The Burning Bush Devotional

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07.03.08

Where are they?

Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:7.

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. - Matthew 28:18-20.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. - John 3:16-18.

Sometimes Jeanie, Nick and I go to cemeteries to find where our ancestors are buried. On our recent trip to Texas we visited a couple cemeteries where some of Jeanie's ancestors are buried. When I walk through a cemetery I always try to read at least some of the inscriptions on the headstones. Some just had the names and dates, others had short inscriptions, and some are now unreadable. I liked the inscription on Jeanie's three great-grandmother's headstone which says, "She died as she lived trusting in God."

You can't walk through a cemetery like that without being touched by the tragedies of life. So many lives cut short, many while only children. With each headstone you see a marker representing lives lived out here on Planet Earth. As I look at the headstones I wonder sometimes whether they knew Jesus as their Savior. I wonder where those people are at now? Are they with Jesus, or are they in that other place of torment?

So many people going out into eternity each day. They are all around us. Does anyone care about their souls? God says that He cares. Not only does He say that but He also demonstrated it through Jesus suffering and dying on the cross. John 3:16 tells us of God's great love. But how will these people on their way to eternity without a Savior ever know of God's love? God has a plan and it involves you and me. What is the plan? God says to you and me, "Go therefore...." in Matthew 28:19.

God cares, but do we? Do we care enough to be obedient to the command of God? Do we care enough to share with someone lost and on their way to an eternity of terror how to have salvation? We say we care, but do our actions demonstrate that we actually do? We have an example, His name is Jesus, and He cared enough to die for you and me. How much do we really care?

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The Burning Bush Devotional

Welcome to the 715 new subscribers since January 1, 2008

06.05.08

What to do in a Storm

This is an update of a devotional that I wrote about ten years ago in June 1998. There is an enhanced risk for tornadoes in the United States today.

In Mark chapter 4 (vs. 35-41) the Bible tells us of the disciples and Jesus being caught in a storm at sea. The disciples are terrified but Jesus is sound asleep. In their terror the disciples cry out to Jesus, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" Jesus "...arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, 'Peace, be still!' And the wind ceased and there was a great calm."

Several neighborhoods in Hugo, Minnesota were devastated by a tornado on May 31, 2008. Jeff Janus believes that he was protected in the midst of that horrific destruction. He was outside when the storm suddenly hit but he ran inside because as he says he "…saw people's houses flying by." He only had enough time to find his dog and cat and holding one in each arm huddled down in a hallway. The bedroom doors were ripped off but somehow were gently placed on top of him which gave him protection from the falling and blowing debris. The doors protected him even though his home was destroyed. Jeff does not mention praying but it is obvious that he was protected and it may be that someone was praying for him.

Soon after I was married we were living in Oklahoma City in 1970 on Northwest 34^th street in a duplex apartment on the top floor. A tornado hit one night causing damage to the south of us, passing over the top of our duplex, and causing damage to the north hitting a motel. My mother-in-law was staying with us that night and we were all three praying. We know that God protected us.

On Memorial Day, the same day the tornado hit Hugo, Minnesota, we also had to go to our storm shelter. We now have storm sirens in our town and they were blown for the first time. Just before going to our shelter looking out of our south window I could see two cloud lowerings that might have been twin tornadoes. I could not see any rotation but weather reports were saying that there was rotation in the cloud. Others in our area later reported that they could clearly see the rotation. We were in our shelter praying when the siren was sounded and I am sure that many others were praying too. Those twin funnels went to the west missing us completely.

The next day I took Jeanie and a group of kids to a children's camp for the week. By the time we arrived it was obvious that there was a bad storm to the southwest of the camp. The storm appeared to be headed straight for the camp. Of course, everyone was praying about this and when I arrived back home and checked the radar the storm was severe but it appeared to be stalled out. Over the next hour or so the storm began to turn away from the camp and to dissipate. Again, I believe this was an answer to many prayers.

Over the years of living in tornado alley in Oklahoma I remember many times of crying out to God to save me in the midst of storms. I have watched many newscasts of survivors of tornadoes testifying of their faith and of their prayers to God in the midst of the terror.

On Saturday evening, June 13, 1998 it was with a grim fascination that I watched as tornadoes again made their way across our state. Through the advance in technology the tornadoes were watched live. The tornadoes were filmed through cameras on helicopters, spotter vehicles and live cams stationed around the state. As the tornadoes invaded Oklahoma City they skipped seemingly on a random basis from place to place. I watched with fascination as a thin tornado twisted and turned and made a direct hit on a thin sliver of a radio tower. There were only a few minor injuries during this outbreak of twisters.

In the state of Oklahoma at that time there were only two 24-hour contemporary Christian radio stations. One in Tulsa and one in Elk City. There had been three, one in Oklahoma City also, until a week before the storm when a decision was made to drop the station's Christian format. Was it just a coincidence that one week later a tornado happened to make a direct hit on their radio tower? Could it be that they not only dropped their format but their prayers as well?

One thing is for sure and that is if you are in a storm ask for help from the One who can help you. Whatever kind of storm you may be in whether it is a natural phenomenon or storms that are financial, or emotional, or marital, or substance abuse, or some other traumatic thing - when the storm comes ask the Lord to protect you. That's what the disciples did and that's what we need to do too.

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05.22.08

Follow Him

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. - John 10:27-28.

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." - John 8:12.

Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it." - Luke 9:23-24.

With the huge popularity of satellite navigational systems have come a few problems. The problems result from some of the imperfections in the systems including some minor details. Apparently, one of those minor details is knowing the difference between a highway and a river! Most of us would consider that to be an important thing to know. I think at least one taxi driver in England would certainly agree with that. The taxi driver was closely following the directions of the sat nav system and when directed to turn into the River Nar followed those instructions. Thankfully, it is a small river, and they were able to easily rescue the driver and a local farmer using a tractor pulled the vehicle out of the river the next day.

Early in my adult life I had a lot of problems. I was very selfish, lazy, easily became angered, kept making the wrong decisions which created tensions in my marriage and there were other problems…. The biggest problem that I had was that I was spiritually lost. My spiritual navigational system was still uninstalled and inoperable. Because of that I kept running into rivers full of problems, and at times it looked as though my life would never find the right way.

Everything in my life began to change from the moment that I prayed to receive Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. All my problems did not immediately disappear; however, course corrections were being made. It took a year and a half and great trauma in my marriage before I began to pray regularly, faithfully every day. It took almost eight years before we were in church on a regular basis. It took ten years before I was reading and studying the Bible as I should. Along the way my problems began to disappear from my life. Along the way I found that my problems were being replaced with joy, peace, love, and meaning in life.

If your life is out of whack, out of synch, and you have all kinds of problems there is only One who can lead you out of the mess. Only by following Jesus can you find the right way for your life. Some of you have known Jesus for many years but your life is still a mess. If that is your situation, and you are sitting in the middle of a river of problems you need to brush the dust off of your Bible and recheck the instructions. God has the directions that you need for your life. So, what do you need to do? Here's what Jesus says, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me."

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05.16.08

Fear Not

But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen! - 2 Timothy 4:17.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. - Isaiah 41:10.

So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" - Hebrews 13:6.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7.

On June 8, 2004, Anne Hjelle came very close to dying when a mountain lion attacked her. Earlier, on the same day, the same lion had killed another biker near to where Anne was attacked. Debi Nichols riding with Anne tried to help her friend during the attack. Debi threw her bike at the lion and then grabbed hold of Anne's leg trying to hold onto her while the lion was trying to drag Anne away. Three more bikers arrived and they threw rocks at the lion driving it away.

Anne suffered 40 bites and wounds which included severe trauma to the left side of her face. Six surgeries have repaired some things but one side of her face is still disfigured. In spite of this terrible thing Anne continues on and her faith is very strong. A week after the attack with 200 stitches and staples holding her together she hiked back to where the attack occurred with family and friends. Today she continues to ride her bike in the same area and even has a painting of a mountain lion hanging in her bedroom. She speaks often about her attack and her faith which has sustained her and continues to sustain her because she knows that the Lord is beside her still as He was on that day in 2004 when the lion attacked.

The apostle Peter tells us to "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8)." Our enemy, the devil, delights in seeing our fear. That old devil wants us to become so fearful that we will become paralyzed with fear and unable to do or say anything for the Lord. It is a stark contrast between the enemy seeking to bring fear into our lives and that of the Lord who "…has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

God would have His children to be confident warriors marching forward to enlarge His kingdom. What can man or even a lion do to you? The apostle Paul knew that the very worst that could happen to him here on this earth was death. He had no fear of death because he knew that if he were to die he would then be in the presence of the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). There is no need for you to live in fear because the Lord will "uphold you with My righteous right hand." Jesus says, "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows (Matthew 10:28-30)."

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05.05.08

A New Name

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. - 2 Corinthians 5:17.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it. - Revelation 2:17.

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? - 1 John 5:4-5.

If you were to pick out a new name what would you choose? Steve Kreuscher wants his new name to be "In God We Trust." I am not sure if he will keep his last name and be "In God We Trust Kreuscher" or if he is abandoning all of his current name. Steve, who is now 57-years-old, is apparently serious about his name change and has filed a petition for the change with the Lake County Court. He says that the new name will symbolize how God has helped him to make it through the tough times in his life. Steve, or should I say "In God We Trust", works as a school bus driver and is an amateur artist living in a Chicago suburb.

How about you? Have you ever wanted a new name? Maybe you have wanted a new start and wanted to completely reinvent yourself as someone else. Actually you can have that done and you will not even have to go to court. My reinvention as a person began when I was still 19-years-old. I invited Jesus Christ to come into my life asking that He forgive me of my sins and be my Lord and my Savior. At that moment I was not just reinvented, I was born again (John 3:3) and became a "new creation". In addition, someday I will sit down with my Lord and have a meal of "new manna" and He will give me a "white stone" which will have written upon it my "new name".

Steve has somewhat of the right idea about changing his name because to have a real change of name, a real change of life you must trust in God. The apostle Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians, "…that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise (Ephesians 1:12-13).

Have you trusted in Christ Jesus as your personal Savior? If not why not do so right now? The benefits of trusting in Him are eternally out of this world - you will be "born again" becoming a "new creation" and will be given a "new name". And, it is all free because Jesus has already paid the price. The apostle Paul says in Ephesians 2:8-10, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

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04.17.08

The Wonderful Testimony of Holly Smith

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. - Matthew 11:28-30.

Holly Smith shares her testimony of how God brought her out of severe depression and into the abundant life:

I was diagnosed with postpartum depression about two years ago. All I knew was that I didn't feel like my normal self, and I wasn't sure why. I think everyone around me noticed something was wrong, but I really didn't want to bother anyone with my problem. So I didn't say anything about how I was feeling. I held it in inside like a deep dark secret, and it only made things worse.

Now thinking back I wish I had said something, and I would have been able to get the help I needed sooner. I lost interest in the things I used to enjoy doing…I didn't want to talk to anyone or really even associate with the world at all…or anyone in it. It was as if a dark cloud had surrounded me, and I felt there wasn't a light at the end of the tunnel. When I became pregnant with my 4th child, Sarah, I was able to start taking some anti-depressants during my pregnancy, and I was starting to feel somewhat better until she was born. Then I decided to stop taking my meds cold turkey and that's when things started to go downhill. I really didn't have an emotional attachment to Sarah. I saw a doctor once again and then got back on meds and started going to counseling as well. Both the counseling and the meds together helped me to get back in to the swing of things.

I once again felt like myself again, and I felt like going outside and playing with my kids. I felt like I was able to be the mom that they needed me to be and be the wife my husband needed. I can't tell you how many times before that I wished I felt like going outside and being a part of the world, but I just couldn't bring myself out of the darkness. I am hoping that by sharing my experience with postpartum depression, it will give courage to someone also suffering with postpartum to decide to ask for help or be able to help a loved one. I will tell you my journey up until this point was definitely not an easy one.

I solely thank Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior for giving me the strength to make it through the struggle, and that I am still here today. I am now able to reach out and let others know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. If you have faith that GOD can heal you it will happen. I was never much of a believer in miracles until one happened to me. I know that I didn't go through this experience without some good coming out of it. I feel like my job now is to help others who suffer from the same thing I did. I am now free of taking any medications for depression and anxiety and the glory goes to God. He was my rock to lean on because I was incapable of healing myself. I feel like climbing to the highest mountain and shouting to the world Jesus is so awesome!!!!! I am very passionate about my relationship with Christ now. I still have daily struggles as I think we all do but knowing I have a Father in Heaven who loves me so much, and that He gave His life for mine gives me all the peace in the world. It is an amazing, indescribable feeling!

Depression can ruin lives, families, and relationships if it is left untreated. Since sometimes you can't tell someone is suffering from depression in a physical sense it goes without being diagnosed. I think one of the best things that helped me was just being able to talk about it. There were times when I felt like I was the only one in the world going through the struggle with depression, but there are so many millions of people who have all been through the same thing you just don't realize it until you are on the road to recovery!! I pray that by sharing my testimony it will give someone the courage to seek help for themselves or maybe a loved one going through depression.

(You can contact Holly at hollyosmith@hotmail.com)

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04.15.08

Treasure in Heaven

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. - Matthew 6:19-21.

For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. - Matthew 25:14-19.

You would think that if you put some money in a bank's safe deposit box that it would be safe. After all that is why you use those boxes so you can have some peace of mind and know that your valuables are being kept safe. Apparently that is not true; at least it is not true in the state of Bihar in India. Dwarika Prasad has found that out the hard way.

Dwarika rented a safe deposit box at a branch of the Central Bank of India which is owned by the government. Into his safe deposit box he put $16,000 dollars worth of rupees and investment papers along with some silver and gold jewelry. After about two and a half years he opened up his box and discovered that the money and investment papers had been devoured by termites! Even the jewelry had some damage. The bank says it is not liable for the damage because it posted a warning notice about termites back in May of 2007. Dwarika says, "I'm shattered. I do not know what to do as I had kept the money for my old age."

Of course, we do want to protect the material resources that we have in our possession whatever those resources/possessions may be. The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25 gives us the perspective that we are to have toward those material possessions and resources. All that we have actually belongs to God and He has entrusted those possessions and resources into our stewardship. We are responsible to God for how we use or do not use all that He has given to us and there will be a day when the Master requires us to account for what we have done with His possessions and resources.

Not only should we take care and not lose what God has given to us but we should also put those possessions and resources to work in ways that will benefit the Kingdom of God. In the Parable of the Talents, the man who was given only one talent hid his talent in the ground. The Master said to this servant, "You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 25:26-30)."

There is a balance in life toward material things that we must try to keep. We want to use the resources that we have to glorify and serve our Lord but at the same time we must also provide for our families. Whatever possessions or resources that we use in serving the Lord are stored up in a very safe place where termites and earthly decay will never touch them. Heaven is the ultimate safe deposit box! So, whenever you can, put a little more away for your eternal retirement.

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04.11.08

God's Plan

Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit"; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that." But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. - James 4:13-16.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. - Jeremiah 29:11.

The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your hands. - Psalm 138:8. (The New Living Translation renders the verse in this way: "The Lord will work out his plans for my life - for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don't abandon me, for you made me.")

Jake Merfeld had a plan to burglarize Derdre Rodriguez's home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Jake thought he was doing well as he had gathered up a video game, cell phones, and some jewelry and was making his getaway running across the yard. What Jake had not planned on was Derdre coming home and hearing him jump out the back window. She chased him down and used an ice scraper to work him over until he gave up.

Amber and Brandon Herbert had a plan to cover up their burglary of horse saddles and other items from the rural Oregon home of Robert Salisbury. They had posted a bogus notice on Craigslist that Salisbury was moving, and that he was giving away everything instead of moving it. However, law enforcement was able to trace the posting on Craigslist back to the Herbert's and they have been arrested.

In Waterloo, Iowa, Cash Burch had a plan to steal a Ford Explorer. He was able to break into the vehicle but while trying to start it the battery ran down and an anti-theft system locked the doors trapping Cash inside. The owner finding the man still inside of the vehicle called police who arrested Cash.

In Detroit, Michigan a robber had a plan to rob a bank but left behind an address and a photo ID, and she was soon arrested.

We have our plans and if they were not so sad and pitiful I'm sure God would be laughing continuously. Instead, I think that the Lord may often grieve as He did over Jerusalem (Matthew 23:37), "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!" If we were wise we would cry out as did the Psalmist, "Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge (Psalm 57:1)."

The problem with our human plans is a lack of information, and wisdom. As James points out we do not even know what will happen tomorrow much less next week or next year. Our lives are very fragile things like a "vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." There are so many variables involved with a plan. A farmer makes his plan for a good crop preparing the ground with fertilizer and planting the seed. However, the farmer cannot control the weather and even though forecasting has improved, long range weather forecasting still has limits. A businessman makes his plans for a new business arranging for a line of credit for the necessary supplies. However, someone else may be planning the same type of business and open a larger, better supplied store a few blocks away. There are so many variables; so many things that can or may not happen when those things are needed to happen that can make our plans fail.

The good news for you is that God has a plan for your life and His plan is to "give you a future and a hope." God does have all the information and all of the wisdom necessary to bring success to His plan for your life. Will you let Him?

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04.02.08

In the Right Place

After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We are going with you also." They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. - John 21:1-3.

Can you imagine being an elementary student on a school bus and after a turn the driver falls out of her seat and hits her head? The school bus is then driverless and out of control! Every kid on the bus was probably screaming. It happened on a school bus in California and could have been very tragic if not for a 15-year-old girl who would not normally have been on the bus. Amanda Rouse, the 15-year-old, jumped into the driver’s seat and hit the brakes stopping the bus. The bus did hit a couple of parked cars but thankfully no one was injured other than the driver who had hit her head. Amanda had been feeling sick and asked the driver to take her home. Since she had not received the proper permission to leave school Amanda was rewarded with detention on Saturday. Amanda’s grandmother said about the situation, "I can’t help but believe that she (Amanda) was where God wanted her to be."

It is a wonderful thing when you know that you are in the right place at the right time. Amanda, in spite of receiving detention for her heroics, knows that she at least at that one moment in time was exactly where she was meant to be.

Sadly, Peter and six other disciples were not in the right place at the right time. Peter had apparently decided that it was over, Jesus was dead, and he might as well go back to his old career of being a fisherman. Six other disciples followed Peter. Jesus did not call them to catch fish as He said to four of them in Matthew 4:19, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Jesus had called them to win souls for the Kingdom of God and He had not changed His mind. The result of they’re being in the wrong place at the wrong time was that they caught no fish.

Peter and his friends had begun to look back to the good old days of when they were fishermen. Those days were not complicated and the only uncertainty was whether you would have a good catch or a bad catch of fish. Sometimes the weather would be good and sometimes the weather would be bad. However, you did not have to worry about Roman soldiers crucifying you for fishing!

In John 21:4 the next morning the risen Lord Jesus comes to find them and reissues His call upon their lives. Jesus addresses some questions that were apparently on the heart of Peter and his friends. They are questions that often loom in the hearts of those serving the Lord. One of those questions is about what reward is there in that service. After demonstrating that He is Lord and the disciples haul in a huge catch of fish; Jesus says to Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" Jesus was speaking of the fish that had just been caught and that they had eaten for breakfast. It is a decision that must be made in following Jesus. Do we love Him or do we love the world?

Peter had one more question that often is a question that hinders servants of the Lord. "Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You?" Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, "But Lord, what about this man?" Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me (John 21:20-22)." You must not compare yourself to others or worry about how God is working in the lives of others in comparison to how He is working in your life. Jesus had a plan for Peter and He had a plan for John. Peter and John followed the Lord. He has a plan for your life too. Will you follow Him?

You can be in the right place at the right time by fearlessly following your Lord, putting Him first in your life above the treasures of this world, and by praising God for how He works in the lives of others instead of being jealous.

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03.25.08

Pronounced Dead

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. - Ephesians 2:1-10.

Zack Dunlap is feeling "pretty good," which is really good for someone who the doctors pronounced dead on November 19, 2007! He was involved in accident with an all-terrain vehicle two days earlier which gave him severe head injuries. His father says that prior to his son being pronounced dead that there was no activity or blood flow indicated on the brain scan. However, while family members were gathered to say their goodbyes Zack was able to move his foot and hand. Perhaps it was in response to hearing doctors say he was dead and that soon his organs would be taken for transplant into others. Zack is 21-years-old and is still recovering but he is far from being dead. (Zack appeared on NBC’s Today show yesterday. The story has also been reported by the AP and has appeared in a multitude of Internet websites.)

Zack’s story is frightening and it is horrifying! You have to wonder if anything like that has happened to anyone else but not with the same outcome? In a spiritual sense, however, we have all been pronounced dead. What you say? Yes, we are as the apostle Paul says in Ephesians 2 "dead in trespasses and sins."

Zack’s family says that they feel blessed to have him alive and back with them. This indicates that there was a spiritual component to the change of condition from death to life. Indeed they are blessed. Blessed that for unknown reasons God intervened and brought this young man back to life.

There is only one way that our spiritual condition can change from that of deadness to that of life. It is only through the intervention of God that we can be brought to life. The apostle Paul speaking to those who are alive says, "And you He made alive…." Who made them alive? "God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us…made us alive together with Christ…made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus…in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." God through Jesus made them alive. Why did God do that? "…because of His great love with which He loved us…that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."

What did it cost for Zack to be brought to life? Nothing. It was simply an act of God. What does it cost us to be brought from being "dead in trespasses and sins" to being "alive together with Christ?" What do we have to do to have life? "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Does the recipient of a gift have to pay anything for it? No, a gift is free of cost to the recipient or it would not be a gift.

What do we have to do to receive the gift of life? Jesus says in John 5:24, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life." Jesus says in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." To pass "from death into life" we must believe upon Jesus Christ - believe that He has paid the price for the gift of eternal life which He freely gives to us. What was the price? The price was His blood which He shed on the cross for our sins.

When do you pass "from death to life?" You pass "from death to life" when you believe. Have you believed upon Jesus Christ receiving Him as your Savior? He has paid the price you just have to receive the gift. Will you take it?

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03.20.08

Resurrection Living

Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. Now Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" She said to Him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world." - John 11:20-27.

The long debate about whether or not Jesus was resurrected from the dead is over...if you choose to believe Richard Swinburne. Richard Swinburne is a noted theologian and Oxford University professor, who claims to have mathematically proven the resurrection of Jesus Christ with a 97% certainty. Swinburne’s calculations in support of the resurrection were made on the following assumptions:

"The probably of God’s existence is one in two. That is, God either exists or doesn’t."

"The probability that God became incarnate, that is embodied in human form, is also one in two."

"The evidence for God’s existence is an argument for the resurrection."

"The chance of Christ’s resurrection not being reported by the gospels has a probability of one in 10."

"Considering all these factors together, there is a one in 1,000 chance that the resurrection is not true."

You can read Professor Swinburne’s book, "The Resurrection of God Incarnate" if you would like more information about these calculations.

Some bright shining day faith will no longer be required in order to believe in Jesus Christ. Until that day, even with the best mathematical calculations we must still as the apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:7 "walk by faith, not by sight." The changed lives of those who encountered Jesus are a testimony to the truth of His resurrection power and to His resurrection. The changed lives of those still encountering Jesus today are a continuing testimony to the truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

An often missed point about the resurrection is that Jesus does not say that He has resurrection power. Jesus also does not say that He gives resurrection power. He says He is "the resurrection and the life."

Lazarus knew what that meant. He knew what resurrection living was all about. Jesus who is the "resurrection and the life" cried out at the tomb of Lazarus, "Lazarus, come forth!" And Lazarus came out of the tomb wrapped in his grave clothes. Lazarus was literally living the resurrected life.

In Acts 3 the lame man knew about resurrection living. The lame man wanted a hand out but instead got a changed life. For the first time in his life he could walk and the Bible says he was "walking, and leaping and praising God."

Think about Saul who became the apostle Paul. He was persecuting the church. Most likely he was responsible for the deaths of many Christians. But Saul had an encounter with the risen Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus. Saul became Paul absolutely fearless in his service to the Lord. Stone him to death and after they pray for him he rises again. Paul was shipwrecked, bitten by a snake, whipped, imprisoned, and put in stocks but he just continues on - nothing can stop him.

Why? What happened to Lazarus, what happened to the lame man, what happened to Paul? What happened to the disciples? The Jewish priests, elders, and scribes summed it all up in Acts 4:13: "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus."

Why? Because they had been with Jesus. Do you want to do some resurrection living? Then you need to be with Jesus.

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03.10.08

Still Standing

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. - Romans 5:3-5.

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. - 1 Corinthians 15:58.

For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. - Hebrews 12:3.

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. - Isaiah 26:3.

We have had the bricks replaced on our church that were blown off by the tornado last year on May 5^th. The brick work was finally finished only about a week ago. I have noticed that there are some imperfections in the brick work; not many, but there are some. In addition, the steeple that we had repaired and that is now back up on top of our church building is not perfect either. I told everyone then when the steeple was reinstalled and I think the same is true with the brick work - we need to remember that the building has been through a tornado. Our building has taken some hits but it is still standing. The imperfections have in a way given the building greater character and are a reminder of how close it came to total destruction on that night back in May. It is a reminder too of God's protection because many lives could have been lost in our community but none were.

In our church and community we have had some unexpected tragedies affecting us over the last few weeks. You could say that we have taken some hits during these weeks. There is nothing easy about going through the unexpected death of a loved one or of a friend. Most Christians if they have been Christians for very long know what I am talking about. You've taken some hits too but hopefully you're still standing.

The apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans indicates that those hits that we sometimes take can be used by God to develop our character. Life has a way of hitting us hard at times. When we are unexpectedly dealt a harsh blow in life what should be our response? How do we keep on going when bad things are happening? Paul tells us that we need to "stand firm" and that we should "let nothing move you." What does that mean? Paul is saying that no matter what bad, tragic thing may happen to you - do not let it reduce your fervor for the Lord. Paul goes on to say, "Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord." The apostle Paul knew whereof he was talking about because he had taken more than his share of hits too, but he was still standing firm for the Lord and we need to do the same.

There is one very important thing or should I say person that will help us make it through the difficult times. Isaiah tells us that God will keep you in perfect peace if your "mind is stayed" on Him "because" you "trust in" Him. The writer of Hebrews makes this even more clear as he says, "consider Him (Jesus) who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls." We must focus in upon our Lord Jesus Christ. We must take our minds and hearts off of the bad thing or things that have happened or is happening and instead think about Jesus. Reading the Bible, memorizing Scripture verses, meditating upon Scripture, praying, attending church, and serving the Lord with your life will all help you to focus in upon Jesus. When you do that you will find that you have "perfect peace" and that you are still standing, "standing firm" in your faith.

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03.04.08

Under His Hand

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:5-6.

Jeanie and I had been married for three years and our oldest son was only a few weeks old in 1973 when we moved our mobile home from the Oklahoma City area to my parent's farm in western Oklahoma. I had graduated from college at midterm and had found a sales job with an automotive parts distributorship. All went well until the oil shortage. On October 16, 1973 OPEC cut production of oil and placed an embargo on shipments of oil to the west. Gas rationing began, gas prices went up - as cars were driven less, fewer parts wore out. I was laid off in December 1973 a week before Christmas. In a few weeks I went to work for another parts company but this lasted for only a couple of months. Jeanie went back to work and I was home taking care of our one-year-old son.

It was a very frustrating time of being without work. I began to read through the New Testament and for the first time read completely through it. I decided I would go back to Oklahoma City. Go back to college. Live with my sister until I could afford to move my family back. The night before I was leaving my father-in-law called to offer me a job at the cotton gin where he was the manager. This would not be a white collar job. It would be a minimum wage hard work kind of job. I didn't want to do it. After all I had a college degree. But then I had been reading God's Word and God spoke to me about my pride. God spoke to me and I knew what He wanted me to do. So very often doing the right thing and the best thing is the hardest thing to do.

I went to work for my father-in-law, Leon Pruet. It was one of the best decisions that I have made in my life. We tore out old machinery and installed new machinery through the summer. In the fall, I stayed on for the ginning season and worked on the press where the cotton is compressed into bails. I gained a different kind of education and gained a deep respect for the godly life my father-in-law led. Pride almost robbed me of one of the greatest experiences of my life.

Through that step of humility I gained character, strength, determination, wisdom, and a life path that has led me to greater service for the Lord. Through what was one of the hardest decisions and most humbling decisions of my life I gained a life. Don't let pride rob you of life! Place yourself, place your life under His hand and He will lift you up when the time is right.

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02.21.08

Surprise! You are Corrupt

As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. - 2 Peter 1:3-4.

To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled (corrupted - NIV) and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled (corrupted - NIV). They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. - Titus 1: 15-16.

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. - Matthew 5:13.

Somewhere in Massachusetts a police department received three very nice award plaques with an estimated cost of as much as $200 for each one. Each plaque had the name of an officer engraved and reportedly said, "Congratulations! You're corrupt." Of course, this was not well received by the police department involved. In response, they have dusted the plaques for fingerprints and reported the offensive plaques to the Postal Inspector. Federal charges are possible for using the Postal Service to "threaten, intimidate, or harass." Just a thought, maybe we can have the postal service take over the Internet email system and lock up all of the harassing spammers. But then they would probably want to charge us forty-two cents for every email.

If God were to judge your life right now what would He see? Would He say, "Well done good and faithful servant", or would He say, "You're corrupt!" If we could see our lives as God sees them would we be surprised?

What is corruption? Here is my definition: corruption is decay meaning whatever state something is in that it becomes worse. Jesus says that we are to be the "salt of the earth." Salt is a preservative and prevents corruption from taking place. Jesus also says that if salt loses its preservative ability it is of no value.

Christians are the mainstay, the preventative of moral perversion further corrupting the hearts and minds of those living in this world. Sadly, many of us Christians i.e. believers could be given a "Congratulations! You're Corrupt" plaque too. How could this happen? It happens because the world is a corrupting influence that is constantly seeking to erode the moral stance of every child of God. The more contact we have with the world the more contact we need to have with God and the things of God to maintain our saltiness. We cannot constantly be exposed to immoral movies, immoral television programming, immoral books, immoral magazines, immoral friends, and immoral co-workers without there being corruption.

There is, however, a whole other category of individuals that might receive a "Congratulations! You're Corrupt" plaque. Those in this category are those that the apostle Paul is referring to in Titus 1:16 when he says, "They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work." There are many who claim to be Christians, believers - but they have never known Jesus as their Savior.

If you are losing your saltiness, and you are in danger of receiving a "Congratulations! You're Corrupt" award it is time to repent and turn again to God. If you claim to be a believer but your life says that is a lie then throw yourself upon the mercy of the Lord Jesus before it is everlastingly too late.

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02.18.08

The Path of Blessing

Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." - Luke 18: 9-14.

The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate. - Proverbs 8:13.

In the United Arab Emirates, a license plate has been sold at a charity auction for what is said to be a record fourteen million dollars. What is so special about this license plate? This license plate contains only one numeral, the number "1". Saeed Khouri explains why he paid so much for the number one plate: "I bought it because it’s the best number. I bought it because I want to be the best in the world." The money from the auction is going to a good cause to help a rehabilitation center for accident victims.

Pride is a very self-deceiving and dangerous thing as we see with the Pharisee in Luke 18. From the life experience of the Pharisee he knew that he did the things that were expected of him. He fasted, he tithed, he prayed, and he did not extort money from others. The Pharisee also knew that many tax collectors made their living off of extortion. What the Pharisee did not know was that God does not just look at the outward things that we do. No, God also looks at the heart, the inward condition of a person . The Pharisee’s heart was filled with pride that he was the best, that he was so much better than that scum of the earth sinful tax collector. Meanwhile, the tax collector’s heart was filled with repentance, a desire to turn away from his sin recognizing his unworthiness before God.

What does pride do? It robs us of joy because we can never be satisfied with what we have - we will always want more. It robs us of peace because we will always be concerned that someone else will be better, or have more than us. Pride also robs us of the blessings of God. The apostle Peter shares with us an additional problem with pride in 1 Peter 5:5-7, "Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." Living with a prideful attitude results in God resisting you, opposing you in all that you do. What a terrible way to live!

You should always strive to live with humility before God and others by your actions and with your heart. Because if you will live your life with humility God will not oppose you, He will not resist you; instead He will exalt you, and lift you up in due time. Living with humility will result in God taking care of you - and you will be given joy, peace, and untold blessings from the hand of God.

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02.15.08

The Consequences for Behaving Badly

For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)— then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries. - 2 Peter 2: 4-10.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. - Proverbs 1:7.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 6:23.

In Rochester, Pennsylvania it must have been almost an unbelievable scene. A female bartender did the responsible thing refusing to serve an intoxicated woman who was seven months pregnant another drink and she also told the pregnant woman that she shouldn't be drinking alcohol. Someone needed to say it and the bartender did. Keisharra Abercrombie who is thirty years old did not take it well. She attacked and broke a glass over the bartender's head which tore her ear. It took nearly 30 stitches and a couple of staples for the top portion of the ear to be reattached. Keisharra ended up in jail with a $25,000 bail charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, harassment and reckless endangerment.

With the behavior of Keisharra we can see some immediate consequences for her behavior. She has lost her freedom and may have to give up that freedom for a few years if she is sentenced to prison. There will be longer term consequences as she may not be able to have custody of her child and knowing of Keisharra's abuse of alcohol leads to concern for the health of the child she is carrying. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a real possibility for the child which will affect the child for all of its life. It will also be a burden upon the heart of the mother for the rest of her life. There are very real consequences for irresponsible behavior. A moment of rage can cause a lifetime of problems.

There are also spiritual consequences for behaving badly. If a person is actively and knowingly involved in sinful activities there are consequences. God will not bless that person's life. God will allow the natural consequences of those sinful actions to occur.

If you are in a downward spiral, and you want to stop, how do you turn around? Solomon tells us in Proverbs that the beginning of wisdom is "fear of the Lord." Irreverence is epidemic across the United States and much of that irreverence is directed toward God. Many movies, television shows, comics, and others market themselves by claiming proudly to be "irreverent." You can begin to stop the downward spiral by getting rid of the irreverence. Instead of being disrespectful toward God, begin to give Him respect, honor, and glory. Acknowledge that you have knowingly acted in ways that He did not approve. Ask Him to help you to change and to move your life in the opposite direction of where it has been headed. Ask Him to bless your life as you begin to live for Him.

The great news is that God loves you and wants to bless your life. Jesus came that you might have life, and that you might have it more abundantly (John 10:10). Allow God to bless you and give you life. Instead of fighting against Him become His friend. Imagine how much better your life will be when God is blessing instead of opposing all that you do.

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02.11.08

Overcoming Obstacles to the Abundant Life

Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel; none went out, and none came in. And the LORD said to Joshua: "See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor. You shall march around the city, all you men of war; you shall go all around the city once. This you shall do six days. And seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark. But the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. It shall come to pass, when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, that all the people shall shout with a great shout; then the wall of the city will fall down flat. And the people shall go up every man straight before him." - Joshua 6:1-5.

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. - Acts 2:42.

One of the great stories of the Old Testament is that of the conquering of the fortress city of Jericho. The children of Israel had wandered in the desert for 40 years and had miraculously crossed the Jordan River at flood stage. Now they were confronted with an even greater challenge. That challenge was the powerful, seemingly, impenetrable city of Jericho. How would God have them to defeat this city? Would God send a tornado to knock down the walls? Would He send an earthquake to make the walls fall down? What awe-inspiring thing would God do to give them victory? The children of Israel must have been confounded by the instructions God gave to Joshua and Joshua gave to them. They were simply to march around the city every day for six days and on the seventh day march around the city for seven times. Then, they were to blow the trumpets and the people were instructed to shout. What ki