Who is God Blessing Because of You?

Genesis 39:5 And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.

Joseph is one of the great figures of Scripture. Twenty-five percent of the content of the Book of Genesis is about him. When we come to realize that Joseph is perhaps the greatest type of Christ in the Old Testament then we can understand why the Father would devote so much ink to him. God blessed the house of the Egyptian- Why? Why would God let His blessing rest on the house of a pagan, idol worshiping Egyptian? The obvious answer is for Joseph's sake. Joseph like us is the salt of the earth. We are people of influence that have great power for good or ill in the lives of those with whom we touch each day. We have the potential to bring God's blessing to so many people, as we share Christ with them and do our best to be a testimony for Jesus it is inevitable that their lives will be enriched because of us. Put your name in the blank: "and the Lord blessed so and so for ? 's sake."

Application

Who will God bless today because of you? You shall be a blessing, this is God's desire for us. Look for someone today whose life can use the blessing of God and be that blessing to them.

The Knowledge of God

Great day with God's people at Fellowship yesterday. It is always a blessing to see people profess Christ as Lord and Savior and to see others make commitments to become growing followers of Jesus Christ!

Thought for the day

Romans 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

To know God is the highest privilege that we can enjoy as human beings. In John 17:3 Jesus said that knowing God is the essence of eternal life. I look back with tremendous gratitude and thankfulness to the day when I received Christ as my Lord and Savior. I have been changed from a sin loving, self-destructive person to a child of God made over in His image! This verse really brings out the sadness of a person who is pushing God out of his or her life to the point where he or she doesn't even want to think about Him. Unfortunately, this I believe is where we find ourselves heading in our nation today. Society is attempting to remove the knowledge of God out of every area of life possible with the hopes of one day containing Him within the four walls of the worship house alone. I am committed to opposing this trend by faithfully proclaiming the name and knowledge of God to anyone who will hear.

Application

Tell someone about Jesus today; speak up for Him at every opportunity. It is for the good of each person individually and to our nation as a whole!

God's Amazing Grace

Thought for the day

Romans 5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

As believers we are able to overcome sin and reign in life through the gift of righteousness that is given us in Christ Jesus. There is no cause to live a defeated second rate existence as a child of God. God's grave is truly amazing!

Application

Spend a few moments worshiping the Lord for the gift of His grace until in your heart you truly understand that it is amazing!.

Great week of KIDS KAMP this year. There were many children and adults who blessed and were blessed through this annual event.

Thought For The Day

Isaiah 40:31

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint.

The busyness of life has the potential to be one of our greatest blessings or our greatest enemies. Jesus Himself was very busy and kept a schedule that would challenge the greatest CEO, but He was not frazzled. He kept His cool and His composure through the most difficult of itineraries. The reason for this is that in His human/divinity there was a constant awareness that He could do nothing of Himself apart from His Father. This is the key, maintaining an abiding relationship with the true vine (John 15).

Application

Take a few minutes today to examine your walk with the Lord. Are you "abiding" in Him, or "surviving" in yourself?

The Strength of Self-Control

Thought For The Day

Proverbs 25:28

(28) He that has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

In ancient times, a city's primary defense was the strength of its walls. Without a solid wall as a perimeter to the city there was no impediment to an invader's attack. A broken down wall was a symbol of reproach and shame as we see in Nehemiah chapter one. A broken down wall would cause a city to be mocked by those who would look upon it.

This is the condition that God attributes to a person who does not exercise self-control. When our tongue is set loose and our facial expressions are not held in check we are like that broken down city, we are defenseless and a reproach to those who see us. Self-control is one of the fruits of the Spirit. It can only come as we live in dependence upon the Lord and His Word.

Application

How do others view your reactions to the challenges of life. Do they see you as a strong person who models quiet strength or as a dilapidated old city that can't take any pressure. Confess this sin to God today and ask the Lord to begin changing you into a person of strength and influence to others.

Building a Solid House

Photo: C.J. and I enjoyed a great breakfast with the men of the church at the annual Father/Son Breakfast at Buddy Freddy's.

Thought For The Day

Psalms 127:1-2 Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman wakes but in vain. (2) It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he gives his beloved sleep.

As men it is so important that we learn to recognize our own limitations and surrender them to the limitlessness of the Lord. If we are not leaning on the everlasting arms of God through the daily burdens and tasks of life it is vain (useless, empty, void of result). True strength and energy for the responsibilities we face each day can only come from Him. We may "survive" for a while in the power of our own might, but a sinkhole collapse is just ahead if we do not repent of our self-sufficiency and recognize the utter sufficiency of the Lord.

Application

Look at your schedule for the week, the tasks at hand, the workload that await you and surrender each item one by one to the gracious strength of our ever-giving God.

The Blessed People

Photos: Bowling activity with church family after pm service last night. We had a great time together.

Thought of the Day

Psalms 89:15-18 Blessed are the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of your countenance. (16) In your name shall they rejoice all the day: and in your righteousness shall they be exalted. (17) For you are the glory of their strength: and in your favor our horn shall be exalted. (18) For the LORD is our defense; and the Holy One of Israel is our king.

I love the phrase "blessed are the people". I cannot get over the fact that among all the billions on our planet today I have been privileged to be one of the Blessed People! We are the people that know the joyful sound of God's Word. We are privileged to live everyday in the light of His countenance. Barnes explains this last phrase as "

They shall live in thy favor, and enjoy thy smiles." It fills me with inexpressible joy to imagine the Lord looking down from heav

en smiling over me, not because I am so deserving or worthy, but because I belong to Him through the new birth in Christ who has made me worthy because only He is truly worthy.

Application

As you think of the people whose paths you will cross today remember the fact that you are one of the Blessed People, but they can be as well by faith in Jesus alone. Look for that opening to share Christ with them today.

Who's the Winner?

Had a great day officiating the wedding of good friends yesterday in Jacksonville. It is alway

s a

great honor to be asked to have a part in such an important event in people's lives. Jason and Trish we wish you many blessings and a great life together serving th Lord.

Thought For The Day

Ephesians 5:31-33 For this cause shall a man leave his father

and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. (32) This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. (33) Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

There is so much talk about "compatibility" in marriage. I believe this is overrated. There is nothing very compatible about two people with different backgrounds, gene pools, life experiences, and tastes who on top of all this differences are fallen creatures of Adam's race. Our greatest "chance" at success in marriage will not be as the result of finding that person who is most compatible, but by making sure that our most significant family relationship is with the Lord, not our spouse. It takes the indwelling presence of Christ in both husband and wife to bring about the fulfillment we desire in a marriage relationship.

I heard a wonderful thought recently that went something like this, "If your marriage relationship is always about winning and losing, then you will either be a loser or a winner who is married to a loser. Either way the marriage loses." The only real win in marriage is when the Lord comes out on top.

Application

The next time that a conflict arises in your marriage, do everything in your power to let your spouse be the winner. By preferring them above yourself you invite God's presence into the conflict and you set the example that in time perhaps they will follow as well.

Of Such is the Kingdom of God

Thought of the Day

Mark 10:13-16 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. (14) But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. (15) Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. (16) And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

What a great day with the family of God focusing on our kids. Honoring our graduates in the morning worship service and then our children in the evening was a very special day to me. Children are so important to our Lord that he rebuked his adult disciples for their resistance to the children's spiritual growth. I am so proud of our adult laborers in the children and youth ministries of Fellowship. I know that your acts of sacrificial kindness bring joy to the heart of our Savior. It was a special joy to me to baptize two of our young people as well. Thank God for committed Christian parents who teach their kids the Word of God and pray for their conversion to Christ.

After preaching a salvation message one day, a preacher was asked how it went. He said that there were 2 and 1/2 saved that day. The man replied, "Oh, 2 adults and 1 child". The preacher responded, "No, 2 children and 1 adult. The children have their entire lives to live for Christ, the adult has only half of his."

Application

Ask God to show you your part in "reaching", "growing" and "sending" youth for Christ. There is not a more valuable use of your time that you could possibly make.

The Importance of Honor

I have enjoyed the opportunity to speak at graduation events in two schools this week. Congratulations to the graduates of Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville and the graduates of Seffner Christian Academy as well. Tomorrow morning we will honor all of our graduates from Fellowship Baptist Church during our morning worship service at 11am. We love you all and are so proud of your accomplishment!

Thought For The Day

Ephesians 6:1-2 Children, obey your parents in the

Lord: for this is right. (2) Honor your father and mother; (which is the first commandment with

promise;)

"True honor comes as the result of being

honorable." I read this wonderful quote this morning in the book Five Signs of a Loving Family by Gary Chapman. Children are commanded to honor their parents, but it is assumed that these parents would understand their responsibility to be honorable. There is one of ten commandments directed at children to honor their parents, parents should be diligently following the remaining ten. How desperately our nation and culture needs a resurgence of honor and respect. This will only come from a focus on this in the home.

Application

How are you doing today to be a person of honor. Do you model respectfulness to your children in your dealings with others? It is never too late to change. Gather your children today and commit to them from here forward to display a genuine example of honor to them.

You ARE the Light of the World

Thought For The Day

This morning I will speak at a Baccalaureate service in Jacksonville, FL. My burden is to convey to these graduates and all in attendance that name the name of Christ to receive the truth of Jesus' words in this passage.

Matthew 5:14-16 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. (15) Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under a bushel, but on a lamp stand; and it gives light unto all that are in the house. (16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

There are statements that Jesus makes about us that do not require our permission or approval. He does not ask for our acknowledgment of the truth of what He says, He just states it as fact. Jesus says to me and to all who name His name that we ARE the light of the world. We are light, not because we want to be or because we think we are good enough to be; He just says we are. I remember some years ago a discussion began by a comment made by basketball great Charles Barclay that he was not a role model, just a basketball player. Most argued that he was a role model simply by the nature of his fame and notoriety and he should just embrace this responsibility. This is the same thing we see here, we ARE light. This is our job, our responsibility, our calling. This is what Jesus says we are and we must embrace this privileged duty today. Light reveals a character. We reveal the character of Jesus Christ!

Application

Let you light shine today for Jesus. Tell someone about Him through your life and word. The world will provide the opportunities, Jesus has provided the sufficiency; you must provide the obedience.

Descending Into Greatness

Thought  For The Day

Mark 10:42-45  But Jesus called them to him, and said unto them, You know that they who are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their leaders exercise authority over them.  (43)  But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever would be great among you, shall be your servant:  (44)  And whosoever of you will be the first, shall be servant of all.  (45)  For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Its amazing to me how the Lord continually flips my human value system on its head. It just makes sense that the greatest should be served. They should be given the first place, the best seat, the highest opinion. This is what the world teaches us. But the Lord says, no. If you want to be great in the truest sense; in God's eyes you have to descend into it. If I cannot humble myself and die to my desires for the sake of others then I can never truly be great.

What a great lesson for marriage. Put yourself under your spouse in the area of opinion and preference and watch God transform your relationship into something really special. Learn to laugh at your shortcomings especially when someone else points them out to you and you will experience the invincibility of humility.

Application

Today, find someone to serve that according to the world's standard should be serving you: a subordinate at work, one of your kids, your spouse and watch the reaction and transformation that will begin to take place in their spirit.

Looking for Opportunities

Thought  For The Day
As I was reading in 1 Kings 7 I was taken back by the level of detail that the gave for the simple task of preparing stands for 10 lavers. What could have appeared as the mundane and ordinary to the average person was sacred and unique to God. Much of life seems "mundane" and "ordinary", but we must try to see the average through the eyes of God. All of life is sacred to Him. "In him we live and breath and have our being." (Acts 17). 


Application
Today, look for the Lord in the ordinary. Determine not to go through the entire day without seeing something of eternal value in the ordinary "stuff" of life.