Something Great

If you could do something great for the kingdom of God, what would it be? Think about that for a moment. What would you do for the Lord, if you knew you couldn’t fail? If you knew the Lord would bless your efforts and would even supply the means to accomplish the task, what would you do?

If we honestly consider these questions, I think that many of us would realize that we have something, or maybe more than one thing, that comes to mind which we dream of doing for God. Others, perhaps, have never considered the possibility that you could ever do anything of benefit for God’s Kingdom, much less something great.  

You can do something great though! God has placed greatness in each of us.  We were created in His own image, and even though man has fallen, WE who have believed, are new in Christ!

I believe it’s likely that the very thing that crossed your mind when I asked those questions, is something that God, Himself, has placed there.  As humans we sometimes selfishly dream of doing things to build our own kingdom, but if your dream is of something for the Kingdom of God, then it probably didn’t originate with you.

If that dream is of things like building homes for the homeless, or feeding the masses of starving children in some third world country, or seeing souls come to Christ by the thousands, or even one by one… It probably is not a selfish human aspiration, but rather a desire placed in you by the Lord. 

Perhaps  though it’s not so glorious as those grand ideas, but more mundane.  Maybe you simply desire to tell an unsaved neighbor about Jesus, or the love in your heart pushes you to comfort a grieving family who has lost a loved one.  Maybe you want to show some child at the local YMCA that not everyone has some ulterior motive when they give them a kind word.  Or, maybe you want to rally to the aid of someone who lost everything to a house fire.  Those are great things too!

Those dreams of doing great things for God are probably not your own.  God’s word tells us that He has given US the ministry of reconciliation.  Reconciling man and God is a great task, and a great honor, but God has already done all the hard work!  We get to be the messengers bringing the message of hope to a world at odds with God! …And there are thousands of ways to do that which ultimately point to Jesus!

So, what is your dream and how does it fit into fulfilling the plan of God in the world? What is it that you dream of doing in the Kingdom of God?  Because, God wants you to do great things for Him!  He’s willing to supply the means so that you can accomplish what He has placed in your heart to do for Him. He wants to see you do it without failing.

So here’s another question: If God is for you, then what’s holding you back? Take that first step, a step of faith toward what God has placed in your heart and just see if He blesses it. No dream is too big, or too small, if God is in it. Go on… do it! Walk it out by faith. Lives can be changed. Souls can be saved!  With His help, YOU can do great things for the Kingdom of God!

Not Everyone Will Go...

As we live we also learn.  Some lessons are hard and even harder to receive.  While other things you learn, and wonder, “Why couldn’t I have learned this years ago.” Life though, seems to have a way of teaching us what we need to know, precisely when we need it most. I guess that is just the way God designed it.  What invaluable lesson has life taught you lately that you could share with others to encourage them?  Here is something I have learned:

I have learned that not everyone will go with you on your journey toward your destiny.

Some will not go because they are ‘stuck’ in something. Perhaps it’s self pity, or bitterness, or a habit of sin that they aren’t ready to let go of. Others will stay behind because they just aren’t mature enough to go to the place God is taking you.  Still others, and honestly this is the most probable reason, cannot go with you because their destiny simply lies in another direction.

It’s easy to judge those who don’t go with us. It saddens us, and sometimes angers us when we know we have to move forward and others feel contented to remain. Yet in actuality, we’ve all been right where they are now.  Someone in your life was once where you are spiritually, and you watched them grow toward their own destiny, while you were satisfied to stay put. It may have been for any number of reasons, but you just couldn’t go. They may have judged you for not going with them, or they may not have, but we should determine that with God’s help we will not judge. We will leave that to Him.

Sometimes this manifests itself in the physical, and we leave behind mother or father, or brother, or sister. Other times it is Spiritually that we move forward, and it feels the same, as if we are causing some sort of separation. God’s purpose it too precious though. His plan is too real. The pursuit of Him is too essential to let others who aren’t going cause you to miss your destiny. Go after God!

If God is drawing you closer to Him, Go after Him with all your heart. If others don’t go, journey on. If God is teaching you, and others don’t seem to be getting it, still, learn all He will allow you to learn. If God is showing you a destiny that he has ordained for you, but others aren’t understanding it… It’s okay to invite them along, even urge them to come, and maybe they will go with you, but YOU have to go after the path of God!


With all this said, I ask you to go on a spiritual journey with me this year… I feel like destiny is ahead. I believe that for most of us, at Abundant Life Tabernacle, our destiny is intertwined at least for the foreseeable future.  You may disagree, and if you do I forgive you and I will journey on toward my Spiritual destiny while allowing you to go toward yours, but let’s certainly not just sit here and allow God to pass us by.

God has brought us together, to this place and at this time, for His purpose. Why not give all we have and just see where He will take us?  Why not seek Him with our whole heart? Why not allow His plan for this church and for each of us individually to come to pass?

God’s plan is always better than our own. The destiny that He has for you will far exceed your own hopes and dreams! The path ahead may be unknown to you, but God has it mapped out.  Some will reluctantly stay behind, others will gladly go along, but WE must press into His planned destiny for us if we want to receive ALL the joy that He wishes to bestow on us. Go with me this year on a pursuit of God! Will you?

A Word for 2013

As I write this, it is still mid-December. But with great anticipation I am looking forward to this New Year that quickly is approaching. I am expectant of great things for 2013.

I have looked at what the number thirteen (13) ‘seems to signify’ in the Bible.  Whether you buy into biblical numerology or not, it is quite obvious that there are Biblical patterns in the Word of God, as related to numbers. For example, the number seven (7) is often associated with God or spiritual perfection, the number forty (40) is used repeatedly in relation to trials or tests (Israel’s 40 years in the dessert, Christ’s 40 days in the wilderness, etc.)   So, just out of curiosity, I have looked at the number thirteen and found that it often seems to point to ‘rebellion’.  Will the year 2013 have any of the characteristics of the patterns found in the Bible for the number thirteen?  I honestly don’t know.

What I do know is that this generation is a very rebellious generation.  I do know that even in 2012 it seemed that the spirit of rebellion became much more prevalent in our nation. Now before I have you scared or depressed let me shift gears.  The numbers 10 and 3 are both known as signifying Divine perfection, fullness.  Perhaps the connecting of the two would reflect that? Who knows!

I'll stop short of making predictions for the coming year, and I'll simply tell you what is more important than figuring out the future.  Here it is: This is no time to let down on your faith!  This is the time to go after God with your whole heart!

The Word tells us that “perilous times will come”.  I believe we all know that they are here.  The Word tells us that there will be “a great falling away”.  I think we are witnessing it. The Word tells us that “evil men and seducers will wax worse and worse”. So true!

Yet while the world seemingly deteriorates all around us, while chaos becomes the norm, while rebellion is the expected lifestyle of our day, there is still going forth HIS message of HOPE.  We carry the Good News that a desperate word is so needing to hear! And for us, He is with us and has promised not to forsake us!

There is truth in the saying, “The light shines brightest, when things are the darkest.” So if things do continue to grow darker in our day, it only makes our living for Christ all the more precious in the world.

Don’t fear the coming days, the Lord has gone into them before us. Let us go into the days ahead with great expectations, knowing that great opportunities are being presented to us to reflect the brilliancy of Christ! And let us go into them in full pursuit of God and His righteousness. His promise is that He will supply all we need, if we will do this: seek Him first.

What does 2013 hold? Only God really knows, but whether it is darker yet than what we have experienced or whether we get a short reprieve, the end of days is upon us.  NOW is the time to give ALL to God, and today is the day of SALVATION!

2013 doesn't scare me.  The numerical pattern of 13 can’t make me fear. Here's a word for 2013, "My God is still in perfect control, He is still lighting the way with His Word, and He will empower us who are in Christ to light the way for the world in the days ahead!"

How Do You Ever Smile Again?

I saw a news story just days ago about a woman who lost her two kids and her parents in a fire a year ago at Christmas. I wondered, if you are that poor woman, how do you ever smile again?

I watched in horror today as the unthinkable news reached us that a gunman had killed 20 young children and 6 adults at an elementary school in Connecticut. Again I thought, if your child was taken so needlessly today, how do you ever smile again?

Each time, my heart broke in compassion for those that were in those situations. And each time as that question crossed my mind, "How do you smile again?" I heard the answer whispered in my ear. Jesus.

Only Jesus could ever bring a smile back to those broken, mourning faces. I see no other way to ever smile again. But Jesus can bring back the smile, because in Him those grief stricken, hurting parents can have the promise of seeing those babies again.

My prayers tonight are for the survivors. May Jesus somehow bring a real smile back to each face. This dark world has stolen it, and it may seem impossible to ever smile again... But in Christ there is hope beyond this dark world.

How do you ever smile again? Only by the grace of God, through Jesus Christ.

Christian Voters Guide

By now I’m sure that most of you have made a decision about who you will vote for in the upcoming election. I certainly hope that you plan to vote!  It is not just our right as Americans, but it is also the obligation of every citizen of the United States to take part in determining the direction of the country.

This country is clearly at a crossroads.  Everyone seems to recognize that, no matter which party you listen to, the future is up for grabs.  Our part in this, as Christians, is an important one. Jesus said we are the salt of the earth. He said we are the light of the world.

Of course we aren’t expected to expand the Kingdom of God in this nation, or the world, through political power. Jesus told his first disciples that His Kingdom was not of this world.  (We aren’t looking for a president who will set up heaven on Earth. We aren’t looking for the ‘pastor of the United States’. And we don’t need another Messiah.) However, we do have the ability, and I believe even the obligation, to expand the Kingdom of God into all areas of the nation and the world, as the command of Jesus was to go into ALL the world and preach the good news to all creation.

Sure, one day the kingdoms of this world will have become the Kingdom of our God. Sure, one day the government of this world will rest firmly upon the shoulders of Christ.  For now though, in the meantime while we wait for the coming of our savior, one thing is clear.  We cannot stop being the light!  It is the light of Christians in the world that holds back the darkness from overtaking every area of society.  Now is the time to shine brightest! We cannot stop being salt!  It is the salt of Christianity that preserves this world to the extent that it is preserved.  Be salty!

Jesus said it this way in one of his parables, “Occupy till I come.” Jamieson-Faucet-Brown Bible Commentary says the term occupy means to "negotiate," "do business," of the Kingdom with the resources entrusted. (emphasis added) We have been given many spiritual resources which we must use in the “occupying” of the kingdom, yet the liberty given us in this country to have a say in the direction of this nation is also a great resource given to us by God.

As light, we should expose the works of darkness (Eph 5:11).  As salt we must preserve righteousness, or as Jude 1:3 says it, “Earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints.”  2 Thessalonians 2:7 tells us, “For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.” We, the church of Jesus Christ, by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, are the restraining force holding back complete iniquity in this world and in this nation!

That is why it is so important that we uphold the standards of God’s word, as best possible, in every way possible including the use of our vote. We MUST NOT compromise because of personal agendas. We can’t allow fear of the economy to drive us. (God will preserve us.) We can’t vote for a candidate simply because of our history of backing a certain party.  We can’t vote according to our conscience, because the conscience can become ‘seared with a hot iron’ and lead us astray. We can’t actually even vote our values, because our values are sometimes skewed by our flesh.

SO the only true voters guide for a Christian is the Word of God. We must cast our vote as closely as possible to what the Word of God declares. There is no excuse for us to do anything differently.  Trust God’s word in this. He will not lead us wrong.  Weigh your decision by the Word of God, then go vote!

God bless America!

Who are you?

Who are you?  Lots of titles are used to describe you and I daily.  Some of them we choose. Some are chosen by others.  Some of them are true, some are facetious, and some are completely unfair. Many things are said about us none the less.  So you and I may as well take the initiative and write our own description, because we are being talked about.

Here are some titles I would used to describe me. I’m a pastor. I’m a husband. I’m a father. I’m a son. I’m a brother. I’m a friend. I’m a servant. I’m a Republican. Most of all though, I’m a follower of Christ. 

Here are some other descriptive phrases I would use. I am caring. I am a listener. I am an encourager. I am passionate. I love to worship! I am unafraid to speak the truth. I am unashamed of who I am. I am transparent.

In thinking about how I would describe myself, I have noticed something. I can hardly think of anything bad to tell you about me.  That’s not because there aren’t any bad things about me, but because none of us want to portray ourselves in a negative light.

If I am honest though I realize that there are things that I only wish, I could say about me. Yet I cannot confidently say many of those things.  I want to say I’m handsome. (lol) I want to say I am a great dad. I want to say I am a wonderful husband. I want to say I am a very good preacher and pastor.  I wish I could say that I am a revolutionary leader or a powerful presence for the Kingdom of God.  But in reality, I have no right to say any of those things.

Those things are all determined by my life and how I live it.  They can only be said by others who observe me and know me.  Only my wife could truly tell you if I’m a wonderful husband. My daughters know whether I’m really a great dad or not. The church I pastor knows more than anyone else what kind of pastor, preacher, or leader I am. (By the way, I know I can improve in each of these areas.) It’s really not about how we might describe ourselves, the truth of who we are is determined by how we live our lives. 

While writing this, I asked my wife, Tracy, to describe to me who I am.  She had some good things to say, and some not so good things. Since I have already described myself as transparent I’ll share some of both with you.  Tracy said, “You are smart, loving, stubborn, caring.  Did I say stubborn?  You are a lover of God, overbearing, a worshipper, sometimes a procrastinator, slow to change, somewhat neglectful of health.” I stop there, not because she stopped but because I didn’t like the other labels she put on me.

The truth though, is how we live is a reflection of who we really are.  What I allow in my life, what I believe, who I really am, will be seen by those around me.  We cannot hide what’s inside.  What I value will be evident.  It will be evident in my conversation.  It will be evident in my character.  It will be evident in my priorities.  It will even be evident in my vote, come election day. What I value will become who I am, and who I am will be evident in every aspect of my life.

What does your life show those around you?  What do they think you believe by the evidence you are offering?  Make a choice today to define your own life, to describe yourself, by living as you want to be interpreted. Determine who you are and live that way, and when the world sees it, there will be no question.  Or… you can live an undefined life not knowing who you really are. Even then it will not keep everyone else from knowing who you are, because others are observing you and describing you constantly. So who are you?  

The Sleeping Christian

There is a well known saying, “Let sleeping dogs lie.” We know, of course, what the saying means. It means don’t stir up trouble… If things are quiet, just leave things alone.

I guess there is some merit to that saying in certain situations. There is even a concern to be considered; if we wake up a sleeping dog he may bite. However, it’s different with sleeping Christians. Sleeping Christians always need to be awakened! What good is a sleeping Christian? (None.) What good thing does he bring to the Kingdom? (Nothing.) How does his life reflect Christ? (It doesn’t.) How does his sleeping honor God? (Again, it doesn’t. Actually, his laziness brings no glory to God at all, but rather can bring a reproach.)

In the garden, Jesus disciples stayed close to Jesus but they kept falling asleep. Jesus kept urging them to “watch and pray” but slumber repeatedly overtook them. Likewise today, slumber has overtaken much of the body of Christ. We are so content to be ‘in His presence’, safe by his side, that we are not concerned with the things that concern Him. It seems that we are content to rest in His arms while the world spirals out of control toward Hell.

We have been given a message of hope, a message of joy, a message of peace, restoration, and reconciliation. We have been given the awesome honor and responsibility to tell the world about Christ. Somehow though we have been rocked to sleep by the lullaby of complacency. It goes something like this,

"Go to sleep you little Christian… Go to sleep you little Christian… Jesus went away, He’s com’in back someday, but you’ve done enough now little Christian…”

I think we know who sings that song to us, but the truth is, that a Christian asleep is of no benefit to the Kingdom of God. Until we Christians awaken ourselves, we cannot awaken the world! Awake out of sleep!
Our Salvation is nearer than when we first believed!!!


Romans 13:11-14 11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

There is work to be done, and we can’t do it if we are just lying near to Jesus. Stop listening to the Devil sing his lullaby! We MUST wake up, and wake up NOW, and then wake up every other sleeping Christian we can find!