Get Into The Good Book...

I read Turning Points magazine by Dr. David Jeremiah each month.  I have found that each issue contains several articles with practical insights to help on the journey.  I was reading an article today about becoming a more devoted person when it comes to reading the scripture daily.  Dr. Jeremiah lists 10 reasons why we should read "the Good Book."  I want to share those with you today.

1. The Bible will reveal who you are (Hebrews 4:12) and who you need to become (2 Timothy 3:16).
2. The Bible is the most trustworthy book on earth, written not by men alone but by God through human authors (2 Peter 1:20-21).
3. The Bible will provide guidance for your daily life (Psalm 119:105).
4. The Bible will keep you from sinning (Psalm 119:11).
5. The Bible can create faith in your heart to meet a specific need (Romans 10:17).
6. The Bible can lead us to salvation in Christ (2 Timothy 3:15).
7. The Bible is an offensive weapon against the lies of Satan (Ephesians 6:17).
8. The Bible always accomplishes the purposes for which it was given (Isaiah 55:11).
9. The Bible's truths will endure forever (Isaiah 40:8).
10. The Bible's truths are perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, true, and righteous (Psalm 19:7-9).

I hope these truths will inspire you to drive into the Word today.  God Bless!!!

The following information was taken from:
Turning Points Magazine and Devotional by Dr. David Jeremiah
Article Title:  Get Into A Good Book:  Be A Bible Student--Pages 16-19

For Me Today...

I was reading Psalm 32 this morning.  It was for me.  Ask God to allow these words to infiltrate your heart today.  They are for you too. 

Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!  Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!  When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long.  Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.  My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.  Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt.  I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the LORD."  And you forgave me!  All my guilt is gone.  Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.  For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble.  You surround me with songs of victory.  The LORD says, "I will guide you along the best pathway of your life.  I will advise you and watch over you.  Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control."  Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD.  So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him!  Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!------Psalm 32 (New Living Translation)

God Bless!!!

Francis Chan...

Challenge video that I pray stirs your heart and mind to the point of reflection and change.  God Bless!

One Thing You Still Lack...

While reading from Luke 18 this morning, there were some words of Christ that jumped off the page to at me.  It was kind of scary.  I hope the same thing happens to you.

Christ is having a conversation with "The Rich Ruler."  They are going back and forth about what someone must do to inherit eternal life.  Jesus says, "You know the commandments:  do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother."  The rulers response is surprising to me.  He looks at God in the flesh and says, "All these I have kept from my youth."  Wow!!!  This is a pretty bold statement.  It must have been true because Jesus doesn't challenge his statement.  However, the way that Jesus did response impacted this man (and Derek) to the core of who he was.

One Thing You Still Lack...
Even though he may have kept all the things that Jesus listed there was still one thing that was missing in this man's life and I will go out on a limb and say that it is missing from must of our lives as well.

1. "Sell all that you have."
2. "Distribute to the poor."
3. "Have treasure in heaven."
4. "Come, follow me."

I love, yet hate this response by Christ.  I love it from the perspective that it is the word of God and that it gives us a step by step process of improving our journey with Christ.  I hate it from the perspective that its challenging.  Its hard.  It require a total abandonment of Derek.  Maybe it is just me, but I think there are several people in the American Church who need to take heed to this message by our Lord.

How is this possible?  Great question.  This is the same question that those who heard Christ say it had and the response of Jesus gives us the secret.  Jesus said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."  I hope you will claim this verse as your own today.  I hope you understand what this means.  If we will give it all to God, its possible. 

God Bless!!!

May the Lord...

May the Lord...
-answer you in the day of trouble
-of Jacob protect you
-send you help from the sanctuary
-give you support from Zion
-remember all our offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices
-grant you your heart's desire
-fulfill all your plans

Taken from Psalm 20:1-4 (ESV)

Psalm 11

Lord, I pray that you would allow the words of this psalm to speak to hearts today. 

"I trust in the LORD for protection.  So why do you say to me, "Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety!  The wicked are stringing their bows and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings.  They shoot from the shadows at those whose hearts are right.  The foundations of law and order have collapsed.  What can the righteous do?"  But the LORD is in his holy Temple; the LORD still rules from heaven.  He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth.  The LORD examines both the righteous and the wicked.  He hates those who love violence.  He will rain down blazing coals and burning sulfur on the wicked, punishing them with scorching winds.  For the righteous LORD love justice.  The virtuous will see his face."

God bless!!!

Prayers from Psalm 20

In Psalm 20:1-5, we see a series of prayers by David.  Let's take a look at these prayers and claim them for our personal lives.

1.  May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble.-v. 1
2. May the name of the God of Jacob protect you.-v. 1
3. May he (God) send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion!-v. 2
4. May he (God) remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices!-v. 3
5. May he (God) grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans!-v. 4
6. May we shout for joy over your salvation and in the name of God set up our banners!  May the Lord fulfill all your petitions!-v. 5

Read what the rest of the psalm speaks:
"Now I know that the Lord save his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand.  Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.  They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.  O Lord, save the king!  May he answer us when we call."

Psalm 19

In Psalm 19:7-11 there are several "math equations" that tell us about God and His Word.

1. The law of the Lord = PERFECT--reviving the soul
2. The testimony of the Lord = SURE--making wise the simple
3. The precepts of the Lord = RIGHT--rejoicing the heart
4. The commandment of the Lord = PURE--enlightening the eyes
5. The fear of the Lord = CLEAN--enduring forever
6. The rules (just decrees) of the Lord = TRUE & RIGHTEOUS ALTOGETHER
1. They are to be desired more than gold, even much fine gold
2. They are sweeter than honey and drippings of the honeycomb
3. They are a warning to his servants
4. They are rewarding for those that keep them.

The following verse from Psalm 19 is my prayer today and everyday.  Enjoy!
Psalm 19:11-14:
"Who can discern his errors?  Declare me innocent from hidden faults.  Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me!  Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.  Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer."

Psalm 15

Question:  Who shall sojourn in your tent?
Question:  Who shall dwell on your holy hill?

Answers:

1. He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart.
2. He who does not slander with His tongue and does no evil to his neighbor nor takes up a reproach against his friend.
3. He who, in whose eyes, a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear God.
4. He who swears to his own hurt and does not change.
5. He who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent.

Final Statement:  HE WHO DOES THESE THINGS SHALL NEVER BE MOVED!!!

Thank you, Lord, for these truths today.

Psalm 13

I.  How Long, O Lord?...(vv. 1-2)

1. Will You forget me forever
2. Will You hid Your face from me
3. Must I take counsel in my soul
4. Will I have sorrow in my heart
5. Will my enemies by exalted over me

II. A Prayer to God for Deliverance...(vv. 3-4)

1. Consider and answer me, light up my eyes.
1. Why?
1. Lest I die
2. Lest my enemies prevail over me
3. Lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken

III. A Prayer of Trust...(vv. 5-6)

1. I have trusted in the steadfast love of God.
2. My heart will rejoice in God's salvation
3. I will sing
1. Why?
1. He has dealt bountifully with me

I am so thankful for the Word of God today.  I look forward to spending time in it each day.  "His mercies are new every morning."  God Bless!!!

Burp!!!

Worship...

Great video that a buddy shared with me regarding worship.  Let's all prepare to live our lives in worship of our Lord everyday.  God Bless!

Discouragement is REAL...

Let's be honest.  Discouragement is real.  Whether you are in full-time ministry, in the business world, or unemployed discouragement is a reality.  I am currently reading a book entitled Children's Ministry Leadership.  Author Jim Wideman does a whole chapter on dealing with this issue.  I want to share with you today 10 ways to move past discouragement in your life. 

1.   Do what you do for the right reasons.
2.   Stay motivated.
3.   Stay in the Word of God.
4.   Pray continually.
5.   Choose to stay happy.
6.   Keep doing what God's called you to do.
7.   Lead people who'll follow.
8.   Mentor someone else.
9.    Be a self-starter.
10.  Refuse to quit.

The following was taken from Children's Ministry Leadership by Jim Wideman, pages 109-113. 
Group Publishing

Doing the Impossible

I do several things in my time with the Lord each day.  I am currently studying through the Psalms and (thanks to Mike Edwards) I am reading an on-line devotional by Henry Blackaby entitled Experiencing God Day by Day.  Here was Sunday's reading.  I thought this goes perfectly with what I shared last week about "risks."  To read that, click here.   I hope this encourages you today on your journey.  

Sunday, November 06, 2011

Don’t Avoid the Impossible

But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat." (Matthew 14:16)

"Jesus asked His disciples to do something that clearly was impossible. There were five thousand men, along with their families, and they were famished. There were only five loaves of bread and two small fish—obviously not enough to feed a multitude. The cost of food for even a portion of the crowd would have far exceeded the disciples’ small budget. It may have seemed absurd to the disciples that Jesus should ask them to distribute the paltry amount of food to the massive crowd. Yet that is exactly what Jesus asked them to do. Because Jesus had given the command, the disciples obeyed and witnessed an incredible miracle.

Christ will lead you into many situations that will seem impossible, but don’t try to avoid them. Stay in the middle of them, for that is where you will experience God. The key difference between what appears to be impossible to us and what is actually possible is a word from our Master! Faith accepts His divine command and steps out in a direction that only God can complete. If you only attempt things that you know are possible with the visible resources you possess, those around you will not see God at work. You will be the one who receives the credit for a job well done, but God will have no part in it.
Take inventory of your life and the decisions you are presently facing. Have you received a word from the Master that awaits your next step of faith? If you will proceed with what He has told you, no matter how incredible it might seem, you will experience the joy of seeing your Lord perform a miracle, and so will those around you."

Psalm 3

God gave me some words.  I was reading Psalm 3 recently and these can to me.  I am not a writer, but that doesn't matter.  So, here you go.  Take this for what it is and make fun if you will. 

Here are the actual words to Psalm 3 penned by King David.

 ¹O LORD, how many are my foes!
   Many are rising against me;
²many are saying of my soul,
    there is no salvation for him in God.
                         Selah ³But you, O LORD, are a shield about me,
   my glory, and the lifter of my head.
⁴I cried aloud to the LORD,
   and he answered me from his holy hill.
                         Selah
 ⁵I lay down and slept;
   I woke again, for the LORD sustained me.
⁶I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
   who have set themselves against me all around.

 ⁷ Arise, O LORD!
   Save me, O my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
   you break the teeth of the wicked.

 ⁸ Salvation belongs to the LORD;
   your blessing be on your people!
                         Selah

Here are my words penned by Derek.

Verse 1
Here they come.
They're closing in.
My foes are so many, they'll be my end.

Insults, mockery, ridicule is their cry.
"There is no salvation for him, he'll die."

Chorus
But You, O Lord, are a shield for me.
But You, O Lord, will deliver me.
But You, O Lord, lift my head and dry me tears.
I cried aloud and You answered me.
And You, O Lord, rescued me.
You rescued me.

Verse 2
 As lay down on my pillow tonight
Despite the turmoil, there's an end in sight.
I will not fret and I will not freight
I'll wake again with You by my side.
Though enemies are many and want to succeed
You, O Lord, You rescue me.
You rescue me.

Bridge
 Arise, O Lord and save me.
Strike and break the wickedness of my enemies.
Salvation belongs to You, O Lord
Bless us all in one accord

Books I Am Reading...

I do this from time to time.  I like to tell everyone what I am reading, as if they are sitting on the edges of their seats wondering.  Anyway, here is the lengthy list.

I am currently using this resource in my time with the Lord each day.  It is an extremely helpful resource that has really (over the last week) energized my study.  When I purchased this resource it came with an access code that enables me to use this tool online. 
I have also started a journal.  I look up the text that I am studying for that day, read over it several times, and then break it down verse by verse reading the study notes that go with each verse. 
This is a very useful resource.  I would recommend this resource to any person who is serious about study God's Word. 

Children's Ministry Leadership by Jim Wideman is a used book that I recently purchased on Amazon.  One of my main responsibilities at Ada First is children's ministry.  Ironically, this is something that I feel that I am not equipped to do so I decided to get equipped.  This resource is surprising me, however.  I was expecting many practical tips and resources that could be used to lead children's ministry.  I was pleasantly shocked to realize that it has more to do with the leadership potential and structure of the person leading the children's ministry.  I am still in the infant stages of reading this book, but I am really getting a lot out of it.  This book is yet another resource that I have come into contact with lately that has led me to think about risks/faith.  I am looking forward to getting to some of the nuts and bolts of children's ministry in the later chapters.  Great book thus far!

The Millennials by Thom and Jess Rainer is a book about me.  No, its not my biography.  That will come much later in my life.  This is a book about my generation.  I downloaded this book for free several months ago to my iBooks app on my iPhone.  My budding Curt Holland, Pastor of Adults at the Donelson Fellowship in Nashville, really put me on to this book.  I am amazed to read about me.  I don't always enjoy reading books on statistics from surveys taken, but this one is good.  It is interesting to read things about my generation.  What we believe in, what we expect of previous generations, what we want in the workplace and what we want in a host of other things.  This is an real eye-opening book.  It would do the Baby Boomer Generation to read this book.  It would give them great insight.  Just ask Curt Holland, http://www.donelson.org/staff

One final book that I am reading is entitled Fit to Serve Him Longer...and Better.  I recently had a Skype conversation with my friend James Evans.  I was telling him how the Lord had (and has) been speaking to me about my physical health.  I believe God wants me to be not only spiritually and emotionally healthy, but physically healthy.  James sent me this book.  I am only in chapter 2, but it is challenging.  I look forward to my next Skype conversation with James when we will unpack this book some more. 

There you have it.  Now your mind can rest easy because you know what I am reading.  How about you?  What are you reading?

Risks...

I have been challenged a lot lately in one area.  I must take risks.  Now, I am not talking about doing things by the seat of my pants (even though they are big pants) and just doing whatever feels right or what is the hottest thing going.  I recently attended a training where this point was emphasized extensively. 

I was listening to a church planter discuss what risks looked like in his ministry in the early stages of the church plant.  I was floored at some of the things that he did.  Several years after he had started the church (the church was running several hundred people at this point) God spoke to him. 

God told him that he was longer taking risks.  God reminded him how in the infancy stages of the church, the faithful church planter had taken big risks and God had proved faithful during those risks.  The church planter heeding the reminding of God and began taking risks again.  God has continued to prove faithful in this ministry.  The church now runs over 1,000. 

This got me thinking (that is dangerous, I know.).  What risks I am currently taking in my ministry at Ada First?  Am I believing that God will prove Himself faithful in my ministry?  

I think something for us to remember is that in the Christian world, risk is just another word for faith. 

In what areas of my ministry am I trusting God's faithfulness?  I am not doing this nearly enough, if at all.  I hope that this gives us something to think on.  I hope this challenges us not only to think, but to act.  I need to get off my "blessed assurance" and take some risks (have faith).  God please help me to do this.

In this situation, OUR ACTIONS NEED TO SPEAK A LOT LOUDER THAN OUR WORDS!

Be A "Benefit"

I recently began studying the Psalms in my time with God.  I have learned two things right off the bat.  One, I love my new ESV Study Bible.  You should get one.  Two, keeping a journal is important.  I have never been one to journal, but it keeps me focused and less distracted and it enables me to go back and review what I have studied.

I would like share some insights with you from Psalm 1.  Specifically verses 3 & 4.  You can read them here.  The writer, in verses 3 & 4, is contrasting the fruitfulness of two individuals.  He uses two similes that link to agriculture in ancient Palestine.


1.  Righteous Person
This is a tree that is planted in a very dry climate.  It kind of reminds me of the trees that are in my backyard that are now dead because of the severe drought that Oklahoma is experiencing.  However, this tree is different than the ones in my backyard.  It thrives because of its constant water supply.  It is piped into the source that makes it useful.  It bears fruit not for itself, but for others.  If the righteous person is described with theses characteristics it will prosper.  However, it will not prosper for its own self, but for the benefit of others.  This does not mean material possessions necessarily.  If my walk with the Lord is planted and connected to the source of nourishment, it will bear fruit and prosper not for the use of Derek, but for the benefit of others.

2.  Wicked Person
The wicked person is the same person that is described in verse 1.  This person lives an immoral life and does not care about the Lord's instruction.  This person is described as chaff.  Chaff is the husks and straw removed by threshing grain.  It is a very light substance that, when tossed into the air, is blown away by the wind.  Those people who reject God's instruction are like the chaff.  They are blown away and are no benefit to anyone.

I don't know about you, but I want to be a "benefit."  I don't want to live for my own prosperity and success, but to make every decision, no matter how insignificant, with the view of pleasing God by knowing and doing His Word (verse 2).  Be a "benefit."

We Need Men!!!

One of my pastor buddies from Nashville shared this video with me this morning.  YOU REALLY NEED TO WATCH THIS!!!  It is time for men in our churches to rise up.  I would love to hear your comments about this video.

Video Friday: "God Chisels"

This will challenge you to your core.  Allow God to use this video to speak to your heart today.  God Bless!!!