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"Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19

Month: September 2019

Have You Heard… John 3: 27.

September 28, 2019 /
They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”

The all too familiar saying, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is just plain wrong. Ask anyone who has suffered a tongue lashing from one who is verbally abusive. Words can, and often do hurt. Even those spoken inadvertently. Our words have the potential to turn a friend into a foe and to momentarily break the strongest of Spirits…

While reading verses 22 through 36 of John, Chapter Three, the carelessness of the words spoken in verse 26 struck me. Instantly, the term “friendly fire” came to mind. According to Wikipedia friendly Fire is defined, in part, as; An inadvertent attack by a military force on friendly or neutral troops while attempting to attack the enemy.

Whether it was the group of the religious leaders of the day, led perhaps by Nicodemus, Jesus’ nighttime visitor (vs. 23), or John’s own disciples that were speaking in today’s verse is up for debate. What our Scripture does make clear is, whichever the group, they apparently saw Jesus as competition. The closing words of today’s verse certainly alludes to that fact. “And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us.” That said, what we may never know for certain is whether their words were intended to spark jealously within John or, were they testing his loyalty? Had underlying insecurities perhaps, driven them to speak in such a self-interested manner? Only God knows the intentions of a man’s heart. And how does any of this in any way connect to friendly fire?

In short, words. The power behind our words. Words can bring death or life! Talk too much, and you will eat everything you say –Proverbs 18:21. Remember brothers and sisters, we as believers are soldiers. And, from the moment the Lord called us to join in the battle until the day He calls us home, we will never leave the battlefield. Let us then be ever vigilant, friends. Not allowing ourselves to be lulled into thinking that simply because we stand behind the pulpit, are active in ministry, lead the team, or are heading up the committee that the enemy of our soul isn’t circling right there next to us. That he isn’t prowling, watching and waiting for any opportunity to discredit us, to use any word spoken in haste as a weapon to wound a fellow brother or sister. Even our anxious words, spoken half unawares.

Never forget our enemy’s sole mission is to take us out, to discredit us, use our every careless or inciteful word to cause wounds in another that may cut so deeply they’ll walk away bruised and bloodied. We’ve each, at some point in our Christian walk, experienced friendly fire, if not, we’re bound to. We’re surrounded with people who, much like ourselves, will fall short and be hurtful. For me personally, knowing our propensity to wound each other lends added weight to our brother Peter’s words to the Church Elders…

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour –1 Peter 5:8.

So with this in mind lets reread the definition of friendly fire: An inadvertent attack by a military force on friendly or neutral troops while attempting to attack the enemy. But what is an inadvertent attach? Inadvertent is defined by Webster as; not resulting from or achieved through deliberate planning. Being unpremeditated, thoughtless or careless. Friendly fire, though not deliberate, has the potential to be as deadly as the bullet aimed intentionally at the heart. And in listening in on the conversation of those who were speaking to John, we hear words that have this potential to maim and destroy as surely as any misdirected bullet or bomb does. In not recognizing Jesus as one of their own, these men failed to understand that any conflict, any fallout that may result from their attempting to stir John up would, in fact, be, friendly fire.

Evil words destroy one’s friends; wise discernment rescues the godly –Proverbs 11:9

John, however, appears to have escaped being wounded in this exchange. The closing verses of this chapter make that clear. John knew who he was. More importantly, he knew who Jesus was. He was not threatened by Him in any way. Rather, he delighted in Jesus. He was humbled to have been chosen to serve Him at all. Perhaps it was, in part, this Divine revelation of just who this Jesus is that had shielded John from the effects of the friendly fire that whizzed all around him?

When we are willing to bow low in the service of our God, to forsake all for Him that we may gain Him, to shed, let go of, our egos and titles and the recognition they may bring our way and simply be used as one delighted to draw the attention of others solely to the Lamb of God that walks among us still—He then, delights in blessing us. Not in some, we earned it way, rather as a Father who delights in loving and blessing His children. What daddy doesn’t want to keep his children safe? Jesus is, after all, our fortress and our shield. His Mighty Hand ever covering us that no weapon formed by the enemy of our souls will either prosper nor thwart His plan.

In John, we see a man not wishing to be anything other than the best, most faithful, diligent, and, submissive version of himself he can be—Scripture makes this plain. But rather than taking my word on this, listen instead to what John has to say concerning himself and His Lord. Go ahead, draw in, I’m certain he won’t mind your listening in: …”You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.” The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. –John 3:28-31.

In the perilous times in which we live, in this hour of darkness and deep confusion we must know who we are in Christ, our purpose. Just as John did. Know this friend, no man’s careless words can take from you what God has for you, whether great or small. Stand firm then in your calling, hold down your place on the battlefield. God sees you and He has a purpose and a plan for your being exactly where you are. John understood this. He rested in it. Don’t allow another’s insecurity, doubt, indecisiveness or fear-filled words to cause you to duck, shrieking back! Not even friendly fire can take us out, if, like John, we’ll just hold fast to God knowing, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven” –John 3:27

Friend, if you are with us today and have yet to ask Jesus into your heart, don’t wait another moment. We never know what’s coming just around the corner. My hope is that you’ll take the time now to invite Him into your life. “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” –Romans 10:9-10. But don’t stop there friend. Find a Bible-based church and attend. Read Gods Word daily and grow in your new relationship with Him…

Higher Than Our Own. Isaiah 55:8-9

September 21, 2019 /
“The Lord says, “My thoughts are not like yours.
    Your ways are not like mine.
Just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so my ways are higher than your ways,
    and my thoughts are higher than your thoughts.”

In preparation for this week’s teaching, I went to sit beside the ocean to get alone with the Lord. I parked the car close to a popular local inlet where the small craft anchor. A particular dingy caught my eye…

Staring at it I thought, “that little guy looks as though it could sink at any moment.” Compared that is, to some of the sturdier-looking, larger boats anchored nearby. Looking away, I continued on in prayer. But once again this little boat caught my eye. This time, however, it appeared to be listing. Signaling the beginning of an inescapable watery demise. “I had a feeling that little boat would eventually go down. It didn’t appear at all seaworthy.” As I continued to watch what I saw instead caused me to literally shout, ‘no way!”’ The waves had caused it to shift directions and I saw it was fully righted! Not only had that little boat not gone under, it was effortlessly bobbing along being piloted by the tides that had it safely hemmed in. What I was certain I had seen had been little more than an optical illusion. My eyes playing tricks on me. A complete misread on my part…

And then God spoke. Impressing on my heart that: I wasn’t to always trust what I saw in front of me rather, to steadfastly rely solely upon what I know to be True of Him. Trusting in His Sovereignty, mercy, grace, and, power. He reminded me to always have my faith securely anchored in Him; my mind and thoughts captive to His will alone. There are many illusions in this world…

Satan is a master of illusion and deception. And, He is busier now than ever knowing his time is at hand. God’s elect must be even more vigilant. Leaving no opening in our armor through which he might gain entrance. “For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible” –Mark 13:22.

God had convicted me of the cracks in my own armor; as quickly as I had judged this little boat of being unseaworthy, so too had I judged myself unworthy to serve Him by comparing myself to those I felt were far more gifted—more qualified than myself. I’d allowed temporary feelings of unworthiness to serve God and His people to supersede what I know He alone has called and equip me to do. Serve! Whenever and wherever He leads me. I was instantly humbled by the realization that not only had I been allowing myself to entertain lies, questioning my very election, entertaining my fears, doubts, and insecurities as one entertains friends; allowing them access into places mere acquaintances are not permitted, I had, unawares, projected my feelings of inadequacy onto that little boat! Thus, falsely judging us both as unseaworthy…

That’s when God convicted my heart! Who was I to judge the gifts He’s given me? His grace? Who was I to question His reasoning for choosing me for Himself?

And so, if I don’t make it my business to stay close to Christ daily, standing firm and fixed, minute-by-minute on who He says I am, I will, according to my own estimation, find myself sorely wanting. Unworthy to serve such a Holy God—or His people. Knowing my own sin and shortcomings I will judge myself as a vessel of dishonor, rather than one of gold or silver having been made pure, not by my own works or worth, rather by His. In this Truth, I was allowed a far deeper, more personal revelation of meaning behind Paul’s words: “But to me it is a very small thing to be judged by you, or by man’s day; but neither do I judge my own self”–1 Corinthians 4:3.

Our self-worth, my self-worth friends, should not be grounded in the esteem or opinion nor in the rejection of others—man’s flesh is far too fickle, untrustworthy, and ever-changing to ever take fully to heart. First, it blows this way and then that. One minute calling out Hosanna and with its next breath, crucify Him! Neither should we fully put our trust in self-assessments, least we think either too highly or too lowly of ourselves. Yet if our conscious pricks us, we must be certain to examine it. But it is to God alone that we must look to for every good thing in our lives. Starting with the foundational Truth of who we are and who He is in our lives, ministry, work, and worth. Only His Truth is irrefutable. Our sure standard.

His Word clearly tells us: “All else is sinking sand…” –Matthew 7:24-27.

Now, before I move on, allow me to clarify a point: By no means do I mean to suggest that we should not examine ourselves, our lives, and hearts, our consciences. Quite the contrary, as Christians, we must keep a close eye on the condition of our hearts and thoughts, our words, and actions. Through prayer and the reading of the Scriptures, through our daily communion with the Holy Spirit, we must ask the Lord, day by day, to search out anything in us that is not of Him. And, should our conscience convict us of sin, we must, by His power, rid our lives of its corrupt root; least our hearts become hardened by its unchecked presence. We must repent, quickly.

Our Scripture verse today harkens back to the days of King David who, at the time of this writing has been dead some 250 years. Thus signifying that our Scripture verses are directed not at unbelievers since they are directed at David and Israel, but rather at believers. And, though applicable in Isaiah’s day surely, they are also prophetic; reaching their hand into the pocket of today’s Church, speaking directly to you and me. God’s Truth is eternal and unchanging. Our verses declare, in part, just who God is and who we are in comparison. There is no room in His declaration for neither question nor doubt. God’s Sovereignty is on clear display in these verses. Therefore, as believers living in times fraught with illusions, lies, and false accusation, we must be convinced, resolute in the fact that we are who God says we are and not fall prey to those feelings that swing us this way one moment and that another, tossing us first here, then there…

Beloved, if this has hit your heart if you’ve been judging yourself as I’ve judged myself of late, may I suggest you steal away and spend some quiet time alone with the Lord. Ask Him to reveal afresh the Truth of who you are in Him and to make clear to you once again, your purpose and calling in Him. The field is white my brothers and sisters, we must be steadfastly about our Father’s business throwing off, as our brother Paul instructs us, every weight that hinders us.

And friend, if you find yourself here today saying, I’ve felt like this too! Know this, God has led you here as surely as He led me to that little dingy. If you’ve yet to ask Jesus to come into your life as Lord and Savior, please do it now. He’s led you here and He loves you. But He won’t force Himself on you…

Exodus 14:22. In Spite of The Fear…

September 7, 2019 /
“So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side!”





They did this, it’s true. Yet, they didn’t do it alone. God had safely hemmed them in as they walked across this parted sea on a dry seafloor. It was so dry, in fact, that neither carriage wheel nor full-grown man was lost to its once sopping, sandy, sea bottom. We can read the account of their crossing over and the subsequent death of their captors in the Scriptures —Exodus 13:17-22;14.

As for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land. –Exo. 14:16.

There’s a Word of confirmation for someone in today’s verse: Just take that next step regardless of how things might look to you. Even though your flesh may be screaming, “this is crazy!” Choose to believe instead, that God’s got your best interest at hand. Just as the Israelites had the choice to cross over or to stay put; so do you. Even when the path He’s chosen for you looks both frightening and unappealing, just keep moving in the direction He’s led you and trust Him; in spite of your fears.

If I were to stop here, life and hope and confirmation have been tossed out like a life ring to that one soul that was in jeopardy of going under. Yet the Holy Spirit isn’t finished speaking with us…

Their prayers had been answered. God sent them a man to help deliver them from days of brutal oppression and unalleviated struggles. God had sent Moses to free His people from Pharaoh’s tyrannical grip. How apt that this man who had gone from freely strolling the opulent halls of Egypt’s palaces, to spending 40 something years in Midian’s wilderness as a shepherd, be called to return to the very place and people he’d fled from; in fear for his very life. This same man who knew well the deadly ire of Pharaoh was being used to deliver and lead a people he was born kin to, out from under Pharaoh’s despotic grip.

Here’s a lesson to us all: God can send the very one that once hung out in your enemy’s house to save you. Not that Moses was such a one, mind you. Nevertheless, don’t judge who or how God has chosen to save you. – Exodus 14:2-4; Isaiah 45:1–8.

And so they stood, leader and followers; much like a ship that has gone aground. Momentarily hemmed in before this outwardly impossible path which led to their safety. Moses at the fore, the lion’s share of those following him at the aft. Each facing the near mile divide of salty sea that separated them from the safety they so desperately longed for, there on its other side. (To put this in perspective, safety loomed some 17.6 football fields across a seemingly impassable sea!) All the while behind them, a demented Pharaoh with his army of Egyptian fighting men were rapidly closing in. Doggedly eating up the ground that stood between them both. This blood-thirsty band of despots locked onto them, like some weapon of mass annihilation, determined to land a swift and deadly blow.

Is this not the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward –Exodus 14:12;15.


As it was with Moses and the Israelites, so it is with us. Our enemy Satan seeks not to simply destroy us rather annihilate us –John 10:10.
Yet when all appeared hopeless, when the scent of defeat rose thick above any other scent in the very air they breathed, God did what only God can do. He made a way where, just a nano-second before, one simply had not existed.

And, He’ll do the same for you and me!

Now God may have used Moses to lead His people to the very edge of their deliverance, but He alone would save them from certain death. This is simply who our God is. He alone is mighty to save! God will use any man He so chooses to take us so far. But He will not share His glory with another…

It is at the end of Chapter 13 that we begin to catch a glimpse of God’s perfect plan of deliverance for His people. In His Sovereignty, God chose to lead these people to freedom via the long way home, when a much shorter route was available. But why? Why would God place these worn and weary people He had sent Moses to free in such a seemingly indefensible position?

And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt. But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt –Exodus 13:17-18.

Here is where we clearly see that God’s ways are so far beyond us. And, also, why we are instructed to walk by faith, and not by sight. Not allowing ourselves to be led, like one with a ring through their nose, by our fickle feelings. God knew that His people would be weary from wear after leaving Egypt. He also knew a formidable enemy lay in wait for them. Being tried in the wilderness would help to prepare them for the fight that lay ahead— for those events just beyond their knowing. No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it –1 Corinthians 10:13.

So, now, seeing the sea parted some mile wide before them, these frail, frightened souls numbering 2-3 million, men, woman, and children, had each to decide whether they would take their chances walking between these walls of towering seawater, or stay put and do battle with a known and deadly enemy.

And so will we…

Friends, there will be times in our walk with the Lord, when, in His leading us towards the fulfillment of His promises for us, in His shaping and reshaping of us, we, like these Israelite’s, must decide if we’ll also take that next step of faith. In spite of how things around us might appear. Even though our flesh may be screaming, “this is crazy!” We must choose to believe instead, that God has our best interest at hand. Just as the Israelites had the choice to cross over or stay put; so do you and me.

Even when the path He’s chosen for us looks both frightening and unappealing, just keep moving in the direction He’s led you and trust Him; despite the walls of water that surround you. In spite of all your fears...

But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. That day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant –Exodus 14: 29-31.

Friend, if you’re here today and have not yet met the One who will never leave you alone in your wilderness. Never abandoned you to fight one single battle on your own; won’t you ask this Jesus to come into your life and show Himself real to you, now? Ask Him to take up your fight for you. He will if you’ll but sincerely ask…

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