Living in Christ

  As believers, I know that we question the situations and culture that we find ourselves in during these times.  We wonder what has happened to our world and why are things happening as they are.  I also hear fellow brothers and sisters in Christ complaining that something should be done, but they themselves do not want to get involved. Lastly, why aren't the miracles and power of God not being manifest during our lifetime?  The answer my friends is that we have forgotten to Whom we belong and that the battle is always fought on our knees!  To many, this could be a passive way of stating that this is all that we can do, but I would like to say that we need a change of thinking and praying in order to start seeing the results that we so desperately desire!  I want us to really take a deep look at the Lord's Prayer: "In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven....

 Praying In the Name of Jesus   Scripture: John 14:11-15 / John 16:23-24 Questions: What does it really mean to pray in the Name of Jesus? Why does it seem that some prayers are unanswered? If Jesus stated that if we ask for anything in His Name He would do it, why does it seem that we do not receive what we ask for? Where is the power of the Name of Jesus? God answers prayer. Either that statement is true or it’s not true, right? Either it is true or it is not true. Friend, it is true. God answers prayer, and that means that I, a human being, a mortal, weak and fallible, can address God, and He will hear me. Now, folks, when I dwelt upon that, when I thought about that, I said, “Is that true? Can I speak to Him and He will answer me?” And then I thought on the heels of that thought, “It is true. I know it to be true. And if that is true, I am an unmitigated fool if I don’t know how to pray and if I don’t pray.” Now, what does it mean to pray in His name? Does that mean that w...

 Recently I had a friend tell me about an experience that he had at work one day.  He had just hired a new employee to fill a position that had been empty for some time. The newly hired employee was very qualified, very personable, and very willing to take on the new position.  He did reveal to my friend that he had just come out of a bad relationship and was trying to do the best that he could to get back on his feet.  Trusting his instincts, my friend went ahead with hiring this individual. He was given a start date and then sent on his way.  The start date came and went, but the new employee did not show up as planned.  My friend tried to call and left messages and even texted the new employee, but heard nothing.  Not willing to give up that easily, my friend decided against continuing with interviewing other candidates, and instead, held out this new employee would fulfill his promise to start the job.  Finally he texted and said that he had b...

While driving today, I happened to hear a news report about a well know pastor/evangelist.  The report stated that the pastor had received a very clear message from the Lord. The message was that he needed to get a new private jet to take the Good News of Christ around the world.  This pastor said that the Lord was also very specific and very clear on what airplane he was supposed to get.  This plane will seat 16 people comfortably and will only cost about $54,000,000 dollars.  The report went on to say that the Lord also told him to go to the people to raise the money so that they could all be involved in taking him, and the Good News, around the world.  Need I say that I was skeptical after I heard the report and it brought to mind the words of Christ. "7  Therefore Jesus said again,  “Very truly I tell you, I am  the gate  for the sheep.   8  All who have come before me  are thieves and robbers,  but the sheep have ...

As the holiday season is upon us, it is important that we reflect on why we celebrate.  To most people, the season is about Santa Claus, telling him what we think we deserve, spending as much money as possible to make sure we are able to out do our gift giving from the previous year, and wondering if we are going to be able to survive the new year with the new debt we just created.  To others, the season represents the moment that God stepped out of heaven and walked among us. Regardless of what our focus of celebration is during the season, many of us, including believers constantly struggle with our needs verses out wants. We need good jobs to pay for all the good toys we think we need.  We need better and bigger houses in which to put all our new stuff.  We need the new diets, the new phones, on and on and on.  So our focus, more often than not, becomes worrying about how we are ever going to make enough money to support the lifestyles we believe we need. ...

  I have come to a point in my life that I have, quite literally, been unable to do a thing.  Back in the mid part of November, 2011, I fell at work causing severe injury to my left knee.  At the time, I was still able to work, although the wearing of a knee brace was required.  Through various doctor appointments, and letters back and forth from the doctors and workmans compensation, I waited for the time that surgery would have to be done to correct the injury I sustained.  Finally, the big day came, January 30th, 2012 I underwent complete ACL reconstructive surgery.  I was assured that this is a pretty routine repair with most patients recovering and resuming their normal lives within 3 to 4 months.  I was extremely pleased as I was told that I would probably be able to return to work on light duty three weeks after my surgery.  After all, I have responsibilities to take care of.  I was really only concerned with being able to return ...

  Many believers will readily state that they are living for Christ.  My question is always, "Does your life demonstrate that you are living for Christ?"  What is the nature of this question?  Do we only say that we are living for Christ, or do our actions demonstrate that we are living for Christ?  Do we take a stand for the weak, or do we decide that it is not our business and do not want to get involved?  Are we ready and willing to give our time, talent, and treasure, or do we only do so when its time to tithe and go to church?  Are we setting a Christ-like example outside of our churches, or do we conform to the world when we are in the world?  A life that is lived totally for Christ will be demonstrated by the fruit that life yields. "Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear god fruit is cut...