Thursday, April 26, 2007

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

Monday, April 23, 2007

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

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

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

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

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

Monday, April 16, 2007

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

Thursday, April 12, 2007

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

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

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

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

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

Monday, April 9, 2007

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

Saturday, April 7, 2007

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

Friday, April 6, 2007

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

Thursday, April 5, 2007

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

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

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

Tuesday, April 3, 2007

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

Monday, April 2, 2007

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