Friday, September 30, 2011
Surrender vs. Control. My theory is that deep down inside, every single one of us is slightly in love with control. Sure, we know people that are obsessed with being in control, and we can easily recognize that type of person. We may say we aren’t like that, and maybe we aren’t to that extreme. However, way down deep inside of who we really are, there are control issues. I really don't think I’m just speaking of myself.
We have a problem when we come to the crossroads of control and surrender, though. At various times in my journey with Christ, God has challenged different aspects of my relationship with and theology about Him. Various things that I’ve always believed are sometimes called into question as I grow in knowledge of Who He is, it seems. He’s challenged everything from the way I view people to the way I view worship. And now He’s challenging me on the way I view this idea of surrender.
I’m showing a video to our students Wednesday night called “Wrong Worship.” It’s on YouTube, and I’d encourage you to look it up. The “worship team” on this video sing worship songs and hymns that have been changed to reflect the truth of the hearts doing the singing every Sunday. One of those songs is “I Surrender All.” When changed to reflect reality, the singer actually sings, “I surrender some.” Is there any truth in that?
I think if someone uses the phrase “partial surrender” they are revealing the fact that they don’t understand the concept of surrender at all, really. That’s almost like saying they are “sort of married” or “kind of have cancer.” Some things are either in or out, you do or you don’t – there’s no middle ground. Surrender is such a principle.
When we come to Christ to surrender ourselves to Him as Lord of our lives, it must be complete. When it comes down to it, we often give God what we want to give Him, which in turn reveals what we truly believe He deserves. So the entire issue of complete or partial surrender hangs on one, single question: How much of you does God deserve?
If we even hesitate to ponder the answer we already need to reevaluate our view of and belief in God. He created all that is! He sent His One and only Son to redeem us from the sin that we chose to walk in! He is infinitely more than our minds can ever fathom! Think of any good, righteous, and holy adjective and He confounds your understanding of it entirely! He just IS!
All of creation sways in instant obedience to Him. The winds and waves obey His voice. The weather obeys His voice. The trees, plants, even animals obey His voice. We, humans, are the only element of creation that has the audacity to look God right in the face and say, “No.”
We will let Him have our Sundays, but not our Friday nights. We will let Him have our moments of need, but not our moments of pleasure. We will let Him have our occasional praise, but not our entire vocabulary. We will let Him have our relationships with church folks, but not our relationships with those who don’t like us. Get the idea?
Partial surrender is no surrender at all. We cannot come to God with conditions attached. It’s all or nothing; He deserves – even demands – nothing less.
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Who I'm Not - Who I Am.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Who I’m Not – Who I Am. I’m not trash – I’m treasured. I find it amazing and, dare I say it, mind-blowing to think that the One Who knows me best loves me the most. He, who knows my every failure, flaw, and short-coming, treasures me. He welcomed me into His family when I first fell on my face before Him and asked for the forgiveness of my sin. And still, daily, He welcomes me into His presence anytime I ask for His ear. There may be those who think I’m disposable, but not my God.
I’m not burdensome – I’m blessed. It is so incredible to me to know that I am not a burden to the God who hears the cries of every child of His across this globe. I can’t talk to Him too much. I can’t overwhelm Him with my conversation. I can’t burn Him out on Blake Martin. His love is so big that no matter how trivial my problems are or how simple my thinking may be, He wants to hear it all. I’m not a burden to Him – I’m blessed in knowing Him.
I’m not bottom shelf – I’m beautifully redeemed. God doesn’t push me aside for other priorities. No matter what else He has before Him, He always has time for me. He doesn’t side-step me for other things, nor does He put me on hold for other opportunities. He has assured me that I’m His, and He’ll always hold me close. He has redeemed me from the curse that my sin carried, and He’s told me in His Word that I’m the apple of His eye.
I’m not baggage – I’m brilliantly protected. All the tough legs of the journey of life thus far haven’t turned me into a scarred pile of the past. He has led me all the way, and I’ve never walked alone! All the things I’ve been through, good or bad, have been seen and known by Him. All the decisions I’ve made, righteous or sinful, have been redeemed by Him. He has preserved me for His plan that is unfolding before my eyes daily.
I’m not self-reliant – I’m sanctified. I’m not any of the above because of my own ability or strength. Anything that I am today, or will ever be tomorrow, is the result of my Savior’s love for me and His ability to mold me into what He wants, in spite of who I am. He has set me apart and sanctified me for a purpose larger than my own. He has anointed me to share Him with a lost and dying world. And He has filled me with His Spirit so I can accomplish that purpose. Who I’m not and who I am is truly a testimony of Who He is, and not about me at all.
If you know Christ, the above can be read aloud by you as a testimony of your own life and journey. If you don’t know Christ, the above could be your story. The only thing that is lacking, friend, is your decision – a decision to follow Christ and ask for His forgiveness for your sin. Oh, what a glorious fate awaits you on the other side of that choice!
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Who I’m Not – Who I Am. I’m not trash – I’m treasured. I find it amazing and, dare I say it, mind-blowing to think that the One Who knows me best loves me the most. He, who knows my every failure, flaw, and short-coming, treasures me. He welcomed me into His family when I first fell on my face before Him and asked for the forgiveness of my sin. And still, daily, He welcomes me into His presence anytime I ask for His ear. There may be those who think I’m disposable, but not my God.
I’m not burdensome – I’m blessed. It is so incredible to me to know that I am not a burden to the God who hears the cries of every child of His across this globe. I can’t talk to Him too much. I can’t overwhelm Him with my conversation. I can’t burn Him out on Blake Martin. His love is so big that no matter how trivial my problems are or how simple my thinking may be, He wants to hear it all. I’m not a burden to Him – I’m blessed in knowing Him.
I’m not bottom shelf – I’m beautifully redeemed. God doesn’t push me aside for other priorities. No matter what else He has before Him, He always has time for me. He doesn’t side-step me for other things, nor does He put me on hold for other opportunities. He has assured me that I’m His, and He’ll always hold me close. He has redeemed me from the curse that my sin carried, and He’s told me in His Word that I’m the apple of His eye.
I’m not baggage – I’m brilliantly protected. All the tough legs of the journey of life thus far haven’t turned me into a scarred pile of the past. He has led me all the way, and I’ve never walked alone! All the things I’ve been through, good or bad, have been seen and known by Him. All the decisions I’ve made, righteous or sinful, have been redeemed by Him. He has preserved me for His plan that is unfolding before my eyes daily.
I’m not self-reliant – I’m sanctified. I’m not any of the above because of my own ability or strength. Anything that I am today, or will ever be tomorrow, is the result of my Savior’s love for me and His ability to mold me into what He wants, in spite of who I am. He has set me apart and sanctified me for a purpose larger than my own. He has anointed me to share Him with a lost and dying world. And He has filled me with His Spirit so I can accomplish that purpose. Who I’m not and who I am is truly a testimony of Who He is, and not about me at all.
If you know Christ, the above can be read aloud by you as a testimony of your own life and journey. If you don’t know Christ, the above could be your story. The only thing that is lacking, friend, is your decision – a decision to follow Christ and ask for His forgiveness for your sin. Oh, what a glorious fate awaits you on the other side of that choice!
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Prayer Is...
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Prayer Is… Prayer is: a promised powerhouse. Scripture says that when God’s people pray, heaven listens. We all understand the power that top advisors have at the White House for the simple reason that they “have the ear of the President.” When they speak, he listens. The President of the United States is arguably the most powerful man on this planet. How much more joy should come from knowing that we, if we belong to God, have the ear of the God of the Universe? Prayer can be the source of a powerhouse directly from God the Father!
Prayer is: a refuge. When we are struggling, we can pray. When we feel all alone, we can pray. When we feel like nobody ever listens to us, we can pray. When we feel distant from everyone and everything, we can pray. When we are so angry that it seems like venting is the only thing that will prevent us from exploding, we can pray. When we don’t even know what to say or how to say it, we can pray. Get the idea? Prayer is a refuge in the darkest of nights or the brightest of days.
Prayer is: an answer to the longing for revival. When we find ourselves dry and empty, prayer can bring us to the place of restoration. One of the crucial elements of revival given to us in the Word is found in the simple words, “If My people, called by My name…pray…” That’s not all of that verse (humility, seeking God’s face and repentance are also mentioned), but it’s certainly a crucial leg of the table. For years I have longed for a city-wide revival in the hearts of students in Cabot, Arkansas where I serve. That revival is beginning before our very eyes, and the root of it is prayer.
Prayer is: unlimited access. Once we are in Christ and growing in Him, the Word tells us that we can come “boldly before the Throne.” That’s a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week promise, friend! No matter where you are, you can cry out to God. I prayed to receive Christ as my own Lord and Savior in the shower at my parents’ house at the age of 14 – get my point? God can hear His child crying out to Him from any location. This morning, He’ll be listening to millions of students crying out to Him from their school’s flagpole all around the world.
Prayer is: neglected? Unused? A non-priority? Distant? Do any of these words describe your “prayer life?” It’s easy to find ourselves in a position of not praying, especially when things are going ok. Let me challenge you, though, to make prayer a priority in your life. Maybe it will take you literally setting an appointment for yourself at a set time each day to pray. Maybe it will take you writing “Pray” on a post it note and placing it in a prominent place. Maybe it will mean turning the radio off when you’re driving so you can use that time to talk to Him. Or maybe it will even need to happen in the shower while you have time there. Regardless, find a time, beginning today, to call out to Him. If you know Christ, you have unlimited access to the Creator of all that is – why would you ever even consider wasting that?
Please pray for students all across the world this morning as they gather at their school’s flagpole to pray for their schools, peers, nations, and world at See You At The Pole. Also please join me in praying for Cabot’s See You AFTER The Pole event tonight. It will be at Cabot Junior High North with free food at 5:15pm and doors opening for the rally at 5:45pm. We’re praying for lots of students to come to know Him tonight! Pray!
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Prayer Is… Prayer is: a promised powerhouse. Scripture says that when God’s people pray, heaven listens. We all understand the power that top advisors have at the White House for the simple reason that they “have the ear of the President.” When they speak, he listens. The President of the United States is arguably the most powerful man on this planet. How much more joy should come from knowing that we, if we belong to God, have the ear of the God of the Universe? Prayer can be the source of a powerhouse directly from God the Father!
Prayer is: a refuge. When we are struggling, we can pray. When we feel all alone, we can pray. When we feel like nobody ever listens to us, we can pray. When we feel distant from everyone and everything, we can pray. When we are so angry that it seems like venting is the only thing that will prevent us from exploding, we can pray. When we don’t even know what to say or how to say it, we can pray. Get the idea? Prayer is a refuge in the darkest of nights or the brightest of days.
Prayer is: an answer to the longing for revival. When we find ourselves dry and empty, prayer can bring us to the place of restoration. One of the crucial elements of revival given to us in the Word is found in the simple words, “If My people, called by My name…pray…” That’s not all of that verse (humility, seeking God’s face and repentance are also mentioned), but it’s certainly a crucial leg of the table. For years I have longed for a city-wide revival in the hearts of students in Cabot, Arkansas where I serve. That revival is beginning before our very eyes, and the root of it is prayer.
Prayer is: unlimited access. Once we are in Christ and growing in Him, the Word tells us that we can come “boldly before the Throne.” That’s a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week promise, friend! No matter where you are, you can cry out to God. I prayed to receive Christ as my own Lord and Savior in the shower at my parents’ house at the age of 14 – get my point? God can hear His child crying out to Him from any location. This morning, He’ll be listening to millions of students crying out to Him from their school’s flagpole all around the world.
Prayer is: neglected? Unused? A non-priority? Distant? Do any of these words describe your “prayer life?” It’s easy to find ourselves in a position of not praying, especially when things are going ok. Let me challenge you, though, to make prayer a priority in your life. Maybe it will take you literally setting an appointment for yourself at a set time each day to pray. Maybe it will take you writing “Pray” on a post it note and placing it in a prominent place. Maybe it will mean turning the radio off when you’re driving so you can use that time to talk to Him. Or maybe it will even need to happen in the shower while you have time there. Regardless, find a time, beginning today, to call out to Him. If you know Christ, you have unlimited access to the Creator of all that is – why would you ever even consider wasting that?
Please pray for students all across the world this morning as they gather at their school’s flagpole to pray for their schools, peers, nations, and world at See You At The Pole. Also please join me in praying for Cabot’s See You AFTER The Pole event tonight. It will be at Cabot Junior High North with free food at 5:15pm and doors opening for the rally at 5:45pm. We’re praying for lots of students to come to know Him tonight! Pray!
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Tragedy's Cure.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Tragedy’s Cure. Imagine with me for a moment that many years ago in a laboratory a cure was discovered. After all the tests and experiments, the scientists finally found a way to cure the disease that has taken so many lives. The answer that so many have donated to find, and the answer to the prayers of millions was seen before the eyes of these researchers. Yet the cure they discovered for cancer was kept a secret, and was only known by them. Would that enrage you – would it make you sick to your stomach?
Of course it would. I can tell you that I would be the first pressing for an investigation, and for penalties to the fullest extent of the law for those who knew how to prevent so many deaths and yet did nothing! I have known too many people whose lives have ended way too soon because of cancer. To know that someone had the remedy – the cure – and kept it to themselves? Cancer is a tragedy – keeping the cure to cancer to yourself is an outright injustice.
To the best of my knowledge there has been no such cure discovered and kept from us. Sure, there are conspiracy theories that say so, but I have a hard time giving them much credibility. There are still scientists pouring over research, conducting experiments, and working tirelessly to try to find that cure. But there is a reality that is just as tragic today.
Though all reading this may not have had personal ties to someone who fought cancer, all of us have certainly known someone who has died because of one thing or another. As tragic and widespread as cancer is, there’s another disease that touches the lives and well-being of every human being to ever live – sin.
The worst part about sin is that not only does it lead to death, its worst consequences come after death. We all have an “appointment” with death and “after this the judgment.” The Word is clear about this truth: sin brings death, and afterward we will stand before God. Because the word “all” is used in relation to those who have sinned, that involves the entire human race. This disease has infected everyone, everywhere, and only grows with time.
The good news is that there is a cure! Every single one of us that know Christ have that cure applied on our behalf already, and we know how to share it with others. People can be prepared to stand before God, having their sin forgiven and its penalty wiped away. The cure has been found, and is already packaged for mass distribution!
The only problem is that the very ones who possess its Truth have hidden it away from those who desperately need it. People are dying every single day without the cure. Scripture says that hell is “enlarging itself” to make room for all the new residents. The world is hopeless and dark, and we’ve got the answer.
People dying is tragic. Having the solution and cure and keeping it to ourselves is an outright injustice.
Share Him today, even if it’s as simple (as my pastor reminds us often) as asking, “Do you know who Jesus is?” Not everyone will be receptive, but if just one person is – you’ve been the vessel God used to save a life, forever.
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Tragedy’s Cure. Imagine with me for a moment that many years ago in a laboratory a cure was discovered. After all the tests and experiments, the scientists finally found a way to cure the disease that has taken so many lives. The answer that so many have donated to find, and the answer to the prayers of millions was seen before the eyes of these researchers. Yet the cure they discovered for cancer was kept a secret, and was only known by them. Would that enrage you – would it make you sick to your stomach?
Of course it would. I can tell you that I would be the first pressing for an investigation, and for penalties to the fullest extent of the law for those who knew how to prevent so many deaths and yet did nothing! I have known too many people whose lives have ended way too soon because of cancer. To know that someone had the remedy – the cure – and kept it to themselves? Cancer is a tragedy – keeping the cure to cancer to yourself is an outright injustice.
To the best of my knowledge there has been no such cure discovered and kept from us. Sure, there are conspiracy theories that say so, but I have a hard time giving them much credibility. There are still scientists pouring over research, conducting experiments, and working tirelessly to try to find that cure. But there is a reality that is just as tragic today.
Though all reading this may not have had personal ties to someone who fought cancer, all of us have certainly known someone who has died because of one thing or another. As tragic and widespread as cancer is, there’s another disease that touches the lives and well-being of every human being to ever live – sin.
The worst part about sin is that not only does it lead to death, its worst consequences come after death. We all have an “appointment” with death and “after this the judgment.” The Word is clear about this truth: sin brings death, and afterward we will stand before God. Because the word “all” is used in relation to those who have sinned, that involves the entire human race. This disease has infected everyone, everywhere, and only grows with time.
The good news is that there is a cure! Every single one of us that know Christ have that cure applied on our behalf already, and we know how to share it with others. People can be prepared to stand before God, having their sin forgiven and its penalty wiped away. The cure has been found, and is already packaged for mass distribution!
The only problem is that the very ones who possess its Truth have hidden it away from those who desperately need it. People are dying every single day without the cure. Scripture says that hell is “enlarging itself” to make room for all the new residents. The world is hopeless and dark, and we’ve got the answer.
People dying is tragic. Having the solution and cure and keeping it to ourselves is an outright injustice.
Share Him today, even if it’s as simple (as my pastor reminds us often) as asking, “Do you know who Jesus is?” Not everyone will be receptive, but if just one person is – you’ve been the vessel God used to save a life, forever.
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Monday, September 26, 2011
Deep Sleeper?
Monday, September 26, 2011
Deep Sleeper? I read of a college student once that was a very deep sleeper. The story was told by his parents that he was at home on one occasion when bad weather came up in their area. An unexpected tornado dropped near their home, and before they could get to cover it hit where they were. Their house sustained some pretty serious damage, according to the story. As the parents frantically made their way upstairs to the room where their college aged son was, they didn’t know what his condition would be. Upon breaking through his door they were amazed to find him sound asleep, un-disturbed by the commotion of the storm.
I used to sleep very deeply and be able to sleep through loud noises and other disturbances, but that’s not the case anymore. I have dreams with events so big and noises so loud that even they wake me up. Spiritually speaking, are you a deep sleeper?
It doesn’t take a Bible scholar to notice that we are living in very consequential times for our world. In a couple of weeks I will be 28, and just in my short life thus far I cannot remember a time when things were in such turmoil and uncertain chaos.
We talk about the bad condition of the economy, but that’s not limited to our country. We talk about the political unrest and lack of unity, and that seems to also be an international issue. We talk about the decline of morality and the inability of people to see right from wrong, and this too is a world-wide epidemic. Selfishness is the new norm around the globe as the poorest of this world starve and the rest of us worry about making the mortgage payment on our castles. Fewer and fewer are hearing God’s call to total commitment, or so it seems. It’s almost as if men have become “lovers of self rather than lovers of God.”
There’s a storm raging around us, friend. It’s a fierce, hurricane force storm. The world is being torn to shreds as time quickly counts down to the next big event on civilization’s timeline. If we believe the Word when it speaks the Truth of John 3:16, we’ve got to believe it when it speaks of the return of Christ as well. “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, the dead in Christ will rise first, then all us who are alive and remain will be caught up together to meet them in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
The reality of this Truth should wake us up. The events around us daily should rattle us to the point of breaking our sleep cycle. The fulfillment of so much of Scripture before our very eyes should be like a tremendous alarm in the ears of sleeping believers everywhere that raise them up from the dreams that have kept their eyes closed for generations. The sad truth is, however, many snore on, as if everything will continue as it always has. The faith that we claim to hold to is merely a soft pillow to help us sleep at night, instead of a beckon call to rise up and rescue a lost world from the future we’ve been foretold of.
Are you a deep sleeper? What will it take to wake you from that spiritual slumber? Last night I saw over 300 people, mostly students, assembled in the cafeteria of Cabot Junior High North, with hands lifted and praised God together. I saw God lighting a fire within most of them to share Christ in their schools this week. I saw a generation beginning to crack open their eyes from a nap that is about to end. I saw hundreds of them waking up – and I felt hell begin to shudder beneath my feet.
What will it take for the rest of us to join the battle?
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Deep Sleeper? I read of a college student once that was a very deep sleeper. The story was told by his parents that he was at home on one occasion when bad weather came up in their area. An unexpected tornado dropped near their home, and before they could get to cover it hit where they were. Their house sustained some pretty serious damage, according to the story. As the parents frantically made their way upstairs to the room where their college aged son was, they didn’t know what his condition would be. Upon breaking through his door they were amazed to find him sound asleep, un-disturbed by the commotion of the storm.
I used to sleep very deeply and be able to sleep through loud noises and other disturbances, but that’s not the case anymore. I have dreams with events so big and noises so loud that even they wake me up. Spiritually speaking, are you a deep sleeper?
It doesn’t take a Bible scholar to notice that we are living in very consequential times for our world. In a couple of weeks I will be 28, and just in my short life thus far I cannot remember a time when things were in such turmoil and uncertain chaos.
We talk about the bad condition of the economy, but that’s not limited to our country. We talk about the political unrest and lack of unity, and that seems to also be an international issue. We talk about the decline of morality and the inability of people to see right from wrong, and this too is a world-wide epidemic. Selfishness is the new norm around the globe as the poorest of this world starve and the rest of us worry about making the mortgage payment on our castles. Fewer and fewer are hearing God’s call to total commitment, or so it seems. It’s almost as if men have become “lovers of self rather than lovers of God.”
There’s a storm raging around us, friend. It’s a fierce, hurricane force storm. The world is being torn to shreds as time quickly counts down to the next big event on civilization’s timeline. If we believe the Word when it speaks the Truth of John 3:16, we’ve got to believe it when it speaks of the return of Christ as well. “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, the dead in Christ will rise first, then all us who are alive and remain will be caught up together to meet them in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
The reality of this Truth should wake us up. The events around us daily should rattle us to the point of breaking our sleep cycle. The fulfillment of so much of Scripture before our very eyes should be like a tremendous alarm in the ears of sleeping believers everywhere that raise them up from the dreams that have kept their eyes closed for generations. The sad truth is, however, many snore on, as if everything will continue as it always has. The faith that we claim to hold to is merely a soft pillow to help us sleep at night, instead of a beckon call to rise up and rescue a lost world from the future we’ve been foretold of.
Are you a deep sleeper? What will it take to wake you from that spiritual slumber? Last night I saw over 300 people, mostly students, assembled in the cafeteria of Cabot Junior High North, with hands lifted and praised God together. I saw God lighting a fire within most of them to share Christ in their schools this week. I saw a generation beginning to crack open their eyes from a nap that is about to end. I saw hundreds of them waking up – and I felt hell begin to shudder beneath my feet.
What will it take for the rest of us to join the battle?
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Friday, September 23, 2011
5 Bars.
Friday, September 23, 2011
5 Bars. No doubt you’ve all seen the commercials for a well known cell service company that uses the 5 service bars in the background throughout the commercial. I’m even more certain that you’ve experienced what it feels like to check for those bars in real life. You want to make a call, but you only have 1 bar of service. That 1 bar of service might get the call out, but you aren’t sure how dependable it will be for the duration of the call. The ideal situation is 5 bars.
This morning, I feel like God is asking me, “Can you hear Me now?” In my walk with Him I’ve found that my “service” can be better at times than it is at others. (That doesn’t mean my communication with God is based on cell towers, by the way.) Simply put, there are times when I am closer to God, walking in better fellowship with Him, than at other times. I can hear Him better sometimes than I can at others.
Let’s get something straight from the get go: God never moves. If I find myself living in distance from Him, it’s not His fault. He’s done everything necessary from His side to accomplish closeness with me – the cross is proof of that. But we drift, and naturally that drifting is in a direction away from Him. Though I don’t believe we’ll ever drift out of a relationship with Him once we’re His, we can drift to a place of weak fellowship.
Relationships take work and effort; we all understand that I’m sure. Why would we think our relationship with God is any different? We have to exert some effort on our own part to maintain a closeness and intimate “in-tune-ness” with Him! If we don’t ever pray (talking to Him) and don’t ever read His Word (allowing Him to talk back to us), our relationship with God has no communication. Anyone on earth will tell you that a relationship with no communication is weak, and certainly isn’t close and growing!
My point this morning is very simple: in my own walk with God, I want to have 5 bars. I want my relationship with the God Who loved me enough to send His one and only Son to die for me to be intimately close. I want to be so close to Him that I can almost hear His heartbeat. And He gives us all the resources needed for that to happen – we just have to make the effort to apply them.
You’ll never have 5 bars with your cell phone unless you have strong towers and a decent phone. We’ll never have 5 bars with Him unless we communicate with Him and allow Him to communicate back to us. That’s not being judgmental – it’s accepting the obvious.
Do you long for that closeness with Him? Let it begin today – right now!
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
5 Bars. No doubt you’ve all seen the commercials for a well known cell service company that uses the 5 service bars in the background throughout the commercial. I’m even more certain that you’ve experienced what it feels like to check for those bars in real life. You want to make a call, but you only have 1 bar of service. That 1 bar of service might get the call out, but you aren’t sure how dependable it will be for the duration of the call. The ideal situation is 5 bars.
This morning, I feel like God is asking me, “Can you hear Me now?” In my walk with Him I’ve found that my “service” can be better at times than it is at others. (That doesn’t mean my communication with God is based on cell towers, by the way.) Simply put, there are times when I am closer to God, walking in better fellowship with Him, than at other times. I can hear Him better sometimes than I can at others.
Let’s get something straight from the get go: God never moves. If I find myself living in distance from Him, it’s not His fault. He’s done everything necessary from His side to accomplish closeness with me – the cross is proof of that. But we drift, and naturally that drifting is in a direction away from Him. Though I don’t believe we’ll ever drift out of a relationship with Him once we’re His, we can drift to a place of weak fellowship.
Relationships take work and effort; we all understand that I’m sure. Why would we think our relationship with God is any different? We have to exert some effort on our own part to maintain a closeness and intimate “in-tune-ness” with Him! If we don’t ever pray (talking to Him) and don’t ever read His Word (allowing Him to talk back to us), our relationship with God has no communication. Anyone on earth will tell you that a relationship with no communication is weak, and certainly isn’t close and growing!
My point this morning is very simple: in my own walk with God, I want to have 5 bars. I want my relationship with the God Who loved me enough to send His one and only Son to die for me to be intimately close. I want to be so close to Him that I can almost hear His heartbeat. And He gives us all the resources needed for that to happen – we just have to make the effort to apply them.
You’ll never have 5 bars with your cell phone unless you have strong towers and a decent phone. We’ll never have 5 bars with Him unless we communicate with Him and allow Him to communicate back to us. That’s not being judgmental – it’s accepting the obvious.
Do you long for that closeness with Him? Let it begin today – right now!
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Towering Circumstances.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Towering Circumstances. Are you ever intimidated by the circumstances of life? Do things ever happen that rattle you to the core? What about doubts – do you ever struggle with uncertainty? Are there ever times when you wonder if you have faith enough to make it through your current ordeal? Do the things in front of you look as though they may be bigger than the faith under you can bear? You’re not alone…
Noah was told to build a ship, though it had never rained. He was informed that a flood was coming that would wipe out all humanity, and the ark was the only hope of survival. God gave him specific instructions, not only on the dimensions of the ark he was to build, but also on what to take aboard. For over 100 years, Noah and his family worked tirelessly, day in and day out, building something that those around them didn’t understand. The first rain drop changed their perspective.
Moses was called by God to lead millions of people out of Egyptian bondage, yet he lacked the self-confidence to even speak in public. Most in our day look at eloquence and speaking ability when making their choice for a leader, whether they admit it or not. The difference here is simple: God’s chosen people didn’t choose their leader, He did. God knew exactly who it was that He wanted for this job, and the burning bush was all Moses needed to convince him. Leading the people wasn’t easy, and they certainly weren’t the most pleasant of followers. Though their attention span seemed short when it came to trust, moments like the parting of the Red Sea always seemed to remind them of Who it was that was leading their leader.
David heard all the fuss coming from the big man on the enemy’s front line, and it didn’t take long for him to have enough. How dare this mere man taunt the God that he worshiped like that! If no one else was going to stand against him, then David would have to be the one. The armor was too big, so he passed on it. The sword wouldn’t be necessary either, his sling shot would do. Just imagine the sight as David, a young boy, steps up with smooth stones and sling shot in hand. Across the valley stands a man – a large man – a really large man! Goliath was a giant, but not in David’s eyes. The towering circumstances before David were dwarfed in the shadow of His limitless, omnipotent God! The stone flew and the giant fell.
Are you in a season of blind obedience that seemingly no one around you understands? Take heart – your present time of obeying is preparing you for something down the road!
Do you feel like you are lacking for the thing that God has called you to do? He knows who you are, and the things that you think you lack are just the things God wants to use to show Himself mighty!
Are you staring at a towering giant of circumstances in your life? Others may have cowered in fear, but you can stand knowing Jehovah God, the Creator of all that exists, is here to fight for you!
“Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever.” God doesn’t change. From Old Testament to present day – if He’s done it before He can do it again. The difference isn’t Him – it’s us. Give Him your towering circumstances today and get ready to see Him move in ways only He can claim credit for!
Please Pray:
*Continue to pray for the Summers, as they face the coming days of continued news and decisions about baby Morgan’s future.
*Continue to pray for Mary, as well as her family during her continued recovery.
*Pray for a young man named Tanner and his two friends who were involved in an ATV wreck on Sunday. His mom is a friend of mine, and these are scary days for her and the family. Tanner will be moved to a longer-term rehab unit to help him continue to recover on Friday afternoon. God is faithful!
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Towering Circumstances. Are you ever intimidated by the circumstances of life? Do things ever happen that rattle you to the core? What about doubts – do you ever struggle with uncertainty? Are there ever times when you wonder if you have faith enough to make it through your current ordeal? Do the things in front of you look as though they may be bigger than the faith under you can bear? You’re not alone…
Noah was told to build a ship, though it had never rained. He was informed that a flood was coming that would wipe out all humanity, and the ark was the only hope of survival. God gave him specific instructions, not only on the dimensions of the ark he was to build, but also on what to take aboard. For over 100 years, Noah and his family worked tirelessly, day in and day out, building something that those around them didn’t understand. The first rain drop changed their perspective.
Moses was called by God to lead millions of people out of Egyptian bondage, yet he lacked the self-confidence to even speak in public. Most in our day look at eloquence and speaking ability when making their choice for a leader, whether they admit it or not. The difference here is simple: God’s chosen people didn’t choose their leader, He did. God knew exactly who it was that He wanted for this job, and the burning bush was all Moses needed to convince him. Leading the people wasn’t easy, and they certainly weren’t the most pleasant of followers. Though their attention span seemed short when it came to trust, moments like the parting of the Red Sea always seemed to remind them of Who it was that was leading their leader.
David heard all the fuss coming from the big man on the enemy’s front line, and it didn’t take long for him to have enough. How dare this mere man taunt the God that he worshiped like that! If no one else was going to stand against him, then David would have to be the one. The armor was too big, so he passed on it. The sword wouldn’t be necessary either, his sling shot would do. Just imagine the sight as David, a young boy, steps up with smooth stones and sling shot in hand. Across the valley stands a man – a large man – a really large man! Goliath was a giant, but not in David’s eyes. The towering circumstances before David were dwarfed in the shadow of His limitless, omnipotent God! The stone flew and the giant fell.
Are you in a season of blind obedience that seemingly no one around you understands? Take heart – your present time of obeying is preparing you for something down the road!
Do you feel like you are lacking for the thing that God has called you to do? He knows who you are, and the things that you think you lack are just the things God wants to use to show Himself mighty!
Are you staring at a towering giant of circumstances in your life? Others may have cowered in fear, but you can stand knowing Jehovah God, the Creator of all that exists, is here to fight for you!
“Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever.” God doesn’t change. From Old Testament to present day – if He’s done it before He can do it again. The difference isn’t Him – it’s us. Give Him your towering circumstances today and get ready to see Him move in ways only He can claim credit for!
Please Pray:
*Continue to pray for the Summers, as they face the coming days of continued news and decisions about baby Morgan’s future.
*Continue to pray for Mary, as well as her family during her continued recovery.
*Pray for a young man named Tanner and his two friends who were involved in an ATV wreck on Sunday. His mom is a friend of mine, and these are scary days for her and the family. Tanner will be moved to a longer-term rehab unit to help him continue to recover on Friday afternoon. God is faithful!
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
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