I don’t know what led me to Nehemiah this morning. I could say I was looking for an answer to a question but I believe I’ll just say it was the Holy Spirit.
I actually started at the middle of the book and skimmed backward until I came to the first chapter. Continue reading
If someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. 1 Peter 3:15
We had a meeting at church last night about the Billy Graham My Hope America campaign.
I really enjoyed it. Continue reading
You spread out our sins before you — our secret sins — and you see them all. Ps 90:8
The couple wanted to join in like everybody else. Others were giving to the church to help the less fortunate. They wanted to help too. This husband and wife talked it over and decided to sell some property they owned. Continue reading
God gave Israel a great victory at Jericho. This was the first large city the Hebrews encountered as they entered the land God had promised them.
This fortified city had thick walls of rock and brick. But that was no match for the power of God and His obedient people. Continue reading
Abram had moved to a land God showed him. Along with him was his nephew, Lot!
Over time Abram’s men and Lot’s men began arguing over pastureland and water rights.
Abram gave Lot a choice. If Lot went left then Abram would go right. If Lot went right then Abram would go left. Continue reading
Col 2:1 – I want you to know how much I have agonized for you and for the church at Laodicea, and for many other believers who have never met me personally.
Col 4:13 – I can assure you that he prays hard for you and also for the believers in Laodicea and Hierapolis. Continue reading
Judas walked over to Jesus to greet him with a kiss. But Jesus said, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” Luke 22:47-48
You couldn’t look at Judas and just say bad things about him.
He was trusted enough by the others to carry their money, although it is revealed later that he often stole from them.
But nothing indicated that he would be a traitor.
Jesus told all the disciples that one of them was a devil. It probably came as a big surprise to the others when Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss.
Have you been betrayed and hurt? It’s hard to get over – whether it’s a family member or a friend.
You trust them with your love, inner thoughts, and secrets. Then someone else reveals to you what you entrusted to another.
There have been many divorces because one spouse felt betrayed by the other.
Some of the worse betrayals come in anger. You get mad enough to start spouting things you shouldn’t. The Bible actually has something to say about that; When arguing with your neighbor, don’t betray another person’s secret. Others may accuse you of gossip, and you will never regain your good reputation. Prov 25:9-10
Enough about others; how about betraying God?
But like Adam, you broke my covenant and betrayed my trust. Hos 6:7
Is it betrayal to not pray to Him, not thank Him, or not praise Him?
Does He feel betrayed when you don’t share His love with someone else?
Is it betrayal to call yourself a Christian and allow horrible language or jokes to come out of your mouth?
Jesus loved the church and gave His life for her. So is it betrayal of His love to not go?
As for me, I do not want to be a betrayer of my Lord and Savior. I do not want to betray those that trust me with their thoughts and confession. Confession leads to healing. Betrayal leads to heartache and pain.
David knew about betrayal. He had some good friends try to kill or capture him. He knew the feeling of broken trust. He had such a conscience about betrayal that he said this – O Lord my God, if I have done wrong or am guilty of injustice, if I have betrayed a friend or plundered my enemy without cause, then let my enemies capture me. Let them trample me into the ground and drag my honor in the dust. Ps 7:3-5
If you feel like I have ever betrayed you, then please forgive me!
The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. 1 Cor 1:18
I recently listened about a conversation where a man said the Bible was written by some man and is just a book of stories and fairytales. Continue reading
And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:29-31
Everyone wants to be filled with the Holy Spirit. I know I really enjoy it.
But what is the reason that you want to be filled with God’s Spirit?
Many just enjoy how it makes them feel. I know I really enjoy it!
But the early church did not ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit. They asked for boldness in preaching the word!
They also asked for healing power and miracles.
Still, it all started with asking for boldness to speak God’s word.
God responded with the filling of the Holy Spirit.
It reminds me of King Solomon.
That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!” 1 Kings 3:5
Solomon could have asked for anything!
His response – Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. 1 Kings 3:9
It pleased God so much that He gave Solomon wisdom. He also gave him great fame and wealth.
There are a few things you must remember.
First, seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matt 6:33
And humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. James 4:10
I am praying for brokenness and humility before God. I just want to serve Him. I want to be able to preach and teach God’s word with simplicity for everyone to understand. I want to lead more to Christ. It’s not about me. It’s about Christ.
As John the baptizer said, “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” John 3:30
Even Michael, one of the mightiest of the angels, did not dare accuse the devil of blasphemy, but simply said, “The Lord rebuke you!” (This took place when Michael was arguing with the devil about Moses’ body.) Jude 9
I have always been fascinated by this verse. Continue reading
Morning Thought with Pastor Tim 