Tuesday, January 31, 2012

The Power of Prayer

   I love being able everyday to encourage you.  Today I want to again remind you about the power of prayer.  Prayer is something that we need to be involved with everyday.  It is the thing that opens the heavens and brings about God's Blessing.  James D. Craig says that prayer is the conveyor belt that brings the ammunition to the battle of life.  It has been reported that A. J. Seymour who was the man behind Azuza Street which of course brought the modern day Pentecostal movement to the world, prayed five hours a day for seven years to see it happen.  Prayer is the way through to victory.  Never stop praying for your need.  Do not let go of God until you see the heavens open up on your behalf.  Household salvation will not happen by wishing and hoping like the song says. It will happen when you get a hold of the horns of the altar of God and cry out day and night for your love ones.  They will be saved.  Acts 16:21 and Proverbs 22:6 are your promises.  Remember the promises of God and Yes and Amen.  When God makes a promise He keeps it.  I am encouraging you to stay in prayer until you get what you need from God.  God is not slack in doing what we want.  It however takes time to get things into order.  I also want to remind you that sometimes God says no.  The one thing about God He knows the end from the beginning.  He also knows what is best for you and there are times He asks us to trust Him.  Yet pray until your answer comes.   

Monday, January 30, 2012

I will never complain.

Last night I must confess I was in a funky mood.  By that I was not as happy as I had been for a while.  Now life is not all sunshine and lollipops as has been express in the song.  Life can be dull, boring and a little sparse.  Yesterday, I felt like that.  So when I went to Breakforth, I was feeling that.  Then I heard the testimony and teaching of a man name Jon who had no arms or legs.  He was going all over the world teaching people about the love of God and how God could use any of us.  I was humbled for what I had been thinking and talking to God about.  I read once about a man who was complaining to God about having no shoes until he met a man who had no feet.  That is how I felt.  I have nothing to complain about at anytime.  There is always someone who would love to live the life I live.  I am blessed beyond measure and I am grateful.  Many times I say I am grateful and truly mean it but today as I write this blog, I can say, I am grateful.  I am grateful for my wife and family.  I am grateful for the opportunities that I have been given.  I am grateful that God saved me and gave my His forgiveness.  I have been adopted into a great big family called the family of God and I am grateful.  I have more blesings than I could ever dream of.  In my lifetime I have been given two homes, two new cars, three other cars, multitudes of gifts and blessings.  I am grateful.  So today I say to you and all who read this.  I am grateful and I trust you will be as well.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Break Through

I have just finished my prayer time and just wrote my blog for Am 930 the light.  Everyday I write these blogs at very early times.  Most times it is about five in the morning.  Today it is about 6:45.  Last night I had the privilege of hosting a concert during break forth of musical pioneers.  Matthew Ward, Nancy Honeytree and Chuck Girard.  It was a great time.  As my wife put it, it was a time of musical heaven.  I am at Break Forth this weekend and looking forward to what God has in store for me.  I know I need a break through and to hear from God.  As I sit here writing this I have felt the Lord speak to my heart about a break through.  The presenters were talking about the Jesus movement and how it was a breakthrough for a generation.  I know because I came to Christ during that time but I believe our best days are ahead.  I believe that we will see even a greater move of God very soon.  When I pray, I always ask the Lord for a revival today.  Today because every day we live without it, the devil, wins over someone`s life.  Someone goes to hell and a lost eternity.  So I pray that this break through will come today.  That God will set people free today.  That victory will come today.  Thatyou will have your own break through and see all you habits, fears, sins, phobia`s and ills broken and you will see Christ become your victory and freedom.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Reality Checks

On days like today sometimes we need reality checks and then with that comes a claim of God 's help and provision.  My first reality check is that everyday I need God's help and protection.  There are times I am overwhelmed by the tasks and opportunties that have been given to me.  For example, I am pastoring a church in a city with its unique challenges and secondly I have been given an opportunity to speak to a city and the world on radio.  Both great opportunities and challenges.  I marvel at the grace of God but also most days I am trusting that He knows what He is doing because there are times, I don't know if I do.  I ask myself, am I leading this church right?  Am I in over my head?  Will I say the right thing on the radio to touch the right person at the right moment?  Then it comes back to one statement God made to me at the beginning of this year.  Do you trust me!  My answer is a resounding yes.  Yes, Lord, I trust you.  I may not always trust me but I will always trust you.  You have never failed me and have never forsaken me.  I need you every hour and trust you will be with me.  I feel like I am preaching and encouraging myself and  the reality is I am.  This private musing I trust can help you because as I write it, I am being encouraged.  Today no matter what situation you find yourself remember your reality is that God can and will come to help.  You are not in over your head.  God knows what you can handle.  He knows what I can handle and so I trust Him and I hope you will as well.   

Thursday, January 26, 2012

God's Word

I never can put enough emphasis on God's word and its impact on a life.  I have had the privilege of reading the word of God from Genesis to Revelation 72 times.  I am now going through for the 73rd time.  Each time I read through I fine new nuggets of truth.  Last night in our Bible study we were studying the life of Jonah.  Chapter three of Jonah is such a rich place to mine for nuggets of truth.  We learned that Jonah heard the word of the Lord a second time and then went to Ninevah.  This spoke of God giving a second chance..  In many cases such as my own, He is the God of the 10000th chance.  We also learned last night that Jonah only gave half the message but the people still repented and were saved.  This shows that even our rebellion and prejudice can be overcome by God to reach the intended target audience.  God is so good and that is not just a catch phrase.  God is good and His loved can overcome even the largest obstacles which is our own preconcieved ideas on how He works.  All this comes from God's word.  It is His love letter about who He is and how He works.  Today fall in love with God's word and mine it for nuggets of truth which in turn you can apply to your life to make you the person God has designed you to be.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Special Days.

Today is a very special day for a special lady.  It is my Mom's Birthday.  She is turning 49 again and again.  Mom I am grateful that you brought me into this world.  I would not have known Jesus Christ or have the life I now have without your contribution.  Mom I wish to thank you as well for being faithful to bring me to church even when I often found it boring.  You laid the foundation for my faith whether you know it or not.  So thank you.  Birthdays are milestones.  They are a markers of where we have been and beginnings for where we are going.  When I had my birthday last November.  I resolved to be more in love with Jesus and serve Him with more of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  I believe that half way measures are very unfruitful lifestyles.  In Rev 3, the Lord tells us that if we are Lukewarm He will vomit us out of His mouth.  A graphic picture but effective.  When we go into relationship with a person I believe they expect us to not be half a friend but a whole friend.  God wants us to be entirely His.  Yet the opposite is often the case.  My exhortation to myself and you today is get rid as the writer of Hebrew says, every weight and sin that so easily entangles us and give our hearts to the Lord 100%.  This will keep us as the days get more and more evil and they will.  Be hot for Jesus and be like John Wesley said, "A firebrand for the Lord."

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

God's Mark.

God has marked all people for a purpose.  Mine has always been to share that which I have received.  In 1974, I came to know Christ and since then it has been my wish to share with all what Jesus has done for me.  I believe that each person has a special work to do for God.  I also believe that it is time that each one of us discover what it is and get busy.  It is evident that Jesus Christ is coming soon and each day we live we are one day closer to the coming of the Lord.  The time for apathy and easy living is over.  The world and economic leaders know that things as we know it are changing so why has no the saints of God got the message?  We have the truth that sets people free.  When things all around us indicate that change is coming it should spur us on to get active and share the good news of Jesus Christ with those in our world.  I personally have never felt so motivated to share the gospel as I have in the last year.  There is an urgency in my heart that I must share the good news.  I trust you feel the same way.  So rise up, take the challenge of this blog and go and touch your world for Christ.  You have the power, the message and the mandate.  Go and be a mark person for God.

Monday, January 23, 2012

God is moving!

Yesterday was a great day in the House of the Lord.  Bob Gal has been at Cornerstone and we have seen great things.  The Lord has been leading Bob to speak about repentance and holiness.  Two very strong concepts that have been forgotten in many churches.  Today many of our churches have great music, preaching and programs but little holiness, repentance and power.  Music, preaching and programs have their place but they were never designed to replace the work of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit still calls people to repent and give their lives 100% to God.  Anything less is idolatry.  Half way measures are lukewarm and we know from Rev 3 that a Lukewarm condition causes God to vomit.  After living in the city now for almost two years I can say with no fear of rebuke that the majority of the Christians I have met are lukewarm and need to repent.  Most I have met are fat, lazy, selfish and self absorbed.  I have met very few Christians that regularly invite people to church, witness or care about souls to the point it breaks their hearts.  There have been a few but they are not the norm.  Thirty years ago I found this same condition when I last lived in this city and much to my surprise it has gotten worse.  The need is just as great today as it was then and my prayer is that God will come and touch my city and yours.  Please understand this blog today is not a complaint just an observation and a wish.  Today let God break your heart and revive you so you will become the person God always has wanted you to be.  Also plan to attend our meetings tonight at Cornerstone at 7 p.m..  We are in the Grandin Park Plaza in St. Albert.  22 Sir Sir Winston Churchill Drive.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

It is Game Day

When I talk about game day I am not talking about the Patriots or the Ravens.  I am talking about the house of the Lord.  Today for example we are having Bob Gal at Cornerstone and it is a time of renewal and revival.  We are again focusing on what our church is about and that is the moving and power of the Holy Spirit.  These next two days are about releasing the inner power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  We know as believers the Holy Spirit comes inside and resides with us at conversion but we also daily need His cleansing and anointing.  There are also times that we need to corporately focus on hearing from the Holy Spirit and what He is saying to the church.  These next two days is that opportunity.  So today is game day.  To be quite honest I do not care about which team even wins the super bowl or a final.  I am concern about how a person finishes their life.  Will they hear those faithful words, "Well done thy good and faithful servant, enter into my rest."  This is what Sunday and times like this are all about.  So today if you are not joining us then go to your local church and enjoy the game day it will be for you.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Saturday. Time to Refocus.

Saturdays are my day to prayer and refocus.  My schedule is full these days and Saturday is the day that I get to pray and refocus.  I spend six days a week proclaiming the gospel in one form or another and Saturday is my day of prayer where I can just say Lord.  I need to hear from you.  I usually spend two times in prayer one early morning and one around six p.m. till about 7:30 p.m. on Saturday night.  In these times I love to do intercessory prayer.  Praying for other people is a blast.  You know the heart of God is salvation and praying for people to be set free is a real privilege.  Jesus came to set the captive free and praying that to happen is the will of God praying.  Prayer helps to refocus on what is really important.  To many times we are responding to the urgent and inane instead of eternal and important.  Prayer helps brings things back in to right perspective.  After prayer you know the heart of God and His priorities.  Then you are living life to the max.  Not like Lotto Max says.  So get God's perspective and change your world for Christ.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Thank Goodness its Friday!

I remember growing up and it was during my teen years the phrase. TGIF was born.  It came about when young people who had been slaving in their boring and otherwise fruitless jobs came into the realization that Friday was a time to let your hair down and party.  Well it is Friday but for me I look forward to it because Friday is supposely my day off.  Of course these days I have to work on Friday mornings doing my radio gig but I love doing it and it is another day to proclaim the things of God.  Friday also is the time of the week that Lois and I go out for our weekly breakfast and catch up on things that have no relation to work, or ministry.  Friday also reminds me that Sunday is coming.  The day that I get to worship and hang out with the believers.  Friday is my Sabbath.  It is when I take time to worship and enjoy my church service as well.  I have a private church service and hear the word from great preachers and get spiritually encouraged.  This time is apart from my regularly time with the Lord.  Paul tells Timothy that he must build himself up.  Self motivation in God is a lost art for many.  Many think that someone must motivate you and build you up.  When I talk about self motivation it is not you telling yourself to get motivated.  It is allowing God to speak to your heart and motivate you to do His will and plan.  You say to yourself in Christ.  "Why are you discouraged oh my soul, God is your victory, power and presence, Rise up and walk in that."  So thank Goodness it is Friday and get motivated for God.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

We need God Everyday!

I am amazed how someone can actually live life without the Lord.  I remember what life was like without the Lord.  I was angry, discouraged, arrogant, selfish, proud, indifferent and not very nice.  I knew that I needed help but did not know where to go or how to get it.  One day a friend of mine named Perry Johnson invited me to a young people's convention in Havre, Montana.  He told me there would be girls and I said, "Great I will be there."  Isn't it amazing that God can use our hormones as an evangelism tool.  I went and did not find a girl friend but I did find Christ.  After that weekend, I had the answer I was looking for and started a journey of faith that continues to this day.  I can talk to God anytime and know He will listen and answer my queries and prayers.  He will guide and lead me into truth and righteousness.  I know everyday, I can have righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  No problem, situation or trial is to big.  With each attack from the enemy God gives me the victory.  The greatest blessing is knowing I am never alone.  So many today live such lonely lives.  In some European countries people living alone is as high as 70%.  Imagine getting up alone, going to work and then returning home alone to a lonely house.  Filling your life with noise such as a t.v. or radio just to drown out the sound of being alone.   As Christians we do not have that.  The Lord is with us everyday and we need Him.  Such a blessing, never take it for granted and never be so selfish to keep this wonderful gift to yourself.  Share Him with others. 

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Boy did I blow It.

Have you ever had a time where you did the wrong thing at the wrong time for the wrong reason?  Some would say that is being human.  I wish I had not done the opening statement but I have.  There is a way to avoid this most of the time and that is letting the Lord order your steps.  On 100 Huntley Street yesterday, I watched an interview with the Vicar of Baghdad, Andrew White.  Here is a man that if he does the wrong thing it will cost him his life.  He has 37, body guards assigned to him because there are people if given the chance will kill him.  A wrong step for him could be fatal.  Yet what was amazing was this man lives with no fears or regrets because he realizes his life is in the Lord's hands.  Years ago when I lived in Hay River I remember one of the speakers at Northern Harvest a conference held in that community said, "we are bullet proof until God says so."  So true.  I also believe though that we should not be foolish.  Andrew White said, his practice for a safe life is asking the Lord to order his steps and life.  Great advice.  Each day we live we are one day closer to the coming of the Lord.  So my prayer for myself and you is, "Lord order my steps, speak into my heart either through prayer or the word and let me hear what you are saying."  I may not have someone trying to kill me in the physical realm but our enemy, the devil if given the chance will try to destroy my effectiveness and yours.  Have maximum impact in the minimum of time today.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Formula for Success!

   Psalm 37:3 is a wonderful verse.  David gave a short formula for success.  His exhortation in this verse is simple, "Trust in the Lord and do good."  Have faith in God's ability to help you.  Trust the Lord to work out all your situations.  Faith in God allows you to walk through any problem, trial or difficulty.  Trusting in the Lord and not leaning unto your own understanding brings God's protection, help, and intervention.  Faith and trust are essentially the same thing just in having different applications and root meanings.  Then David says to do good.  Do good to anyone you, can and in anyway you can.  Doing good is not just for rewards but is a sign of real inward godliness.  Jesus said that when we love the Lord with all our hearts, soul,  mind and strength we are able to love ourselves and others.  All love begins with God and as we allow His love to flow through us, we are loving God.  "Do good," says David. 
   When we do good to results happen according to this verse.  You will dwell in the land and have security.  God is your protector and your security.  Everyone wants three things in life, significance, self worth and security.  God will provide all three.  He is the source for all three.  Dwelling in the land is good and security is wonderful but in this verse they are dependent on trusting in the Lord and doing good.  The choice is ours.  So as the knight in the Indiana Jones movie, "The Last Crusade", said, "Choose wisely." 

Monday, January 16, 2012

A new week a new start.

Monday has always an interesting concept to it.  For some it is the start of a new week to others it is the start to another time of drudgery.  I like Mondays for the most part.  I am not like the old song with states, "Rainy days and Mondays always gets me down."  Mondays are my second day of proclamation.  I have finished proclaming the gospel in the church setting and now I have to mental gear shift nd begin to proclaim the gospel in the marketplace on my daily radio show.  I have to trade in my pastor hat and put on the hat of radio personality.  Both vocations are a privilege but have different emphasis.  As a pastor I spend 20-30 minutes explaining the text and truth of a scripture.  When I don the hat of radio personality I have to do it in less than three minutes.  I have to say as much but in less time.  The beautiful thing is that God's word can penetrate a heart whether in the form of a sermon or sermonette.  God's word is true and practical in every situation.  Also the Holy Spirit can use it in whatever way it is presented.  So today let God's word penetrate your heart and you make the necessary changes to live life to the fullest.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

The Most Important Spiritual Discovery I have made in years!

This past week has been one of the most trying I have had in years.  So it was essential I hear from God about what to do next.  Last night, Jan 13th, I had just finished a time of prayer with my wife Lois and I asked God how can I pray for the church and His believers. To my surprise the Holy Spirit said loud and clear, "It is in the word."  I replied back where?  In Jesus' prayer for the disciples in John 17:6-26.  This prayer has impacted me so powerfully.  It is I believe as revolutionary as when I heard the teaching of Larry Lea on the Lord's prayer.  Here is what I learned and how I pray now for the disciples and then the church.  First your local church.  1.  God would keep us out of the world.  2. We would obey His word.  3.  We would know everything comes from the Father.  4.  We would accept God's word.  5.  Believe that Jesus and the Father sent us.  6.  That each one would know that they were God's/  7.  The glory of God would flow through them.  8.  That we would all be one.  9.  God would keep all safe.  10.  They would have joy in them.  11.  God would give us His word.  12.  They would be protected from the evil one.  13.  They would be sanctified by His word.  For other churches:  1.  They would believe your message.  2.  They would all be one 3.  Be one with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  4.  Have the glory God has given them.  5.  Be brought into complete unity.  6.  Be with Christ and see His glory.  7.  Know that Christ has been sent from the Father.  8.  Would know the Father.  9.  Love of the Father would be in them.  10.  Christ would be in them.  I pray that this morning and felt a freedom I have not felt in years.  Powerful truths from God's word.

Friday, January 13, 2012

God's will or ours!

I am amazed how many times we like to help the will of God along.  In my deovotions I read how in Genesis 16, Abraham and Sarah tried to help God out.  Sarah had been waiting over a decade for God to answer their promise.  She got a little anxious so she told Abraham to sleep with her maidservant Hagar.  When Hagar became pregnant she became proud and boasted of her accomplishment which led to Sarah becoming jealous.  Sarah then treated Hagar terribly and Hagar ran away.  An angel of the Lord brought Hagar back by telling her that her son who was to be name Ishmael would become a great man.  The result of that union later would lead to strife between the Arabs and Israel because Ishmael was the father of the Arab people.  The lesson we learn is that when we try to help out God it can have disastrious results.  My advice is always stay in the center of God's will and plan.  I think this is sound advice, I wish I could learn it.  lol   

Thursday, January 12, 2012

God to the rescue!

Do you feel overwhelmed and just about not going to make it?  Yes, there are days like that.  Do you have those Jonah days where you feel like you are in the belly of the whale?  Of course.  In those times you need God's word and His promises.  Today I want to give you some verses that will help in these times.  Ps 34:4, 107:9, 127:2, Prov 12:25, Matt 6:33-34, Luke 12:22, 31, 1 Cor 10:13, Eph 3:11-12, Phil 4:6-7, 13 and 1 Pet 5:7.  Every once in a while I have those days and sometimes the seems they go on for a while.  Yet God is faithful.  We can trust Him.  So today trust and hold onto God.  Like the old Baptist preacher said once, "Help is on the way. 

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Can you get along?

From time to time we have problems with inter-personal relationships.  In my devotion today, I reading about Abraham and Lot in Gen 13:1-9.  Lot and Abraham were living in the same part of the country and both men were rich and had great herds of sheep.  This led to there not being enough pasture to support both herds and so the servants of the two men began quarreling.  Abraham was a wise man of God and so he suggested that they part company which somtimes you have to do to keep harmony.  Lot chose the fertile area around Sodom and Gommorah and Abraham chose to stay in the hill country.  Some would say that Lot made the better choice but we known from the Bible he did not.  There are a couple of lesson we can learn from this story.  First, there is a solution to every sticky situation and God will give you the wisdom to deal with it.  Sometimes you have to part company with someone to keep harmony.  Secondly, just because a choice you make doesn't seem the best choice at the time, but it could be the best one over the long run.  Lot chose to live in Sodom and Gommorah close to the world and it eventually lead to his downfall.  Abraham stayed in the hill country where he was away from the influence of the world.  A better choice in the long run.  We make choices everyday and some have no effect on us at all but some can change our lives, my advice is pray about as many as you can and trust God. 

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

A promise is a promise!

Lately I have been thinking about the pomises of God.  Several years ago, I went through the entire Bible and found every promise in the word and then after that I recorded everyone and put them in book form and then categorize them into 127 areas of life.  Recently I went through those 127 categories and began to include them on my blog on Am 930 the Light.com.  Interesting enough is that everyday, as I write them on my blog that at least one or two of them becomes a promise I hold onto that day.  When God makes a promise, it has an application over and over again.  For example God tells us not to fear.  In fact there are 365 times in the Bible, God tells us not to be afraid.  One for everyday.  So everyday you do not have to be afraid.  Another promise is that God will be with us.  Such assurance to know that God is with us, no matter where we are or what circumstances we face.  We are never alone.  This turns my crank and drives my motor.  I know that there is a promise or bible verse that can be applied to every situation.  That is why I encourage every one to read the Bible and apply it to their hearts.  I know it works because I do it everyday.  May my example be an inspiration for you in your life.  Have a great day.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Monday, Now a time for the Blues!

Now I cannot say I like Mondays all the time but they are the start to the work week.  Every Monday I have to get up at 4 a.m. to get to work and do the Morning Show on Am 930 the Light.  As I drive to work I pray and ask the Lord to use me to touch the thousands that I have been given the privilege to touch for the Lord.  Each day I am thinking about the devotional, I will be sharing.  The features, the bible verses and the prayers I will be offering on the show.  I also am then thinking about the people I will be meeting and the divine appointments God will bring across my path for that day.  Being a Christian is a great responsibility because everyday you get the chance to bring eternity to someone.  It is all about the making the most of your time for the Lord.  Having a maximum impact in the minimum amount of time.  Paul starts in Ephesians that we are to redeem the time.  God's timing is perfect but sometimes ours might be a little off.  Sometimes we are not in the mood to share or we are to distracted to share or we are just plain selfish.  My prayer for me has always been Lord make me aware of those that need your help and help me not to be to distracted or out of touch to where you are to miss your will.  I pray that will be yours prayer as well. 

Sunday, January 8, 2012

What is Cool about Sunday

I love Sunday's always have and always will.  Before I came to know Christ it was a day to sleep in and chill after I came to know Christ it is a day to set aside for worship and fellowship.  I love church and everything about it.  I love the worship, the friendships I have made, the word and its presentation.  I even don't mind it when I am preaching.  Even though my son Ryan has told me that from time to time I have grown stale in his ears.  Sunday is not for ourselves, it has never been.  It has always been a time set aside for God.  When Jesus rose from the dead, Sunday became for the church a day to celebrate His resurrection.  I think it is sad to see so many Christians mishandle this day.  They go to church if they feel like it but if something is more fun or important the House of the Lord becomes second.  I feel sad to think that one day everyone of us will have to stand before the Lord and give an account of how we viewed this day.  God has only required one day to be set aside for the purpose of worshipping Him in a corporate sense and we ignore it or only do it when something more important has not come up.  It is time to get our priorities straight and return to His house.  I can measure a person's commitment to Christ by their attendance to church.  Harsh you say.  No three decades of being a Christian and pastoring have shown me this.  Those who stay committed to church are the one's I see their relationship with God is strong.  Those who don't go to church on a regular basis are not. Common sense tells you this.  But then these days a lot of people do not have common sense or I and other pastors would see them in church.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Saturday a Day to Reflect

For someone such as myself.  Saturday is a day of preparation for Sunday.  This morning as is my habit I went to the church to pray for Sunday morning.  I made my declarations and prayers.  Something I have done for over a decade and during that time I also pray in my heavenly language.  I always find these times so focusing.  Prayer is the path in which one receives divine direction and help.  In prayer I receive my marching orders for the week.  Every Saturday since Sept 25, 2005 has been my time to pray for Revival.  I try to spend at least 1 1/2 hours in prayer each Saturday on this issue.  Revival is the only thing that is gone to soften the heard hearts of any people.  The church can have hard hearts.  We can easily become distracted and even cold toward the things of God.  Revival is God's answer to an apathetic, apostate and lethargic church.  Which unfortunately is by and large the testimony of the church in Canada.  Not all churches or people are this way but enough that we need a whole sale revival.  I pray that the revival starts with me.  Gypsy Smith was asked one time was the secret of revival and he said, "Draw a circle around yourself and so not leave until your revived and the revival has started."  Good plan.  Start today in your own heart.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Weekend is Coming

For many the weekend is a time to kick back and have some down time.  For me it is quite the opposite.  I spend hours in prayer gearing up for the weekend.  Sunday is the big day for me.  It is where I get to share the word of God with Cornerstone and worship with the believers.  I love church and the people.  One thing I have never struggle with is going to the house of the Lord and here is the reason.  For five years during my teen years I never went to church.  My mom when I was 13 told me I could make my own decision concerning church so I chose not to go.  I enjoyed sleeping in and doing my thing but never did I think that I had made an eternal choice.  From the time I stopped attending church God no longer was on my thoughts.  It was all about me.  When I came to Christ at age 17, God convicted me about my lack of attendance of His house and I made a commitment to never miss if possible.  That commitment led to enjoyment and even to desire.  From the time I came to know Christ I can hardly wait to get to church.  I love to sing, worship, participate in the word, whether I am sharing or not.  I love the fellowship and beng with the people of God.  It breaks my heart when people tell me they struggle with Sunday worship or it does mean something to them.  They are missing the point.  It is not about us and what we can get out of it.  It is about meeting with God, and with His people.  It is about worship, the word and being part of something greater.  So this weekend go back to church, Sunday Worship and ask God to show you His perspective.  I did and it changed my life forever.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

New Year New Opportunities

I am amazed how fast time flys when you are having fun.  The last couple of days I have been on a study retreat.  I have prepared messages until the end of April.  Today I will be doing more of the same.  I am hoping that by the end of the day, I would have finished enough messages till the end of June.  It is in these times of intense study that I receive some of the best advice and help I could ever receive.  I have learned for example that when a person is in the centre of God's will that you do not have to drum up opportunities they just come.  Recently the Lord has been dropping one opportunity after another into my lap.  I have actually had to say no to some or put them on the back burner.  My exhortation to you today is to seek God's kingdom first and then all things will be added unto you. If you are stuck in a rut, which by the way is a grave with both ends kick out, then seek God.  Seek Him and ask Him to open doors and use you.  You will be amazed at what will happen. My answer to any slowdown is prayer.  By nature and disposition I am an action kind of guy.  I love to keep busy.  One lesson I have learned though is this.  When things slow down, this is the time to seek God and position yousrself for the next time things speed up.  When ever you have down time, resupply, rearm and redeploy using military terms.  Get the house in order and then when the next opportunity comes you are ready.        

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Direction for the New Year!

With the new year it is great time to get direction and make right choices.  Here is a simple five fold plan to help you get started.  First, decide where you want to go.  Hosea the prophet says that without vision people perish.  As part of your vision for the future decide where you want to go.  Include God in every part of your plans.  Secondly, decide your priorities.  For me it is simple, I want to do, say and be, what God wants me to be.  Through prayer, the word, and mature counsel decide what it is important and be realistic.  Thirdly, make a plan and clarify your routes.  Know where you want to go and make adjustments through the year as you travel.  Remember you can get off course so course corrections are essential.  Lastly, enjoy the trip and see what you can accomplish for yourself and God.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

The assurance of salvation.

   I have been talking this week off for study and preparation for 2012.  I was working on my sermon`s covering the book of Roman`s which I will be presenting to Cornerstone during late January and early February.  Paul makes it clear that we can have assurance of salvation.  The question I ask myself today is why so many do not have assurance?   I have been in the ministry for more than 3 decades and I have been surprised how many times I get asked about this question?  A great deal of the problem is that many have failed to grasp the reality of salvation and the assurance it can be bring to a troubled heart.  God's salvation is complete.  When you get saved you have everything you need.  Nothing has to be added to it.  God has promised to never leave you or forsake you and Paul reminds us in Roman's 8:35-39, that nothing can separate us from the love of God.  When you received salvation it is intended for eternity.  The problem is not on God's side but ours.  This last statement is not designed to bring condemnation but an encouragement to stay as close to the Lord as possible.  In doing this you will always have assurance.  The Lord has made you complete in Christ.  My exhortation for you today is to live in this reality.

Monday, January 2, 2012

Focus, Focus, Focus.

Focus is a easy word to say but a much harder word to do.  I have been described by some as a driven person. I try to do as much as I can in the minimum amount of time.  This of course comes my world view which is, that Jesus is coming back soon so I want to reach and impact as many people as I can while I can.  Another fact that I know about myself is that for many years I focused on many of the wrong things.  I spent far to much time on things that were time wasting.  I played video games, watch to much television, sat around doing little saying I needed this down time because of my busy schedule.  Truth be told, I just wasted to much time.  One day the Lord spoke to me and said He was pleased with how much time I dedicated to Him, my family and ministry but I was wasting to much of my life on the wrong things.  I then asked Him the dangerous question.  Where Lord am I wasting my time?  He showed me and I have tried to correct that.  I try to live a focused life now with the proper priorities.  Am I successful, not always but I am trying.  I could spend some time listing them but I did that already in another blog.  So my exhortation for you is to try and get focused in your life this year and touch as many as you can in your world.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

New Year Plans

The New Year always brings with it new beliefs and expectations,  This year the Lord has directed me to have five priorities in my life and they are as follows.  First, the make sure that my prayer life is strong and that I keep in close communication with Him.  Next have a dynamic time with the word everyday.  Meditating on the promises of God and applying the principles of the word into my everyday life.  Thirdly, to make sure I am a person of fellowship.  I need every prayer and every opinion of the believers.  No man is an island unto himself.  The church helps keeps me focused and is a source of inspiration and help.  Fourthly, to make sure that everyday I make place for evangelism.  The primary focus of my life has been and will be the proclamation of the gospel.  I have a responsibility to tell others as well as pray for them.  Every person is responsible for their own faith but it is my responsibility to tell them.  Lastly, to allow the Holy Spirit to have complete control of my mind, soul, strength and atttitudes.  The Bible says, "that in Him we live and move and have our being".  That is my goal for 2012 and I hope it will be yours as well.