Pastor Greg Davis (Cornerstone A/G, Southaven, MS) made a statement about Felix sending Paul away and told Paul, "when it is more convienent, I'll send for you again." (Acts 24:25) This has been rolling around in my spirit since then. We do not read of Felix ever changing his life. I guess it never became "convienent."
It is so important that I not try to fit God into MY schedule...I must fit into HIS! He doesn't want to "fit into" our busy lifestyle, He wants to "consume" our schedules! In this day and age we find churches are trying harder and harder to make it easier and easier to have that "once a week" experience. We need to step back and reevaluate what REALLY IS important. God help me to keep you FIRST and FOREMOST!
My Sweetpea
My Crazy Family
My Family
Monday, September 8, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
"I don't feel quite so stupid!"
Looking at Deut. 17, I find it interesting what God told the Israelites when they were going into the land He was giving them. He was telling them, if you get there and do start wanting a king, there are three things I want to warn you to not let him do.
1. The king must not build up a large stable for himself and get any horses from Egypt. (Solomon had 4,000 stalls for horses, 12,000 horses...most of which came from Egypt.)
2. The king must not take many wives for himself and none from other countries. (Solomon had 700 royal wives and 300 non-royal wives from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, and from among the Hittites.)
3. The king must not accumulate vast amounts of wealth in silver and gold. (Solomon received 25 TONS of gold per year. The silver was so common, it was viewed as almost worthless.)
So let's look at scripture. It tells us that Solomon was the wisest king even after all this. (I don't feel so stupid now.) Now look at Solomon's dad. David took another man's wife, got her pregnant, then had the true husband killed. Scripture calls him a man after God's heart.
So here we have an example of WISDOM and God's HEART. I hope you see what I see. When we feel like we blow it, just look at those God has used in the past... repent, and move on! God's not finished using you or me. If He can take these two to rule His nation, what can He do with US.
God bless,
Jeff
1. The king must not build up a large stable for himself and get any horses from Egypt. (Solomon had 4,000 stalls for horses, 12,000 horses...most of which came from Egypt.)
2. The king must not take many wives for himself and none from other countries. (Solomon had 700 royal wives and 300 non-royal wives from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, and from among the Hittites.)
3. The king must not accumulate vast amounts of wealth in silver and gold. (Solomon received 25 TONS of gold per year. The silver was so common, it was viewed as almost worthless.)
So let's look at scripture. It tells us that Solomon was the wisest king even after all this. (I don't feel so stupid now.) Now look at Solomon's dad. David took another man's wife, got her pregnant, then had the true husband killed. Scripture calls him a man after God's heart.
So here we have an example of WISDOM and God's HEART. I hope you see what I see. When we feel like we blow it, just look at those God has used in the past... repent, and move on! God's not finished using you or me. If He can take these two to rule His nation, what can He do with US.
God bless,
Jeff
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
"Does He know what He's talking about?"
Do you ever feel like a huge screw-up? I mean really! I know God doesn't want me to do it, but I do. Or I know God wants me to do it, but I don't! I think Paul dealt with this too (i.e. Romans 7:14 - 25). Reading 1 Kings 11:2 kind of puts it bluntly what God did not want King Solomon to do, and even told him why. Don't marry foreign women, because they will cause you to worship idols. So what did this wisest king ever do? He married foreign women... and began to worship other idols!
So often I read about what I am supposed to do, or what I am not supposed to do and think the only consequence is that I will be disobeying. But with every act of disobedience there is always something attached. Disobedience is the door that leads to a pattern of destruction in our lives.
God, help me to do what You say to do and not do what You say don't do.
God bless,
Jeff
So often I read about what I am supposed to do, or what I am not supposed to do and think the only consequence is that I will be disobeying. But with every act of disobedience there is always something attached. Disobedience is the door that leads to a pattern of destruction in our lives.
God, help me to do what You say to do and not do what You say don't do.
God bless,
Jeff
Monday, August 4, 2008
"What's with my NASTY ATTITUDE?!"
I was at Pastor Steve Allessi's church in Miami one time (husband to gospel recording artist Mary Allessi), and heard him say something that not only cracked me up, but made me see a lot of myself. He was nearing a group of teenagers when he realized he was puttin' his "mug" on. You know the look that is "supposed" to make others tremble in fear and not make eye contact with you. Ha! It was at that point when he realized, "What am I doing? I am a pastor and I'm doing this!" He said it was at that time he put on a smile and spoke kindly to them instead.
It was so funny because I find I do the same thing at times. It is impossible to be intimidating and be a witness at the same time! How others view me is how they see who I am representing.
In 2 Chronicles 6:16, King Solomon was praying one of God's promises to David. God had stated if David's descendants obeyed the law and guarded their behavior they will always reign over Israel (taken from the NLT). The KJV puts it "so that thy children take heed to their way to walk in my law..." "To their way" comes from a Hebrew word, in this context, that means the "manner" in which they walked. In essence, I can do the right things, but if my attitude stinks, I will still miss my blessing!
Have you ever gone to get your driver's license and been treated like you were being processed to go to jail? I have almost every time. I get so ticked at a rude waiter/waitress or an offensive salesperson. I am like, "Hello, what are you doing this job for?" It only reminds me of the times I do the right thing, but with the wrong attitude." God forgive me. I want to do right, with the right attitude.
God bless,
Jeff
It was so funny because I find I do the same thing at times. It is impossible to be intimidating and be a witness at the same time! How others view me is how they see who I am representing.
In 2 Chronicles 6:16, King Solomon was praying one of God's promises to David. God had stated if David's descendants obeyed the law and guarded their behavior they will always reign over Israel (taken from the NLT). The KJV puts it "so that thy children take heed to their way to walk in my law..." "To their way" comes from a Hebrew word, in this context, that means the "manner" in which they walked. In essence, I can do the right things, but if my attitude stinks, I will still miss my blessing!
Have you ever gone to get your driver's license and been treated like you were being processed to go to jail? I have almost every time. I get so ticked at a rude waiter/waitress or an offensive salesperson. I am like, "Hello, what are you doing this job for?" It only reminds me of the times I do the right thing, but with the wrong attitude." God forgive me. I want to do right, with the right attitude.
God bless,
Jeff
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
