So Glad HE Knows

Micah 5:2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

When I read this text, I gain a great comfort. God knew exactly when, where, and through whom His Son Jesus would be born. There is nothing He does not know. God is above all things. He is before all things. His sovereignty has no end.

As I enter this day, I have a lot on my mind. There are crucial meetings that are going to take place today that will determine the direction of many lives. I have peace knowing that my Father knows what is going to happen, that Jesus is with me, and that the Spirit of God is going to work to bring about God's perfect end. I am thankful that I get to live in community with so many Christ-honoring leaders that will be praying and seeking God's face on these decisions as well. Like me, they have hope and are confident in the King that has called us to serve His divine purpose.

As you enter your day, I pray that you too have a peace in knowing that God already knows what you are facing. He is prepared to see you through it and will work in it toward a destiny that He has in mind.

What joy can be ours if we will simply trust and obey! God really does have the whole world in His hands.

Excited Already

I am already excited about Christmas. We launched Advent at Living Hope in a big way yesterday. This morning I have my Christmas music uploaded and ready to play as I study and prepare for Sunday.

Sunday is going to be a great day as we enjoy cider, coffee, and hot chocolate along with all kinds of homemade muffins before each service. Then we will see people make public professions of their faith through baptism. Our worship team has an amazing concert mixed in with congregational singing and I will be preaching the Gospel from John 1:6-8.

I don't know where you plan to be on Sunday, but if you are anywhere near Bowling Green, you need to come and gather for worship with the family of Living Hope. The Father will be honored as we celebrate the coming of the Son in song, fellowship, and teaching in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Don't Blame Them

"Nowhere in Scripture does God excuse one person’s sin because of someone else’s actions. If we make a habit of blaming others for our failures, we will not reach a point of honest repentance. God will hold us accountable for our own actions, not others (2 Cor. 5:10)." ~Blackaby

I once heard that you cannot control what happens to you, but you can control how you respond. This is a test of character and identity. When everthing is going your way and the day is unfolding in a pleasant manner, it is easy to respond appropriately. It is in the moment of tension, of frustration, or when others are making your life difficult that the test comes. When other's behavior leads to tempation is when your true faith is revealed.

The next few weeks will provide so many wonderful things, but stress and aggrivation are bound to come to. "In your anger do not sin." (Ephesians 4:26). As life comes at you, grab hold of God's hand and allow Him to lead you in peace and holiness. If you do sin, repent. Don't mess around blaming others. Just repent. Your Heavenly Father already knows. He just wants you to admit it and turn from it so you can find joy in Him and the grace He gives.

What I'm Most Thankful for Today

As we enter into this day of Thanksgiving, I thank God for sending His Son, Jesus. He died for me. My soul has been ransomed from sin and death. My life is in Him. Not only am I forgiven of all of my sin, I have been given His righteousness. In Christ I am holy. God is my Father. I have been adopted into His eternal family.

I have all of this because of His mercy and my faith, which He gave me. I gladly rejoice and give thanks to the one true God that loved me and gave Himself for me. My mind is incapable of comprehending how amazing this is. All I know is that I once was lost and dead to God, but now I am found in Him and have life eternal.

The mystery of the cross I cannot comprehend
The agonies of Calvary
You the perfect Holy One, crushed Your Son
Who drank the bitter cup reserved for me

Your blood has washed away my sin
Jesus, thank You
The Father’s wrath completely satisfied
Jesus, thank You
Once Your enemy, now seated at Your table
Jesus, thank You

By Your perfect sacrifice I’ve been brought near
Your enemy You’ve made Your friend
Pouring out the riches of Your glorious grace
Your mercy and Your kindness know no end

Lover of my soul
I want to live for You

Seasons for Divine Purpose

Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

After this opening statement, the writer of Ecclesiastes under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit gives a list of seasons in life.

We are about to enter into a season of Thanksgiving. It is a time set aside by our country to remember the blessings that we have been given by God. We are to gather with family and friends and celebrate the love of Christ that we share with one another. A part of that celebration is a feast and a time of prayer where God is honored as Jehovah Jireh (God our Provider).

This year has been a challenging year for me spiritually and emotionally, but God has been so faithful. I now stand closer to Him, closer to my wife, closer to my children, closer to my friends, closer to the leaders of my church, and closer to the people of my church than ever before. I love them more than I did a year ago and find greater joy and appreciation for them. The year has brought seasons of sorrow and laughter and each has created memories that now give me hope and an assurance of God's will. My divine destiny is before me and although there is still so much more sanctifying work to be done in me through the power of the Gospel, I am confident that I am on the path of God's choosing for me and I am making progress toward the goal to win the prize for which Christ has called me heavenward.

For that and many other reasons, I thank God my Father in the name of His Son, Jesus, who redeemed me. I do this in the power of the Holy Spirit, who regenerated me and now abides in me allowing me to abide in my Father's love through the grace given me in Christ.

And so today I will play with my immediate family. Tomorrow and Friday I will give thanks with extended on family. And on Sunday I will gather with my church family and worship the God who saved us. In all things I will praise my God and seek His face and give Him thanks.


We gather together
to ask the Lord's blessing;
he chastens and hastens
his will to make known.
The wicked oppressing
now cease from distressing.
Sing praises to his name,
he forgets not his own.

Beside us to guide us,
our God with us joining,
ordaining, maintaining
his kingdom divine;
so from the beginning
the fight we were winning;
thou, Lord, wast at our side,
all glory be thine!

We all do extol thee,
thou leader triumphant,
and pray that thou still
our defender wilt be.
Let thy congregation
escape tribulation;
thy name be ever praised!
O Lord, make us free!

So Many Needs... Thankful God Cares

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."

This morning I feel overwhelmed with the needs of so many wonderful people. A friend's baby died in a tragic accident yesterday. A young former muslim who recently accepted Christ is being ostracized by his family. A new believer is struggling to overcome the addictions of the old life. A man is fretting over his wife's health. He knows in his head she will be fine, but in his heart he is anxious.

As a pastor, God allows me to be a part of people's lives at the best and at the worst of times. It is hard on my heart, but it is so good for my faith. Over and over again, I get to see God show up in powerful ways and provide for His people. He truly is a great and mighty God who is compassionate and cares.

It is also a joy to see Him bless people through His people. I spoke on this yesterday. The church is God's chosen vessel for pouring out His love and care.

Today, we are all going to come across people that need compassion and love. Their symptoms may be sadness, anxiety or anger. Whatever is causing their dis-ease, we can know that the answer is the love given in Gospel. So let's share it and show the world the compassion of Christ.

What God's Grace Can Do

Ur Video: Testimony from North Korea | Out of Ur | Conversations for Ministry Leaders

I am never surprised by what God's grace can do, but I am always amazed by the God who gives it. This Gospel can change lives. With Jesus Christ in a person's life there is no limit to the love and joy that can be released. We must never get sidetracked by other things. What the world needs is Jesus Christ as revealed in Scripture as the Son of God who takes away the punishment and power of sin of all who believe. Those that are saved by Him love Him and are free to love and forgive others.