SBC=>ENCOUNTERS

Who Is Your Enemy

"David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine"   1 Samuel 17:37

David's enemy was the Philistine giant, Goliath.  David knew he was not invincible.  He recognized that the times he was rescued in life, from a lion and from a bear, were times God delivered him.  He credited God.  He did not think his grand physique or cunning or wit or intelligence or education delivered him.  God did.  And he knew his sling shot and stones were not the force that would bring Goliath down.  He knew it was God.

What about you?  Who is your enemy?  On what and whom do you rely for protection? 

Hobby Lobby's enemy is government intrusion.  While they are relying on the court system to help exempt them from the government's blatant violation of their freedom to practice their faith, inevitably, the owners of Hobby Lobby rely on God to fight the ultimate battle.

Death thinks it is our enemy.  However, we who believe in Jesus Christ know that death has no victory; it has no sting.

No matter what trouble or trial we face in this life, the Lord has delivered us.  We may know discomfort, pain and sorrow for a season, but it will not last forever.  Our Savior has overcome the world and in Him we have our protection, our righteousness and peace.  Why do we struggle if we truly believe God is our anchor, our refuge, our hope?

Why do we fear when we see people usurp the power they have in this world?  Do we not know that God is stronger than their strongest lines of defense and manipulation?  God will not be mocked.  God will not let His word to return void.  Our brightest day, our most shining moment, our most notable hour, is but a shadow in the light of God's glory and power.

Some of you who read this blog have continued to read despite the fact that I have not posted anything new.  I have to confess, so much of the junk going on in the world had me wallowing in an apathetic state of "who cares"... what difference does it make what I think?  Who really cares?

I looked at what is going on in our nation and our world and our churches. and I thought, who cares?

God cares.  He cared so much about the decadence, the sinfulness, the pride, the injustice, the hate, the deceit, and greed of man, that He came to earth as a baby, and died on a cross to attone for our rebellion against Him.

I am so grateful for God's mercy and grace.  Aren't you?  I'm so glad He lives in my heart and fellowships with my spirit.  I am so grateful He is my Rock and Cornerstone for life.  I ask you, with God for me, who could be against me? selahV

ALL THE DAYS by Jerry Vines

I received my copy of this daily-devotional book in yesterday's mail.  How exciting that this book arrived just in time for me to begin it on the first day of the new year.  How appropriate that the first devotion for January 1st be entitled: "In the beginning God".

There is nothing we need more than God to begin our new year.  Nothing and no one.

ALL THE DAYS is a simple title.  It's a reminder of my need to seek God in all the days of my life.  I am certain this book will lead me to focus on that truth and take me further along the path of knowing God as I walk with Him this year.  As I read the first, very short devotion that Dr. Vines penned, every sentence proved to provoke deeper thoughts, fresh questions.  I was hungry for more.  When I finished the first devotion, I wanted to read the second.  However, I plan to stay on track and read these individually for each day of the New Year.  I don't want to get ahead of the wisdom that God plans for me in each day.  You see...

I have a tendency to run ahead of God.  I get these grand ideas and think that I am inspired, or led, to do a particular thing, to take a particular road, to move in a particular direction.  I know this about myself, I get in too much of a hurry.  Ever do that?  God has revealed this weakness in me over and over since I became a Christian.  This year, I resolve to restrain my emotions.  I resolve to give God more than a passing thought for the day as I begin each day.  ALL THE DAYS appears to be a book I can depend upon to lead me in that resolve. It is more than a quick-fix for the day or a period in a sentence.  It's more like a comma or a semi-colon.  It's meant to remind me of God's presence in my life and the reason for His presence.  Yeah, I got that out of the first devotional reading.

I love devotional books; I love to write devotionals.  As I read about Dr. Vines' devotional, I found that he had a specific purpose with each and every devotion, and a theme for each and every month.  He seeks, to not only give thoughts for us, but provide a bit more (link to see his purpose), to emphasize more than one verse out of context.  As a pastor's wife, it whet my appetite and made me want to refresh my memory on the beginning of things through God's Word.

"In the beginning God", spotlights and emphasizes the first chapter of Genesis and how our Creator planned our world by creating it and filling it.  Dr. Vines summarizes with the statement that "scientists have come to understand the anthropic principle. It is now recognized that the whole creation was specially designed for people."  People.  You and me.  We were so important to God that He created an entire world of goodness and grace in which we could thrive and enjoy and worship Him.  As I consider that thought, I cannot help but be grateful for this new day in this new year.  Despite the challenges that this world presents me, the inevitable evil that this world will produce in coming days, I am comforted that the Sovereign Creator designed this world so I could live in it and find His protective hand in every detail.

Dr. Jerry Vines is a native of Carrollton, Georgia.  He pastored First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida for 24 years. He served two terms as President of the Southern Baptist Convention and is revered by many Baptists today. 

To get your copy of his devotional book designed for busy believers CLICK HERE.

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Where Is the Justice?

Can anyone believe that in today's climate of evil, rebellion, and enmity with God, that man can exact any justice?  Can you?

We cringe at the horror brought upon a small Connecticut town by a madman who slaughters little children so close to Christmas.  We read and hear reports that a possible motive was jealousy.  He was jealous because his mother shared her time helping others-- children at Sandy Hook elementary school in Newtown.  His jealousy, and fear of losing his little kingdom, set in motion the senseless murder of innocents.  Adam Lanza's jealousy is no different than the jealousy Herod had when the wisemen came from the East and inquired about the King of Jews and asked where He was born.  Herod decreed that all Hebrew children two years and under be slaughtered.  He was jealous of Jesus.  He was afraid of losing his little kingdom, too.

What kingdom do you fear losing?  What do you cling to in life that separates you from experiencing the true gift of God's grace and glory?  Are you jealous of another pastor, another writer, another leader, another ministry?  Are you afraid of losing your own little kingdom?  Will you slaughter anothers reputation and ministry to get what you want?  Will you destroy to gain temporary admiration and power?  Would you manipulate the "wise men" to protect your kingdom?

God, in his infinite wisdom and sovereign grace, sent a message by way of a dream to the wisemen and they did not return to Herod and share where they'd found the Christ child.  An angel warned Mary and Joseph about Herod's plans.  Mary and Joseph fled to Egypt till it was safe to return to Israel.  Jesus grew in stature and wisdom and favor with God and man.  The government was upon His shoulders then, just as it is today.  We do not battle and find rejection because of our notoriety or power; no, no.  We face the smallest of persecutions because the world hates the Son of God.  Just as Herod sought to destroy the threat of the King of Jews, the world seeks to destroy the threat of Christ in the lives of Christians everywhere.  But they cannot.  The world is powerless in comparison to the Lord of lords, the King of kings.  Justice is not in the world; judgment is upon the world.  Justice is in the heart of Christ.  And that is where we must abide. There is no one who can destroy the kingdom of God.  Not one.  No matter how bad it appears, God is still in control.  In HIM is justice.

"Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this."  ~~Isaiah 9:7

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Give Thanks for THIS?

George Washington Could Teach Us All A Bit About Prayer

If only we could look to our leaders and know they trusted God like George Washington did as evident from his daily prayer journal.  In part, we have:

"O eternal and everlasting God, I presume to present myself this morning before thy Divine majesty, beseeching thee to accept of my humble and hearty thanks, that it hath pleased thy great goodness to keep and preserve me the night past from all the dangers poor mortals are subject to, and has given me sweet and pleasant sleep, whereby I find my body refreshed and comforted for performing the duties of this day, in which I beseech thee to defend me from all perils of body and soul.

Direct my thoughts, words and work. Wash away my sins in the immaculate blood of the lamb, and purge my heart by thy Holy Spirit, from the dross of my natural corruption, that I may with more freedom of mind and liberty of will serve thee, the ever lasting God, in righteousness and holiness this day, and all the days of my life.

Increase my faith in the sweet promises of the Gospel. Give me repentance from dead works. Pardon my wanderings, & direct my thoughts unto thyself, the God of my salvation. Teach me how to live in thy fear, labor in thy service, and ever to run in the ways of thy commandments. Make me always watchful over my heart, that neither the terrors of conscience, the loathing of holy duties, the love of sin, nor an unwillingness to depart this life, may cast me into a spiritual slumber. But daily frame me more and more into the likeness of thy son Jesus Christ, that living in thy fear, and dying in thy favor, I may in thy appointed time attain the resurrection of the just unto eternal life." ~George Washington

Our country is in deep need of leadership which looks to Almighty God for wisdom and discernment.  May each leader in every place of our government, in every school, in every home, in every church, be convicted to seek the face of God and trust Him for direction and guidance.  selahV

People Who Lie

are bound by the chains of their own making.  Often people who lie have trouble recognizing truth.  Their perception of truth is distorted.  They deceive themselves.  They look in the mirror and see no flaws.  They always think their way is the right way and have no room in their minds for another way.  They read opinions and if they do not agree, then they cast dirt upon any idea another person has.  Some people who lie, feel guilty and try to cover it up with another lie.  Or they try to blame others for a situation they are in.  Before long they have no idea what the truth is.  Even when confronted with truth, they deny it.  It's hard to deal with people who lie.  You sometimes want to believe them, but you can't.  If they have a habit of lying, there is no trust. 

"No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes." Psalm 101:7

If you think about it, people who practice deceit are usually not welcome in anyone'shouse.  People who lie, must be very lonely people.  They must live in a constant state of fear.  Fear of being exposed.  Fear of losing something precious.  

I suppose we might all consider well what we say.  It's not a very good idea to tell lies, water down the truth, embellish truth, or cover up the truth.  It doesn't set too well with our Heavenly Father. As the day of the Lord draws closer, we will see many in the world who are deceived.  We must be vigilant and put on the whole armor of God. We who know Truth must walk in truth.  There simply is no other way to be free.

"and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32

When We Forget God

We often end up on a dead-end street with no outlet.  We wonder how we got there.  We thought we were right when we made the turns to get where we are.  Evidently, we were not right.  We were wrong.  We sit down on a pile of rocks and begin to consider our plight.  We recall other days of difficulty and other times we found ourselves at the absolute end of ourselves--without wisdom, where knowledge was spent on mindless arguments and unfruitful pursuits.  Though we feel empty and the walls around us overshadow us with doubts, we cannot help but recall times we saw great things--things only God could provide, create, and make fruitful.  We remember and we cry.  We cry for the lost opportunities we squandered.  We mourn.  We mourn for our wasted efforts, our foolish musings, our blighted bounty.

"When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream." Psalm 126:1

We thought we were in charge of our lives. And we were.  God had given us the freedom to turn to Him or to turn from Him.  We chose to turn away and cut new paths and build greater cities for our glory.  When the walls crumbled and the cities fell to others we realized how complacent we'd become.  What the Lord gave, the Lord removed.  Then he opened our eyes to the arrogance of our minds, the apathy of our hearts.  And we remembered we are nothing apart from the Father.  And we repented.  And God blessed us once again.

^"2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.

³ The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad."

Once again we saw the error of our ways.  We saw the glory of God's mercy and grace.  We recognized that to forget God, even for an instant, can bring us to a place of ruin.  We saw that we must dwell in His presence and abide in Him and put Him first in all our words, in all our actions, in all our thoughts.  As cleansing tears poured down our cheeks, we cried out:

^"4 Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south."

And God honored our humility, our love for Him.  He had mercy upon us and gave us new roads to walk upon, new places to go to, and fields to plant.  Our tears watered the prayers of our efforts and heartache for the lost sheep.  And we were reminded:

^"5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

⁶ He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."

May we never forget you, God.  May we move onward into the fields ripe unto harvest.  May we be the laborers others have prayed for.  May we treat our seed as "precious" so we may all rejoice together in heaven. Lord, God Most High, pour out your Spirit upon us, convict us and show us Your glory. Keep us ever mindful of You in all our ways.  selahV

[Passages from Psalm 126]

FACING the REAL Problems of the SBC

It's not an easy thing to do.  The older I get the less I want to look in the mirror.  The person staring back at me does not seem to fit the knowledge and understanding of my mind, the depth and breadth of my heart, nor the hope of my youth.  Years of trial, struggle and grief have left its marks.  Regrets may be the tiny red veins now lacing their way across my nose.  Wrinkles reveal evidence of decades filled with mixed emotions: worry, joy, victory, disappointment and sorrow.  Gray hair salts the black with time I spent learning from experience, growing through mistakes, and achieving goals.  Vision is dimmed by years of seeing what should be done, what could be done, yet, somehow, never realized.  When I look at myself in the mirror, I know that the person I stare at is me...I am all I have been but still am yet to be.

The SBC is who she is but is not all that she can be.

She could be more.  I truly believe for her to become all she can be, it behooves me to be more than what I am.  If you are Southern Baptist, you, also, must be more than you are.  We need to pray more for our brethren, ourselves and the lost in this world.  We need to pray we do not grow weary in well-doing, but remember the doctrines of faith we first learned.  We need to pray that we and our brethren do not fall into temptation.  We need others to pray for us.  We need to pray for God's power, glory and majesty be made manifest in all we do and say.  Then we need to trust God and rest in Him.

We have not, because we ask not.  God does not do many miracles because we lack faith.  We have often left much of the armor of God lying on the floor of our secret closets.  We have walked about in our communities without proper equipment.  We have been like the Levite and walked on by the beaten and dying.  We have busied ourselves with much conversation and fellowship with one another while ignoring the Savior who dwells within us.  Our thoughts are more focused on our thoughts, views and opinions than the thoughts of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  We have lost the joy of His salvation and failed to comprehend the expediency of "today is the day of salvation" and "the kingdom of God is at hand."  Our plans mean more to us than His plans for us; His presents more than His presence.  Woe are we who profess the name of Jesus and trust in horses and chariots instead of the Most High God to empower us for HIS glory and not ours.  Do we truly want to give honor and glory to God?  Or are we like those who shall cry out "Lord, Lord, but I have labored in your name"?

Perhaps I am too harsh.  Perhaps too introspective.  Perhaps we just need another program, another task force, another survey, another poll, another emphasis, another system of theology or more reforming.  Perhaps another network. Perhaps more giving and sacrificial offerings. Then again...

Perhaps we need to turn from our wicked ways--our bickering and complaining.  Perhaps we need to humble ourselves and acknowledge we do not have the answers.  Perhaps we need to confess our sin of pride and seek God's face.  Perhaps we need to ask Almighty God to forgive us our sin and give Him the honor and glory due HIS name--not ours.  Perhaps it is not our name we need to change; we simply need to change our ways.  selahV

To WHOM Are You Devoted

Today we find so many people to whom folks are devoted–passionately, fervently, zealously devoted. They’re devoted to leaders, pastors, friends, families and celebrities. They’re devoted to viewpoints, doctrines, theologies and principles. They’re devoted to churches, denominations, parties, and establishments. They’re devoted to causes– poverty, hunger and epidemics. The list is endless.

“Devotion to a cause is the great mark of our day, and in religion it means being devoted to the application of religious principles. A disciple of Jesus Christ is devoted to a Person, not to a principle….There is a difference between devotion to a principle and devotion to a person. Hundreds of people today are devoting themselves to phases of truth–to causes. Jesus Christ never asks us to devote ourselves to a cause or a creed; He asks us to devote ourselves to Him, to sign away the right to ourselves and yield to Him absolutely.” Oswald Chambers.

Sometimes we try to develop a ministry to reach certain folks, and find our efforts foiled. Sometimes we struggle in our churches to motivate, to inspire and still fail to spur folks on toward love and good deeds. Is it possible our focus is amiss? Do we truly love Jesus? Do we truly believe He is working in our lives? If Jesus is not the motivating force within us, then our words will ring hollow.

When our efforts fail, could it be the Lord is trying to redirect our attention, to fulfill a purpose we cannot even fathom? Even Paul’s desires to spread the gospel were pre-empted by the Spirit of God. The direction he thought was the way to go, was not where God wanted him to go.  Had it not been for the imprisonment of Paul from his travels, we would not have the mighty writings of the New Testament for guidance and instruction. Paul counted it all joy, he saw his imprisonment as an opportunity to share the gospel where Romans would hear. Paul learned to be content with and without, in prison or free–with help or without. God used his circumstances, gave him a thorn in his flesh and Paul surrendered Himself totally to the Savior.

God knows where His children are today, too. And should we wander off in any direction for any reason and take our attention off Him, He is bound by His own promises to bring us back to His protection, His care and His sustaining grace. I believe God cannot tolerate loyalties divided. He is a jealous God.

When we get off on a tangent of our own to fulfill a need in us to accomplish something, to prove something, is it any wonder when what we do seems to fail?

Is it any wonder when we seek to go in one direction we’re met with roadblocks? Sometimes it is not the devil to whom we should credit the difficulties in life, perhaps it is the Lord to Whom we should praise?  For it is written:

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2.

And also, remember the words of Peter,

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested with fire, may be found to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen, you love.”1 Peter 1:6-8a.

What a friend we have in Jesus! In His grace we find all we need and more. Makes me wonder why we seek after lesser things from people, networks, organizations, entities, institutions, politicians and the world. He and He alone deserves our devotion. "Do you love, me?"  do you love Me?  do  you love Me?" the risen Lord asked Peter.  "Feed My sheep."

"You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love." Rev. 2:3-4

Many things to which we devote our energies, emotions and time, are very good things. Many battles we wage are worthy of fighting. As Christians, does our devotion focus on Jesus, or to what we are rightly devoted?  Is Jesus lifted up to draw all men to Him, or is He sometimes buried beneath the rhetoric of the right way to do this, or the proper way to do that?  I wonder.  I really do.  selahV