In today's environment of government taking more control...the economy taking more of a "dive", the world taking away truth; it seems that everything is just so messed up! As those in the world look at the circumstances of "life" and become overwhelmed, I believe that unless you have a personal relationship with Jesus...that all you have is the world to look at. If we look at the world too long, we can become very depressed and think to ourselves..."what have I to be thankful for?"
But for those of us who know who Jesus is and believe on His promises of a "future and a hope", we can rest in the promises of God that all will be well. I say this as we approach on a day in our nation that is centered around giving thanks. In the giving of thanks, it's from having a heart of thankfulness for what the Lord has done for us...so here's some verses of thankfulness that i pray will encourage you.
"Offer to God thanksgiving, And pay your vows to the Most High" - Psalm 50:14
"Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! - Psalm 105:1
"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." - Colossians 3:15
"...in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18
"Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name." - Hebrews 13:15
I pray for a wonderful day of thanks for all of you...and that you encourage others that only because of Jesus Christ...we have much to be thankful for!
Be Blessed!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
"You Mean I Really Need to Do What The Word Says?"
Hey guys...i've been doing my personal devos thru and finished 2Thessalonians and "wow!"...what an ending!
One thing Paul tells those in Thessolonica is that they are to, by command, "withdraw" from "every brother" who "walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us."
This is a really bold command of Paul to those believers...but why does Paul "command" this? The word used by Paul is 'Atakteo' which means " Disorderly, out of ranks (ie soldiers), Irregular, inordinate, immoderate pleasures, deviating from the prescribed order of rule"
Paul commands them to "withdraw" which also means to "diminish, check, cause to cease, to remove one's self, withdraw one's self, to abstain from "fellowship" with such one.
This command was not only very plain...but also made in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul said there are those who do not walk according to the 'tradition,' which in context Paul means...the pattern and teaching and living of those in Christ Jesus. Paul isn't saying, stay away from those who are different or not conforming to "man's" ways...but only to the standard of God.
Earlier in 1 Thessalonians, Paul had warned them against the "unruly" (1Thess. 5:14), But the problem still remained to a degree...so Paul now tells them to discipline the "unruly" ones.
This may sound kind of "tough" or "not loving" or like "where's the Grace?"...but thru this Paul is exhibiting love and grace! By doing this, the "grace" is in the discipline. Grace is never to be confused with enabling someone in their disobedience. If one is 'put out of the church'....(into the world), it is only done in hope that they might miss the love and fellowship of the body of Christ, and then they would repent of their disobedience.
Paul did this also in 1 Corinthians 5:4-5. The purpose was to bring about repentance and salvation in those who were disobedient...not to condemn or "damn" them.
Many times those of us in leadership or who are pastors have to at times face such issues in the church, are they pleasant? No way! But is it needful? Absolutely Yes!
You see...Paul shows us that church is to be a place of Love and Comfort. For those who are outside...we pray their deprivation should be such that they will repent!
I believe today in "modern American church", this practice is lost, not in all, but in many. I believe as long as those who are pastors or in church leadership follow the Word....then we (they) will be guided not by what is "thought" to be right, but do what is right by the Word of God!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
A Determined Faith Brings A Call To Action
Hey everyone...i know, i know, it's been long time since i blogged but here you all are...
In my studies in Mark 5...ever wonder why Jairus' father and the woman with the flow of blood were so determined to get to Jesus?
I did and the Lord showed me that it was all about their faith (you say "duh...we know that already!"). But their determination was brought on by "something" increadible happening in thier lives. Take Jairus'....he was lead to seek out Jesus because his daughter was dying or by that time almost dead...so it was something close to him that he didn't want to lose. Take the woman with the flow of blood for 12-years, she abandoned all Jewish law and ran through the crowd of people already wanting to touch Jesus for themselves...but she was the one who "touched" Him...that "power" left from him.
You take either one...Jairus or the woman...what's the common denominator...? DESPERATION! That's it! the one-thing they both were was desparate for Jesus to do something miraclous in their lives! Each one needed something from Jesus...Jairus needed for his precious little daughter to live...the woman needed for her life to be restored and be healed!
It was their desperate need to believe, that called them to action!
Isn't this the way it should be with us too? I mean shouldn't there be some kind of "desperation" in our lives to do the will of the God? Shouldn't we seek to find Jesus amongst the mulitudes? Shouldn't we break through the "crowds" in our lives to destire to just touch the garment of Jesus?
I believe in our "modern Christianity" we have forgotton what it is like and what i really means to be 'desperate' for Jesus! To not just say or think about getting close to Him...but actually purposing in our hearts and minds to do so.
We see Jairus "fell" at the feet of Jesus and "begged Him earnestly.."
We see the woman who had nothing left to lose than to run into the crowd and all the while saying to herself "if only i may touch His clothes, I shall be be made well." (this word "made well" means to be totally made whole...forever)
"If only" you and i had this desperation in our lives..."if only"
you and I were determined enough to "push" through the crowds to get to the Savior!
Then we can say..."I shall be made well."
In my studies in Mark 5...ever wonder why Jairus' father and the woman with the flow of blood were so determined to get to Jesus?
I did and the Lord showed me that it was all about their faith (you say "duh...we know that already!"). But their determination was brought on by "something" increadible happening in thier lives. Take Jairus'....he was lead to seek out Jesus because his daughter was dying or by that time almost dead...so it was something close to him that he didn't want to lose. Take the woman with the flow of blood for 12-years, she abandoned all Jewish law and ran through the crowd of people already wanting to touch Jesus for themselves...but she was the one who "touched" Him...that "power" left from him.
You take either one...Jairus or the woman...what's the common denominator...? DESPERATION! That's it! the one-thing they both were was desparate for Jesus to do something miraclous in their lives! Each one needed something from Jesus...Jairus needed for his precious little daughter to live...the woman needed for her life to be restored and be healed!
It was their desperate need to believe, that called them to action!
Isn't this the way it should be with us too? I mean shouldn't there be some kind of "desperation" in our lives to do the will of the God? Shouldn't we seek to find Jesus amongst the mulitudes? Shouldn't we break through the "crowds" in our lives to destire to just touch the garment of Jesus?
I believe in our "modern Christianity" we have forgotton what it is like and what i really means to be 'desperate' for Jesus! To not just say or think about getting close to Him...but actually purposing in our hearts and minds to do so.
We see Jairus "fell" at the feet of Jesus and "begged Him earnestly.."
We see the woman who had nothing left to lose than to run into the crowd and all the while saying to herself "if only i may touch His clothes, I shall be be made well." (this word "made well" means to be totally made whole...forever)
"If only" you and i had this desperation in our lives..."if only"
you and I were determined enough to "push" through the crowds to get to the Savior!Then we can say..."I shall be made well."
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Do We "See" and "Respond?"
After reading Chapter 3 in the Book of Acts...I am reminded in seeing the leadership and action shown to us by the Apostle Peter.
Here's the scene: He and John are heading up to the temple for prayer...a "certain" lame man who had been lame since his birth (and everyone knew him), saw these guys and asked for some money. Yet Peter "saw" more of a need than just the giving of money to this lame man...but more importantly he had something more to give...Jesus!
Then this lame man...was asked to "get up and walk"...he did and the Word says "he leaped up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them - walking, leaping, and praising God." - This is what Peter "saw" this man needed most...was a relationship based on faith in God and not the reliance of earthly things. Now following this, the Word tells us "All the people saw him walking and praising God." In otherwords...they were amazed! They couldn't believe it!
Now in verse 12 we see Peter yet again showing us his leadership skills because the Word tells us "So when Peter 'saw' it, he 'responded' to the people" (NKJV) -
These two elements are crucial for a leader in the ministry! The first is that he "saw"...gee does this seem like a trend???? It is!
Again, we as leaders must first "see" what God presents before us. This is important as in the ministry we can sometimes "close" our eyes to what is "important" and only focus on what is "urgent."
The second thing we see is that Peter "responded" to the people. This is as important as the first element...because we can "see" all that is before us...but if we don't "respond" then it's for no ones good.
As leaders in the ministry, we must be "filled by the Holy Spirit" as Peter was....it tells us he was later in Chapter 4. We as leaders must be walking and living in the Spirit to "see" all He is trying to reveal to us and then "respond" the way Jesus wants us to respond.
Be encouraged...it didn't happen overnight with Peter...and it will most likely be the same for us!
Here's the scene: He and John are heading up to the temple for prayer...a "certain" lame man who had been lame since his birth (and everyone knew him), saw these guys and asked for some money. Yet Peter "saw" more of a need than just the giving of money to this lame man...but more importantly he had something more to give...Jesus!
Then this lame man...was asked to "get up and walk"...he did and the Word says "he leaped up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them - walking, leaping, and praising God." - This is what Peter "saw" this man needed most...was a relationship based on faith in God and not the reliance of earthly things. Now following this, the Word tells us "All the people saw him walking and praising God." In otherwords...they were amazed! They couldn't believe it!
Now in verse 12 we see Peter yet again showing us his leadership skills because the Word tells us "So when Peter 'saw' it, he 'responded' to the people" (NKJV) -
These two elements are crucial for a leader in the ministry! The first is that he "saw"...gee does this seem like a trend???? It is!
Again, we as leaders must first "see" what God presents before us. This is important as in the ministry we can sometimes "close" our eyes to what is "important" and only focus on what is "urgent."
The second thing we see is that Peter "responded" to the people. This is as important as the first element...because we can "see" all that is before us...but if we don't "respond" then it's for no ones good.
As leaders in the ministry, we must be "filled by the Holy Spirit" as Peter was....it tells us he was later in Chapter 4. We as leaders must be walking and living in the Spirit to "see" all He is trying to reveal to us and then "respond" the way Jesus wants us to respond.
Be encouraged...it didn't happen overnight with Peter...and it will most likely be the same for us!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
First Posting!
Hey guys....this is Pastor Tom of Calvary Chapel Williamsburg in Williamsburg, VA. I will be periodically posting devotionals "geared" towards equipping those in leadership in ministry.
On occasions (or maybe more) i will also try and do video devotionals to make it more "interactive" and interesting. I want to encourage all of you who will be reading and watching to post your comments...all are welcome (really).
In 1 Timothy 3:1 we are told that "This is a faithful saying; If a man desires the position of bishop (overseer), he desires a good work." This is true and not to be "quenched", however; following this encouragment the Apostle Paul outlines for you and for me the "requirments" that are to be evident and "fruit bearing" in the life of a man desiring to be in ministry (whether full-time or volunteer). The outline Paul gives tells me only one thing...and that is a man is to have a "calling" on his life.
Like the Apostle Paul, i do feel a responsability of the Lord to not only "equip the Saints" in the pews...but also those who are serving. Whether you teach or straighten the chairs in the "main" room...this blog is for you!
Paul tells young Timothy this in 1Timothy 4:6... "If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in doctrine (teaching) which you have carefully followed."
I pray this will not only "equip" you but also exhort you in your ministry!
A final encouragment....this blog is actually "born" out of a desire to equip the church Servant Leadership and the Servants at our church...so with that said; it's not about me or any "pearls" of wisdom that "i" can give...but only as i'm led by the Lord...and Jesus gets all the credit!
Paul also says towards the end of chapter 4 this: "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe."
Blessings and Love!
ptom
On occasions (or maybe more) i will also try and do video devotionals to make it more "interactive" and interesting. I want to encourage all of you who will be reading and watching to post your comments...all are welcome (really).
In 1 Timothy 3:1 we are told that "This is a faithful saying; If a man desires the position of bishop (overseer), he desires a good work." This is true and not to be "quenched", however; following this encouragment the Apostle Paul outlines for you and for me the "requirments" that are to be evident and "fruit bearing" in the life of a man desiring to be in ministry (whether full-time or volunteer). The outline Paul gives tells me only one thing...and that is a man is to have a "calling" on his life.
Like the Apostle Paul, i do feel a responsability of the Lord to not only "equip the Saints" in the pews...but also those who are serving. Whether you teach or straighten the chairs in the "main" room...this blog is for you!
Paul tells young Timothy this in 1Timothy 4:6... "If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in doctrine (teaching) which you have carefully followed."
I pray this will not only "equip" you but also exhort you in your ministry!
A final encouragment....this blog is actually "born" out of a desire to equip the church Servant Leadership and the Servants at our church...so with that said; it's not about me or any "pearls" of wisdom that "i" can give...but only as i'm led by the Lord...and Jesus gets all the credit!
Paul also says towards the end of chapter 4 this: "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe."
Blessings and Love!
ptom
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