in the darkness! So if you think your life, the United States, the world, is in chaos or darkness then be thankful. God loves you! John 3:16 1 John 1:5 The light (thats Jesus) shines in the darkness (that's the chaos), and the darkness has not overcome it. Now that is something to be thankful for today!! Jesus shines through the chaos, or the darkness.

Second Chances

It sure is great to get second chances in life! We get second chances in school, work, marriage, relationships, sports, and just about in everything we do. Samson, King Solomon, King David, Jonah, Peter, and many great men and women in the Bible got second chances with God. After moving to Tega Cay, SC on Lake Wylie a few years ago I began to ride a jetski around the peninsula and I would pass a few boat landings. I kept seeing people just lined up at the landings waiting to put their boats in the water, people would be everywhere. As I began to think about those people, wondering if they had a personal relationship with the savior Jesus Christ, I got this thought of beginning a sunday morning worship service right there by the lake. God has called me to be a minister of his Good News for the rest of my life! Our first church, Real Life South Charlotte in Waxhaw, NC was open for almost three years and we had seen God do so many wonderful things there. After spending a little over a year just seeking Gods direction, attending a great church in the area, praying about the people at the boat landings on Sundays and thanking God for his call on my life, it just sounded like a great time to relaunch Real Life South Charlotte as Real Life Tega Cay! Not sure yet at which boat landing we will begin the lakeside service but we will keep praying and scouting! Meanwhile for the winter months we have an opportunity to meet here at the TC clubhouse to begin a Sunday worship service. So God is already opening the doors for Real Life to have a second chance to continue reaching out to a world that needs a savior!

So Blessed - Part 10

Hello, today I needed some really good news. I mean, I know that God has already so blessed me beyond measure and his creation for me is amazing, his grace carries me thru each day! But you know with all that's going on in our world today summer 2012, I just need to know that something good will last. Is the devil going to win? Well, in our devotion for today from Matthew 5:18 we read " I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished." I love Gods promises that can be found in his holy word, the Bible. This verse is telling us today that those promises will be there for you and I until we die or until Jesus comes back to get his church!! Those promises will be true forever. You could be thinking as you read this, what are those promises? Well here is a few but the bible is full of Gods promises. Now, it's by faith that we will believe these and all the other promises which comprise Gods word. “The man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.” James 1:25 “A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.” Proverbs 22:9 “If you return to the Almighty, you will be blessed again. So remove evil from your house.” Job 22:23 (NCV) “Even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.” Luke 11:28 (NLT) You and I just need to dwell on these promises, begin to put them into practice in our lives, and trust God. I hope you have a great day!

So Blessed - Part 9

I was in a meeting recently with about six people and the meeting leader was continually laughing, mocking and poking fun at me and my faith. I just sensed that might be what was going on and that setting was not the place to question him. I will look for an opportunity to speak with him one on one and see if there is anything I might help with or answer any questions he might have around God or spiritual matters. Do you get made fun of because of your faith? Maybe it comes as you stand up for Jesus in a conversation at school, at work or just hanging out with friends. It could be things said like "Don't you preach to me" or "Who made you God" or "you christians are all the same, hypocrites". You know even a family member or someone very close to you could make fun of you or mock you because you are a christ follower and are letting christ live through you. Believe me it is no fun to be made fun of or mocked or laughed at, especially when it's someone you care a lot about or family. When someone hurts you it is a natural tendancy to retaliate or to back off and just don't speak to them anymore. I wonder how many relationships, friendships, marriages and families are at odds with each other because someone made fun of them because of Christ? In our verse for today from Matthew 5:11 we see that Jesus says, "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me." I have found that God gives strength to be paitent and strength to return kindness when you are under attack just for following Christ. Remember in this series of devos titled "So Blessed" we are looking at some specific things in Gods word that it says he blesses you and I for. Today I am "So Blessed" because the Bible says that Jesus loves me. John 15:9 "Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love"

So Blessed - Part 8

Hello, welcome to part 8 of this series I am calling So Blessed.

Do you ever get tired of doing right or sticking up for what's right and getting made fun of, getting left out, getting fused at, or maybe just threatened with your relationship or job? It seems like it would be so less painful or even so much more fun to just not worry about whats right and just do what would gain you the most favor with people like friends, dates, spouses, bosses, coworkers, etc... After all you've always heard that you should "make peace with everyone", "just love everyone" or "just be tolerant", but while those sayings are good, Gods says that he blesses people that are "...persecuted for righteousness sake". I have found this promise from Gods word to be true as a student in school, as an employee, as a daddy, and as a husband. For example as an employee I get an opportunity every day to work hard, to tell the truth, to be punctual, to respect authority, and to be honest. I am so blessed in so many ways when I choose to do right even though I may be laughed at. Lets look at today's verse Matthew 5:10 God blesses those people who are treated badly for doing right. They belong to the kingdom of heaven.

So Blessed - Part 7

Good morning, today I'd like to look at the next verse in our So Blessed Devo's. Can you think about Gods Blessings this morning? Sometimes when life is coming at us fast and furious as it does, it's hard to think about blessings because I just don't feel blessed, You may feel so beat up and abused by people, relationships, finances, children, spouse, work, and life itself, that you could say what are blessings? Where are they? I need some blessings right now in my life. Let's look at some specific ways that the Bible, Gods Holy Word to us, says that he blesses us. Matthew 5:9 says “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Are you a peacemaker? Easter is coming up, what a great time to reflect on what God has done for you! I challenge you to share with family and friends what God has done for you this week. It will bring opportunities to be a peacemaker! What has God done for me and you? John 3:16 "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." What has God done for you and your family? Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." When I think on these things I realize that I am So Blessed. "He isn't here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee," Luke 24:6

So Blessed - Part 6

Hello, you know everyone wants to be blessed, people say blessings over their food, over their sleep or may God Bless you, and we know that all blessings are from God, as in James 1:17, ASV "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast in turning,". If we think about how much God loves us, we will see that we are So Blessed. Today I want to look at a verse from Matthew 5:8 that tells us specifically how we can be blessed today. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." In otherwords if your heart is pure as in James 4:8 (ESV)8 "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." and like in Psalm 24:3–4 (ESV)3 "Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully." then you will be blessed! So what does a pure heart mean? How do you get a pure heart? Well, in these verses above it says "Draw near to God...", "Cleanse your hands you sinners..." So if you and I will spend time thinking, talking and listening to God, and then we will ask his forgiveness for the things that we do that is displeasing to God, then we will have a pure heart.

So Blessed - Part 5

Hello, as I was thinking about today's devotion I thought about how so blessed I am to be forgiven! You see I have this thing in me that wants to repay meaness for meaness or stay away from those that are hard to love when I know God's word tells me to love my neighbor; as in Romans 13:8-10 “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” We can also look at Leviticus 19:17-19 “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD." Today's verse is from Matthew 5:7 It's about specific things in the Bible that God says he blesses us for today. 7 "God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy." After studying this word "mercy" a little bit I find that the biblical meaning of mercy goes way beyond just showing kindness or compassion, it is taking the time to listen to and understand why they are hard to love or why they are being mean to me. Then show the same unconditional kindness, compassion, and forgiveness that God has shown you.

So Blessed - Part 4

Hello, as I was thinking today about my sons upcoming wedding I was overwhelmed with feeling so blessed in how God can miraculously join two people together and make a family forever in this life as in Gen. 2:18-24 Think with me about this for a moment, We have been looking at some specific things that God says he will bless us for. Today look at Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. That word righteousness means Justice or right standing, as in when you are saved you are declared righteous. God’s Word says (Romans 3:20-26 NIV) "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. {21} But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. {22} This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, {23} for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, {24} and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Jesus says if me and you will hunger and thirst for this justice or right standing with God we will be filled or satisfied. When I'm hungry I go looking for food, I start looking everywhere, I've got to find it. When I'm thirsty I start looking for a drink and I look until I find it. Do we hunt for that righteousness or right standing with God like a hungry man looking for food or a thirsty man looking for water? If we do then God says that he will bless us.

So Blessed - Part 3

Hello to everyone this foggy Friday morning here. I was thinking about God's blessings this morning and how God so blessed my life with my special bride of 38 years. As I watched her teach our grandson yesterday songs about Jesus and God's plan for us I was just overwhelmed with thanksgiving to God for her and bringing her into my life to be my companion, my helper, and my partner on this missionary journey of raising our family that God has so blessed us with. Think about this a moment with me this morning, Jesus said in Matthew 5:5 "God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth." When I humble myself in submission before the one true God, that created everything and has plans for me, he knows my name and loves me, then Jesus said God Blesses me. You can be blessed today by submitting your life, your day, your meeting, your children, your parents, etc... by faith, to the God of the Bible who sent his son Jesus to die on a cross and come up out of the grave for you, forgiving your sin and giving you a new beginning. If you have any questions or comments about this please leave a comment and I will be glad to respond.

So Blessed - Part 2

Hello to all, it's a rainy Thursday here and I've been reflecting on God's blessings today. First I thought of how God has so blessed me with my very special wife of 38 years. I thought of how after my son Matthew went to be with the Lord in August 1995 I sensed God's call to enter into a life of ministry with him. At my pastors leading I enrolled in Bible College to begin training for what God might want me to do. I was so blessed thru the study of God's word and my classes. Our family continued to grow and love God together through our special local church. God opened the door for me to work with some other very special folks that were called into ministry to open a counseling center in our community working through our chuch. God so blessed me, my family and the ministry over those eleven years. During those eleven years of doing school work and working at the counseling center, God opened a door at our church for my wife and I to work with a nearly and newly wed ministry and we were so blessed through working with those young couples. Then at the lords leading we began to plan to start a new church from scratch in the town where we raised our family. We named the new church Real Life which reflected a life with Christ. During the two and a half years of the existance of Real Life, God so blessed us as the church came alive and people worshiped the Lord together. God so blessed us as people came and gave their life to Christ and were baptised. God so blessed us thru the childrens ministry that my wife led. Today I'd like to look at another verse that Gods word says he specifically blesses. Matthew 5:4 says God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. This mourning that Jesus was talking about here is mourning over sin and mourning over the loss of life and loved ones. This verse has been so true in my life as I have mourned over my sin and mourned over the loss of our son Matthew. God comforted me through his word and thru his holy spirit. Have you mourned over sin? Your sin, others sin, maybe a family member or a coworker, or maybe a teenager struggling with sin? God will comfort you if you seek his wisdom and direction.

So Blessed - Part 1

Hope you are enjoying this Feburary 15th. The weather is beautiful, the sun is bright and we have the freedom to worship the one true God. I hope you believe that you are so blessed as I do today. I could go down through a list of material blessings but I think we need to look at some exact things that God says we receive his blessings for today.

Matthew 5:3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

Do you need God today as I do? I'm so glad that God sent his son Jesus to be yours and my savior! I needed God to save me, I need God to rescue me, I need Gods wisdom, I need Gods Direction, I need his comforting words, I need him to take care of me. What do you need God for today? Just dwell on that a little bit.

A New Year, A Fresh Start

Happy New Year! I hope 2012 is the best year yet of your life. People all around me and you are seeking truth, the truth! We know that truth is Jesus, as in John 14:6
“ Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." You might be thinking are you crazy! The world seems to be going down the tube, or my life stinks, or my job stinks, or I don't have a job, my marriage stinks, etc... How can this be the best year of my life? Yes, there are a lot of reasons we can look to and get down and think that life just stinks. I want to encourage you today in the beginning of this new year.

Dwell on this with me a moment today. "He saved us because of his mercy, and not because of any good things that we have done. God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning." Titus 3:5
Contemporary English Version (CEV)