Death Bed

I grew up hearing, "This is death bed! You cannot tell anyone!"  I knew that meant that this was information for our family only.  Another is "Death Bed Salvation."  Have you heard of it?  Well, it is similar to the story of the confessing criminal on Jesus' side at the cross (Luke 23:39-43).  He was dying, received Christ, and Jesus promised him that he that very day would be with Jesus in paradise.  Some doubt the sincerity of death bed confessions.  I experienced this for the first time last week.  A man confessed Christ at death's door on Thursday and died on Saturday!  I say Praise the Lord!  The question comes though.  Did he really mean it?  Was he sincere?  Here is what God taught me.  We ask that somewhat out of jealousy, like the workers in the field when Jesus explained their being payed the same amount for diferent hours worked.  We sinfully think "that is not fair."  Here is the deal.  This man did not bear the burden of truth.  He did not bear the burden of daily proving his faith by obedience and seeking to avoid the coming onslaught of hypocrisy.  God took that off of him.  The only thing I know of him is faith.  That is liberating.  Here is a liberator too--you and I have the next breath, maybe even the next day.  What a joy!  What a privilege to bear tomorrow the responsibility of that burden--avoiding rebellion and hypocrisy and seeking obedience and authenticity.  Here is greater joy, Jesus carries that cross for us too!  Be still!  Stop striving! Know that I am God!

EMBERGLOW

EMBERGLOW

Where to Go? How to Know?

Last week I was following a reading plan for the Bible to read it in a year.  I looked up that day's assigned reading in Isaiah 30.  I began by asking God to teach me again from His word.  As I look at this truth today in light of a message preached yesterday from John 8:31-32, I feel really good about sharing with you some insight into making good decisions that will keep you in line with God's purposes for you.  Isaiah 30:1-2 reads, "Woe to the obstinate children, declares the Lord, to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin; ... without consulting me."  Isaiah 30:15 reads, "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength."  Isaiah 30:21 reads, "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your eyes will hear a voice behind you saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'" In John 8:31-32, Jesus says, "If you continue in My word, you really will be My disciples.  You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Where to go?  How to know?
1--seek God's plans
2--form an alliance with His Spirit (Consult God Daily)
3--Repent where you have walked ahead of God
4--Rest securely in your salvation through Christ alone
5--Be quiet and trust
6--So you can hear God's whisper
7--Continue in His word (More often I hear God's directions for me in His word)
I hope this proves helpful to someone!
Coach/PJ

Marriage Festivals

This past weekend, Tina and I revisited a retreat we attended many years ago.  We joined some friends at Ridgecrest Baptist Conference Center in Black Mountain, NC just outside of Asheville.  What a tremendous weekend.  Every speaker encouraged us in our covenants to one another.  On Saturday night, every couple faced one another, held hands, and renewed our vows.  This was special.  Tina and I have been married 25 years, and I am sure there were couples there who have been married longer.  With us was a couple married just the weekend before.  They decided to alter their honeymoon plans and attend the Marriage Festival.  I thought, "Wow!  Their vows are only a week old, and here they are promising their love to one another with 750 other couples.  There is still time!  Call Lifeway today and sign up!  Grab a motel room in Asheville and go experience three days with your spouse that is a life changer!  http://www.lifeway.com/Festivals-of-Marriage/c/N-1z13xex?type=events  Travis Cattrel will be the worship leader.  Prices start at $149!  Surprise your spouse and take the weekend! 

Baptism

I apologize...i have neglected to keep this up to date.  I will try to do much better.  Here is an encouraging word of God's faithfulness to me.  Months ago He led to preach two sermons on Baptism.  I won't bog you down with all the specifics, just trust He was clear.  Our first lesson was yesterday, and we announced that we were planning to fill the baptismal pool next week in anticipation of those who would be baptized.  Here is the beauty of it all, two individuals came forward between services requesting baptism both indicating that they were already planning to ask if next week would work.  Ain't God good!
PJ/Coach

Post Mother's Day

I spent a few moments this week remembering mothers of the Bible.  Take a journey of warning or encouragement with me.

Sarah secured Abraham’s favor for Isaac over Ishmael as the son of promise.

Hagar prayed to God to remember her son Ishmael while perishing in the desert.

Rebekah favored her younger son Jacob over Esau.

Rachel was the first on record to lose her life in giving birth to Benjamin.

Jochebed knew Moses was special and hid him in a wicker basket on the Nile to save his life from the Pharaoh’s scheme to kill the Hebrew sons.

Bathsheba intervened to ensure Solomon succeeded David as king.

Hannah cried out to God persistently in her barrenness promising to give her boy in service if He would answer and so she did with Samuel.

Eunice and Lois were the godly mother and grandmother respectively whose sincere faith and wise instruction of Timothy resulted in the young man joining Paul and Silas to preach the gospel at ~15.

Salome was the mother of James, the early Jerusalem church leader, and John the disciple who Jesus loved and put in charge of His mother’s care.  We will hear today more about her bold prayer for her sons’ favor in the kingdom.

Elizabeth in her old age was blessed to train and raise the herald of the Christ, John the Baptizer.

And Mary, the revered mother of Jesus, we are assured loved, taught, nurtured the Son of Man all the way to His rightful place in God’s plan of man’s redemption.

Coach/PJ

Give Me A Break!

We often are prone to think we deserve a break.  We take work breaks, snack breaks, and look forward to spring and fall break and our favorite summer break (especially teachers and students).  In the area of our spiritual lives, I want to encourage you to guard against desiring a break in the following areas because that desire is not from any other than our enemy.
We should avoid:
1. Time away from God’s Word—that is like skipping meals during the day
2. Prayer breaks—that would be like not speaking to a family member or to your parents
3. Time away from church—which could be comparable to leaving for the summer and not see-ing your family
4. Taking a break in giving—which is literally robbing God (Malachi 3:8)
5. Not sharing our faith—comparable to allowing dozens per day just to walk into eternity with-out Christ because we are afraid, lazy or unconcerned.
6. Skipping opportunities to serve another—might be comparable to a soldier going AWOL
Have a great summer!  Invest any free time to strengthen your daily walk with the Lord!  You will experience noticeable dividends!
Coach/PJ