Just Twelve

Scripture:
Matthew 10:1 (NIV)

Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

Devotional:

Small groups can be found everywhere.  Some have grown into larger groups.  Some larger groups have been split into various smaller groups.  Families are one type of small group.  A classroom full of students is another small group.  Those that you meet with for breakfast constitute yet another small group.  In the office, or at work, you make up a small group within another group.  The question is why small groups?  What is so special about them?  Jesus chose twelve men to be the foundation of the church.  He lived with these men, teaching them along the way.  Jesus also sent them out into the world to gather the “lost sheep.”

A pastor recently stated how much he believed in small groups.  The group I was in sat and listened as he gave us several reasons we need them and why they are so effective.  Let’s face it relationship just are not very good if you are in a large crowd setting.  Sitting in church listening to a Pastor in a crowd of several hundred people just doesn’t build a good relationship.  Don’t get me wrong.  I learn a little more about my pastor every Sunday.  I learn more about God and am able to grow spiritually.  But as I sit there and listen to him preach how well can he get to know me?  He is up there talking.  I am sitting toward the back listening not speaking very much.  When I do speak it is in a hushed whisper that only my wife can hear.

In a small group you can build relationships.  You offer support for one another.  You can encourage each other and help each other grow spiritually.  In turn you can go out and ministry to others.  In a small group you care for one another, you can build each other into disciples.  In the small group you can really get to know one another, relationships grow.  

At our church if you just show up on Sunday morning you can easily get lost in the crowd.  With very little effort you can become just a number in the crowd.  However, by getting involved with a small group you get the care, love, support that you need.  You are also there to care for, love, and support others.  It can get pretty lonely in a crowd.  If you haven’t already I encourage you to get plugged into a small group.  

When you do keep this one thought in mind.  It takes time for the bonds and relationships to form.  I once read in a study where it is stated it takes 6-9 months or more to become part of a new group.  You cannot just jump in and expect to be best friends after the first meeting.  Relationships take time.  I know when I am in new group at first I don’t say a lot.  I feel as if I am on the side lines watching.  As time goes by I get more involved in the group.  Eventually I feel as if I am truly a part of the group.  Each person is different and handles things differently.  What works for me isn’t necessarily what works for you.  But Christ saw the need for small groups.  He initiated His ministry with just twelve men.

Food For The Brain

Scripture:
Proverbs 23:4-7 (NASB)

Do not weary yourself to gain wealth,
Cease from your consideration of it.
When you set your eyes on it, it is gone.
For wealth certainly makes itself wings
Like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.
Do not eat the bread of a selfish man,
Or desire his delicacies;
For as he thinks within himself, so he is.
He says to you, “Eat and drink!”
But his heart is not with you.

Devotional:

We have all heard the saying “you are what you eat.”  As a kid I use to envision eating tons of carrots and turning into one.  I pictured myself as a walking carrot.  Thoughts and words are food for the mind.  What we think so we are.  In Proverbs 23 we are cautioned to be wary of who we associate with.  The people around you influence your thoughts.  If you are around negative people eventually it can wear you down to where you are also negative.  If you hang around selfish people you will lean toward selfishness as well.  Have you ever noticed that people tend to congregate around others that are like themselves?  A part if it is that we become more like those around us.

Two thoughts I want to share.  The first one is a child in school.  Growing up we are told to watch out who we hang out with.  Nancy is home-schools our children.  There are several reasons why we have chosen to do so.  One reason is that we want our children to learn in a Christian environment with a huge Christian emphasis.  I have had someone bring up a point about if our kids were in school think of the impact they could have on other students.  The truth of the matter is that the other kids would have a larger impact on our children than they them.  True one person can make a difference.  However, the norm is that one child will succumb to peer pressure. 

The other thought is a time when I was in the Navy.  In the department I was working in the morale was low.  The general atmosphere was pretty gloomy.  After several days of this I woke up one morning and decided I was just going to be in a good mood.  I chose to smile and put on a cheerful front.  The change became infectious within our department.  The change in mood finally actually rooted itself back inside of me.  I didn’t have to put up a front any longer.  Eventually everyone’s mood improved throughout the department.

Watch who you are around and whose council you take.  It will affect how you think.  That in turn will determine who you become.  If you want to change be around those you admire and want to be like.  I have talked to people about not needing to go to church to be saved.  I agree with them that in order to have a relationship with Jesus and be saved I do not have to go to a church.  However, it is in the church that I have fellowship.  It is in the church that I am around fellow believers who can help me to become the person that Christ wants me to be.  In church is where I get the support that I desperately need.  My family and I grow in our relationship with Christ, and one another, more when we are actively involved with a good Bible founded, Scripture teaching, God fearing Church.  Feed your mind with God’s word and see who you become…

To Be Set Free

To Be Set Free

Scripture:
John 8:31-36 (NIV)

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

They answered him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?"

Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.  Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.  So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed

Devotional:

Have you ever felt unworthy?  Often I think to myself that I am not any good.  These are lies that Satan fills my head.  After all if I am worthless I am of no use.  How many of these lies have you heard and are maybe listening to?  One lie that is easy to believe is salvation.  Satan would have us believe that there is more to salvation than what there really is.  After all we place a price tag on everything.  The more valuable it is the more it has to cost.  People believe that they have to be good enough, or work hard enough in order to be saved.  Satan would have us believe that we are not worthy of God’s love and salvation.  That because we are unworthy we have to be better or do more in order to earn it.  The truth is that we are not worthy of God’s love.  We are sinners, a fallen people.  The lie that we believe is that we have to improve in order to receive Grace.  We have to become perfect in order to be loved by God.

The list of lies grows longer and longer.  I cannot possibly list them all.  Take a moment to ponder what lies the enemy is whispering in your ears.  Can you identify them?  Ask someone to point out some of the lies they see that you have believed.  The next step is to deny those lies.  Remember Jesus said the truth will set you free.  He stated that “If the Son has set you free, you will be free indeed” John 8:36 (NIV).  Christ has set you free.  You must believe it.  You are very important to God.  He doesn’t want a single person to be separated from Him.  Because He loves us so much He actually allows us to choose.  We are not worthy but He loves us anyway.  He has provided a way to true freedom.  Cast the lies away and listen to the truth.  Allow the Holy Spirit to work in you and set you free. 

The War is Won, Win The Battle

Scripture:
Ephesians 6:10-12 (NASB)

 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Devotional:

When we think of battles and wars we picture men, and women, running across battle fields.  In the old days men used swords, shields, armor, along with bows and other weapons.  Through the years weapons have changed into guns, bombs, and missiles.  You do not even have to see your enemy in order to kill them.  Police and our military wear protective body armor of various types in order to help protect them.  There are armored vehicles and bunkers for shelter.  Battles include The Battle of Yorktown in the Revolutionary War, The Battle of Getty’s Burg in the Civil War, in World War Two there was D-Day.  These are just a few wars and battles that have been fought over the years.  

Today, even now, Christians are in a war fighting daily battles.  Our fight isn’t with swords, guns, and bombs.  Instead we are fighting a spiritual war held in within the confines of our minds and spirits.  Satan is ruthless and will use any means possible to bring you down.  Most of the time we are not even aware of his attacks.  We do not realize that a simple glance at a pretty face is all he needs to get a foot hold.  Have you ever been tempted to say you or your child is younger than they are?  There was a time when we were going into a public pool.  Kids got in a dollar or two cheaper.  My son and his friend were one year two old for the reduced rate.  They asked his age and he looked at me and told them how old he really was.  They questioned it and we both said that was his age.  Had we lied we could have saved a dollar, another foothold for Satan.  The little things we don’t even think about can lead one thing to another.  A simple glance, which turns into a conversation, then it leads to a hug or a small kiss.  The next thing you know you are having an affair.  It all started innocent enough but Satan used a small foot hold in order to bring you down.  

We battle temptations all the time.  We cannot hope to win the fight on our own.  The good news is that God gives us all we need in order to win.  He is our strength and power.  Through Christ we have won the war.  With the Holy Spirit we can win each battle…