The Marvelous Message

According to a Gallup poll in 2016, most Americans said they believe in God. Close to eighty five percent of Americans believe there is a Supreme Designer of life. Although, opinions vary over the definition of God, and when asked about angels, hell, the devil etc. the number of people who believe dramatically shifts. The same Gallup poll records that only sixty percent of Americans polled say they believe in the devil. In 2009, a Barna poll revealed that over forty percent of professed Christians said they didn’t believe the devil was a person, but just a symbol of evil. It appears that the Hollywood image of a devious, red horned creature with a long tail and a pitchfork has been subtly engraved in our minds. In many cartoons, such a character of evil is almost laughable. Not every film portrays the devil like Legend does, but for the most part, this is the imagery that we have been spoon fed and have solidified in our minds. Our culture is stuck between a fire breathing beast di...

 It is a joyful thing to see your children eager to pray or bless a meal. The words they speak are often simple, even at times off kilter, yet they are full of faith. For us learned and cynical adults, we cannot help but marvel, when we examine the heart of hope in a child. For example, out of all the public prayers that I have heard over the years, one in particular stands out above the rest. It is from my middle child, Elliot. Obviously, since I am his dad, I am thrilled that he chooses to pray sometimes before we have a family meal, but it is the content of his prayer that intrigues me the most. I have heard some children belt out a lyrical rhyme before a meal, others will bless every living thing before blessing the meal, and then there are some who will say a few incoherent words and then silently look at an adult, seeking a nod of approval to end the prayer. Strangely enough, I don’t remember teaching Elliot exactly what to say when he prays over food. All I remember is th...

Just a couple weeks ago, my daughter  pulled my heart strings  and convicted me over my desire for God. It started when my family and I were getting ready to eat supper. I asked who wanted to pray for the meal and talk to God. Elliot, my middle child, volunteered. After his prayer, the supper conversation transitioned into talking about the time both of my sons asked Jesus to save them. It wasn’t long though that Eliana, my three year old daughter, began to cry. All of us around the table quickly asked her what was wrong. She wailed, “Jesus isn’t in my heart! He’s in  their’s  heart but not in my heart!” My wife and I tried to console her and tell her how Jesus loved her and He hears the cry of those who want Him. Some may say that I should have gotten into the deep discussion of how she already bears childlike faith and is not at an “age of accountability,” but lest I cause much confusion, I simply reiterated the love of Christ and the promise that all who calls up...

Go and make disciples is the Master's call Go and tell the world that He is Lord of all Don't just sit idly by, while you wait for His return Don't be like a Jonah, anticipating the world to burn A true believer will proclaim the news of God's salvation A true believer humbly wears the scars of persecution To mag nify the name of Christ and redeem the time To invest for eternity and shine His glorious light So why do we rarely seek for ways to spread God's Word Why is it that our speech is only filled with politics, fashion, or sports Why do we fight and toil when it comes to making money But grumble and trudge around when it comes to witnessing Do we really believe what God said is true? Perhaps, we want to “have our cake and eat it too” We must learn that to be a disciple is to bear the cross of Christ To further the gospel through a holy testimony and a faithful life

Genesis 2:7 states, “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. ” (KJV) There is an outlandish evolutionary theory that has been postulated among various scientists for years. It is the idea that life began on earth by some advanced alien race. Somehow these beings, through their impressive technology, started the ball rolling for life to begin. Some would call this theory audacious, but I simply call it an utterly foolish belief. Obviously, the question then is raised, if there were super intelligent aliens who seeded life on earth, then how were they created as well? The fact is that life began with Jesus Christ, because He is the Life! (John 14:6) In magnifying the power & divinity of Jesus, the apostle Paul wrote, “ He created all things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible. Whether they are kings or lords, rulers or powers- everything has been created through him and...

We have our spiritual programs, concerts, and conferences We have mounted our doctrines, promoted our denominations, and pushed our preferences We have booked calendars, busy lives, and countless bibles We have bumper stickers about faith, T-Shirts with scripture, and a mass marketed message of the gospel Yet, there is a steep decline in church attendance, a constant scorn for holy living, and a growing disdain for one's fellow man There is confusion over identity, carelessness over eternity, and an increase of biblical incompetence Perhaps it is because Christians have sought the favor of man above the fullness of the Spirit We have heralded our denominational differences, rather than proclaim the gospel to all who will hear it We mask our fear of complete surrender by hiding in a pew and handing over a tithe We timidly wade the surface of Christ-likeness rather than willingly take the glorious dive We must come ...

1 Thessalonians 5:18 states,  “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”  Again, Paul writes in Ephesians 5:20 , “ Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  It is undoubtedly much easier to offer up a word of praise to God, when the sun is shining and you are on the mountain top, but what about the times of pain? The times when it seems that instead of being  on top of the world , the world is crushing you. It appears rather pointless to thank God in everything  when everything seems to be all wrong. We must realize that thankfulness, in the midst of suffering, is vital for every Christian. Why? Because, it shifts our focus back to the Sovereign ruler and it settles our hearts in His love. You see, it is recorded in the gospel of Mark that the disciples were on a ship crossing the Sea of Galilee. A storm would come up and begin to beat down the ship unti...

This new book I have published is listed on amazon.com, kindle stores, and createspace.com. I do not claim to be some grand prolific writer, but these devotions are simply from a pastor's heart. There are morning, noon, and night readings given after each devotion. Along with questions to encourage the reader to dig deeper into the Word of God. It is my hope that those who read this book grow and thrive in their walk with Christ.  God bless.

Proverbs 25:25 states,  “As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.”  Most Americans do not realize the privilege in simply having clean, cold water accessible in their home. When I fill a glass of water, to my shame, I hardly ever think about the millions of people who have died because they have no reliable source of water. Of course, in verse 25, Solomon was illustrating a bigger point than just quenching someone’s physical thirst. He revealed that “good news” can be refreshing and reviving to one’s soul. Do you remember what Jesus said to the Samaritan woman by the well? He declared, “ But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life  (John 4:14).” There are millions of lives spiritually thirsty. They are destitute of  the water of everlasting life.  They need the love and lig...