Circumstances and the Truth

Posted by admin on Apr 18, 2011 in Contemplations, Featured | 0 comments

Ever feel like your circumstances aren’t lining up with what you thought was the truth?

In Deuteronomy 31, Moses declares Joshua the next leader of Israel. In Deuteronomy 34 we see the Spirit of God is with Joshua, “Because Moses had laid his hands on him.”

However, in Joshua 3:7, Yahweh tells Joshua, “Today I will begin to make you a great leader in the eyes of all the Israelites.” This is followed in Joshua 4:14 with the note, “That day [when the Israelites crossed the Jordan] the Lord made Joshua a great leader in the eyes of all the Israelites.”

Do you see what happened? God promised something to Joshua, but it took a while for it to be fulfilled.

If your circumstances seem to be at odds with the truth, be encouraged! Sometimes God may declare in our life something that will take time to be demonstrated. He may speak over us now, but not show it until later. Not only that, but you’re not the only one who’s felt this way.

Let Scripture reassure you of the faithfulness of God!

Don’t let time dilute your certainty that God always keeps His promises and fulfills His words, no matter how long it takes for the circumstances to catch up with the truth.

Prayer as a Warrior for the Kingdom

Posted by admin on Apr 16, 2011 in Contemplations, Prayers | 0 comments

We do not lost heart.

We do not fail.  We do not falter.

We do not back down or back up, but advance and conquer the darkness with the light of love.

We are warriors of the Kingdom and servants of the King.  Chosen and adopted, born again to an everlasting life and destiny, and resolute in this, our cry:

Jesus is Lord,
He is building His Kingdom,
and we will advance it with Him.

AMEN.

Prayer for Legacy

Posted by admin on Apr 14, 2011 in Contemplations, Prayers | 0 comments

[NOTE: My grandfather, J. Bryan "Breezy" Brasington entered eternity on 3/13/11.  His life was spent glorifying Jesus, and his death did the same.  This prayer was written the day of his memorial, after the service.]

Oh the gravity of it all!

What a life, what a love, what a Savior, what a charge and legacy.

O God, make me a servant like him, fruitful and faithful to the last; joyous and peaceful ’till the end.

What a need, what a darkness in our world, and only Your light can defeat it.

Use me, Lord.  O God, use me up and let me burn bright and clear for You, like Papito did…

…and still does.

Leaving the System

Posted by admin on Mar 30, 2011 in Contemplations, Featured, Scripture Notes | 0 comments

“As long as you live, you must never promote the welfare and prosperity of the Ammonites or Moabites.” -Deuteronomy 13:6

The Ammonites and Moabites weren’t just different from the people of God, they were hostile.  For generations, they intentionally refused any help or assistance, and in some ages even attacked and oppressed the Israelites.  Because of this, God issued this blanket command to His people that they were to offer no help to these enemies of the Lord.

That’s one of many reasons I find the story of Ruth so encouraging.

A Tithe and a Party

Posted by admin on Mar 28, 2011 in Contemplations, Featured | 0 comments

I’ll be frank: I am pretty sick of the way most teaching about “the tithe” (giving 10% of your income to God) is presented.  Anyone else?

It’s usually talked about in one of two ways, and perhaps if you’ve spend any time in church you’ve heard one or both of these:
WAY ONE: “God expects you to tithe, so you’d better do it.”
WAY TWO: “God  promises that if you give Him 10%, He’s going to bless you way more.”

Now don’t get me wrong, Biblically both of these are true, but is that the only way we can understand the tithe?  Really?  My motivation to give to God is either duty or self-interest?  Are those the only two options?

It’s because of this frustration that I was so excited about what I read in Deuteronomy 14.  Nestled away in the middle of this thick book, God talks about the tithe, not in terms of losing something, but rather using something for God’s glory and the joy of His children…

Scripture Notes: Numbers 9

Posted by admin on Mar 26, 2011 in Prayers, Scripture Notes | 0 comments

“…Whenever the cloud lifted…the people of Israel would follow it…so they camped or traveled at the Lord’s command, and they did whatever the Lord told them to do through Moses.” -Numbers 9:15-23 (selected)

What a great picture of the Christian life, as we follow the Holy Spirit’s prompting and listen to the authorities in Christ that God has given us.

Indeed, the Christian life is one of LISTENING and FOLLOWING, HEARING and DOING, responding both to the leading of the Spirit and the leaders of the Church.

Father, settle my heart so I can hear your Spirit, and settle my pride so I can follow your servants.

Tears of Eternity

Posted by admin on Mar 25, 2011 in Featured, Observations | 0 comments

Why do we cry when we face the reality of eternity?

Whether the passing of a loved one or an entry into new life in Christ, the heart responds with such surges of emotion that they simply cannot be contained.

My grandfather has passed into eternity, and I am not sad, but happy.  I will certainly miss him, but probably not too much.  I am simply not that type of person, and yet, though I rejoice at his homecoming, when I think about it I am moved to great sobs.  Why?

The Bible tells us in Romans 8:26 of times when the person of the Holy Spirit intercedes in pray for us with “with groanings too deep for words”, and I wonder if perhaps the reason for my tears is found here…