Common Believers

Acts 2: 44

⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common.

Last night I came from a meeting with some men from church, and I got a feeling of what it might have been like for the early church.

One of the things that grabbed my heart, was how 13 guys seemingly think so much alike.

I don’t think I’ve felt this confident in a group of leaders in our church, in the 13 years I’ve been in Pastoral ministry.

There’s nothing like it, and we get to experience it!

Confidence grows when the church is together.

Joy comes into a fellowship, when we have all things spiritually in common.

I don’t think I’d want to repeat what has happened in our church over the last 6 months.

The way things are now though, there isn’t anything like it in the whole wide world.

After the Holy Spirit came upon the early church, the church was then vibrant, growing and committed.

That’s what it finally feels like in our small church.

This is where many churches fall asleep, but our church needs to continue to develop.

Now that we know how to take care of each other, we need to continue to do that.

Our church has been gifted with a pile of people, who really know how to give.

We actually have some good givers and some really good discerners.

What a joy it is to work together, for the common good of the flock, and for the glory of Christ…

healthy?

Acts 2: 42

⁴² And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Would you say you attend a healthy church?

If so, what would you say are some of the healthy signs you see there?

The first healthy thing the early church had, was devotion.

They were devoted to studying the Bible, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer.

In your home church, what would you say you’re devoted to?

Are you devoted to something?

A healthy church is devoted to the following things:

·         A continual devotion to the Lord…

·         A continual devotion to the people of the church…

·         A continual devotion to the Gospel work around the world…

So how would you say your church measures up? How would you say you measure up?

I know churches which are marked with discord, gossip, mettle and strife.

I wonder how that honors the message of Christ?

Make no mistake about it, for there to be true fellowship in the church, the people there, must be truly saved, first.

Maybe that’s the core issue of an unhealthy church? Now there’s something to ponder… 

A warning letter!

1 Corinthians 4: 14

I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children.

Have you ever warned someone in the faith?

Most people don’t like confrontation in the church, and so what should be warned, is often never given another thought.

I was working at church on Monday afternoon, and I saw 3 kids enter the parking lot from the south.

I watched as they moved toward our pond. They came to try and catch some of the many frogs that make our church pond their home.

At first I felt the old crotchety old man rise up in me, and then I felt the Holy Spirit speak me down.

I went out of the main entrance, and made my way down to the pond.

As I got to the children, I introduced myself as Pastor Dan, and each child introduced themselves to me.

Yesterday I got to meet… Jeremiah, Aaron, & Libby.

I warned them about what might happen if they fell into the pond.

I told them that the pond was 14’ feet deep, and I showed them approximately what 14’ looked like.

After I made my point though, I asked them how much they liked candy.

I had three takers, and they cleaned me out of…“Tootsie Pops”, in 5 second flat.

How are you at offering warnings? Do you offer warnings?

Sometimes it’s how we go about it, that makes all the difference in the world… 

Sweet Fellowship!

Psalm 55: 14

We who had sweet fellowship together, walked in the house of God in the throng…

David Murrow wrote a book in 2011, entitled… “Why Men Hate Going to Church”.

Men say… “Church is boring”… “It’s irrelevant”… “It’s full of hypocrites”…

A group of men from two local churches, came together yesterday out at Lake Breeze Golf Course, for the inaugural “Christian Cup” event.

I know a few of the guys in the championship pretty well, but other’s I met yesterday for the very first time.

We had sweet Christian fellowship, and frankly, men need sweet fellowship with other men.

And let me make this bold statement…there was nothing boring about this event at all!

I think the greatest testimony I heard yesterday, was from the female bartender inside.

She said and I quote… “We sure don’t get many groups of men like your group very often!!”

I think that says a whole bunch about the men from CCC & WCF.

Men and boys are fleeing the church in record numbers all over the world. Maybe there’s a reason for that?

Sunday’s event wasn’t at all about golf, but it was about sweet manly fellowship.

For the guys who made it about anything but fellowship, they missed the boat for sure.

It’s time the men of the church, showed this crazy world what we’re really made of.

I happen to think the 24 guys that came together for golf on a hot Sunday afternoon, went a long way in doing that…

A Place to Quarrel!

Psalm 81: 7

⁷ In distress you called, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah.

Meribah was actually called a place of “quarreling”.

This is where God’s people, argued with their God.

Can you imagine having a disagreement with God?

I can’t being to wonder why people accuse God of wrong doing.

God is constantly in the business of testing our trust in Him.

These people had a short memory, and had forgotten what God had done at the Red Sea.

But after all this complaining, God still answered their prayer.

He answered their cries for help.

When we are in trouble, God answers us, but we may have to wait a while before He supplies our need.

Maybe the wait time, is for filtering out some of the bad attitudes we have.

The Bible says that God “abhors”, complaining and fussing.

Yet in His great mercy, He still answers us.

Even in time spent in the wilderness, God doesn’t let us wait forever.

Maybe He has a plan in letting us wait.

Even in our sin and rebellion, He is still there to meet our needs. Wow, what a God… 

Words!

Isaiah 55: 11

¹¹ …so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; t shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

To many people, words are just plain words.

I wonder if most churches could be summed up as… “all talk, and no action”.

I’ve heard the term used… “Put your money where your mouth is”.

Empty promises are just plain words.

But with God my friends, His words hold a lot of weight.

His words are as good as done.

Do you need to hear that today?

Just like all the seeds in the great state of Wisconsin that were planted in the fields, they will reap a harvest.

So will God’s Word, and you can take that to the bank.

The world might tell you that you can’t, but God’s Word says we can.

We can do ALL things!

When God gives a promise, it’s just a matter of time before it’s fulfilled.

When He declares a specific purpose, that too will be fulfilled.

God’s Words are not empty words, even if ours sometimes, are.

There’s nothing empty about God’s Word…ever…

More Grace!

James 4: 6

⁶ But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

 

This verse seems simple enough to understand.

I counseled into the late hours of the night last night, and that meeting could’ve gone a lot smoother (and shorter), had there been an ounce of humility.

 

That’s why this devotional is later than it should’ve been.

In what state are you in this morning? Humble or proud?

 

God gives His grace to the humble at heart.

He actually opposes the proud.

 

Grace is the Divine influence of God, flowing into, and out of our hearts.

No humility…no rich flow of grace.

 

Maybe grace isn’t what the church has thought it to be all these years.

Maybe the reason people are struggle so much with rebellion, is because they aren’t humble.

 

An attitude of pride and rebellion, will never, ever lead us to a good place.

The Apostle Peter knew all about humility. He wrote a lot about it, too.

 

He said…We’re supposed to clothe ourselves in humility…We’re supposed to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God.

Maybe the reason people aren’t experiencing the flow, is that they haven’t yet learned to bow low?

 

That’s something to consider, as we go about our day

Flourish

Psalm 92: 12 - 13

¹² The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
¹³ planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God.

How would you say you’re flourishing in your walk of faith?

I’ve met people who’ve said they’ve wanted to become more involved in the church they attend, but something must be holding them back.

Do you wonder what the will of God is for your life, by looking inward, or outward?

I wonder how often Satan turns people away and sidetracks them, from what God has for them?

Would you say you’re growing, or standing still?

Are you serving faithfully in the church you’re planted in?

At the very least, we should be flourishing somewhere.

Do you know that on this Monday morning, you have a golden opportunity to serve the interests of others?

That cuts against the grain of a culture, that tells people to look out for number one.

If Jesus is number, then it won’t be any wonder whose interests we look to serve.

For each person getting this devotion, it really comes down to this final question of the day.

Is the way God equipped you and gifted you, has it inspired you?

Ultimately, our greatest benefit to the Kingdom will happen, when we take our eyes off of self, and place them on Christ, and on the needs of others…

Unity!

John 17: 20 - 21

²⁰ “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, ²¹ that they may all be one…”

Last evening I came from a  meeting, where about 13 guys gathered to join our humble hearts together.

We’ve been spending the last two months, just trying to figure out our role in our home church.

I can’t tell you that I’ve been more excited in my spiritual life.

There is unity in this group, that I haven’t seen or witnessed for quite some time.

Blessing comes when there is unity.

Power comes from the Holy Spirit, when there is a unified front.

Unity is not necessarily defined as being unified with one another.

Unity comes when there is agreement with one another, but most importantly when there is agreement in Jesus.

Only as the body is together in Christ, does unity come.

It’s not the other way around.

Jesus loves unity in the body, and He loves to show off and show up, when there is.

Jesus prayed this prayer of unity…and so should we.

Do you pray for unity in your home church? If not, why not start today?

There’s nothing like it in the whole wide world, when it happens, and you get to witness it…

Honor!

Ephesians 6: 2 - 3

² “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise:

³ If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”

Deb and I, while preparing to move, are uncovering lot’s of priceless treasure.

She would maybe discard some of my stuff, and I might deposit some of hers at the Omro Thrift shop, too.

A wooden sign was something I uncovered, and it was tacked up on a wooden gate on my parents Montana property, back in the 1980’s.

My Mom has been gone for almost 11 years, and my Dad has been gone just a little over 3 years.

I really miss them both, and if I had to do it all over again, I might do some things differently.

Every time I read the verse attached, I think of them.

I often wonder how well I honored my folks?

I wonder how often I considered this text of scripture, when I interacted with my Mom & Dad?

How are you doing at honoring your surviving parents?

Not that I can do a whole lot about it now, but I might have done more honoring, than I did disagreeing.

Here’s a challenge for you. If either of your folks are alive, give them a shout and honor them today.

Maybe then things will go well with you, and you’ll actually have a long life… 

SHHHHHHHH!

1 Timothy 3: 16   NLT

¹⁶ Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit.

He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to Heaven in glory.

It almost seems that Paul threw up his arms when he considered what Jesus accomplished.

Paul was one of the great intellects of his time, and yet this theology thing, was still a total mystery to even him.

It’s amazing how many people, who think they have all the spiritual answers the world would ever need.

Maybe the reason that Psalm 46: 10 says… “Be still and know that I am God…”, is because normally, we’ve just got too much to say.

Maybe Jesus is just indescribable?

Is it possible that our words just aren’t adequate enough to explain His character?

When’s the last time you just entered God’s presence with sheer awe and reverence?

His loving acts centered around us, are without words to even explain.

Take some quiet time today, and just bask in His greatness…and then don’t say a single word…

“Father God, forgive us when we just have too much to say about Your nature.

Help us to fall completely on our faces, and worship you today with a quiet and contrite heart.

We don’t always understand who You are, but we stop for a moment today, just praising and worshipping Your majesty. Amen.”

True Joy!

Isaiah 58: 13 - 14

¹³ “If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord’s holy day honorable,
and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, ¹⁴ then you will find your joy in the Lord”…

So many people see the Sabbath as an obligation.

Did you know that it’s a blessing to be received, more than it’s an obligation?

God wants His people to be refreshed and rest.

He has allowed this day to reconnect with Him.

Everything that God does for us is meant to be relational, not obligational.

God mandated this break in the action for us, because we’re constantly rationalizing why we’re so stinking busy.

It’s no wonder why people come to work exhausted on Monday mornings.

Are you exhausted today? Maybe it’s because you failed to pause.

Why do most people even open up the Bible?

Is it to find out what God requires, or is it to discover His heart for you?

Did you take a break yesterday, from the things that truly burden you?

That’s what God meant the Sabbath to be.

Maybe the next time we need to find true rest, we should really take the opportunity…

Evidence of things!

Hebrews 11: 1   NKJV

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

If any of us have any hope at all, then the object of our hope, is faith.

Every person I know should have even a thimble full of faith.

How is your faith this morning? Do you have any faith?

If you don’t have even a little bit of faith, then I have to wonder if you have any hope.

Do you focus only on the bad that’s happening in our country, or in your life?

Maybe we need to consider what Jesus is actually doing in some lives. He’s still alive, you know!

It’s not all bad, my friends.

I meet with an average of 8 - 10 men early every Tuesday morning for prayer.

Those guys have tremendous faith, and they have hope, too.

They believe that the church can turn things around, by the power of the Risen Christ.

These guys don’t come to see me, but they come because they each have a mustard seed of faith.

We may never ever see, the fruit of our early morning prayer, but we believe, and we pray because we have faith, believing.

This is no time to give up, and besides, without faith, it’s actually impossible to please God.

Do you need to get back in the spiritual game? Then why not start today, believing in the things you just can’t see…  

Fear Not!

Matthew 10: 28   NKJV

²⁸ And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

I don’t think that you’d find many people who wouldn’t agree, that there’s a lot of bad junk going on in the world.

Just to consider how the United States just redefined marriage, has to make one wonder.

I’ve heard people even predict that America is no longer… “the land of the free, and the home of the brave”.

I mean, how bad could things get, right?

I think we’re all forgetting something important.

Have we forgotten who’s in charge? Have we forgotten the promise of salvation? Have we forgotten who’s sitting on the Throne, right now?

Jesus uses the words… “do not fear”, or… “fear NOT!” So then, why do we?

All these crazy things going on in the world, Jesus said would have to come to pass.

So why are we so surprised?

We’re not supposed to be overwhelmed by the things happening in this mixed up world.

Have you forgotten that… “greater is HE that is within us…than he who is in the world.”

Maybe we just need to stop and sing this morning? Now everybody join me...

“What have I to fear…what have I to dread…leaning on the everlasting arms…”

I don’t know about you, but for some reason, I feel better already… J

Beware of Perfect Sense!

Genesis 37: 5

⁵ Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more.

I wonder how many people are really hated/despised, for having a vision from God?

When we look at the life of Joseph, it looks like a really bad deal all the way around.

The dream detailed how one day Joseph’s brothers would all bow down to him.

And so it was, the spiritual dream, had truthful ramifications.

The first part of the plan was just to kill Joseph, but then they sold him into slavery instead.

This was all part of God’s plan. Really??

Sometimes, God’s plans don’t always make much sense in the human heart.

God could’ve accomplished all that He wanted to, without the dream, and without all the heartache.

Maybe it was the visions that Joseph had from God, that kept him going through the low times he experienced.

Those words from God give us direction, when it’s hard to tell which way to go.

Do you hear from God?

What has He told you lately?

If hearing from God to you, makes perfect sense, then you might want to be sure it’s God that’s doing the speaking…

Exit Discouragement!

Job 4: 5

⁵ But now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged; it strikes you, and you are dismayed.

Have you ever been discouraged, spiritually?

Sometimes as much as we wouldn’t want to admit it, walking with Jesus every day can have it’s discouraging moments.

Is discouragement though, any reason to give up?

That might seem like the right thing to do, but it sure wouldn’t be God’s way, now would it?

I officiated at a  wedding in Green Lake on Saturday afternoon.

I told this young couple… “It’s easy to get married…and have a honey moon.”

Actually, it’s pretty hard to hang in there through the problems of life.

Over a life time, problems can sometimes overwhelm us.

The easiest thing I’ve learned to do, is start a new ministry in church.

It’s tough to keep on going, when problems surface, and the results of the ministry don’t meet your high expectations.

Maybe instead of staying discouraged, we could find encouragement in serving the Lord again.

God never glossed over problems in the church, but He never coddled anyone to stay in the midst of the problem.

Where are you today? Discouraged, or encouraged?

Just don’t stay in the area of discouragement, any longer than you have to… 

How would you react?

2 Timothy 3: 1

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.

So I wonder how many people realize how difficult things could get and will get in the last days?

Is it possible that none of us can connect with true difficulty, because we don’t often experience it?

If someone were to tell you that by the end of the year, your retirement account would be gone, would that be difficult enough?

Let’s say that the government would withdraw the 501C3, from the church you attend, would that be difficult enough?

Another Bible translation uses the word, “terrible” times, and the KJV uses the word, “perilous”.

Regardless of what word you actually use, it doesn’t sound to me like it spells fun times.

When I first read this verse, it reminded me of the 10pm. late news.

Fear already looks like it’s settled on the nations of the world.

Don’t get me wrong, the Western world has experienced times of prosperity and peace.

Those times seem less and less, and are almost daily interrupted with times of stress.

Regardless of what word you use, it looks like planet earth is in for some chilling times.

The catch in all this, is determining the time it’s actually going to happen.

I wonder how many people in the world today, are ready for whatever difficulty that’s going to come?

I wonder how many churches are going to be in a place, to help those who experience the terrible times

Whose Will?

Proverbs 16: 3  NLT

³ Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.

My wife Debbie and I are making plans to move, yet again.

We both hate the idea of having to move, after we did it just 3 years earlier.

We’re trying to hire moving trucks and have people to come in and clean for us.

There’s a lot to consider when you have to move from one home to another.

Think of all the things we plan for in our lives…Retirement, children, families, vacations, jobs…

Actually, the list is exhaustive.

I wonder how many of us really consult with God, before taking action?

Maybe the reason some of our plans have flopped, is because God is the last one we consulted.

How would you define success , regarding your plans?

Maybe if we surrendered our actions to God and His will, we’d actually have more success than we do.

Do you look for God to get all the glory in your action plan?

Do we realize that it’s not by our power, that our steps are properly guided?

Maybe it’s time we repeated the words of Jesus… “Not my will Lord, but Thy will be done.”

I’ll bet then, we’d have more success in our plans.