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).