Keeping It Simple and Basic

Over my years of ministry I have really been blessed to get to know personally many Godly men.  Henry Blackaby’s son, Norman, served alongside of me in the Denton Country Area.  Norman was very kind and invited me to meet his father and many of their long time ministry partners.  Ron Owens, Henry Brandt, Kerry Skinner, Richard Owen Roberts, and a host of others.  Some of these men I only met momentarily, while others I got to linger longer and gain insight from them.  Their impact upon my life has greatly added to my understanding of God, His Word, and all that it means to pray.

Honestly, while all of these men challenged me in my walk with God, I still go back to my mother and father’s faith.  Mom would read her Bible daily, and she always told me she was praying for me.  She was wonderful.  I don’t know if you can officially pray in Heaven but I wouldn’t be surprised if she is still.

How does this refer to Redefining Your Purpose?  So much of life deals with the basics such as football:  tackle well, catch the ball, run well.  I never played football, but I did compete a bit in basketball.  Basketball required one to play offensively and defensively.  I wasn’t all that good at it, but I could run fast.  Needless to say, being good at the basics made you a much better player.  Who cares if you can hit a 3 pointer from time to time if you can’t dribble, pass, or make the high percentage shots, you’d get stuck on the bench.

Prayer and Bible Study are like that.  Basics.  My mother and father taught me the basics.  Love Jesus, read and honor God’s Word, forgive.  I don’t really remember hearing my mother verbally pray; but I knew she believed in it.  

The problem with Basics is they are boring.  Three pointer shots or home runs in baseball get the crowds all up in a roar, but most often it’s doing the basics well is what wins the game.  It’s the same with our walk with God.  Miracles are wonderful, and an “Experience” with God is amazing, but it’s the basics of daily walking with God that define us.  I have known people that will go from church to church looking for that amazing experience rather than accepting the simple, possibly boring church where God wants them to be.

Keeping it simple and following the basics aren’t all that glamorous, and you probably won’t get all that recognized for it.  But it’s what matters most.  Excel in the basics, and there will be no limit to what God will do later on in your life.

The Praying Pastor

 

Me Universe

Do you happen to remember when My Space popped up on the scene?  According to google, the great thinker of our modern-day, My Space was created in 2003.  Evidently it still exists.  Facebook has taken over.  It’s like we’ve been encourage to think the World revolves around us.  Marketers do a great job of catering to our wants.  Water Mark Church in Dallas, TX created this video.   It’s sad but very true.  It’s called Me Church.

We’ve created a world that revolves around me, and then when God says, “Woe!” or stop and we get upset.  I wish I knew how to change this, but I don’t.  I’m wrapped up into Me Universe as much as anyone.  If you had to wait more than five minutes at the check out line at your local grocery do you get upset?  What if the Bank Teller has problems with his/her computer and you’re delayed?  I’m finding now that my internet service isn’t fast enough.  I remember the weird sound of the old 28.8 beep buzz ping that the internet used to make when you “dialed” in.  Now it’s just a double-click away.

I hope the next time God pushes you out of Me Universe to remind you it’s His, you won’t buck but seek to understand His ways.  God will destroy Me Universe once and for all when His Glory is revealed for all to see.  We will worship Him not ourselves.

It seems just when I’m all comfortable, settled, and “happy” with life that God invites me to be a part of His work sending me though a Crisis of Belief.  Yep, you guessed it, kicked out of Me Universe again.

Jesus could have lived in Me Universe.  Me Universe would have never required a Cross, but then you and I would still be lost in our sins.  Praise the Lord that He did not choose the easy path, but the one God had laid out for Him.

Following God is never easy, but it’s more than worth it.  Me Universe does not exist in God’s Universe.

May you experience Him in all of His fullness.

He’s Alive

I love Don Francisco.  He does an excellent job telling the story.  Think about it.  He’s alive, and because He’s alive we have Hope.  Hope that can never be taken away from anyone.

Thank you Jesus.

As Jesus was already crucified, and the women had told of all they had seen, Peter runs to the tomb and returns puzzled.  If you think about it the disciples should have had a confident expectation that Jesus was returning.  He told them clearly, and he told them he was going to suffer.  They just didn’t imagine it would be like this, not did they anticipate something so amazing as Jesus raising from the dead.  If they had they would have been waiting with expectation.  They lost hope when it wasn’t necessary.

We do that, or I do anyway.  I can lost hope when I have everything I need in Jesus Christ.  I have no reason to lose hope.   Besides, He’s alive and that means every promise of God is true.  What does this have to do with Peace to you?  I’m glad you asked.

“As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, ‘Peace to you!,’” Luke 24:36, ESV.  Jesus could have rebuked the disciples for not believing, or not anticipating His return.  Nope, he said, “Peace to you.”  Isn’t that great.

Have you lost your hope recently or failed to depend upon Jesus feeling like He wasn’t anywhere around?  Peace to you.  Jesus understand our hearts and loves us as we are.  No, he doesn’t condone sin, but He is our friend that strives with us.

Peace to you.

the praying pastor

How our lives intersect for God’s design.

I have a friend that pastors in Downtown San Antonio.  His name is Edward, and he’s the pastor of Genesis Hot Wells Baptist Church.  I can’t seem to find his website, but he’s on facebook.  Edward’s church has seen over 500 people come to Christ already.  Weekly he will send me a text message indicating someone new has decided to follow Christ.  And yet, Genesis is not your typical Baptist Church.  Located in the heart of San Antonio, if you’re a member there, you are likely a former gang member, prostitute, heroine addict, or former drug user.  God continues to bring people from all walks of life to Edward’s church.  Why?  I asked that a few times thinking, “Wow, God, I’d love to have those kind of results?”  Of course it’s not about what we want, but rather where God places us to be used for His glory.

Back to the why.  God is bringing those people to Genesis because of Edward’s heart for Himself.  His walk with God is impacting his world, and he’s willing to be used.  Edward and I are becoming good friends.  We pray for one another on a regular basis, and I am glad to share in the joy of God’s work in Downtown San Antonio.

God used Barnabas to impact the Kingdom of God by partnering with a new believer known as Saul.  Saul had a horrid reputation as a persecutor of the Church, and yet Barnabas saw Jesus in Saul.  Barnabas, which means encourager, believed God could change someone.  Barnabas and Saul or Paul as Jesus changed his name, did not serve in ministry for a long amount of time; but God used them both for His glory.

We don’t get to choose what God does, we only get to choose to obey.  I would encourage you to be aware of those God is placing in your path.  It may be a large group of people, or just one person.

I am so thankful for my friend Edward as his walk with God inspires me to fight the good fight.  God is using him to impact my life.

The Praying Pastor

Today is A New Day

I have always enjoyed this film.  Chicken Little is quoted to say, “Today is A New Day.”  I have found that to be true over and over again when we walk with Christ.  Yes, we fall down, we sin, and we mess up.  But, each day in Christ is a new day; and we don’t have to live in a life covered with sin.

Christ can reign in us, that is if we’ll let Him.

I am often amazed at the story of Joseph in Genesis.  Called had him reveal his dreams his brothers, and in so doing, they sold him into slavery.  This resulted in him working as a slave, being imprisoned, and then he gets quite a promotion to the second in charge working beside Pharaoh.  Joseph made the best of a tough situation and was faithful.  I’m sure there were many a day he wondered, “What happened to all of those dreams you gave me God?”

Today is a New Day, it might even be your day.

The Praying Pastor

Thanksgiving..where did it go???

I wonder if there should be a book that goes something like:  The World According to Charlie Brown? I think I would have enjoyed having a cup of coffee with Charles Schultz.  Sally mentions, “What do I have to be thankful for?”  I wonder how many times we feel this way just due to our discontentment, or even focus on the wrong things. 

This past week I was reminded about the gift of life as one of my high school buddies lost his younger brother of 36 to a motorcycle accident.  To visit with my friend was good, but bitter sweet as we gathered in the small visitation room thought to be shared only for those who had lived a long and hardy life.  Andy, my friend’s brother, will never experience this.

While I am thankful for my wonderful mother who has been joined by Andy in eternity, I’m more and more thankful for God’s gracious plan and the promise of salvation.  I would love to have a new truck, or new who knows what, but today I wish I could have Andy’s day back so I would never have to visit the funeral home two days before Thanksgiving. 

God has been so good to us, and one day we will know it to be true.  Everyone will know it.  I look forward to that day.

May God bless you richly as you seek to focus on Him this Holiday Season.  Enjoy your family and friends, and thank the Lord eternity is closer than it appears.

Your friend,

Daniel

When God says No

Today, I received a text from one of our church members regarding a young lady (23 years old I believe) who lost the battle to cancer.  As a Christian, I too struggle with the unfairness of death, and wonder why God allows young people to die when they do.  But I can’t see all that God sees, nor do I see from an eternal perspective.

Psalms 116:15  says, “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints,” ESV.  I know when mom died I wondered why God took her when He did.  All I know is that she is with Jesus dancing, singing, and awaiting the rest of the family’s arrival.

I asked the church specifically to pray that God would touch this young lady for healing.  In essence, God didn’t say No, He simply decided how He would heal her.  I am so thankful that God always knows best, and I’m also thankful that our Heavenly Father is also with us to guide, help, and strengthen us in the here and now.

I pray the young lady’s husband will be fine, and I know as He trusts in the Lord He will be fine.

Join me in praying for this young dad, and all too young widow.

Thank you for praying with me.

theprayingpastor

Sermon Player -