Faithfulness

How is your faith? It is easy to have faith when others are trusting, how is your faith when you are alone? 1 Samuel 14 tells about Jonathan and the young man who carried his armor. They went and spied on the Philistines. They did not tell anyone where they were going or what they were doing. The army did not realize that Jonathan had left the camp. He went down between two rocky cliffs and spied on the Philistines.

Jonathan made a great statement of faith. 1 Samuel 14:6 (NKJV) Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the Lord will work for us. For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few.” Jonathan believed that if the Lord wanted to rescue Israel, He could do it as easily with one man as with many men. Jonathan came up with a test to see if the Lord was with them in the fight. 1 Samuel 14:8 - 10 (NKJV) 8Then Jonathan said, “Very well, let us cross over to these men, and we will show ourselves to them. 9If they say thus to us, ‘Wait until we come to you,’ then we will stand still in our place and not go up to them. 10But if they say thus, ‘Come up to us,’ then we will go up. For the Lord has delivered them into our hand, and this will be a sign to us.” When the Philistines saw them coming, they shouted “Come on up here, and we’ll teach you a lesson!” Jonathan and his armor bearer went up the hill. Jonathan knew the Lord would help him defeat them. Jonathan and his armor bearer killed them right and left. They killed about twenty men in all. Then panic broke out in the Philistine army, and earthquake struck, and everyone was terrified.

You have to admire the faith of Jonathan. He risked his own life and put everything on the line. You can not have true faith without risk. If there is no risk then it doesn’t take faith. What circumstances in your life are you facing that requires you to have faith? Remember, without faith it is impossible to please God.

Pastor Larry

Has God Forgotten Us?

Imagine you work hard and plant your field and just at harvest time your enemies sweep down and steal your harvest. Now imagine this happens not only one time but every year for seven years. That is exactly what was happening to the Israelites in Judges Chapter 6. The Midianites were the culprits. They were stealing everything Israel’s crops and animals. Each year Israel would hide in the caves for safety until the Midianites left their land. After seven years, the Israelites cried out to the Lord for help. The Lord sent a message to them through a prophet. The Lord reminded Israel how they had been unfaithful in worshipping other gods. They had stopped listening to the Lord.

Then the angel of the LORD appears to a man named Gideon; any time you see the phrase “the angel of the LORD” and “LORD” is in all capital letters, this is referring to Jesus. Gideon is threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress so he can hide the grain form the Midianites. Jesus appears, addressing him as “Mighty hero, the LORD is with you.”

Gideon said: “if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? (Judges 6:13) Gideon did not feel like the Lord was with Israel. He is actually questioning if the Lord even cares about them. If the Lord loves them then why are the Midianites having victory over them, and why are they starving? The truth is the Lord does love them and because of His love for them he has punished them for their sin. Charles Spurgeon said, “The Lord does not permit His children to sin successfully.” If we are bound to sin we are bound to suffer. You can not sin and get away with it, God always punishes sin.

Jesus tells Gideon: Judges 6:14 Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?” The Lord said the most unexpected thing to Gideon. He called Gideon to be the hero to rescue Israel from the Midianites. The Lord takes him from a coward to a conqueror. Gideon wanted the Lord to help them but he did not expect to be used in the process. The Lord out of love, is helping Israel even though Israel had not repented. The Lord’s compassion is moved by their pain.

Gideon makes excuses why he can not answer the Lord’s call. He says he is from the weakest family in all Israel, and he is the weakest in all his family. Gideon is saying to all the people in Israel, I am the last person you want to ask to rescue Israel.

I love the answer the Lord gave to Gideon, “I will be with you.” What a beautiful promise. Gideon you have nothing to fear, the Lord will be with you. When the Lord is with you, it does not matter who is against you. You will never face anything alone. The Lord has made this same promise to believers today. He promises to always be with us. Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV) For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Pastor Larry

Help for Parents

Judges Chapter 13 introduces a man named Manoah, and his wife Mrs. Manoah (her name is not given). Mrs. Manoah was unable to become pregnant, and they had no children. I can imagine how many times they had prayed and asked God for a child. The angel of the LORD appeared to Mrs. Manoah and told her she would soon become pregnant and give birth to a son. The Lord also gave her special instruction for her pregnancy and on raising her son. Judges 13:5 (NKJV) 5For behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. And no razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.”

Mrs. Manoah runs and tells her husband the message from the Lord. Manoah then prays to the Lord. Judges 13:8 (NKJV) 8Then Manoah prayed to the Lord, and said, “O my Lord, please let the Man of God whom You sent come to us again and teach us what we shall do for the child who will be born.” I love the faith of Manoah. He never doubts the message of God. As I read through this chapter I see many places he demonstrates his faith in God. Manoah ask the Lord, in his prayer, for more information on how to raise this child. Parents today need to be more like Manoah, they need to seek out God’s advice on how to raise their children. The Bible is the best instruction manual ever written on parenting. This is a good biblical example for parents, asking God for wisdom to become godly parents.

God answered Manoah’s prayer and the Lord appeared again. Manoah did not realize it was the Lord, he thought it was a prophet. He offers food to the Lord. The Lord would not eat, but requests they worship Him with a sacrifice. Manoah took a young goat and a grain offering and offered them on a rock as a sacrifice. The Lord did an amazing thing; he ascended up in the air with the smoke from the sacrifice. Mr. and Mrs. Manoah then realized they had seen God. Manoah wife then became pregnant and had a son and called his name Samson.

I encourage all parents to seek the Lord in raising your children. Dedicate them to the Lord and teach them to honor the Lord.

Pastor Larry

I Will!

The phrase “I will” is such strong statement of determination and direction. Psalm 101 David writes a psalm and makes eleven commitments with the words “I will”. The commitments that David makes would be good for you to make. Let’s notice them:

1. “I will sing” (v.1) The song is a about God’s love and justice.
2. “I will praise” (v.1) Praise changes our attitudes.
3. “I will live blameless” (v.2) How we need God’s people to live blameless.
4. “I will live with integrity” (v.2) The commitment is to live with integrity in the home. Our homes need integrity. If you can live your faith in your home, you can live your faith anywhere.
5. “I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar” (v.3) Our eyes need to be protected. We need to be committed to protecting our eyes and minds from all the vile and vulgar trash the world has to offer. Protect yourself from internet vile, television vile jokes, language, thoughts.
6. “I will have nothing to do with crooked dealings” (v.3) Live honestly in this dishonest crooked world.
7. “I will reject perverse ideas” (v.4) The idea here is to stay away from all evil.
8. “I will not tolerate gossipers” (v.5) Don’t even listen or engage with those who will slander another person.
9. “I will not endure conceit and pride” (v.5) Don’t tolerate it in others or yourself. God hates pride.
10. “I will protect my brother” (v.6) Watch out for your brother, keep a protective eye on him. Christians need to watch out for each other.
11. “I will not allow deceivers to serve me” (v.7) Be careful who you do business with. If someone has a reputation of being a liar or has dishonest business practices, do not patronize them, take your business elsewhere.

Pastor Larry

Making The Most

So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalms 90:12 (NKJV)

I like planning trips. When planning a time to get away, I think about where I want to go and what I want to do. I then come up with a schedule for each day. I want to make the most of the vacation, I fill each day with as much as possible.

As I read Psalms 90:12, I am reminded how we need to carefully make the most of the days our life. Life is so short we can’t afford to waist any of it. “Teach us to number our days” this is spoken to God, asking God the help us number our days. When you number your days, you are recognizing they are few. Each December when my birthday arrives I am reminded that I am getting older. We tend to think about life in years and not days. In numbering your years you don’t want to waste a year, but God’s Word tells us to number our days. Don’t waste even a day.
Most people ignore the fact that they will die. When we attend a funeral we are reminded that life is brief and we too will someday die. Every tomb stone in a grave yard is a visual reminder of the brevity of life. I know a lady that is 102 years old. I asked her one time how fast 102 years go by. She said it only seemed like yesterday and she was a young woman. Even 102 years is not long to live.

When you make the most of your days, you gain wisdom. Think about the things that crowd your mind with worry, the meaningless task that consume so much of your time, and the effort you invest in earthly relationships, how will those things measure up in eternity? We exhaust ourselves on things that have no lasting value. Make the most of the time you have, live for Jesus.

Pastor Larry

The Secret Place

Did you ever play the game of tag as a kid? Remember when you were touching the base you were safe from being tagged. Psalm 91 pictures the Lord like a base of safety. He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” (Psalm 91:1-2) These verses teach of the wonderful protection we have in the Lord. This is not a promise for everyone, but only for those who dwell in the secret place. Remember the game of tag, all those who were running around not on base were not protected.

Are you living in the shelter of the Most High? Are you abiding under the shadow of the Almighty? If you desire to live under the shadow of God then you must be close to him. Notice the benefits of the Lord’s protection. He will be your refuge, and your fortress. A refuge and fortress are places you go for protection. They give security. Walking with Jesus is the most secure place I know.

This psalm goes on to talk about how the Lord will protect, and shield and shelter you. Do you need shelter? Come and dwell with the Most High. It is an awesome place!

Pastor Larry

More Criticism Please

If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept criticism, you will be honored. (Proverbs 13:18 NLT)

What do you do with criticism? We don’t like it; seldom welcome it; but often need it; could benefit from it. As I read this verse of scripture, I realize that I am who I am today partly because of my critics. I have had many sleepless nights because of unsolicited criticism. I have often thought to myself, how could they say that, or think that. I have come to appreciate something about critics and criticism; you really can learn something from every criticism, even if it is unjust.

If all we received was praise then we would not be challenged to examine our lives and possibly make changes for the better. There are many things we do simply because we don’t want to be criticized. For example, when you leave your house you clean up and dress appropriately, because you do not want to be criticized. What sports team does not improve because of criticism? Some of our critics really care about us and are criticizing for our good. Others criticize for a variety of other reasons. I have met a few who I believe think the Holy Spirit gave them the gift of criticism, which they practice all the time.

I was told many years ago by a wise person, “we can learn more from our critics then from those who praise us.” Solomon realized this when writing this proverb. He said if you ignore the criticism you will end up in disgrace. Listen to your critics. What are they saying? It could be that you have done nothing wrong or your critic did not have all the facts. But listen to the criticism and allow your heart and mind to be opened to the alternative perspective, after careful consideration and seeing God’s guidance ask yourself, what you could do differently to improve.

If you accept criticism, you will be honored. Live the kind of life that your critics will not be afraid to approach you and share their feelings. What does it mean to accept? It means to receive willingly, to endure without protest. I challenge you to accept your criticism and you will be honored. The next time someone criticizes you, listen carefully to them and then thank them for sharing with you.

God Bless
Pastor Larry

It Pays to Serve Jesus!

A religious ruler once came to Jesus and asks him: what should I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus asks him to sell all his possessions and give the money to the poor, and follow Him. When the man heard what Jesus had said became very sad, for he was very rich. Then Peter said, “See, we have left all and followed You.” 29So He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.” Luke 18:28 – 30.

I think about how this rich ruler left Jesus because he was not willing to pay the price to follow Him. Each one of us has a price we need to pay. We too have to give up worldly things to follow Jesus. It is important that we keep an eternal perspective on our life and our possessions. Everything in this life will either burn, rust or decay, it is only temporary. There is no sacrifice to great to pay to follow Jesus. Peter and the other disciples left behind everything to follow Jesus. They left their families and their jobs. They were willing to pay that ultimate price for obedience.

I see a great promise in Jesus’ words, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.” Everything we give up for Jesus will be repaid many times over in this life, as well as storing up treasures in heaven. It pays to serve Jesus. There are many wonderful blessing in following Him. I encourage you today to keep the eternal perspective to life, and focus on the blessings of service.

Pastor Larry

I Want That Mountain!

I love to read about Caleb in Scripture. He is the kind of man I would want for a good friend. I would have enjoyed spending time with him. Joshua chapter 14 informs us that Caleb is 85 years old and has not slowed down at all. He is as strong as he was at 40 years old. Can you imagine an 85 year old man fighting as well as any man?

We are introduced to Caleb 45 years earlier; he was one of the 12 spies who spied out the promise land. When the spies returned, Caleb and Joshua gave a good report of the land. They told how the land was everything that God promised it would be. They also encouraged the Israelites to have faith, believe the Lord, and claim their land. The other ten spies gave an evil report. They focused on the people and the walled cities, and saw the land as impossible to conquer. The 10 spies convinced the people to disbelieve God's promise to give them victory over the inhabitants of the land. The people followed the evil report of the ten. (Be careful when you follow the majority. Make sure the majority is right.) God punished the Israelites for their disobedience. He made them wonder in the wilderness until that generation had died. Everyone over twenty years old died in the wilderness except Joshua and Caleb. Joshua and Caleb were the oldest two people in all of Israel.

We read about Caleb again in Joshua 14. Caleb reminds Joshua that the Lord and Moses promised him the land that the spies had seen 45 years earlier. This was their special inheritance from the Lord. Every place they walked would belong to Caleb. Now at 85 years old Caleb was prepared to claim his blessing.

The land Caleb wanted to claim was inhabited by giants. There are also walled cities in the land. Caleb’s land was probably the most difficult to conquer of the promise land. Caleb is such a giant man of faith. He knew that if the Lord was with him he would be victorious. In Joshua 15:14 we are told that Caleb drove out the giants. Joshua 15:14 Caleb drove out the three sons of Anak from there: Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.

We all have giants in our lives. We have things we need to conquer. We need to be a Caleb. Never let your strength and your abilities limit you from conquering a giant. Many times as we look at our problems we see them as so much bigger then we are. We need to compare our problems with God, how much smaller they are then God. Claim God's promises and climb that mountain.

Pastor Larry

What Makes Heaven Rejoice

What brings joy to the presence of God? Imagine this scene: Everything in heaven stops just for a moment and everyone’s attention is focused to one single event. Suddenly there is an outburst of praise and applause throughout heaven. What happened? What great event brought such joy? A single sinner repented.

Jesus tells us in Luke 15 of the joy that heaven experiences when sinners repent. Jesus tells of a shepherd with 100 sheep, and one strayed away and was lost in the wilderness. The shepherd leaves the 99 and goes out and diligently searches for the lose sheep. When he finds the one he joyfully carries it home on his shoulders. He then invites his friends and neighbors to rejoice with him because the lost sheep is found. Jesus then applies this truth with Luke 15:7 says: I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. Jesus further says in Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

If the angels in heaven experience such joy over one sinner repenting, we also should find joy in the salvation of sinners. At the church I pastor, we have been clapping our hands and praising God whenever someone makes a profession of faith, or whenever they are baptized. I encourage you to lead your churches to rejoice in that which makes heaven rejoice.

We need to make it more our focus to bring joy to heaven in sharing our faith and the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Pastor Larry

Ready or Not, Here He Comes!

What if Jesus were to return tonight at midnight, would you be ready? Many Christians I know, say they believe that Jesus Christ could return at anytime. They say they believe in the imminent return of Jesus Christ, but most are a long ways from being prepared for His return. If the truth were known, most Christians are not ready. Not only are they not ready, they really don’t even want Him to return. Why? Christians have gotten much to comfortable in this world, and enjoy their lifestyle and the sins of this world.

Jesus did not want His disciples to get so entrenched in this world that they would not be prepared for His return. We need to be careful, because we are becoming like Lot when he lived in Sodom and Gomorrah. He became so established in the life styles of those sinful cities, that when God brought judgment on them he lost everything except his two unmarried daughters.

Jesus illustrated in Luke 12:35-48 for the Disciples the necessity of being ready for His return. Luke 12:37 (NKJV) 37Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. Notice there is a blessing for those watching for His coming. Luke 12:38 (NLT) 38He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, there will be special favor for his servants who are ready! Luke 12:40 (NKJV) 40Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Peter ask Jesus if this truth is for everyone or just for the disciples. Jesus said in verse 42, He was talking to any faithful, sensible servant. If Jesus returns and finds his servants faithful, they will be blessed. Jesus also warns those servants who know what He has instructed them to do.

If you are not ready, I encourage you to get ready. Be faithful, and serve the Lord with all of your might. He is coming back. Ready or not He is coming.

Pastor Larry

A Promise of Prayer

Imagine praying with Jesus. What would it have been like to hear and see Jesus praying? Luke Chapter 11 tells how Jesus had been praying, and one of his disciples came to him and asked, “Lord, teach us to pray.” The disciples wanted to pray like Jesus. They witnessed the fact that all of Jesus’ prayers were answered. When Jesus prayed things happened. I have been in worship services and heard people pray and thought to myself I wished I could pray like that.

Jesus gives the disciples a model prayer. It is not my aim to talk about the model prayer, but to share with you what Jesus taught about prayer after giving the model prayer in Luke 11:9-10.

9“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Jesus in these verses gives us a precious promise concerning prayer. There are three important words used in verse 9, ask, seek, and knock. These verb tenses literally mean “keep on continually asking . . . keep on continually seeking, . . . keep on continually knocking. These three verbs are not repetitions; since to seek is more than to ask, and to knock is more than to seek.

What does it mean to “ask”? Ask is a simple word that means to request. When we ask God for something, we are recognizing God as the one who supplies all our needs. We are expressing our dependence on Him as our provider.

The word “seek” is an interesting word. It means to seek for something in order to find it, to aim, or strive after something. When you ask God for something and totally depend on him as your provider, then the next step is to seek the Lord’s answer. Look for the answer, the Lord always answers our prayers. The answer may not be the one you want, but you will get the best answer, God’s answer. Seek for the answer and you shall find it.

The next word is “knock”. This word means to knock as one would on a door at a home. After we have asked God in prayer, and are seeking the answer, we are to knock on the door and see if he opens the door. Many times Christians don’t knock on the door of God’s will, instead they try to kick it in. If you have to force the door open it is not the right door, or it is not the right time. We need to wait for Him to open the door. Jesus said “knock and it will be opened.” God always has an open door somewhere for you.

I want to encourage you as you pray, to ask the Lord, trust him as your provider. Seek God’s will until you find the answer, then knock and wait until the Lord opens the right door. Become an “A.S.K. Prayer Warrior” Asking, Seeking, Knocking kind of prayer warrior.

Pastor Larry

Healing Words

Words have tremendous power. Think for a moment how powerful your words are. Words can be more powerful then guns and bombs. We need to chose our words carefully and use them with great caution.

Think about this, when you speak, are you speaking for your good or the good of another? Many of our critical and cutting remarks are spoken for our own satisfaction, wanting to give someone a piece of our mind. However, when we speak what I call “healing words”, they are for another’s good.

Proverbs 12:18 (NLT) Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing. Sometimes I find myself being critical, unfortunately I tend to direct it mostly towards my kids. I want the very best for them, and I try to motivate them by words of constructive criticism. When we are being critical we might have the best intentions, but our words still cut and hurt. If you examine yourself, you will find those times you have spoken with a critical tone or critical words, it makes you feel better that you said them. However, it hurts those to whom the remarks are directed towards.

The wisdom of this proverb is so true. I have seen words cut people down and hurt them in ways fists could not. I have also seen the healing power of words. I have seen a child crying and a mother comfort him with just a few words. I have been in the hospital during a time of tragedy, and have seen the healing power of words through prayer.

Your words are like having a tool box in your mouth with two kinds of tools. First, there are tools that demolish, cut, teardown and hurt. Secondly, there are tools that build up, and bring healing. Every time you open your tool box (your mouth) you decide which tools you will take out and use. If the only tool you reach for is a hammer, then every problem will look like a nail. The wise person uses healing tools.

Lord help me to bring comfort and encouragement and healing with my words. Psalms 19:14 (NKJV) Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

Pastor Larry

What the Resurrection Proves

Last Sunday all across the world Christians celebrated Easter Sunday. I find it interesting that even non-Christians celebrate Easter. Easter is extremely important to Christians. If there had been no Easter there would be no Christianity. What does the resurrection of Jesus mean? What did it accomplish? What does it prove? I want to mention several things that the resurrection of Jesus Christ proves.

1. The Resurrection proves the Word of God is True.

The Bible predicted the death, and resurrection of Jesus. All the way back in the law and the prophets, scripture predicted that the Messiah would die and would raise from the dead. The word of God is at stake over resurrection of the Messiah. When Jesus rose from the dead then all of those prophesies were fulfilled and the Word of God was proven to be true.

Remember when Jesus appeared to the two disciples walking on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24. They were grieving the death of Jesus and he appeared to them and they did not realize it was Jesus. Luke 24:25-27 (NKJV) 25Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” 27And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

Notice what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:3 - 4 (NKJV) 3For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

2. The Resurrection Proves Jesus Christ is God.

There is no greater proof of Jesus deity than the resurrection. The resurrection was the most monumental thing that He did to verify that He was God, for only God can conquer death.

3. The Resurrection Proves Salvation is Complete.

In order for God to saves us, and to declare us righteous, He had to raise Jesus from the dead. Eternal life is dependent on the resurrection. The Bible says that in Adam all died, so in Christ we are made alive. Christ’s death and resurrection guarantees our eternal life. John 11:25 (NKJV) 25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

If Jesus had not raised form the death then his sacrifice was not successful, it did not work. It would not have atoned for our sins.

4. The Resurrection Proves the Reality of Judgment.

The Bible teaches that Jesus is the righteous judge. John 5:22 (NKJV) 22For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, John 5:25 - 27 (NKJV) 25Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. 26For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, 27and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.

John 5:30 (NKJV) I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, becasue I do not seek My own will but the will of the Fahter who sent Me.

Romans 14:9 - 10 (NKJV) 9For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
Are You Ready?

Pastor Larry

Power in the Name

The gospel of Luke tells about Jesus sending out seventy-two disciples on a mission trip. He gives them specific instructions on what to do and what not to do. When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported all that happened. Luke 10:17 says: Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” Having been on several mission trips, I have experienced first hand the excitement of regrouping with fellow team members and sharing what God has done. Everyone has a story they want to share. I can only imagine what it must have been like to listen as all seventy-two disciples were sharing all that God had done on their trip.

What is interesting is in all the disciples’ reports, the power they saw in the name of Jesus. They shared with enthusiasm “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name.” Jesus said in verse 19, Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. There is authority in the name of Jesus. When you serve Jesus, you serve with his authority.

Jesus said in verse 20, "Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” We should not rejoice just because evil spirits obey us, rejoice because your name is written in heaven. Because of Jesus death and resurrection your name is written in the Lambs book of life. The word “written” in the Greek is perfect passive indicative. Which means it is a state of completion, and stands written. It comes from a common verb which refers to citizens possessing the full privileges of the commonwealth. A believer in Jesus Christ you have wonderful privileges because your name is written in heaven. We go through our lives and getting trapped in the mundane routines and loose sight that we are citizens of heaven.

One of these days we will be able to completely enjoy the privileges we already possess. John 3:16 (NKJV) 16For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Pastor Larry

I Am A Privileged Man!

When I reflect on my life, I realize how privileged I am. The Lord has been so good to me; (better than I ever deserve). I am privileged to live in a country that allows so many opportunities to its citizens. I am privileged to have great health. I am privileged to be married to the best wife a man could possible have. I am privileged to have four great children. I am privileged to pastor a great church. But, my greatest privilege is to know Christ.

If you are a believer you also have been given this great privilege. Jesus spoke of our privilege in Luke 10:22 (NKJV) 22All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” Jesus says, to know the Father and the Son comes through revelation. I praise God for the fact that he has been revealed to me.

Notice what the next verse says: Luke 10:23 - 24 (NKJV) 23Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; 24for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it.” Jesus told the disciples how privileged they were to have seen what they had seen. Just read through the gospels and you will see many wonderful things the disciples experienced while following Jesus. They had seen the sight returned to the blind, lepers made whole, crippled healed, even the dead brought back to life. They had seen the forces of nature obey Jesus. They had seen the crucifixion and death of Jesus. They had seen the resurrected Lord. They had seen the ascension of Jesus.

The disciples were not the only privileged ones. Believers today are also living under many wonderful privileges. I have seen the Lord do so many amazing things. I have seen him change many lives with the gospel. I have had the opportunity to study the Word of God and learn many great truths from it.

I want to remind and encourage you, that your are also privileged, so live like it.

Pastor Larry

How to Stay Close to God

God gives instructions to the Israelites to remember and obey when they select a king. It is interesting as I read through these verses how many of the kings of Israel failed to abide by these commands. Before we are too hard on the kings we need to admit to ourselves that we also fail to obey God’s commands. What God’s says in Deuteronomy 17:18-19 is great advice for you and me.

Deuteronomy 17:18-19 (NKJV) 18“Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites. 19And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes,

The Lord wanted the king to have a high view of scripture. God instructed the king to copy the laws on a scroll for himself, in the presence of the Levitical priests. Copying the Word of God would not have been an easy task. It would have taken many days to accomplish. They did not have printing presses, copy machines or computers with scanners. Every copy of God’s word required someone with a pen in hand to copy it. Imagine the time that would require. Maybe we would be blessed today if we would take the time to copy God’s Word.

Next the King was required to keep the Word with him at all times. How much do you cherish your Bible? Do you keep it with you? I am amazed how many people leave their Bibles at church, and don’t seem to miss or need them until the next Sunday. Some people leave their Bibles in their cars, and they only take them out on Sundays. Why not carry your Bible with you? When someone asks you, “is that you’re Bible?” You can be prepared to share your faith with them. When you leave home I am sure you carry your wallet or purse with you. Your Bible is just as important.

God also commanded the King to read the Word every day of his life. God expected him to have a daily quiet time with Him. God knew if the king read and carefully consulted the Word in every decision, he would be a great godly king. We also need to follow this same advice, read the Word daily. God’s Word is life changing. Anyone who reads it daily and follows God’s commands will be transformed by His Word. 1 Peter 2:2-3 says: 2as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

Do you want to stay close to the Lord? Stay close to his Word.

Pastor Larry

Never Return to Egypt

Moses at the end of his life is giving final instruction to the Israelites from the Lord. He tells them “You must never return to Egypt.” Deuteronomy 17:16 (NLT). Egypt was a place of bondage for them.

When I read this verse, I am reminded that we all have our own “Egypt.” When Jesus saved you, he delivered you from your Egypt. You must never go back there again. The Israelites, as they traveled to the promise land, desired to return to Egypt many times. There were many things in Egypt they missed, the foods, and the pleasures. They had forgotten they had been slaves, and in bondage to the Egyptians. It seems that we sometimes suffer from the same memory loss. We tend to forget all the Lord has done for us, the shackles of sin He has saved us from. Sure sin can be fun and exciting, but it makes a terrible master. We can not enjoy sin without getting trapped in its shackles. God’s word tells us the ultimate end of sin is death Romans 6:23. God loves us so much that he paid the price for our sin and delivered us from its power. That is what Easter is all about.

Look back and remember what the Lord has done in your life. What has he brought you through? What ever you do, don’t turn back. I am shocked when I see how good the Lord is to people, and then they turn their back on Him and return to “Egypt.” Luke 9:62 says: But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Jesus never looked back. Praise God he didn’t. Don’t you look back either.

Pastor Larry

A Mountain Top Prayer Meeting

Have you ever noticed that most people don’t like to go to prayer meetings? It seems that if you want to drive people away, just invite them to pray. Why don’t we pray more? Why don’t we enjoy praying with others? Maybe we don’t see the power of prayer. We say we believe in it. However, if we really believed in the power of prayer, we would spend more time praying. Have you ever noticed how Christians love to talk about prayer, but don’t spend much time in prayer? I have been in prayer meetings where we spent more time talking about our prayer request than we actually spent in prayer. I believe we could learn a lot from an account that happened to the disciples.

Jesus took Peter, James and John to a mountain top prayer meeting. Can you imagine what it would be like to be at a prayer meeting with Jesus? It seems that the disciples must have been Baptist because they had trouble staying awake during Jesus’ prayer meetings. Remember when Jesus prayed in the garden, he asked them to stay awake and pray, even for one hour. The three disciples were, according to scripture, drowsy and had fallen asleep at this mountain top prayer meeting (Luke 9:32).

While they were sound asleep, Jesus’ appearance changed. His face and His clothes became dazzling white. Then Moses and Elijah, appeared and began talking to Jesus. Luke 9:31 says: “who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.” They ministered to Jesus about God’s plan for him to suffer and die in Jerusalem. I wish I could have been there and heard what they said. They prepared Jesus for what he would endure for us.

The disciples awoke up and saw Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, they were amazed. I believe they regretted falling asleep during this prayer meeting. As Moses, and Elijah were about to leave, “Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. Luke 9:33 (NKJV)

While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. Luke 9:34 (NKJV) Can you imagine a supernatural cloud that moved over them. What was this cloud? It was the “shikina” glory of God. Then the voice of God spoke from the cloud and said: “This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him.” When God finished the cloud went away and Jesus was there alone.

This impacted Peter, James and John so much that they didn’t tell anyone what they had witnessed for a long time. There is a great deal said in scripture about the power of prayer. I believe that Peter, James and John learned something about prayer that day. If Jesus needed to pray, how much more do we need to pray? Most people give the excuse that they just don’t have time to pray. I am amazed that we always have time for the things that are important to us. Make prayer a priority in your life; you never know when you might have a mountain top prayer meeting.

Pastor Larry

Impossible Things!

What in your life seems impossible? We all face those situations where we feel something is impossible. The next time you face an impossible situation stop and think of the disciples and “The lesson of the twelve baskets.”

The gospel of Luke chapter 9 tells us how Jesus had slipped away from the crowds and wanted some down time. The crowds found out where he was and they followed him, and he welcomed them. He taught them and healed their diseases. As the day passed, the disciples saw a problem and encouraged Jesus to send the people away to the villages and towns so they could find food and lodging. Jesus gives the assignment of feeding the people to the disciples. He says: “You feed them.” The disciples look at their resources, and think, “It is Impossible.” We have only five loaves of bread and two fish.

There were 5,000 men not counting the women and children. This task was impossible for the disciples to accomplish in their own resources. Many times we try to solve our problems using only our own limited resources. I have come to learn over the years that my resources are very limited, but the Lord’s are limitless. Faith draws on the limitless resources of almighty God.

I was speaking with a friend recently. He told me how God is calling him into missions. We talked about what this means in his life. He has a large family and a good job, his life is secure. Following this call would require a crisis of belief. He would have to quite his job and follow a path of faith. Most of us are not comfortable in living by faith.

The disciples had seen Jesus do the impossible many times. I believe Jesus wanted them to learn a faith lesson. He had them gather the people into groups and sit them down on the ground. Jesus then took the food and asked God to bless it. He broke it up and fed all the people. After every one had eaten all they wanted there was twelve baskets left over.

Each of the disciples left that evening with a basket of bread and fish. I believe each basket contained more then the five loaves and two fish. When we trust the Lord with what we have and depend on Him in faith, He can do the impossible.

What is in your basket?

Pastor Larry

What Does God Want?

What does God want from his servants? I have been asked many times over the years; “What does God want from me?” God reveals in His holy Word what he requires from His servants. Deuteronomy 10:12 - 13 (NKJV) 12“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your good?


I find in these verses 5 things God requires of us.

1. He requires us to fear Him. I believe Christians today do not fear the Lord as our forefathers did. I see Christians saying and doing things that convince me they have no fear of the Lord. God deserves our fear. The fear of the Lord will change your life. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

2. He requires us live according to His will. The Lord has a will for each of our lives. He requires that we find and walk in His will.


3. He requires us to love Him. We need to love him with all of our total being.


4. He requires us to worship Him. He is worthy of our worship. I don’t understand a Christian not wanting to worship the Lord. When we truly understand what the Lord has done for us, how can we not worship Him?

5. He requires us to obey His commands. The Bible from Genesis to Revelation speaks about obedience. God requires obedience! It is impossible to please the Lord without total, complete obedience.


Are you fulfilling these requirements? We should evaluate our lives and if we come up short, why not change today. God told the Israelites Deuteronomy 10:16 “Therefore, cleanse your sinful hearts and stop being stubborn.”

Pastor Larry

Afraid of God's Voice

Do you hear God’s voice? God is always speaking, are you listening? Deuteronomy chapter 5, Moses called the people together and reminded them how the Lord spoke to them on the mountain. Deuteronomy 5:4 (NKJV) “The Lord talked with you face to face on the mountain from the midst of the fire.” Moses stood as an intermediary between the people and the Lord, God spoke and Moses passed the message on to the people.

The people of Israel when they heard God speaking on the mountain they were afraid of His voice. They said in Deuteronomy 5:27 (NKJV) “You go near and hear all that the Lord our God may say, and tell us all that the Lord our God says to you, and we will hear and do it.’”

The people were content to have Moses listening to God for them. Look at Exodus 20:19 (NKJV) “Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.”

If we are not careful we can be just like the people of Israel, failing to listen to God personally. God speaks but we pay no attention to his voice not because of willful disobedience, but because we do not truly love and respect him. We show how little love we truly have for God by preferring to listen to his servants rather then to Him. Today we have available to us as Christians so much literature. There are so many Bibles and study helps and devotional books, Bible software with libraries full of information, yet we Christians are ignorant of the Word. We know what we believe but can we back it up with scripture. This happens when we listen to the servants instead of the Master.

Listen to the Master; I know if you listen he will speak to you right now. Make it your discipline every day to go to God’s Word with joy and ask him to speak to you as you read it. John 10:27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”

Pastor Larry

Rejoicing Over Decreasing

He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30 (NKJV)

It seems to me that in this world people are searching for greatness. Children, when they are little dream about being a great athlete, or perhaps a movie star or model. As these children grow up and realize their ambitions are not met, they strive for greatness in other ways. As a servant of Jesus Christ our goal should not be our greatness but his greatness. Our supreme goal is to exalt Jesus Christ.

John the Baptist was, by Jesus’ words, the greatest man every born of woman (Matthew 11:11). I would have loved to have spent some time with John. Not during meal time as he had quite a strange diet. I would have loved to gotten to know John’s heart. When his ministry was at its peek, was when Jesus’ ministry was just starting. Chapter three of the gospel of John, describes an event where Jesus and his disciples, and John and his disciples were baptizing at the same time. John describes his role as that of the friend of the bridegroom. He makes a great statement in John 3:30 “He must increase, but I must decrease.” These words give us a glimpse into the heart of John the Baptist. John said these words with rejoicing in his heart. John 3:29 says “Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.”

Most people would be sad to see their ministry and influence decrease, but not John. As a servant, your primary responsibility is to be a friend of the bridegroom. John 3:29 (NKJV) He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.

As the friend of a bridegroom you are not wanting any praise or recognition, you want the bridegroom to get it all. Your joy is fulfilled when Jesus is praised.

Be careful not to rejoice with someone over the wrong thing, but always look to rejoice over the right things. “The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice.” Listen for the Bridegroom’s voice.

Pastor Larry

A Holy Heart Burn

Luke 24:28-35 says: Luke 24:28 - 35 (NKJV) 28Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. 29But they constrained Him, saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them. 30Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. 32And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” 33So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.

Does your heart burn for the Lord? We need to learn the secret of a burning heart. The disciples on the road to Emmaus were talking about the death of Jesus, when Jesus himself appeared to them. He asked them what they were talking about. One of them named Cleopas answered: “Have you not known the things which happened there in these days?” Then they talked about what Jesus went through. Verse 31 says their eyes were opened and they knew Him. He then disappeared from their sight.

Notice in verse 32 they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us?”
Does your heart burn? When you first received the Lord into your life, do you remember the joy and excitement of reading scriptures and fellowshipping with other believers, and worshipping the Lord. You had holy heart burn. You would hear a new spiritual truths and it would bring excitement to your spirit. The grind of our daily lives can smother the burning of our heart. We need to learn the secret of maintaining the burning heart.

How do you maintain a holy heart burn? The way is by abiding in Jesus. The fire of the heart needs to feed with the fresh Word of God every day. You need to continually feed your heart with the fuel from the Holy Spirit.

I have battled with physical heart burn for years that is not good, but I would not want to live without spiritual heart burn.

Pastor Larry

Listen and Obey

March 26, 2007

Deuteronomy 4:1 - 6 (NKJV) 1“Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I teach you to observe, that you may live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers is giving you. 2You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. 3Your eyes have seen what the Lord did at Baal Peor; for the Lord your God has destroyed from among you all the men who followed Baal of Peor. 4But you who held fast to the Lord your God are alive today, every one of you. 5“Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. 6Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’

Moses is nearing the end of his life, as he gives final instructions to the children of Israel. He encourages them to listen carefully to all the laws and regulations. Obey them so God can bless them.

He warns them not to add or subtract from them, because they are from the Lord. They are just to obey them.

Listen and obey is still what God is looking for in his servants. It seems that today it is harder to find Christians who will simply obey. A servant’s job is obedience. True obedience requires careful listening.

Maybe today we are not obeying because we are not listening. How do you listen to the Lord? Do you listen to him through others (preachers, books, songs)? Do you listen to him through his Word? Do you listen to him through prayer?

I believe the Lord is always saying something, the question is are we listening.

God is looking to bless you, I encourage you to listen and obey all that he says. Follow the advice that Mary the mother of Jesus gave the disciples when Jesus performed his first miracle. “What ever he says just do it.”

Pastor Larry