Weekly Devo

    The hot topic here lately is woman's roles in the church. I know that can be an argumentative issue for many Christians. I would say the pursuit of broadening woman's roles in the church is not the issue. Just like sin is not the issue in our lives. It goes much deeper for sin is a product of our own evil desires ( James 1:12-15 ). The evil desires is the issue. We use it to fulfil things that we don't want God to fill or don't think God can fill. With this topic of woman's roles in the church the issues is much deeper. The issue is lack of bible knowledge ( 1 Cor. 15:33-34 ). Knowing the truth is where freedom is. Abiding in His word is how we are His disciples ( John 8:31-32 ).  Not binding yourself by His word means you can do what you want. It wont glorify God but hey you got what you wanted. I know that is a rough way to say that but it’s true. We may not outright admit to such a line of thinking but we show it in our actions, ...

“ Blessed are  the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.” Matt. 5:7           Mercy is action ( Luke 10:30-37; Matt. 17:15; Luke 18:13; Luke 17:3; Matt. 9:35-38 ). We must be careful in our active mercy. For unknowingly may we be aiding evil ( 2 Thess. 3:10; Matt. 18:15-17 ). We don’t want to encourage sin in our acts of mercy.         Mercy is prayer ( Rm 10:1; 3 John 2 ). Man falls short of the glory of God ( Rm. 3:23 ). We know that we need Christ ( Rev. 1:5 ). He is the only one who can save us ( Acts 4:11-12 ).   So we can clearly understand the state of those outside of Him ( 1 Tim. 2:1 ).       Mercy is caring for the spiritual and physical needs of others. We need to seek to serve the physical needs of others. How merciful is it to deny someone in hunger food? Or see some one sick and deny them aid? ( Matt. 5:16; 1 Pet. 2:9; Matt. 15:32-38; Matt. 4:23; Matt. 25...

    I want to take a moment and express a thought we need to consider this week. One of the biggest things we have prided ourselves on in the church is our bible knowledge. In fact that exact thing is what has set us apart from everything else ( Rom. 10:17; 1 John 3:24; 1 John 4:20-5:5 ).    When we look at a manmade denomination we see the exact opposite. In fact there is very little pure bible knowledge in the denominational world. That lack of knowledge gives them the freedom they have to do as they please.     I say all of this to make this point. We are seeing the changes in the church today because of the lack of biblical knowledge. In fact many churches now are no different than the denominations. Meaning they have become one themselves.     How did they get there? Lack of bible knowledge. We will continue to mimic the denominational world as long as we emphasis what they do, biblical ignorance. I know that sounds harsh b...

  “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled” Matt. 5:6         To look at a physical necessity in a spiritual manner can sometimes be difficult. If we truly get our minds around the concept it is simple.   Some of us may not know what it means to be hungry, or thirsty. However, we can understand that we can’t make it more than three days without water. Which at the third day your body has already started shutting down. We can understand that we can’t go without food for seven days. Which at that time your body will shut down.   Those are our absolute limits when it comes to food and water.     That hunger and thirst pain is what is being addressed. Those pains are mental triggers and body signals that lets us know we must have something now. Christ says this about righteousness. "You mean we are to have that sort of pain and over whelming necessity for righteousness?"...

“Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.” Matt. 5:5        Being meek is simply having the firmness and unyielding devotion to do right while willing to suffer wrongly rather than to be willing to do wrong. Other words that could be used to describe meekness is gentle, kind, mild and quite. It is not weakness, as we so often claim it to be.   Christ is meek ( Matt. 11:29 ). Because of that character we find it easy to take on His yoke and learn from Him. Zephaniah lets us know that the meek should seek the Lord. Seek righteousness and humility, he says, that you may be hidden in the day of the Lord’s anger ( Zeph. 2:3 ).   Receive with meekness the implanted word which is able to save your souls ( James 1:21 ). James 3:13-18 also highlights this meekness we are to have. Show, by good conduct, that your works are done in the meekness of wisdom. Meekness in the Lord is being steadfast in His righteousness and willing to suffer fo...

                     “Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.”           Matt. 5:4       Are your mourning? What does that mean?   Those that mourn are in mourning for many reasons. They mourn for the word when they are in the darkness of sin. They mourn for the sins that mar their own lives ( James 1:12-15 ). They mourn for loved ones and family outside of Christ ( Luke 8:21 ). They mourn for the slain that have fallen in the encounter of Satan ( Gal. 6:1 ). They mourn the sorrows and bereavements common to all men. O what a blessing that promise of comfort truly is.             W e may mourn the tribulation that comes from being a Christian ( 2 Tim. 3:12 ). That tribulation results in patience, character, and hope ( Rom. 5:1-5 ). We mourn chastening f...

  "And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.""     The Sermon on the Mount gives us a lot of valuable information. We need take a moment and think on it. So let’s do that in the next few days. Starting in Matthew chapter 5 we see Jesus stand before the multitudes and give a formal declaration. He opened His mouth and taught them all. The great teacher on the mountain top, with multitudes at His feet, didn’t hold back the truth. He preached it like it is.   The first thing He says is “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”.   What does that mean? Let’s look at it.       This “poor” is not about money or material wealth. The poor still means lacking. This lacking in spirit is about needing something. Christ is talking ...

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. Romans 12:17          Don’t seek to get even. I know it can be hard sometimes to curve our tongue or hold back that free knuckle sandwich. It's not up to us to get even. God is the one who takes care of vengeance ( Rm. 12:19 ). When we jump in the fire and starting fighting with fire we are no better than the offender. Seek to do good to all ( Gal. 6:10 ).       Christ makes it very clear in Matthew chapter 6 what we needed to do. In fact in verses 38-42 He paints a vibrant picture of what our actions should be in the face of offence. He says to turn your cheek, give him your cloak and go the second mile.  We don't need to be aggressive in our response. We need to seek to serve. With that service you are stealing their passion for offending you. You will heap burning coals on their head ( Rm. 12:20 ...

Awesome!!! Take a moment and read this great news!! Preach the word ( 2 Tim. 4:1-2 ).The world is listening! "...“really amazing the restoration that is going on here despite continued problems with some negative influences from the past. It is so gratifying to work with people so hungry for the truth. They just soak it in like sponges and are willing to face any ridicule for the cause of Christ. Beautiful!”...." http://brotherhoodnews.com/2014/11/02/pastor-converts/

      There were wise and prized citizens that came to be Christians. Queen Candace’s treasurer ( Acts 8:27 ) and Sergius Paulus the proconsul of Crete ( Acts 13:6-12 ) were among them. A mighty judge of Athens, Dionysius the Areopagite became apart of the body ( Acts 17:34 ).  Synagogue rulers Crispus and Sosthenes became Christians ( Acts 18:8 &17 ). Women of nobility in Berea and Thessalonica were immersed ( Acts 17:4 & 12 ). They were not treated any different ( Deut. 10:17 & Acts 10:34 ). God shows no partiality. God does not value a person the way the world does. We shouldn't either. We are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus ( Gal. 3:26-29, Col. 3:8-11 ).                             Do you create walls between you and others based on status? Do you deem worth in the body by ones soci...

“ Be of the same mind toward one another.   Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble.   Do not be wise in   your own opinion. ” Romans 12:16 We are not to establish a pecking order based on our pride. Being wise in your eyes means you think others are not. Thinking others are not means you look down on them. Not that we would like to accept that thought nor say it openly. We take this stance when it comes to our society. The world likes brackets and positions. The only way to establish such things is with a measuring stick.  Those that are deemed wise are at the top at any level or division. Many try their hand at self-proclamation when it comes to wisdom in order to gain the “top.”              When you think you are wise you have no desire to look to God for wisdom.   When the world considers you wise or you yourself do it’s a struggle to admit when you’re wrong. I wond...

“ Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. ” Romans 12:16      We are not to set our mind on high things. This doesn't mean things above ( Col. 3:2 ). However it does mean things on earth.  Paul is talking about things like money, privilege, education, social achievements, power, etc.. All the things that the world lifts up as high achievements, recognition and or priority. These should not be the goal of our pursuits.  We should not be influenced by such things.  When we are they become a gage for our attitude toward those in the body. Associate with the lowly literal means to be carried away with in the Greek. Instead of admiring the music artist, actors and athletes of society we need to seek to be with the lowly or humble.  Are you carried away with the humble? Do you gauge your lif...

"Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6      Are you seeking to train your child up in the Lord?     When we fail to do this we lose a generation. We essentially tell them their salvation is not worth our time. “What!!?? That’s offensive! There salvation is of  the up most importance. ” I mean no offense by it. When you place a higher priority on sports, secular education, events, and worldly achievements than the word you are teaching them that the worldly way of life is more important.  With that type of raising they will depart from the word.  When you place all priority on the word and maturity in it then you teach them that their walk in Christ is more important ( Col. 3:16; 1 John 2:5-6 ).      “How can I change their view point?” Their view point is yours. If you adhere to the word as the commands of Christ seeking to be fa...

         “ Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. ” Romans 12:16           Be of the same mind toward one another ( Acts 4:32 ). There should be no division due to money, social statues, look, etc. We should all be considered brothers and sisters in Christ.   We are one body ( Eph. 4:4-6 ). Although we have many part we are still to be in one mind ( 1 Cor. 12:12 ). That’s how we can have all things in common ( Acts 2:44 ).   We have to work out our own salvation as individuals, but it’s the same work and the same salvation for us all ( Phil. 2:12-13; Acts 2:39 ).   So we are to be unified in all we do (Phil. 2:1-4).   Picking favorites and have exclusive cliques in the body is not healthy. That clique concept can hinder your walk. Do you feel like you’re the only one doin...

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15        We are not meant to be isolated.  We need to seek to be with others, and have sympathy for them. Christ was not harden against others, like some many of His children become. Christ wept for Lazarus ( John 11:35-36 ). Christ wept for Jerusalem ( Luke 19:41 ).  He had compassion on individuals and for the multitude ( Mark. 1:41; Luke 7:13-14; Matt. 9:35-40 & 14:14 ).      When we are saved we have something the world does not. We also have an understanding and clarity about sin.  We all have been there ( Luke 19:10; Rm. 3:23 ). Christians are to be all things to all people ( 1 Cor. 9:19-23 ).  For the gospel’s sake we need to seek to be around others and be what they need. That doesn't mean we sacrifice the word or our faith. Our goal is that they may come to be saved. Are you seeking to weep and rejoice with those who need you? How...

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” Romans 12:14       All who desire to live godly will be persecuted ( 2 Tim. 3:12 ).  We are the salt of the earth and the light of the world ( Matt. 5:13-16 ).  We can’t hide from those around us. If we hide then we are not living right, we are not walking as He walked. So we will be persecuted because we must live faithfully a life that cannot be hidden.  Love and pray for your enemies that they may become children of God ( Matt. 5:43-48 ). Love you enemies. Bless those who curse you. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.  Loving your neighbor does not mean hate your enemy ( Lev. 19:18 ). As Christians we must do good for evil. Our goal is that they may be like we are.  We need to firmly and gently show them their error and try to correct that.  Are you only loving those who love you? Are you cursing those who curs...

"Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all suffering and teach. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine,but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers. " 2 Tim. 4:2-3     If the word is everything that pertains to godliness and life ( 2 Pet. 1:3 ). The word is God breathed and is profitable so that every man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work ( 2 Tim. 3:16-17 ).  The word is the commands of Christ ( Matt. 28:20 ). Christ is righteousness ( 1 John 2:29 ). Everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him. We are to walk as he walked ( 1 John 2:5-6 ).  If we want to be righteous we must observe all His commands. Any one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as Christ is righteous ( 1 John 3:4-9 *7 ). He was obedient so that we may have salvation in obedience ( Heb. 5:8-9 ).  Christ is only ...

“distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.”      Romans 12:13         We are stewards of God. We need to distribute what God blessed us with. We need to do it especially for the saints that are in need.  Don’t wait to be asked, seek opportunities to be hospitable.       A great distinction of Christianity is our concern for the needy. No man is truly genuine in his walk who does not exhibit that quality of character ( James 1:27 ).  We need to seek to be hospitable to strangers ( 1 Tim. 5:10 ) .         By being hospitable to strangers some have entertained angels ( Heb. 13:2 ). That could be reference to Abraham and Lot ( Gen. 18:1; Gen. 19:1 ). Not that that should be a reason for our hospitality but it should provoke an understanding of watchfulness in hospitality.  Although many may go away served giving back nothing more than a thank you, there are some ...

“rejoicing in hope,   patient in tribulation,   continuing steadfastly in prayer: ” Romans 12:12     Continuing steadfastly in prayer means we are to have a strong habit of praying frequently.  Christ prayed ( John 17 ). Christ gave us a model for prayer ( Luke 11:1-4 ).   We need to pray without ceasing. We have the blessing to pray. Prayer doesn't  need to be forsaken. The neglect of it will decimate our spiritual life.  There is a right way and a wrong way to pray. Are you praying? Do you have a strong habit of prayer? What do you need to mature in to gain a strong habit of praying? Do you know how God want's you to pray?   http://stevelynnjohnson.blogspot.com/2014/10/in-secret-in-private-in-quiet.html

“rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer:” Romans 12:12     We must be patient in tribulation. When we read Matt. 5:10-12 we see that the righteous will be persecuted. We must understand that persecution will come to all who desire to live godly ( 2 Tim. 3:12 ).  Our faith will be tested.  We can count it all joy for it produces patience. Patience can in its perfect work prefect and complete you.  Such patience that comes from the testing of your faith can leave you lacking nothing ( James 1:2-4 ).  Although we find persecution trying and undesirable it has its purpose in our walk ( 1 John 2:5-6 ). It will come if we walk in the light. Let us take it in stride. Rejoice and be glad for our reward is in Heaven. How are you handling persecution? Is your faith being tried?  Are you living in fear of persecution?  Are you living your life avoiding trials and persecution?

  “rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;” Romans 12:12         We are exhorted to look beyond the preset trials and affliction to the high exalted hope of eternal glory with God ( 1 Pet. 1:6-9 ). Rejoice in the Lord always ( Phil. 4:4 ). A despondent, complaining, disheartened and pessimistic spirit is not in accord with being a Christian.        We have every reason to be optimistic about everything. There is always something for us to rejoice in. At the very least it’s the hope of eternal salvation. This hope serves and as anchor for the soul ( Heb. 6:19 ). It’s a sure and steadfast hope.      Faithful Christian's have a treasure is there ( Matt. 6:19-20 ). Our citizenship is there ( Phil. 3:18-4:1 ). Our name is written there in the Book of Life ( Luke 10:20; Phil 4:3 ). Our Lord has prepared for us a place there ( John 14:1-6 ). Our affections sho...

"O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps" Jeremiah 10:23     It is not up to us to direct our own way.   1 John 2:5-6   makes it clear that if we say we abide in Him then we must walk as He walked. It's impossible for us to accomplish this by ourselves. We must seek God's word to know the way ( John 14:1-6 ). God's word is more than sufficient for this task ( 2 Tim. 3:16-17 ). Everything is there that pertains to life and godliness ( 1 Pet. 1:2-4 ).  Can we take a moment today and make an assessment of our walk?     Are you trying to direct your path? Are you relying on your own feelings and understanding to make decisions? Do you seek God's words to know what step to take next? Are you trying to create a path that is not there? Are walking the way He walked?

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Col. 3:16   "A 2014 study found that readers of a short mystery story on a Kindle were significantly worse at remembering the order of events than those who read the same story in paperback. L ... ead researcher Anne Mangen of Norway's Stavanger University concluded that "the haptic and tactile feedback of a Kindle does not provide the same support for mental reconstruction of a story as a print pocket book does."" Take a minute and read the whole article: http://mic.com/articles/99408/science-has-great-news-for-people-who-read-actual-books     I’m not saying the phone apps or kindle bibles are a bad thing. Just saying that the old fashion reading, you know a real paged bible, is better. Perhaps it would be a good idea next time you head of to the worship asse...

             “ not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;” Romans 12:11           We are to be working hard and efficiently. Whatever you do, do with all your might. Do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ giving thanks to God the Father through Him   ( Eccles. 9:10 and Col. 3:17 ). Work, labor, toil and don’t be a burden on anyone. Set the example in such ways. Do not be disorderly or busybody but work in gentles and eat your own bread. Do not grow weary in doing good.   Don’t keep company with those who won’t keep the Word ( 2 Thess. 3:6-15 ).    Are you about the work of the Kingdom? Are you working hard at what is set before us? Are you a couch potato when it comes to Christianity? Are you setting the example? What do you need to change?

" Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; ” Romans 12:10      We are to have love for our brethren ( Heb. 13:1; 1 Pet. 1:22; John 13:35 ). It should be a family or brotherly type of love and affection. The love we learn from God should be like that of a family. We need to be showing true love. That means we need to encourage one another to continue in the faith. Trying  to make them happy is not showing love.       Only seeking to make someone happy often time keeps them from truly receiving what they need in order to mature and stay steadfast. We need to love them enough to give them the truth and hold them to God's word. Helping them reach the goal of eternal salvation is more important and more loving than a moment of happiness.       Take the lead in honoring others ( Luke 14:7-14 ).   Instead of waiting to be honored we should seek to ...