Mid Week Deaf Devotion 12/29/2009

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8 KJV)

This is a verse from the Bible that we hear over and over again. But at the same time it is a verse that we really need to hear over and over again. In this ever-changing world of temptation, danger, and rebellion, there is one name, one person, one life, one sacrifice, one resurrection, and one salvation which remain constant. The writer of Hebrews, who is believed to have been Paul, was so focused on Jesus Christ that for him, there was no other way we can deal with the conflicts of our everyday life.

Most times, sadly, we go through our days living just one moment at a time. However, life is far too short to live looking back. Many times we kick ourselves by saying, “I should have done this,” or “if-only I had done that.” But God is the God of today and tomorrow. He is also the Almighty God who knows all of our “should-haves” and “if-only’s.”

All of us have mistakes in our past that have the ability to haunt us. But God does not sit around stewing over the mistakes that we’ve made. Neither should we.

Paul faced this same thing. He was haunted by his past mistakes, but at the same time He looked to His unmovable rock – Jesus Christ. “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,” (Philippians 3:13 NLT)

At times it feels like everything around us is constantly changing; sometimes for the better and sometimes for worse. Babies are born, loved ones die, kids go off to college, friends drift in and out of our lives, jobs change, looks change, health changes.

God is the God of the ever-present, eternal “yesterday,” “today,” and “tomorrow.” He exists in all of eternity at once with no reference to time, and for Him all of time is today. By His own Word God tells us, “Today, while you hear His voice, harden not your hearts...” and He tells us that “Today is the day of salvation, now is the acceptable time.”

Jesus did not change when he took on flesh, and did not change when He was raised in glory from the dark tomb. He did not change when He blessed his apostles and was received by a cloud into Heaven to sit at the Father’s right hand. He will not be a different Jesus Christ, who comes on a white horse, to judge and wage war; His eyes a flame of fire and many crowns on His head, and clothed with a robe dipped in blood and on his thigh written, “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!”

We are called to be faithful and continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. He is the same as He was yesterday, when He determined to carry our sin to the cross to Calvary. He is the same today, having completed the work of redemption and having earned the right to enter God’s presence with His own blood. By God’s grace and mercy and by Jesus’ sacrifice we have become joint heirs to serve the living God. It will be this same Jesus who grants all who call on His name in faith, the right to sit down with Him on His throne.

He does not change. His Word does not change. His provision does not change. His promises do not change. He said He will not leave us nor forsake us. He said it when He was on earth. That promise has not changed.

Whenever we begin to feel uncertain about our lives, all we have to do is look to our faith and remember that God always has been, is now and always will be the same. He is an immovable Rock upon which we can depend. And if we cling to that Rock, though the winds of change may blow, our foundation will remain steady and strong.
As we stop to think about the principles of Life that God gives us in His Word, this is the truth to which we anchor our faith, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.”

“God is unchanging in His love. He loves you. He has a plan for your life. Don't let the newspaper headlines frighten you. God is still sovereign; He's still on the throne.” Billy Graham

Deaf Devotion 12/25/2009

While I am waiting for the rest of the family to wake up this Christmas morning, I want to take the opportunity to thank all of you for allowing me the privilege of writing these devotions over the past year. My prayer is that as the Holy Spirit leads me to write the devotions, they bring you to a closer relationship with Jesus, and a deeper understanding of God’s Word. If you forward them to others I pray the words are able to touch another person’s life and that the Holy Spirit uses the words to make known God’s Gift of Eternal life.
Merry Christmas and May God Richly Bless You This CHRISTMAS!
JohnB

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6 KJV)

Jesus Christ is the King of Kings. He is the Savior born in a Manger. He is God in the flesh who took off the royal robes and crown of heaven to walk among us. He is the Son of God. He was with God at the beginning, He is alive with God now, and He will be alive forever. One day we will join Him. When He was in the manger, He was thinking about us. When He was in the Temple He was thinking about us. When He was on the Cross He was there in place of you and me. When He stood up and walked out of the tomb, He defeated death, and He gave us eternal life. Our sin is forgiven once and for all. We are reconciled with God. We have made peace with our creator. There is no fear. There is only God’s grace, mercy, and love. All of these are given to us at the manger.

THERE IS WONDER IN HIS NAME: “Wonderful”
His Birth was wonderful.
His Life was wonderful.
His Teaching was wonderful.
His Miracles were wonderful.
His Transfiguration was wonderful.
His Death was wonderful.
His Resurrection was wonderful
His Ascension was wonderful.

THERE IS WISDOM IN HIS NAME: “Counselor”
As your counselor He is always available.
As your counselor He gives you His undivided attention.
As your counselor He comforts you.
As your counselor He guides you in the right way.
As your counselor He enables you.

THERE IS WEALTH IN HIS NAME: “Mighty God”
Jesus has been given all power in heaven and earth. (Matthew 28:18)
He created it all.
The molecules in one drop of water, if they became grains of sand, could build a road that is one-half mile wide, one foot thick, from New York to San Diego.
Infinitesimally small yet inconceivably large is the work in that name.
Incredible as it may seem: the Child & Son is the Mighty God.
As the Mighty God, He is NOT LESS than the Almighty.
“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." (Revelation 1:8 KJV)
Nothing is too hard for Him.

THERE IS WORSHIP IN HIS NAME: “Everlasting Father”
If you Know Jesus, you know the Father.
As Father He is Life Giver.
He has given us His nature.
If He is not God, it would be blasphemy and idolatry to worship Him.

THERE IS WELCOME IN HIS NAME: “Prince of Peace”
He came to give us rest. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 KJV)
No Jesus, No Peace.
Know Jesus and there is Peace WITH God.
Know Jesus and there is Peace OF God.
Know Jesus and there is Peace FROM God.

“Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:10-14 KJV)

Mid Week deaf Devotion 12/22/2009

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105 KJV)

In His Word, God gives us hundreds of life principles or values that are designed to help us become everything that God created us to be. These are the foundations of our faith that have been tried and tested throughout history. These are truths from the Bible that have never failed and will never disappoint. One can see the impact of God’s Word on His people from the Old Testament to the present day. God has promised that, if we but follow His commands, His Word, He will bless our obedience.

If the Bible is our guide book for life then what should we do with God’s Word? Lay the Bible on a shelf and let it gather dust? Dust it off and bring with us to church and look at it once a week? The Apostle Paul admonished young Timothy and his words apply to each of us: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)

To study or meditate means to “soak up like a sponge, to examine from every angle, evaluate, ponder, chew up, rethink, turn over and over in our mind and digest the Word of God. In meditation on God’s Word we discover how to apply God’s will to our every-day life.

The Bible is given to give us direction in life. It tells us where we came from and why we were created. It tells us how to find our purpose in life. That is, if we really do want to find meaning in life. It tells us how to prepare for eternity. We look to God’s Guide book - the Bible. Only in God’s Word do we find how to live a life of victory over sin and Satan.

God did not create us and then leave us to wander aimlessly through life. God gave us a guide and instruction book on life. God’s Word the Scriptures is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path.

What we have in the Bible is not the words of man, but the very Word of God. God empowered and inspired different individuals to write the Scriptures as God Himself revealed it. They wrote through their own personalities. The Bible is a supernatural book because God inspired the writings.

The Bible was designed to assist the believer in spiritual growth and practical service. It can fill a need in the life of a Christian and change his or her life-style:

FROM GUILTY TO NOT GUILTY
FROM DEATH TO LIFE
FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT
FROM HATRED TO LOVE
FROM WEAKNESS TO POWER
FROM BONDAGE TO FREEDOM
FROM TRIBULATION TO TRIUMPH
FROM GRIEF TO JOY
FROM GLOOM TO GLORY
FROM DEFEAT TO VICTORY
FROM FAILURE TO SUCCESS
FROM FEAR TO FAITH
FROM I CANNOT TO I CAN

Jesus said that we cannot live without the Word of God. (Luke 4:4 KJV) "And Jesus answered him, saying, it is written, that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God."

Now what do we think Jesus meant by “every Word of God?” He meant just what he said, “EVERY WORD.” Not just the parts that make us feel good, not just the parts that are powerful and full of action. EVERY part of the Bible is important and Christians need EVERY part and EVERY Word to LIVE.

For God’s Word to be the driving force in our lives we must:
Accept the Bible’s authority.
Understand the Bible’s truth for today.
I must use every day what the Bible says about what to do in my every-day life.

Here is something to think about: “What has God already revealed to us in His word that we have not yet done?
Can we start doing it today? Can we start right now?

The Bible was not given to us to increase our knowledge but to change our lives to become more like Christ.

Deaf Devotion 12/19/2009

“Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God! Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills. Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places. Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. The Lord has spoken!” (Isaiah 40:3-5 NLT)

Are you ready for Christmas?
House decorated – check.
Gifts wrapped – check.
Cards written and sent – check
Cookies baked – check.
Shopping finished – check – uh…wait.
Driveway shoveled – check.
Gained 10 pounds – check, check, and double check.

No, really are you ready for Christmas?

But Christmas is mostly about waiting. It’s about anticipation, right? We wait for it the whole year don’t we? When it comes we make comments like “I can’t believe it’s already Christmas. It seems like it was just summer time.”

So much work, so many gifts and planning and Christmas lunches and get-togethers and on the 26th it’s all over. The waiting is all over for another year.

In the Bible there are many people waiting, but not ready for Christmas. Things just were not going well for the nation of Israel. They had not heard from God in many years. They had come under Roman rule. They had lost their political independence. They were living in fear of the capable, crafty and cruel King Herod. Many people were wondering if Messiah would ever come. They were waiting but not ready to see the miracle of Christmas. The people had all but given up hope. They wanted forgiveness. They wanted comfort, but they were looking in the wrong place.

Do we still see the miracle or Christmas?
Are we too caught up in the busyness and stress of the season?
Have we been running around because of the Holidays, or are we taking the time to make Christmas a “holy” day?
Has Christmas become too predictable, too familiar?
Have we heard the Christmas story so much that it is no longer about the birth of the Savior and has become a myth or legend or a “story?”
Are we looking in the wrong place for Christmas?

There were those who were prepared and waiting for Jesus. Every one of the individuals God chose to have a part in the birth of Jesus responded to the God’s leading. Yes even Herod.

Mary was ready to move when she said to the angel, “May it be to me as you have said.” (Luke 2:38)

Joseph demonstrated that he was ready when he woke up from his dream and “did what the angel of the Lord had commanded and took Mary home as his wife.” (Matthew 1:24)

The Shepherds were ready as well when they said, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened...” (Luke 2:15)

Are you ready for the birth of THE Savior?

It might mean salvation for some of you or someone close to us.

It might mean full surrender to what God has prepared us for many years to do.

Or, maybe God wants us to be more involved in serving people.

We miss opportunities all the time.

We miss an opportunity to get a certain job because we are not prepared.

We miss an opportunity to minister to our spouse or our families because we are too preoccupied.

We miss an opportunity to make an eternal difference in a person’s life because we didn’t seize the opportunity.

Do not miss the opportunity of Christmas.

We do not want to miss the opportunity to make a positive difference in someone’s life with the Miracle of Christmas.

We do not want to miss the opportunity to be a blessing to someone by sharing the miracle of Christmas with someone who is hurting.

We do not want to miss the opportunity to Witness to a Lost Friend.

Has an opportunity ever knocked on the door we were so caught up in other things that it slipped through our fingers?

The people of Noah’s time had the chance to get on the Ark.

The people of Sodom and Gomorrah had the chance to repent.

Both thieves crucified with Jesus had the Savior right between them and only one accepted Him. The other missed the opportunity.

The miracle of the birth of Jesus is that He was born to die. He was born so that you and I could have the opportunity of New and Eternal life.

This Baby is the Son of God.
This Baby is the Savior of the World.
This Baby came to Redeem Mankind.
This Baby came to offer us Life.
The Baby came to Reconcile us back to God.
This Baby came to offer us Eternal Life.
This Baby came to be our Light.

Now our opportunity:
We are redeemed.
We are adopted into God’s Kingdom.
We are reconciled.
We have the greatest news in the world.
Jesus Christ offers us Eternal Life!
We must believe in what we are telling!

We must realize that Jesus Christ though us can make a difference in a person’s life.
We are the Light.
We are the Salt.
And we are here to reflect God’s love and glory.

The sad truth is that people are dying without knowing Jesus Christ as Savior. Jesus was born to die. Jesus died that all may have eternal life.

We must understand NOW is our opportunity to reach out.

Are you ready for Christmas?

Mid Week Deaf Devotion 12/15/2009

John 10:10 – “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”

We began our study of the Holy Spirit with the verse from John.

We are now coming full circle in our study of the Holy Spirit. Living a life that is full of the Holy Spirit is rich and satisfying. The Holy Spirit moves into our heart when we accept Jesus as Savior. Jesus said He is the vine and we are the branches. We should live in respect to the Holy Spirit as the person who connects us as the branch with Jesus the vine. We do not use fruit or results to glorify ourselves as the branch but to bring beauty to Jesus the vine. We are all given one or more Spiritual gifts to use in God’s Service so He will be glorified through what you and I do every day.

The Church is a one-God show. The Church is NOT a one-person show. The Holy Spirit does not operate apart from what is directed from God. Everyone is a servant. God is pleased with our faithfulness. God uses our ability and wants our availability. The Holy Spirit uses God’s wealth of wisdom, power, grace, mercy, and unlimited love to make the impossible become possible. In order for God’s Church to function properly, each Christian must do the part given him or her by the Holy Spirit.

Gifts are not given just to give. God expects us to make use of the gifts He gives. In other words, when we turn our life over to God and accept Jesus as Savior, we receive the Holy Spirit and have all the various Spiritual gifts available to use. We need to use our Spiritual gifts to benefit others and glorify God because He is the one giving the gifts.

If one has turned their life over to God, one’s life should reflect obedience to God by the leading of the Holy Spirit. And the simple act of obedience is seeking ways to use our Spiritual gifts in service to others. When we turn our lives over to God, not just mentally but in obedience, the Holy Spirit will take over and direct everything we do. Then we need to learn how to correctly know how and where the Spirit is leading. The Holy Spirit is not our conscience. The Holy Spirit is not our consultant. Jesus promised He would come alongside us in the person of the Holy Spirit and go with us into every situation we encounter. But understand also the Holy Spirit can be hurt by our disobedience.

The Holy Spirit releases the power that enables people to trust God. We are messengers telling others about that power. Trust and obey the Holy Spirit to lead you to every opportunity to share the Gospel.

The Holy Spirit reveals God’s wisdom to us from the Bible. We are all believers, teachers and doers of God’s Word. Trust and obey the Holy Spirit to show you and teach you everything about the example and life of Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit shares with us God’s work to be done through His Church. We are all servants. Trust and obey the Holy Spirit to show you places to join God’s work.

One of the secrets to abundant Spirit-filled living is service. We seek to serve God and each other. Abundant Spirit-filled living is a total surrender to Jesus Christ. Abundant Spirit-filled living does not exist until we have completely committed ourselves to Jesus Christ and fully copy Jesus’ teachings and example into our own life. Our commitment must lead us to say "no" to temptation, and "no" to everything that is opposite in nature and character to the Word of God.

2 Corinthians 5:17 – “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” It is a new Spirit-filled life. By the power of the Holy Spirit, give your life to Christ. Believe Him. Believe IN Him. Trust Him. Surrender to Him. And life will be rich and satisfying.

Deaf Devotion 12/11/2009

“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18 NLT)

“I’m Dreaming of a white Christmas….” That’s the way the song goes.

But think about it. We are all sinners. We all need a Savior to save us. Our Savior is born on Christmas. Our sin is dark and dirty. Only Jesus Christ, born on Christmas Day can take away the stain and give us a truly “White Christmas.”

Isaiah has said much to us in the short verse. He shows us our sin. He shows us that the sin is scarlet and is crimson; that we are stained through and through. But God wants us to know that there is something that has been done for us. Our sins have been removed. They are gloriously and miraculously transformed from scarlet and crimson to snow and wool by the power of the grace of God.

When one thinks about snow and wool, there’s nothing that people do to make those things white. That’s the way they look in their original and natural form. And God is saying that if we come to HIM, He will make OUR life the way it was meant to be in the original and natural form He created! God says He will redeem our life and make us into the beautiful and awesome and unblemished person He always desired us to be.

The words used in Isaiah 1:18 are truly mind boggling. It is hard to understand how God, in all His holiness and righteousness would want to sit down with us and show us the way to salvation. We cannot understand why God would want to deal with us, the wretched, sin-filled members of Adam’s race. But then again sometimes it is hard to understand God’s Grace.

How wonderful it is to see that there is indeed hope for those who once thought their situation was hopeless. It is a bleak existence, to say the least, when we realize that we are stained with sin and that we can do nothing about it on our own. If we were left in that condition the outlook would be dark, gloomy, and disappointing.

But God does not leave us in such a place. He shows us our sin, in all of its horror and ugliness, so that we will understand the importance of listening to Him and to His offer of salvation.

And now He is inviting us to reason with Him concerning our sins. He wants to talk to us about our situation. He wants to show us that there is something that has already been done about these horrible stains that are present in our lives.

It is important that we understand that in reasoning with Him, we need to let Him to the talking. Through His Word and through the person of the Holy Spirit, He will reveal to us the truth concerning salvation and how much we need it.

In fact God wants us to have faith in Jesus and the salvation He offers more than we need our next breath. We need His mercy, His grace, His love, and His forgiveness showered upon us. Yes, He wants to settle our sin with us and when we do so we find that there is a Divine replacement principle that takes place in our lives.

We give Him our sins - He gives us salvation.
We give Him our guilt - He gives us His grace.
We give Him our mess - He gives us His mercy.
We give Him our righteousness - He clothes us in the righteousness of Christ.
We give Him our wrecked and ruined life - He gives us a new life/abundant life in Christ.

Oh what an offer He is making to us when He says that He wants to Reason with us concerning our sins.

How can we have A White Christmas? Go before God, confess our sin. God is faithful and just to forgive us. We are forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ. And God will never take back the Gift of Eternal life that He gives us through His Son Jesus. That is something given to us and for us to keep forever.

Jesus’ birth is truly the “White Christmas” we seek and desire. The sin that so controls us and leads us into darkness is now gone. Our sin is settled once and for all at the Cross. What we have when all is settled with God is the pure light of Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior, Lord, and Redeemer.

Mid Week Deaf Devotion 12/8/2009

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms" (1 Peter 4:9-11).

When we accept Jesus as Savior, God makes us part of a body. We are part the body of believers. We are part of the Body of Jesus Christ. He puts us in a community relationship with all believers, and we share a common life in Christ. We are meant to be active participants. He has assigned each one of us a function in the Body. There are no exceptions.

There is a Kingdom principle few people really understand. The principle is this: When you focus on serving others, your own need is often met through God's supernatural law of serving.

This has happened many times. The law of sowing and reaping comes into play in this Kingdom principle. "Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you." (Hosea 10:12). "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:6-9).

Whenever God calls us to serve another person with our time and resources God measures resources back to us from unrelated sources. Sometimes it comes through an unexpected blessing or a new opportunity. It is in God’s plan for us to be amazed at how this happens consistently when we serve others. God gets the glory. We are never to view people or organizations as competition. They are opportunities God is giving us to serve them and glorify HIM. The Bible says that God has already assigned our portion. All gifts are given by God’s grace. We do not need to influence the result of accepting and using God’s gifts. Even though the gifts are given by God’s grace, we are still responsible to develop and exercise them. God will take care of the results. No gift is exercised apart from faith in Christ. Truly, without Christ, we can do nothing.

"LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance" (Psalm 16:5-6).

We are accustomed to thinking of fellowship as Christian social activity or the sharing of spiritual truths. But the fellowship of our spiritual gifts is the using of them for the benefit of the rest of the Body and the furtherance of God’s Kingdom.

We don't serve others to get. However, when we do serve others, there is a Kingdom rule that works on our behalf as fruit of our service. Is there someone we are being called to serve right now? Love must fill and direct every aspect of our lives. Love is not to be exercised only in the use of our gifts and in the performance of our various Christian duties. Love is to be exercised in the home, or at the office, or in the classroom, where our gifts are not a particular consideration. Love is to be exercised all the time in the most unexciting duties of life, not just when we are engaged in Christian work. On the other hand, the absence of love in the ordinary duties and relationships of life can weaken and destroy the effective use of our gifts.

Love must reign supreme in our hearts, or our gifts will be nothing more than a clanging gong or resounding cymbal as Paul put it.

Deaf Devotion 12/5/2009

“And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT)

God is eternal and everlasting. This means He always is, was and always will be. He was before the beginning and will be here until forever. We know forever has no end in sight. God was there before eternity and will be there after forever. God is everything and everything. He spoke a word and the universe was created. God is generous in His giving. God shares everything which is more than enough. Because God is all this we must understand that His love for us is even bigger than the universe He created. He is “I AM”

Moses asked God His name to tell other people. God told Moses, “I AM that I AM.” God was everything Moses needed Him to be. Moses had everything he needed directly from God’s hand. Because of this He was God’s man to lead the people of Israel from captivity to the Promised Land.

When Moses needed proof for Pharaoh, God turned his stick into a snake, rained down hail that burned, and sent frogs and locusts to cover the land.

When Moses needed a warrior, I AM fought his battles and defeated his enemies.

When the I AM brought the Children of Israel out of Egypt, He became everything they needed. When they needed food, the I AM provided food. When they needed water, the I AM provided water. When they needed clothing during the 40 years in the wilderness, the I AM made sure that their clothes and shoes did not wear out while they were in the wilderness. The I Am was everything they needed Him to be.

Jesus even said, “Before Abraham WAS, I AM.” He also said, “I AM the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 NLT) Because of this, Jesus, in His life, death, and resurrection “tore the veil” from top to bottom. We have direct access to God through the Blood of Jesus Christ.

Our common enemy, Satan, wants us to live our life from an empty cup. He wants us to think that God’s cup of grace has dried up for us. He wants us to be disappointed with God.

Most especially, Satan wants us to feel that God is a cosmic party pooper. Satan wants us not only to think, but also believe that God is always thinking of ways to rob us of joy and peace.
Satan knows that if we start to feel negatively about God, then he can have his way with us in other areas.

But Satan can and will lie to us. God does not lie. God is the “I AM.” He cannot lie.

Take courage. Be strong. Jesus has already won the victory for us! Send Satan’s lies back to the pit where they came from and claim the truth of the promises of the Great I AM.

I AM loves us more than we know or understand.
I AM sent His Son for us.
If someone is sick, I AM.
If someone is having financial problems and does not know how to make ends meet, I AM.
If someone is hurting, I AM.
If someone is lonely, I AM.
If someone is having problems on the job, I AM.
If someone’s kids are acting in such a way that you honestly don’t know what to do, I AM.
If someone’s car is acting up, I AM.
If someone needs more knowledge of God, I AM.
If someone’s faith has been shaken through life’s experiences, I AM.
When people are talking about us and running our name in the mud, I AM.
When we fall flat on our face, I AM.
When life presses us down, I AM.
If someone needs Jesus, I AM.
No matter what we face in life, I AM.

I AM says that He IS whatever we need Him to be. He is NOT the great “I WAS.” He is NOT the great “I WILL BE.”

God always was, always will be, and is now “I AM.”

How willing are we to accept the I AM in our circumstances every day and every way?

God is Able and God is Willing. Are we?

Mid Week Deaf Devotion 12/1/2009

“We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments. Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.” 1 John 5:2-3 NLT

We have been talking about “bearing fruit” or showing we have Jesus in our heart by allowing the Holy Spirit teach us what is in the heart of Jesus. Naturally, then what is in the heart of Jesus shows in our heart and in the way we live.

This fruit bearing was never intended to be difficult. A cluster of grapes does not have to work at becoming sweet or ripe. Neither do we. The fruit-bearing in our lives is automatic if we remain in the vine. Our job is to make sure we stay attached to the vine and take advantage of all the nourishment we can.

As long as we stay true to Jesus Christ, walk in obedience to Him, and allow Him to have control over our lives, the fruit grows in us naturally and according to His time schedule.

We cannot force fruit to grow. We can only cling to Jesus Christ and choose to follow the daily leading of the Holy Spirit. Remember, God is the vinedresser, the gardener, the owner, the pruner, the planter. Jesus is the vine. The Holy Spirit is the life-giving force flowing through the vine. We are the branches attached to the vine that bear His fruit.

Talk, talk, talk, talk. Preach, preach, preach. It seems Christians can be good at talking and preaching, but often times our lives don't back up what our lips have to say. We talk about how much we love God, but we aren’t always willing to do what He says to do. Notice I said willing. The Spirit provides us everything we need to be able to do what God wants us to do. We need to be willing to do something with what The Spirit gives us.

I've heard it said, "I just don't understand the Bible. I don't know what God wants from me." Friends, it is not that difficult. We need to stop making things more difficult than they really are. God is not a math problem to be solved, but a Savior to love and serve.

That's it! Jesus summed up the Ten Commandments in just two: love God and love your neighbor. Not with a flimsy, weak-kneed, love-when-its-easy, kind of love - that is not love at all. We are to love God with all of our heart, soul, and mind and then allow His love to flow over into our relationships with others.

God's love for us is beyond what we can understand. The greatest theologians of history have sought to break down the love of God and make it understandable. Some of them have served us well with their eloquent words and descriptive definitions of God's love, but it is the Holy Spirit that reminds us we are the branches attached to the vine. The work of the Holy Spirit produces fruit in us that is the unbounded, limitless love of God that He showers on us every day.

God's love is so great that it could never be contained in the pages of a book.
God's love is so brilliant that no artist could ever capture its majesty.
God's love is so vast that no building, no matter how beautifully decorated, could ever contain it.
God's love is so deep that the deepest sea would be but a wading pool in the ocean of God's love.
God's love is so wide that there is no person on earth, no matter how vile or hate-filled, that is out of His reach.
God's love is so costly that the richest people on earth could pool their fortunes and not raise the first payment on an eternal debt.

What is even more remarkable about God's love is that it is offered to those who are undeserving, unworthy, and who possess absolutely nothing within them that is attractive.

It is not burdensome to show God’s love for everyone by showing the love Jesus Christ has for us. That is the fruit. That is the proof. That is what it’s all about.

God loves us so very much that He has provided for us a constant reminder of our security as a son or daughter of God. There is no place that we can go that God's still, small voice is not present to whisper in our ear, "You are mine and I love you." That is the vinedresser talking via the Holy Spirit.

There is no challenge or trial that we will ever go through that can silence God’s comforter coming alongside us and letting us know that we are not alone - He is our strength and our comfort for all times and in all situations.

That is something that we cannot keep to ourselves. That is something that is not a burden, but a source of joy and peace. Pass it on.

Deaf Devotion 11/27/2009

“And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
(Ephesians 5:20 NLT)

Thanksgiving Day has come and gone. The stress of planning, preparation, who sits where, “why am I at the kid’s table,” “I don’t like squash,” “Oh my I ate way too much,” can all be put away for another year.

There are four types of people connected with Thanksgiving.

There are those who are constantly complaining and grumbling. Have we met anybody like this? It seems like they can brighten up a room just by leaving it.

Then there are others who live lives with a lack of appreciation. They don’t complain, but they never thank God for His obvious blessings. That’s a little better, but not much better.

Then there are people who thank God for obvious blessings. When something good happens, they’re grateful. That’s a better level. But we are not yet quite there.

The highest level is to be grateful for all things at all times. Good and bad. We thank God for His provision in the good times and we thank God for His grace and mercy in the tough times. That is the secret of a happy and productive life.

Thanksgiving needs to be expressed

God appreciates our thanksgiving. It lifts Him up and it glorifies Him. And thanksgiving endears him to us. It draws us closer.

How do we express thanksgiving?

When we spend time with Him (not just 1 hour a week)
When we forgive others
When we serve in His church
When we share His Plan of salvation
When we reach out to hurting people
When we give God our best
When we praise Him enthusiastically from the heart

Thanksgiving needs to be abundant

- The blessings of life – Did anyone ever thank God for a sink full of dirty dishes? Who does? But we should. A sink full of dirty dishes usually means that we have been blessed by God with daily food & water. Do we realize that two thirds of the world goes to bed hungry every night? It seems so simple.
- The burdens of life - In our weakness God can make us strong. When we are struggling God is able to work in our lives. He helps us through times that we could have never faced on our own. We do not have to be thankful for our problems but rather - IN THEM. And being thankful in our daily experience of good and bad allows God to use “all things” for His greater good.
- The benefits of life - When we focus on what we lack, we fail to see ALL the blessings we DO have. We are constantly adding to our prayer list but more than anything we should be adding to our praise list. And as Christians there are other benefits of life. We can be sure that we are forgiven and free.

Thanksgiving is expected

- It shows growth. When we realize how blessed we are by others and by God and are able to express that - we are growing. We are growing in our relationship with God and with each other.
- It shows giving - When we realize how much God has done for us and how much he continues to do, we should be more than happy to give something back to him. This comes through our time and also our financial giving. Someone has said that for Thanksgiving to be real Thanks-giving, there must be "Thanks" and there must be "Giving."

When we give thanks for what we have, we think about how God is the great giver of the greatest gifts. Our anxiety is addressed by giving thanks. When we thank God for all He has done and given to us, we focus our attention on His grace and power. When we focus on God’s abundant grace and blessing, all we should see is Jesus Christ.

The word “thank” and the word “think” are from the same root word, and this is no accident. The two words have much in common. Thankfulness grows out of thoughtfulness. Our focus on giving thanks should cause each of us of think carefully about all God has done for us, is doing now for us, and will continue to do into eternity. It is a promise. Depend on it.

This week pray for people who do not know Jesus as Savior. Don't stop there...Get up and go...Do something about it. When we share Jesus our thanksgiving is expressed. Our thanksgiving is abundant. And our thanksgiving when someone accepts Jesus as Savior is expected. Pray for the homeless, the poor, those in hospitals, broken families, broken relationships. Don’t stop there. Get up and do something. In each of these as in many other situations God will show Himself powerful and mighty if we let Him. Then God is glorified. Our thanksgiving is expressed, it is abundant, and it is expected.


Jesus is the anchor for our soul in the storms of life and for the sunny days too. God’s plan is to add to our life to HIS glory, not make a fuss over us. We are God’s special and best creation. God wants us focused on Jesus Christ. God wants us set apart for HIS purpose and plan. God is not so interested in making us happy and healthy as He is in making us holy.

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT)

This week praise God for His never ending love, mercy, grace and goodness and then express it
This week thank God for friends and family and fellowship and then show it
This week thank God for the opportunity to share the Gospel and then share it
This week thank God for His provision and then pass on the blessing
This week praise God for our home in heaven and then tell others about it
This week pray for the Deaf Cafe stage and support teams and their families by name and then go
This week pray for all active military and their families
This week pray for retired military and their families
This week pray for the families of deceased military and their sacrifice
But don't stop there
Always have an attitude of Joy
Always have an attitude of communicating with God
Always have an attitude of thanksgiving

A Thanksgiving Project

A little Thanksgiving devotion. No fancy words. No Greek. No deep truths today.

Fellowship – Partnership – association – relationship

"And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment." (1 John 3:23 KJV)

Through our lives we have contact with people who touch our lives. God knows exactly who they are as all those with whom we come into contact are all part of God’s plan for each of us.

Who has impacted your life? Who has influenced you? Start making a list of those names. Start with A and go to Z. Give thanks to God for each individual how God has brought each one into our lives. Take time to pray for each one and their family BY NAME.

When we begin to feel God has become distant and far away, pull out this list and read each name and give thanks AGAIN and AGAIN. God will be as near as the sound of each name.

This will not be a complete list at first. We may not have names for each letter of the alphabet. There will be names that we have forgotten over time. When God reveals those forgotten names, add them to the list.

God Bless you and your family.

Mid Week Deaf Devotion 11/24/2009

Martha Stewart will not be dining with us this Thanksgiving. I’m telling you in advance, so don’t act surprised.

Since Ms. Stewart won’t be coming, I’ve made a few small changes: Our sidewalk will not be lined with homemade, paper bag luminaries. After a trial run, it was decided that no matter how cleverly done, rows of flaming lunch sacks do not have the desired welcoming effect. Once inside, our guests will note that the entry hall is not decorated with the swags of Indian corn and fall foliage I had planned to make. Instead, I’ve gotten the kids involved in the decorating by having them track in colorful autumn leaves from the front yard. The mud was their idea.

The dining table will not be covered with expensive linens, fancy china, or crystal goblets. If possible, we will use dishes that match and everyone will get a fork. Since this IS Thanksgiving, we will refrain from using the plastic Peter Rabbit plate and the Santa napkins from last Christmas. Our centerpiece will not be the tower of fresh fruit and flowers that I promised. Instead we will be displaying a hedgehog-like decoration hand-crafted from the finest construction paper. The artist assures me it is a turkey.

We will be dining fashionably late. The children will entertain you while you wait. I’m sure they will be happy to share every choice comment I have made regarding Thanksgiving, pilgrims and the turkey hotline. Please remember that most of these comments were made at 5:00 a.m. upon discovering that the turkey was still hard enough to cut diamonds. As accompaniment to the children’s recital, I will play a recording of tribal drumming. If the children should mention that I don’t own a recording of tribal drumming, or that tribal drumming sounds suspiciously like a frozen turkey in a clothes dryer, ignore them. They are lying.

We toyed with the idea of ringing a dainty silver bell to announce the start of our feast. In the end, we chose to keep our traditional method. We’ve also decided against a formal seating arrangement. When the smoke alarm sounds, please gather around the table and sit where you like. In the spirit of harmony, we will ask the children to sit at a separate table. In a separate room. Next door. Now, I know you have all seen pictures of one person carving a turkey in front of a crowd of appreciative onlookers. This will not be happening at our dinner. For safety reasons, the turkey will be carved in a private ceremony. I stress "private" meaning: Do not, under any circumstances, enter the kitchen to laugh at me. Do not send small, unsuspecting children to check on my progress. I have an electric knife. The turkey is unarmed. It stands to reason that I will eventually win. When I do, we will eat.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind my young diners that "passing the rolls" is not a football play. Nor is it a request to bean your sister in the head with warm tasty bread. Oh, and one reminder for the adults: For the duration of the meal, and especially while in the presence of you diners, we will refer to the giblet gravy by its lesser-known name: Cheese Sauce. If a young diner questions you regarding the origins or type of Cheese Sauce, plead ignorance. Cheese Sauce stains. Before I forget, there is one last change. Instead of offering a choice between 12 different scrumptious desserts, we will be serving the traditional pumpkin pie, garnished with whipped cream and small fingerprints. You will still have a choice; take it or leave it.

Martha Stewart will not be dining with us this Thanksgiving. She probably won’t come next year either. I am thankful.

SOURCE: By Barbara A. Tyler (as Printed in Today’s Woman, November 2000).

Deaf Devotion 11/20/2009

“Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.” (Habakkuk 3:17-19 NLT)

The prophet Habakkuk took a look at the world around him and saw the destruction. He was shocked. All he could do was ask the same question you and I ask today: “WHY?” But Habakkuk speaks in defense of God’s goodness and power in the presence of destruction. Habakkuk shows his faith because he praises God’s person, God’s power, and God’s purpose. But further, Habakkuk offers praise as the result of his faith.

Habakkuk makes it clear that it is acceptable for us to question what God is doing in our lives. He even encourages it. What he does not encourage is doubt. When we are thrown into suffering for a period of time, or our enemies are prospering while we are just barely getting by, we wonder about the fairness of God and life. Habakkuk affirms that God is God and we are made to climb over the mountains of difficulty. We just need to be still and know He is at work. He is who He says He is and does keep His promises.

We all have questions, a lot of question. Tough questions. QUESTIONS that we still have EVEN when we go before God in worship and prayer. WHY?

• Why – did something happen?
• Why - did God allow something to happen?
• Why – didn’t He stop something from happening?
• Why – are some homes spared and others destroyed?
• Why – do some live and others die?
• Where – was God in all this?

Sometimes all we can do is to simply say, “I don’t know.” “I don’t know why.” There is nothing wrong with that. If sometimes in life, we want to ask God “why,” understand we are not alone. God’s people have been asking the creator why ever since time began. The prophet Habakkuk who lived over 2600 years ago asked God, “Why?”

I have a teacher who taught me, “We already know the answer. It is the question that we do not understand.”

• WHY do terrible things happen? I don’t know… BUT - I do know that God is good, that God is just, that God is fair.

• WHY does God allow terrible things to happen? I don’t know… BUT - I do know that God is STILL on His throne, that He is still the Sovereign Lord who is our strength and who makes it possible for us to stand on the heights.

• WHY doesn’t God stop bad things from happening? I don’t know… BUT - I do know that His ways are not my ways and His thoughts are not my thoughts.

• WHY do some live and others die? I don’t know… BUT - I do know that Jesus is the resurrection and the life and that he who believes in Him will LIVE even though he dies. (John 11:25)

• WHY does some cancer go away and other cancer kill? I don’t know… BUT - I do know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

• WHY do some marriages run smooth and others seem to struggle and even fall completely apart…? I don’t know… BUT - I do know that if we consider it (The good and the bad) pure joy God will use it to make us mature and complete not lacking in anything. (James 1:2-4)

• WHY do some people seem to always have more than enough money and others can barely make ends meet? I don’t know… BUT – I do know that if we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness all these things will be given to us as well. (Matthew 6:33)

• WHY are some people forced to live under so much pressure and stress? I don’t know… BUT - I do know that God can give you a peace that transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:7)

• WHY do some kids get to grow up in homes where they are loved and valued and others have to grow up in homes where they feel worthless and discarded? I don’t know… BUT – I do know that though your father and mother may abandon you the LORD will hold you close (Psalm 27:10)

• WHY does this life at times seem to be full of nothing but struggle, hardship and suffering? I don’t know… BUT – I do know that our present suffering are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:19).

• WHY does it seem like so many things right now are stacked against us? I don’t know… BUT – I do know that in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:37-39)

YES – We have questions today that are harder than ever before to answer.
AND – there are many “I don’t knows.”
BUT – there are a few things upon which we can depend with no doubt…

AND – those are the things we must choose to hold on to… ‘Tis so sweet;
• to trust in Jesus
• to put my hope in Him
• to rest upon His promises
• to know that if His eye is on the sparrow then that eye is most definitely watching over me
• to know that Christ can and will deliver me
• to know that he will walk with me in the wilderness
• to know that he is the matchless king and the fount of every blessing.

God will prepare his people to be successful even in the middle of great challenges. He enables us to go to the higher places with Him where we are set apart from the world. Sometimes the way we have to go to get us there is through suffering and sorrow, but if we rest in Him and trust Him we come out where He wants us.

When Jesus told the disciples He was going to send the Holy Spirit to them, it was in order for them to scale the mountain before them with a new form of power they had not experienced. "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

If we find ourselves in a place of doubting God and His plan for our life, know that this is a normal aspect of our journey with God. However, know that God has made available His Holy Spirit in order for us to accomplish the tasks that lie ahead.

The next time we wonder “why,” The point is not “why.” The point is to trust and obey God. The point is to exalt Jesus Christ. The point is to ask the Holy Spirit to enable us to achieve the highest and best possible result for which God has created us and for which Jesus Saves us by God’s love, mercy, and grace.

Mid Week Deaf Devotion 11/17/2009

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 NLT

In Galatians 5 the Apostle Paul presents us with a big list of “fruits” or “results” of living in the flesh. There are 17 or 18 things in this list. All of them are focused on “self.” None of them are focused on anything outside of me me me.

In fact that is the opposite of what God wants us to do. God wants us to live in the Spirit. He wants us to live in His Spirit. He wants us to have the characteristics of His Son Jesus and for the Spirit of His Son to come alive and be shown through our lives. If all I think is me me me, God cannot show Himself as God through our lives.

Paul goes on to talk about the “fruits” or “result” of living in the Spirit. “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” Galatians 5:22-23 NLT

How do we do this? Paul gives us the answer in Philippians Chapter 4. “Fix your thoughts.” The Greek used here is the word “logizomai.” We get the English word “logic” or “logical” from this word. It means that something makes sense. It is right because it makes sense. It just does not make sense to allow ourselves to live in the flesh and have the things that Paul list control our lives and be the proof of our decision. If we use this thought, Paul could be saying that it makes sense to fix our thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, etc.

Why? Because Jesus is God. Jesus and God share the result of living in the Spirit. Jesus experienced life in the flesh, but thought with the mind of God. If Jesus were focused only on Himself, he would not have been able to go to the cross. But no, Jesus “fixed His thoughts” on what God wanted Him to do.

Everything that is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable is found in Jesus Christ. Because it is true in Jesus Christ, it is true in God. Jesus and God are most excellent and worthy of praise.

So, if we let the Holy Spirit control what we do, the only result will be to have the same characteristics as Jesus Christ. The results of living in the Spirit are those things which are most pleasing to God because they are the result of faith in Jesus Christ.

We are commanded, not asked, to show the result of accepting Jesus as Savior. Jesus says, “Abide in me.” Walk in the Spirit.” “Bear fruit.” These are not suggestions.

We are to bear good fruit. This means we are to show the goodness of accepting Jesus as Savior. It just makes sense. It is logical. We can bear good fruit or we can bear bad fruit; good results or bad results, good sense or bad sense. The choice is ours. The results are what we show other people.

It goes one step further. We are commanded to “bear fruit.” We are commanded to “bear good fruit.” But then we are commanded to “bear MUCH fruit.” Our character and what we do need to overflow with the abundant love, joy, peace, and best attitude of Jesus Christ.

Why? It just makes sense for us to do it. We are created in the image of God. We are conformed to the likeness of Jesus Christ. It just makes sense.

Deaf Devotion 11/14/2009

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” James 1:5 NLT

James is very specific here. He is talking to us directly. James’ goal is to encourage YOU.

Have you ever had a time in your life when you needed answers for a problem you were facing, but it seemed that you just couldn't come up with the right solution? Even though you tried hard to figure things out, did it seem like the right answer to your problem kept eluding you?

If you've ever faced a time when you needed:
Wisdom about how to pay your bills;
Wisdom about how to deal with debt;
Wisdom about how to reverse a decline you were experiencing in your business;
Wisdom about how to resolve challenges with your children;
Wisdom about how to fix things between you and your spouse;
Wisdom about how to get along with your boss or fellow employees;
Wisdom about how to make key decisions that affect your future
- Then the word “need” or "lack" in James 1:5 perfectly describes you!

The word “need” or "lack" is the Greek word “leipo”, a Greek word that pictures not having enough of something. In our modern-day language, we might call this a shortfall, a shortage, a scarcity, or a deficiency. Some people today speak of a "shortfall" of finances. When one experiences such a financial shortfall, it greatly messes up their ability to do business as necessary. Or when a city experiences an electrical blackout, they experience a "shortage" of electrical power. This kind of shortage paralyzes the whole city and has a powerfully negative effect on people's lives.

These kinds of scarcities and deficits could be described by the Greek word “leipo,” which is translated "lack" in the King James Version of James 1:5. But the "lack" James is referring to is not sugar, flour, eggs, milk, butter, meat, or gasoline. James says, "If any of you lack wisdom.…"

When James says, "If any of you lack wisdom," the word "wisdom" is the Greek word “sophos.” This word “sophos” could describe explanation, perception, or even experience.

The word "ask" is the Greek word “aiteo.” The word “aiteo” means one is asking for and continues asking for assistance to meet specific physical needs, such as food and shelter. This person may insist or even demand that certain needs be met. But the asking is done with great honor and respect being given to the one being asked. The word “aiteo” also expresses the idea that the one asking has a full expectation to receive what has been asked for.

When James tells us to "ask" God for the wisdom we need, the Greek tense used is a command. This plainly means God isn't suggesting that we come to Him for wisdom; He is commanding us to do so!

When these words are used together in one phrase, it could be translated:
"If anyone lacks an explanation as to “why” or “how”, let him request it with confidence.…"
"If anyone has a shortage of wisdom, he should claim it.…"
"If anyone is confused and doesn't know what to do, he should be bold to ask.…"

God wants us to come to Him for wisdom first instead of trying to figure things out on our own. Instead of relying on our education and the books on our shelf to give us the answers we are looking for, go to God first and firmly ask Him for wisdom. Approach Him with respect and honor, but also be bold. As children of God, we have a right to request wisdom from God when we need it! And the expectation is that He will share his huge supply of wisdom to meet whatever need we may have.

You see, our biggest problem is not the one that is staring us right in the face. Our biggest problem is our lack of wisdom and our need for God’s wisdom about how to deal with that situation.

Why? Whatever we feel we need or even lack is already taken care of. This week I heard three Pastors preach on the Apostle Paul’s “thorn in the flesh.” They tried to translate it as medical, demonic, and even as spiritual. The point is not the “thorn in the flesh” or what we “lack” or “need.” God said it to Paul as He says it to us, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” (Paul continues…) So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT)

God is in the middle of our crisis.
God is in the middle of our finances, our marriages, our homes, our businesses.
God knows and He tells us to call on HIS wisdom to take care of anything we lack for the sole purpose that HE is glorified in what HE has done, is doing, and will continue to do for us.

Mid Week Deaf Devotion 11/10/2009

“So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come.” Matthew 12:31-32 NLT

These are two of the most disturbing and misunderstood verses in the Bible.

Charles Stanley puts it this way: “Jesus was saying, “You can say what you want about me, but don’t speak such [lies] about the Spirit of God. When you blaspheme against God in that way, you are saying that God has no desire to forgive and deliver people. As long as you believe that and teach it to others you won’t be able to experience His forgiveness and deliverance. If you don’t want to believe that God wants to forgive people and restore wholeness you will never open to the sacrifice that I will make on the Cross of Calvary.” (Relying on the Holy Spirit p.71)

The context here is the spiritual conviction of the Pharisees who have the Savior standing in front of them offering them eternal life. They cannot see far enough beyond their arrogance and pride to accept the truth that they already know. Jesus Christ is Lord!

The blasphemy Jesus is talking about here is destructive action and language against God’s Holy Spirit, against God’s Holy Spirit’s ability to convict and bring one to salvation, and against the Holy Spirit’s authority to show everyone God’s ability to love. It is slander. It is insulting, smearing, and destroying God’s name. It is using God’s name in vain to curse someone or something. It is dragging God’s name through the dirt.

Jesus basically said, you can destroy me, destroy my body, and reject me. God will forgive you for that. But to take God’s holy, righteous, perfect name and decide that God cannot save you will not be forgiven. We can be forgiven and gain eternal life by the decision we make while we are still breathing to repent an accept Jesus as Savior. Once we stop breathing, God cannot save us.

Blaspheming the Holy Spirit is failure. It is failure to put aside pride and let God work through the Holy Spirit. It is failure to yield to the finished work of the Cross. There is an important teaching in the New Testament that is sometimes forgotten which we need to remember: Not all who claim to be Christians, really are. But God knows.

Those who turn away from Christ and never return will experience God's wrath, but there is no reason to believe that these people were ever really Christians. A person can grasp a lot of Christian truth, can taste a lot of the Christian life, can talk and act like a Christian for awhile and still not be a genuine believer in Jesus. Someone can even make a public profession of faith in Christ and still not be a Christian. Only God knows for sure.

The Billy Graham Association estimates that 10% of the people who respond to the invitation Dr. Graham gives at each meeting really become a Christian at that time. There is no way of knowing for sure. It is an estimate. Many are already believers who go forward because they desire some spiritual encouragement. Some go forward for a variety of different reasons, but really don't put their faith in Jesus Christ. It is only an estimate. Only God knows for sure.

The only thing to know for sure is that when one repents and accepts Jesus Christ as Savior, they have the promise of eternal life. We do not need to focus on whether or not we have sinned against the Holy Spirit. Focus on the free grace and mercy of God as shown in the sacrifice of His Son Jesus. Then go and make sure others know the same. Do not focus on whether or not we have sinned. If we accept Jesus as Savior, the victory was already won once and for all at the cross. Tell somebody.

This brings us to an obvious conclusion. If we know someone who is not certain that their sins have been forgiven, they need to turn to Jesus Christ today. As He enables us, we need to stop depending on ourselves, stop thinking we are good enough the way we are, and put our trust in Jesus Christ. I can assure you based on God’s Word that every sin, past, present, and future will be forgiven because of Jesus Christ's death on the cross in our place and because of God's amazing grace. All who turn to Jesus Christ will find free and full forgiveness for all their sins.

That is opening the door for the Holy Spirit to move in and work and breathe and act.

Deaf Devotion 11/6/2009

“Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3 NLT)

We live in a time when or attitudes and how we feel are reduced to letters of the alphabet.

A.S.A.P. – “As Soon As Possible”

F.R.O.G. – “Fully Rely On God”

W.W.J.D. – “What Would Jesus Do?”

All of that fits into this little package: “WWJD? FROG! ASAP!”

What happens at the beginning of our day? Do we have a “to do” list of things we must get done before we go to bed that night? Where is God on our “to do” list? Why is God even on our “to do” list? God should be first, last, and everything in between.

I came across this today from “Marketplace Meditations” It makes a lot of sense. “T.G.I.F.”

Okay – Today is Friday and I thought immediately, “Thank Goodness Its Friday!” But again, it makes Friday look as though it is the goal of our life. Um…..no.

Nope.

T.G.I.F. – “TODAY GOD IS FIRST”

How do we start our mornings? Do we jump start our day with a cup of coffee and the paper? Or do we bless the day ahead with the Word of God and the light of His presence?

Our Christian life is a love relationship.
We cannot love someone that we do not know.
We cannot know someone if we do not have time with them.
To know Jesus is to love Him.
To love Him is to trust Him.
To trust Him is to obey Him.
To obey Him is to be blessed.
It begins with a daily, quality communication with God.

Why is it best to spend time with God in the morning? It is because we are getting ready to go on a road trip through the day.

Think about it. We don’t take the trip and then read the map, do we?

Then we bring Jesus with us on the trip. Why? It is because He promised never to leave us alone.

We need to let the One who knows the way, lead the way.

When we claim every day for Jesus we say “Good morning Lord.” We do not need to say, “Good Lord, its morning.”

When we claim every day for Jesus our words no longer fall on deaf ears. They rise on eagles wings.

When we claim every day for Jesus we no longer wander aimlessly. We follow faithfully.

When we claim every day for Jesus we no longer look for more time to do all the things we need to do. Now we redeem the time for eternity.

When we claim every day for Jesus we are no longer rejected like orphans. We are accepted as children.

When we claim every day for Jesus we no longer live in fear. We are able to stare fear down by the power of the cross.

When we claim every day for Jesus we are no longer filled with doubt. We are called and then commissioned.

When we claim every day for Jesus we are no longer satisfied with survival. We hunger for revival.

When we claim every day for Jesus it’s no longer us and them, but it is Jesus coming again.

It’s no longer who I am, but HIS I am.

It’s no longer where we’ve been, but where we are going.

It’s not about who we know, but Who we follow.

It’s not about “Out of my way”, but it’s about, “Can I help you find THE WAY?”

“This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24 NLT)

T.G.I.F. – TODAY GOD IS FIRST

Say it. Live it. Love Him. Serve Him.

A Christmas Wish

This is passing around work today.

I was told it is on facebook, you tube or something. Some people have read about this. Someone heard it on Christian Radio

I cannot say I have seen it first hand, but it will not hurt if we choose to participate.

There is a 5 year old by named Noah Biorkman. He is in the end stages of neuroblastoma cancerand is expected to live 1 - 2 weeks. He is only 5 years old.

Noah loves Christmas cards. His family is planning to celebrate Christmas this weekend and is asking as many people as possible to send as many Christmas cards as possible to Noah.

His Address is:

Noah Biorkman
1141 Fountain View Circle
South Lyon MI 48178

Mid Week Deaf Devotion 11/3/2009

Note from John B: These mid week devotions I think I am going to call our “mid-week-pick-me-ups.” These are things God puts on my heart through the Holy Spirit. In the past, these are things that I have held until the regular weekly devotion. But now I am going to follow the Holy Spirit and share these little nuggets of wisdom, not from me, but from God’s heart to ours.

“And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
Ephesians 4:30-32 NLT

On the surface this is a solid promise as well as a plan of action.

Thank God He has identified us as HIS children. Thank God He promises we will be saved on the day of redemption. Thank God we have eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.

But God wants us to get rid of the garbage in our life.

Think about it. We collect potato peelings, old newspapers, dirty rags, dust, dirt, hairballs and lots of other icky stuff. We put it in bags and put the bags in a trash can or dumpster. We take the garbage out of our house or apartment. Then mysteriously (and sometimes loudly) someone comes in the middle of the night and takes away what we do not want.

I do not know about you, but when my garbage is gone, it stays gone. I do not plan on it coming back. It does not mysteriously show up again. Although, there are some skunks in the neighborhood that think it is funny to decorate MY lawn with MY garbage.

This is what Paul is sharing with the church at Ephesus here. Get rid of the garbage. Instead, when your house is free of garbage, life becomes better, more positive, and more God-focused.

Let’s look at what Paul warns us that we are supposed to get rid of:

“Bitterness” – The Greek word here is “πικρία.” (pikria) It means sour fruit from a sour tree. It is where we get our word “pickle.” If one’s heart is sour, then one will show bitter fruit. Working for God will be a chore instead of service. Worshipping God will be an interruption instead of an honor. If the root is sour, the fruit will be sour. Get rid of it! Garbage!

“Rage” – This is also known as wrath – The Greek word here is “θυμός”. (thymos) This is an anger which builds up and calms down. It builds up again and calms down again. It builds and builds until it explodes. How often do we hear the words “road rage” used in society? Rage can be explosive. Once something explodes can you put it back together? Not always. Get rid of rage! Garbage!

“Anger” – “ὀργή” (orgē) – Have you heard of the movie “Shrek?” See how close this is to the word “ogre?” Shrek was grumpy, set in his ways, crabby, controlling, and sometimes downright nasty. Some people do not want to be around us either because we are in a bad mood. We are grumpy, and sometimes downright nasty to be around. What is the example we follow? Shrek? I hope not. Get rid of the spirit of anger! Garbage!

“Harsh words and slander” – This is also known as “clamor.” – “κραυγή” (kraugē) It is the spirit the majority of us posses that when things do not go our way, we complain. We “murmur.” The Israelites were clamoring in the desert when things were not going exactly as they planned. Some thought it better to take their chances back in slavery in Egypt than to stay focused on what God had planned for them. They looked for someone to blame. They found Moses. When we do not get what we want we become spoiled children who did not get what they want. We become complainers. When we become complainers, we become blamers. “Well if I cannot have this, then nobody else will. I will destroy the name of the other person to get what I want. The Israelites wanted to destroy the name of Moses. Moses was God’s chosen prophet to lead them to the Promised Land. The people “clamored” that everything was ALL Moses’ fault. But no, it was their fault for not having faith God would keep His promise. How much does the world want to destroy God’s name today? How must does what we do NOT bring glory to God? Think about it. Get rid of slander and harsh words! Garbage!

When we get rid of the garbage, remodel with new stuff. Better, improved, updated, more polished, and shiny stuff.

“Be kind to each other” – “χρηστός” (chrēstos) – This is a word that means useful. Help each other out. When someone sins, come along side and bring them back to the fellowship. When someone is tempted, let God use you to be a place for escape from the temptation. It is to become Christ-likein all we say, do, think, act and feel. The Holy Spirit is also known as the “advocate.” This means to come along side another for the purpose of helping them carry the load. Share the burden.

“Tenderhearted” – “εὔσπλαγχνος” (eusplagchnos) This means to act with compassion. Have a heart for the lost. Have a heart for those who are hurting and struggling. Jesus was tenderhearted toward the people of Jerusalem because they were rejecting Him as Savior. So much so He wept for Jerusalem. But did Jesus have a pity party for Himself? NO! He died on the cross so you can I can have eternal life. Being tenderhearted is to get up and do something. Have compassion, yes, but do as God leads you do take care of someone else’s pain. Share the burden.

“Forgiving” – “χαρίζομαι” (charizomai). To Forgive. Wow. Favor someone with a clean slate. This is a biggie. Is it easy? Nobody said it is easy. Freely give grace, favor, and be generous with all people around us. Not those who we like, but also those who we dislike. (See reference to Shrek above) Share the burden.

But, Pastor John, Why should we do this. Paul sums is all up in a nice little package. I can picture the people of Ephesus saying, “Why should I if so-and-so will not?” You know what? I can picture any one of us in any of our churches any place on the planet saying the exact same thing today.

Paul concludes this with “…, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” God loved us first. God gave His best – He gave His Son, Jesus. Because of this we should “go and do likewise.” We are children of God. He knows what He is doing. Let’s clean our house and get rid of the garbage so we can invite the King of Kings and Lord of Lords into our life. God cannot and will not live in a dirty house.

Garbage! Get rid of it!

Deaf Devotion 10/31/2009

“If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.”
(Psalm 66:18 NLT)

What is quiet time? It is fellowship with a holy God.

The reason that some people do not have a quiet time is they feel uncomfortable.
The reason that some people do not feel comfortable is that they don’t want to look God in the face.
The reason that some people don’t want to look God in the face is because they have sin in their lives.

What did Adam do after he had sinned and God came walking in the Garden? Adam tried to hide and God had to come looking for him. Of course Adam could not hide from God and of course God already knew what had happened and God Knew exactly where Adam was trying to hide. But Adam still thought if God could not see him, then God could also not see the sin.

Before that, Adam had quiet time with God, didn’t he? They had boundless, unending fellowship. God and Adam walked together in the cool of the evening. Isn’t that a great thought? Imagine taking a walk with God just for Him to ask us, “What’s up? How you doing? Anything I can help with?”

But when there was sin in Adam’s life, he did not want to look God in the face. When there is sin in our life, we cannot look God in the face. It is not about being right or wrong. If we have sinned, we have offended God. Period.

God does not stop loving us, nor does Jesus stop being the Savior. We still have eternal life, but it is difficult to approach God because the relationship is strained.

Do we decide to not have a quiet time with God because we cannot face Him? Maybe it’s because there is sin in our life. Ask God to shine His light into our lives. Then wait for God’s answer so we can repent and have that close walk again with Him.

James 5:16 says that the fervent prayer of a righteous person has power and will see results. That is a true statement, but our prayers are empty if what we say and do are not the same.

With our lips we give praise – with our lives we are wicked.
With our lips we give testimony about God’s greatness – with our lives we lie.
With our lips we hail others – with our lives we hurt and destroy.

Many prayer lives are paralyzed, polluted, poisoned, and powerless because the character does not match up with what one does.

Pastor Gary Baugh says that if given the chance:
Sin will replace love with lust
Sin will replay joy with sorrow
Sin will replace comfort with chaos
Sin will replace gladness with grief
Sin will replace generosity with greed
Sin will replace blessing with burden
Sin will replace hope with hope with despair

But there is hope. Matthew 6:33 calls us to seek FIRST God’s Kingdom. Yes that includes HIS will, HIS plan, and HIS righteousness. And then, and only then, will God add the blessings, the close walk with Him, and the answer. Do not get upset if God does not answer the way WE want Him to answer. The answer belongs to Him and He knows what is best for us.

Submit to God’s leading and forgiveness. “Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of HIS glory and grace.” Find time to be quiet and walk with God. Let Him show you where and how to improve. He alone is righteous. He alone is GOD.

Mid Week Deaf Devotion 10/27/2009

I would like to share something from my heart. It has been on my heart and mind for several days.

I briefly shared on Sunday evening that I had learned that one of the largest if not THE largest group that is unreached with the Gospel is the Deaf. Why is that? It is a burden I have to answer that question. It is also a burden I have to reach as many Deaf and Hearing as possible with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The numbers do not matter. The relationship matters. Your relationship with Jesus Christ is what matters.

I am reading a book called, “The Spiritual Leader” by Paul W. Chappell

He talks about leading through a crisis. My friends, the times in which we live are a crisis. We need to come together as the Body of Christ for the sole purpose of telling everyone we know about Jesus Christ and about the eternal life that God promises by faith in Jesus.

“Trials are times when God rewrites your agenda. What was important must now take a back seat to the immediate need." (Chappell p.273) We are called to go to the need. It is no longer important for us to take the Gospel the Deaf, it is an immediate NEED. Jesus commanded us to go to the ends of the earth to bring the Gospel and make disciples. That includes EVERYONE. We NEED to go not because it is important, but because Jesus said “GO!”

Going to the need is not always easy or comfortable. But God promises strength. “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:29-31 NLT)

“God uses suffering to prepare us for greater ministry.” (Chappell p.277) People around us are suffering. Uncertainty, trouble, chaos, war, lies, false teachers and prophets, a great falling away from God’s plan; PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING. The ministry is ours. The harvest is ripe. The suffering we see around us is more than sometimes we see in our own lives. Sometimes it is not. How do we relieve suffering in others? How do we relieve our own suffering? We minister to ourselves by ministering to others. We share God’s Word, We share the Gospel. We share what Jesus has done for us, the miracles, the redemption, the sacrifice for the single purpose of bringing grace and peace. “So encourage each other with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:18 NLT)

Pastor Chappell concludes, “If God leads you into a season of trials, you can expect that it is preceding a season of victories. Don’t quit. Don’t get discouraged. Keep your eyes on the Lord and keep leading forward. Soon enough the clouds will part and you will see God’s purpose in all of the trials. The reward will be worth the enduring.” (Chappell p.277) Victory is right around the corner. Our salvation was won at the cross once and for all.

Friends, we are in a season of trials. My burden is to make sure all Deaf know God loves them. My burden is to make sure all Deaf with who I have contact know Jesus Christ gives eternal life. My greatest dream is to meet my Deaf brothers and sisters in heaven where the first voice they hear will be the voice of Jesus saying, “Welcome Home.”

To my friends and family I say the burden is huge. The harvest is ready. And the time for action is NOW. If you yourself do not know Jesus as Savior, accept Him as Savior RIGHT NOW. If you do not know how, ask me. Ask a friend. Ask God to lead you to a person who can share the Gospel. If you already know Jesus as Savior, GO NOW and become a soul winner. Lead others to Jesus Christ. Pray for strength. Pray for Opportunity.

God is glorified. Jesus is exalted.

Now GO!

Deaf Devotion 10/24/2009

“And so, dear brothers and sisters who belong to God and are partners with those called to heaven, think carefully about this Jesus whom we declare to be God’s messenger and High Priest.” (Hebrews 3:1 NLT)

Paul tells believers to “think carefully” in the NLT; to “consider” in the KJV and to "Take a good hard look” in other translations. The Greek word used here is “κατανοέω” (katanoeō) which means to fix one’s eyes on something. In other words, believers are called to focus.

In science, focus is the point toward which light rays come together.
When we collect our thoughts and pay attention, we are focusing.
When we do it with other people in an organized way, we're in a focus group.
The Navy has a missile named Focus, and Ford has a car by the same name.
In sports, lack of focus is often the reason given for defeat; and players in a slump try to regain their focus.
When we take a blurred picture, it's because we didn't focus the camera on the right object.

In life, we find that Christ becomes blurred in our vision when we focus on our problems.

Do you know what’s wrong with many of us?

Many of us try to find ways to stay out of trouble rather than get into seeking what is righteous. We are so focused on our guilt which we all have that we forget that Jesus died for everyone’s sin, past, present, and future.

We often easily forget our sin debt is paid in full once at the cross and for all.

The Apostle Paul said that we have all received God’s grace and salvation, so should we continue to sin? NO! Our goal is to seek a life of righteousness and obedience to a gracious and merciful God. Our life needs to show our salvation and our life should be one that seeks to honor and glorify God.

Wouldn’t it great to grab hold of that thought and let that thought direct our life? Wouldn’t it be great to experience the abundant life that Jesus talks about? We can!

Jesus came to give us the eternal life. He came to give us the abundant life. We need to do like the old song says, “Accentuate the positive. Eliminate the negative.”

Therefore, my friends, when the writer of Hebrews calls us to “think carefully,” “consider,” or to “take a good hard look,” it is clear that our focus is Jesus Christ. Let’s keep our focus on Jesus Christ.

Don’t try to tell the world what is wrong with the world. Go and tell the world that Jesus Christ is the ONLY right answer for the world.

Warren Wiersbe said, “Focus on His perfections, not your own imperfections.”

Praise God for His never-ending grace and mercy
Praise God for His love for us that we cannot understand
Praise God for His peace and comfort which we cannot understand
Praise God for His Holy Spirit with us always
Praise God for His Son Jesus who sin and death to give us victory
Praise God that Jesus left sin and death in the grave where it belongs

Deaf Devotion 10/16/2009

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6:34 NLT

“He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” Psalm 103:12 NLT

There are two days that can steal the joy from today. One is yesterday and the other is tomorrow. Paul encourages in Philippians 3:13-14, “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” We are to forget the past — the guilt, the glory, the grief, and the grudges. Paul was one who was guilty, along with others, for the stoning of Stephen. He even admitted he is among the worse of sinners. But Paul buried that guilt in the grave of God’s Grace.

Maybe something has happened so horrible that we are afraid to think someone would find out what has happened. Ask yourself this: Have you really repented? Are you on your face in worship and adoration of God? How well does God know your heart? How well do you THINK God knows your heart? God knows what is going on. He knows before we do. Then don’t be haunted by the ghost of guilt. “Look forward to what lies ahead,” and press on.

On the other hand, in the depth of His wisdom and in His endless boundless limitless grace, God has ordered some trouble for us today and each day of our life. We’ve been blessed with difficulties. Yes, that is right — blessed! The worst thing that could happen to us would be not to have any difficulties. If we don’t experience difficulty, we would never know our need of the Lord. So in essence God says, “I’m going to give you sufficient difficulty for the day.” God gives us enough difficulty to draw us close to Him, but then God gives us enough grace to meet those difficulties every day.

God was with us yesterday. God will be there tomorrow. God is with us today.
And Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)

Let the trouble become joy.
Let the problem become victory.
Let the tears of sorrow become laughter.
Let the worry become focus on our God and Creator.
Let the action become God glorified.

Is there a difficult circumstance in our life? If so, thank God that He’s sending it our way to make us more like Jesus. He is sending His grace to teach us something today. When today becomes yesterday we will be that much more wise and strong.

Now let God shower us with His grace to be victorious through it!

Praise God in all His Glory
Praise God in All His Majesty
Praise God in all His Grace and Mercy
Praise God for ANSWERED PRAYER
Praise God for every opportunity to share the Gospel
Praise God for Jesus Christ, His only Son, who dies that we can have eternal life
Praise God for the Holy Spirit, our guide, comforter, and advocate

Deaf Devotion 10/9/2009

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 NLT

It is interesting how Peter was inspired to describe Satan. Our enemy, as a roaring lion, is on the prowl seeking whom he may “devour.” The word “devour here in Greek means to swallow up and destroy.”

Satan is looking for his next meal. He is hungry! Satan is swallowing and destroying people every day! As our society becomes more and more wicked, the devil has quite an assortment of sinners who become his "fast food" meals. He is like most of us who pick up a burger and fries at McDonald’s.

Satan is happy to pick up a high school kid who goes to a party and tries binge drinking for the first time--passing out to never regain consciousness.

It's a microwave dinner for the devil to enjoy when a drug addict shoots up his last time, a hopeless businessman leaves his wife and family in search of “something better” because of his sense of failure or even when a prostitute believes the lie of her pimp for the last time.

In fact, none of these even a challenge for Satan. For him, it's just "fast food." It’s nothing but a quick meal on the run to his next task. It is only an appetizer--it doesn't even satisfy him. Proverbs 27:20 states, "Hell and destruction are never full!"

But, when the devil wants a "gourmet meal" you know who he goes after? A Christian! Believers! A Pastor is a treat! A Sunday School teacher! A board member! A church musician even provides entertainment! The one in the "Amen" corner! A kid who's been raised in church is a choice morsel! The Deaf Café program can become his most favorite dessert! All of these make up many trips to the buffet table for Satan's big appetite.

He doesn't care how long it takes to prepare this meal. He doesn't care how long he has to "prowl around" seeking, as the Scripture says. He knows his next meal will be worth the wait.

Pastor Adrian Rogers says, “When you were born again, you were born to win!” Our new birth in Jesus Christ has fitted us for victory. We can spot what Satan is up to and overcome his world system.

We can live with victory over the desires of our flesh. Habits, attitudes, unclean desires, worries, and temptation must yield because we let God control authority over our mind, emotions, and will. We can actually put Satan and his demons to flight. We don’t have to be afraid of him — he will be afraid of us!

Do we sometimes feel defeated and overwhelmed about something? Say this out loud, “I was born to win!” Doesn’t that feel good? Now, look in the mirror and say it again! “I was born to win! I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me!” (Philippians 4:13)

Deaf Devotion 10/02/2009

“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.” Jude 24 KJV

Have you ever gone through life’s challenges, wondering if the Sovereign Creator of the Universe was on vacation?

I have a message for you:
The God who hung the stars,
The God who poured the oceans,
The God who raised the mountains,
The God who knew you before you were knit together in your mother’s womb,
This sovereign God is our Savior.
He is our King, and He is in control.

When we are saved from the depths of sin, we are placed in the very hand of God!
We cannot climb up into the hand of God; we are placed into the hand of God.
Hallelujah!
Our efforts don’t get us to heaven.
God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ has placed us there.
And His love will keep us there forever.

Jude writes 25 simple words that give us assurance that GOD IS able. If you don’t believe me count them.

Now(1) (that’s the present)
unto(2) him(3) (that’s the person)
that(4) is(5) able(6) (that’s His power)
to(7) keep(8) you(9) (that’s his protection)
from(10) falling(11) (that’s to keep us from giving into temptation to sin),
and(12) to(13) present(14) you(15) faultless(16) (that’s to make us pure)
before(17) the(18) presence(19) of(20) HIS(21) glory(22) (that’s His promise)
with(23) exceeding(24) joy(25) (that’s our pleasure).

Deaf Devotion 9/25/2009

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” (Ephesians 5:1-2 NLT)

If someone were to say, "Win the day," would we know what it means? Winning the day spiritually entails two things essentially.

Number one, it means that we are successful in beating back all of Satan's attempts to slow or retard our daily growth toward spiritual maturity.

But, secondly, it also means that we are enabling the Holy Spirit in our life to help us take every opportunity to move down the road to spiritual maturity and win souls for Jesus.

Winning the day spiritually is largely a matter of controlling what we allow to take into our bodies, what we allow into our minds, and into our eyes. And it also means controlling what we allow to stay once they enter, and what we do with what we allow to stay.

If we are struggling with temptation today, we need to be careful where we get our advice. Make sure we get our advice from Godly sources.

When we think about what Jesus did when He went to the Cross, and when we think about the pain He endured, the shame that He endured, the suffering that He endured, it is clear that He did it all because He loves us. When we think about that, we should want to live the same way He lived on this earth. And if we do that we will find ourselves winning the day.

If we choose to live some other way, our winning the day is up for grabs, but one of the best ways for us to win the day is to invite Jesus into our day. This means to invite the Holy Spirit in the love of the Lord Jesus.

The Bible talks about living as a person who knows and understands the importance of living carefully. “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.” (Ephesians 5:15 NLT)

So, winning the day isn't really rocket science, it's just good common sense. It's taking the Bible and applying it to our lives. If we want the right things, if we want the things that please God, the things that not only please God but bless our life, that is winning the day. That is a good day.

The more we want to do what pleases the Lord, the more we will go places that please the Lord. The more we will see things that we know pleases the Lord. The more we will say things that please the Lord.

And the key is this: it is possible to win the day spiritually. It does not matter who we are, where we are, what we have done up until this point, we can win today for Jesus.

This is not easy. Nobody said or promised it would be easy. But IT IS possible. If we follow God's Word, God will help us by the Holy Spirit to win this day for Jesus. We can do it and God can help.

Deaf Devotion 9/18/2009

Acts 26:24-29 (NLT) – “Suddenly, Festus shouted, “Paul, you are insane. Too much study has made you crazy!” But Paul replied, “I am not insane, Most Excellent Festus. What I am saying is the sober truth. And King Agrippa knows about these things. I speak boldly, for I am sure these events are all familiar to him, for they were not done in a corner! King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do—” Agrippa interrupted him. “Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?” Paul replied, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains.”

WHAT IS THE VALUE OF BEING ALMOST PERSUADED TO BE SOMETHING?

I’m glad you asked the question. It is important for us to know, there is no value in almost doing anything! Going part of the way will not give us any security whatsoever.

Being almost a Christian is like being nothing at all. Our God did not make anything half way. He did not make a half creation, a half man or half woman and He will not make a half Christian.

We are either altogether a Christian or not a Christian at all. When God blesses, He blesses with all of heaven at his fingertips. When God loves, He loves us with a love only He can know, not just halfway. When God call us out of darkness to eternal life, He calls us all the way, not just halfway.

God could call us all today and show us all a Heavenly vision as he did with Saul.

He could show us what we should believe and what we should do with His plan for each of us.

God could speak to us by dreams and visions, as He did with Abraham and Isaac.

God could speak to us by a voice, as He did with Samuel.

God could send a special messenger to us, as He did with David and Hezekiah.

God could direct an angel to convey a message, as He did with Daniel, Zacharias, and both Mary and Joseph.

God could call us to His service by an internal voice, as He did with Jeremiah and Ezekiel.

Yes, God could speak to us in his glory, as He did with Isaiah, Saul, and John.

But there are reasons why God does not use these methods usually to speak to mankind. You see we cannot always depend on dreams and visions. However, God has given us a method to follow where we can know His perfect will.

And the method is obeying His Holy Word. You see if we follow His Word we will find the Truth, the Way, and the Life.

We cannot receive a blessing by being almost persuaded to have it.

Our hunger cannot be satisfied by almost eating. Nor, can your thirst be quenched by letting the water stay in the glass.

We cannot be blessed by almost loving our enemies. We must love them as God loves them.

We cannot be blessed by almost forgiving someone. We must forgive them as God forgives us.

We cannot be blessed for almost giving. We must give until it hurts. Jesus did.

We cannot make it to Heaven by almost accepting Jesus as Savior. We have to be altogether born again. Pass it on to someone we know who may be “almost saved.”

We cannot be almost purified. We are already made 100% pure by the blood of Jesus.

We cannot be almost a blessing to others. God has already blessed us with eternal life in Jesus Christ.

We cannot be almost redeemed. We have already been fully redeemed in Jesus power over sin and death. The debt is paid off

We cannot be Almost Saved. When Jesus is Lord and Savior of our life, we are completely and totally in the arms of Jesus Christ. We are fully and eternally secure.

We cannot be almost ready for Heaven. We need to be ready at any time for the trumpet call and for Jesus to call us home.

Jesus said that He would come back after a clean Church, not a half clean Church, but a Church without spot, blemish, or wrinkles.

Are we altogether persuaded to serve and love God with all our heart, mind and soul today? If you’re not saved come to Jesus today. If we know someone who is not saved, tell them how today they can have eternal life.