Those Crazy Christians

I'm not advocating sitting around in sunglasses and a "Turn or Burn" T-shirt, but I have heard this guy has been a persistent presence on a particular college campus, and my guess is he has sparked a lot of conversation.

All of us have probably met someone that has professed the name of Jesus and weirded us out at one time or another, and I'm also not advocating being weird in a way that creeps people out.

However, I am thinking that some of us might be able to do a better job at stirring things up for the sake and cause of Jesus then we do.

The early apostles were pretty determined to get the word out in Jerusalem about Jesus.

So one came and told them, saying, "Look, the men [Peter and John] whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!" Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, saying, "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood on us!" But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men. (Act 5:25-29)

We are told by the word of God that we are to respect the ordinances of men and the authorities that are over us, ("having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men"— 1Pe 2:12-15), but we have a command to perform the mission of getting the gospel of Jesus Christ out to the masses.

So how are we doing? Could you be accused of trying to fill your community with the message of Jesus Christ?

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

Too Much Drama?

The ancient Greeks were famous for their drama, and the word 'drama' comes from an ancient Greek word meaning 'to do',or 'to act'.

Dramas in the Greek world were often a combination of what we would consider plays and opera. Many of the dramas were tragedies in which people suffered a transition from good fortune to bad fortune. Some felt that drama not only served as a means of entertainment, but of bringing forth emotion that could purge self-pity and other unhealthy things that were bottled up within us.

Having our hearts purified, or purged, is a good thing. Jesus said that a purged, or pure heart wil enable us to see God.

Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. (Mat 5:8)

As Christ-followers, we know that entertainment does little to truly purge, or purify us, and that the key to a pure heart that is free from ilk such as anxiety is a life in Christ!

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Php 4:6-7)

King Solomon had it right when he said, "Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life." (Pro 4:23)

We must carefully tend to our hearts and minds, thoughts and emotions.

For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man." (Mat 15:19-20)

Jesus said to him, 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' This is the first and great commandment.
(Mat 22:37-38)

Here's to healthy hearts!
Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

How much SHOUTING have YOU done lately?

In our 5:00 a.m. prayer time this morning at the church facility we looked at Psalm 95 and did some shouting.

Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the LORD is the great God, And the great King above all gods. In His hand are the deep places of the earth; The heights of the hills are His also. The sea is His, for He made it; And His hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice: "Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, As in the day of trial in the wilderness, When your fathers tested Me; They tried Me, though they saw My work. For forty years I was grieved with that generation, And said, 'It is a people who go astray in their hearts, And they do not know My ways.' So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest.' "
(Psa 95:1-11)

We do a good expressing our excitement when watching our kids or favorite team play sports, but how good a job do we do in expressing our excitement about how great God is? The Psalmist says that we are to SHOUT! The Hebrew word here can indicate a shout of warning, joy, or triumph.

So how about trying a little shouting for the Lord sometime today? Go ahead, make that joyful noise!

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

Good ideas are not the same as God ideas

The Greek word 'idea' comes from a word meaning to see, or to know, and means the form, appearance, or aspect. It is actually rendered "countenance" in the New Testament and only appears once.

Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. (Mat 28:1-3)

Isn't that interesting that the angel's "idea" was like lightning? (You didn't know where the concept of bright and shining ideas came from, did you? :))

The Word of God says that all good things come from God, and in that sense if an idea is truly a good one it is a gift from God, just as our amazing brains are gifts from God.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
(Jas 1:17)

However, we must not mistake good ideas for God ideas. The latter flows from a relationship with God and His Word, and the former flows from your brain and bright light bulbs. (Recent research actually concluded that we’re more likely to come up with creative ideas if we’ve been exposed to that universal symbol of brilliant ideas: a glowing light bulb. The studies clearly suggest exposure to a bare, glowing light bulb stimulates mental processes that lead to creative thinking.)

As Christ-followers we must be careful to study the Word, pray, and seek God ideas, as they can lead us in a direction that good ideas won't. Someone once said that that the good is often the enemy of best. Too often in life we miss the best by settling for the good.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. (Pro 3:5-7)

How interesting that the Word of God would caution us NOT to be wise in our own eyes. It's not that God doesn't want us to be wise and to have good ideas. It's just that they are a poor substitute for God's direction and God ideas.

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

No Attachment Sent Doesn't Have to be the End of the Story

Did you ever send out an e-mail telling someone that you have attached something, and get a response back saying, "No attachment sent"? Happened to me this morning as a matter of fact. I went through a lot to send out that attachment that didn't end up sent. I picked up a set of music for this Sunday (it's Palm Sunday this Sunday), brought it to the church office, scanned the music, had the scanner send it to the computer in our church sanctuary, copied the scanned music file on the computer to a thumb drive, took the thumb drive to my office, wrote an e-mail to the worship team and hit the 'send' button. Only problem was, I forgot to attach the scanned music file. The plan just didn't come together.



There was a team called the "A-team" that appeared on television a good while back, that had to accomplish much more complicated and dangerous missions then sending out a set of music to the church worship team. They helped people fight bad guys, and managed to defeat them through some pretty elaborate schemes. Colonel 'Hannibal' Smith, the head of the A-team, became well known for the way he smiled at the end of each successful mission and said, "I love it when a plan comes together".

Unfortunately in life, many times our plans just don't come together- in spite of our best efforts, and in spite of bathing our plans in prayer.

But "No Attachment Sent" doesn't have to be the end of the story. I still had opportunity to resend the e-mail to the worship team and to add the attachment. And no matter which of your plans have not come together, it doesn't have to be the end of the story. For God has a plan for your life, and it will come together!

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jer 29:11)

God loves and guides, protects and provides.

Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go.
(Isa 48:17)

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

Where exactly are we going?

Two thousand years ago a man named Jesus called out to some fishermen, told them to drop their nets, and to follow Him.

For the past two thousand years God has continued to call out to people, and has beckoned them to follow Him. Many, however, have not wanted to drop anything in order to do so, but to simply add God to one of their many priorities and activities in life.

When God calls on you to follow Him does He promise to use you in some way that is spectacular in the worldly sense of the word? Does He promise you that you will be able to use the talents that you so enjoy?

Actually, He promises you none of those things. As C.S. Lewis once put it, "No sphere of usefulness: you are not needed there at all. No scope for your talents: only forgiveness for having perverted them . . . " and no atmosphere of inquiry, for He will bring you to the land not of questions but of answers, "and you shall see the face of God."

Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." They immediately left their nets and followed Him. (Mat 4:19-20)

As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, "Follow Me." So he arose and followed Him. (Mat 9:9)

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mat 16:24-26)

So tell me my friend, Have you heard the call of God to follow Christ? Is your life more about you, or all about Christ? Just what exactly have you dropped and given up and turned from in order to follow Christ and serve Him? Just what does your Lord expect from you?

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

Are you an "I" or a "C"?

It is easy to stand tall, straight, and proud in the letter "I", but we must somehow bow in order to fit into the letter "C". There is no entering into Christ without first being humbled and kneeling at His feet for mercy.

He is holy and just. We are unholy and unjust. He is pure and strong. We are impure and weak.

The good news is that our Lord is slow to anger and abounding in mercy.

For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You. (Psa 86:5)

But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth. (Psa 86:15)

Have you experienced the wonder of God's forgiveness and mercy? Are you willing to be His pipeline of forgiveness and mercy to others?

Let us be willing to overlook, and even cover the the sins of our brothers and sisters in Christ, for love covers a multitude of sins.

Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins. (Pro 10:12)

He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends.
(Pro 17:9)

There is a time for personal rebuke, but the Word of God exhorts us to make a concerted effort to cover the weaknesses and transgressions of our church family, rather than expose them.

Let us choose to see the amazing things God has done in and through the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ, and let us choose to broadcast the good things rather than the bad.

Are you willing to be God’s pipeline of compassion and encouragement to the body of Christ, and particularly to your own local church family? What good stuff have you been spreading lately?

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

Just how many times should you knock?

All of us have knocked on God's door at one time or another and asked something of Him. Many times He does not answer right away, and it is only natural that we then ask ourselves the question, "Should I keep knocking?"

And He said to them, "Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; and he will answer from within and say, 'Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you'? I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs. "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. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
(Luk 11:5-10)

If you have lost your keys, how long should you search for them? If you are at the doorstep to visit someone, how long should you knock? I guess it all depends. How badly do you need your keys? How important is it that you visit with that person?

Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed." But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, "Send her away, for she cries out after us." But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, "Lord, help me!" But He answered and said, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs." And she said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table." Then Jesus answered and said to her, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire." And her daughter was healed from that very hour. (Mat 15:21-28)

God expects us to ask Him for His blessing, and God is GREATLY PLEASED WITH FAITH. Remember Jesus' sigh, "O ye of little faith"? God is grieved by lack of faith, and delighted when we act in faith.

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Heb 11:6)

Just how many times should you knock? However many times it takes to exercise your faith. For some, it may be a great expression of faith to make your request and leave it as His feet. For others, it may be a great expression of faith to persistently petition Him. The key is not how often to knock, but how to step out in faith as you knock. He delights in His own. Believe it!

Yours in Him,

Pastor B.

So how would you write the next chapter?

Have you ever parked yourself under a broom tree in the midst of the wilderness and had a pity party? Well, maybe not under a broom tree in the midst of the wilderness, but we've all likely thrown some pity parties in our time (though we don't usually invite guests). What fascinates me in the story of Elijah and wicked King Ahab is not so much that someone threw a pity party, as it is the timing of the pity party that was thrown, and the one that threw it.

In chapter 18 of 1 Kings Elijah had bravely confronted the wicked King Ahab and the wicked propehts of Baal in the midst of a severe famine.

He then proceeded to slay the wicked prophets of Baal and witness an apparent change of heart among many of God's people. If you were going to write chapter 19 of 1 Kings based on what you guessed would happen next, what do you think you would guess?

I probably would expect this to spark a great revival in the land, the dethroning or death of wicked King Ahab and Jezebel, and a time of great blessing for Elijah. But I would have been wrong. Instead, we find Elijah leaving his great victory at Mt. Carmel, and fleeing for his life into the wilderness where he is so despondent that he even asks the Lord to take him home.

What is that all about? Well, for starters it's about being human. No matter how much God has demonstrated His love and care for us in the past, no matter how many times God has used us in amazing ways, we are in constant need of reassurance. Most of us are quite insecure when it comes right down to it.

For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God. Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify Your name forevermore. For great is Your mercy toward me, And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. O God, the proud have risen against me, And a mob of violent men have sought my life, And have not set You before them. But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth. Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give Your strength to Your servant, And save the son of Your maidservant. Show me a sign for good, That those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, Because You, LORD, have helped me and comforted me. (Psa 86:10-17)

God WILL help you, and God WILL comfort you.

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

What town are YOU living in?

If you were to paint a picture of a town based on the people you've conversed with the past week, the attitudes, the topics of conversation, the music you've listened to, the shows you've watched; what kind of town would it be?

I've been reading the CS Lewis book, "The Great Divorce" (it says it's about a bus ride from heaven to hell), and it starts in a small, not very pleasant town. One of the "visitors" tried to get people to conduct themselves better, but found that people tend to sink to the level of their surroundings.

Have you ever found that to be true? Have you noticed that the bad conduct of someone rubs off on those around them, but that the good conduct of someone is rarely or barely noticed?

There is an old saying that one rotten apple spoils the barrel. Jesus and the apostles warned us that bad teaching and bad living is like leaven, and "A little leaven leavens the whole lump." (Gal 5:9)

Somehow we convince ourselves that we can hang out with ungodly people or subject ourselves to ungodly things, and that our good example will somehow turn around ungodly behavior in those around us. The fact of the matter is, that the ungodly behavior will corrupt the good habits or practices. Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits." (1Co 15:33)

This is why the company you keep is so important.

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. (Psa 1:1-2)

You will be much happier if you avoid listening to or taking advice from people that do not walk with the Lord. You will be much happier if you avoid hanging out with ungodly people, and you will be much happier if you avoid joining up with people that mock God, mock parents, mock the boss, or mock other authority in their lives.

The things you lend your ears to and the company you keep is the town you live in. So, what town DO you live in?

If it's not a good one, RELOCATE!

Yours in Him,

Pastor B.

Are You the Lord's? Are They the Lord's?

Do you belong to the Lord? Do the people that disappoint you belong to the Lord?

The Word of God tells us that we believers belong to the Lord, and that Jesus is our Lord. And if Jesus is our Lord, why do we allow ourselves to get entangled with the choices of our brothers and sisters? We all will give account of ourselves someday.

We should spend more time looking at ourselves and how we can be a better example and influence, and less time looking at what's wrong with others.

For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. But 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. For it is written: "AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL CONFESS TO GOD." So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way. I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. (Rom 14:7-19)

So are you expending your energy on being a better example and influence, or on talking about what troubles you about your brothers and sisters?

Those that serve Christ pursue the things that build up their brothers and sisters in Christ and that bring the peace of God to the family of God.

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

Abide in His Word

As we get ready to launch "Abide in His Word" ministries, why not look at a product we will use to help people focus on applying the Word of God to their lives- the SPAM can.

I've chosen the SPAM can because it's something everyone can readily get their hands on, and can be easily parked on your desk. After all, I've had one parked on my desk since 1995 (yes, the same can!- another story)

We can help people abide in His Word if we can get them to:

Survey the Word (We'll start by doing an overview of the the Bible in six weeks)
Post the Word (We'll give you principles and promises to post on sticky notes or cards)
Apply the Word (We'll help you act on God's principles and promises)
Monitor your actions (We'll help you keep track of the great things God does in you and through you- and even give you an opportunity to share if you would like)

It looks like we will be on at least three radio stations, and I will be teaching "live" at a Port St. John location Saturday nights, and a Titusville location Wednesday nights.

Please pray for us as we have a web site to put up (abideinhisword.org/.com), a radio show introduction to record (anyone?), materials to put together, and well, you get the idea. This daily devotion will part of this ministry, and will help you abide in His Word.

Thank you for your love, your prayers, your encouragement, and your support. This isn't just about you and me. This is about an opportunity to get little churched and unchurched to look at the Bible in a new way, as well as to help the very churched that have never seen how the stories of the Bible fit together in a big picture.

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. (1Th 1:2-10)

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

Do you like Trivia?
1) What is the main ingredient in SPAM meat?
2) What is the most popular nickname for SPAM meat?
3) Which state in the U.S. has the highest SPAM consumption?

send your answers to pastorbaron@cfl.rr.com

Are You Living? Are You Running?

If you are not running the race, you are not truly living. Most people see themselves more like the runner then they see themselves like the dearly departed lying beneath grave stones.

Yet the truth is that God is the fountain of living or running waters, and that if we are not connected to Him, we are not truly living.

O LORD, the hope of Israel, All who forsake You shall be ashamed. "Those who depart from Me Shall be written in the earth, Because they have forsaken the LORD, The fountain of living waters." Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved, For You are my praise. (Jer 17:13-14)

Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." (Joh 4:10)

In the midst of all of our running around and in the midst of all of life's craziness, we are not truly alive if we have not been born again through the Spirit of God and been joined to the fountain of living water. We stop up the pipes so to speak when we grieve the Spirit of God and prevent the living water from running to us and through us.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (Eph 4:30-32)

God wants you to be a source of blessing and thirst quenching spring water to those around you.

Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." (John 7:37-38)

Are you connected to the fountain of living water? Is the living water of God flowing freely through you to others around you, or are the pipes stopped up?

Are you running the race for God?

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

A special thanks to Roy Coy whose daily devotion put my mind on this today, and who has care for me as his brother in Christ has meant a lot. Bless you and yours, Roy!

Musings on the Holy Spirit

In response to questions such as, "How do you know if someone is ministering in the Holy Spirit?", or "How do you know that the Holy Spirit is present in a service?", I received some excellent thoughts. One brother wrote, "You know Pastor, I am not sure. When a song is sung in any Church, I think I know if it is in the spirit. You know, chill bumps, hair standing up. But on the other hand, the same song might not do anything for someone else."

Another brother wrote the following:

How about, "That place is Spirit Filled because its a mess!"? :)

What about the evidence of the Holy Spirit through obvious (or sometimes, not so obvious) attacks of the enemy. Attacks that externally appear like "Wow, that church has got some major issue!...but this church over here is Filled with the Spirit. :) The members never argue, bicker, or fight (Its like Mister Roger's neighborhood). Everyone always greets you with how wonderful their life is going, and nobody would ever challenge your walk with God........like those "nosey" Christians down at the church with all the drama going on!"

I believe things are not always as they appear on the outside. A big "pretty" church does not necessarily equal one that is "Spirit Filled", and a small one does not always equate to one that doing something wrong. Also, one that has a lot of ongoing drama does not necessarily mean that "God has left the building" (just a figure of speech) and things are out of control.
Maybe it's quite the opposite...the Holy Spirit is cleaning house; sewing good seed; firing people up; and rocking the boat. Tables are flipping; bad attitudes are getting whipped into shape; and good stuff is on the horizon.
Meanwhile, Satan (and his helpers) are not just going to lie there and take it (unless God tells them to). They jump up and start tossing in barbs and thistles; seeds of discord; discouragement; and doubt (whatever God gives them permission to do...which He then uses for His own good). And where does that leave us? Growing! On the outside it may appear dysfunctional and chaotic (because without him, we are), but inside He is letting the circumstances bang away at our heart. Making them become more like Him through our outwardly broken life (and relationships).

So don't run away, and try to get comfortable...you'll only delay His work and make it more painful.

Wow! I need to let this brother write for my daily devotion! :)

And since we have the same Spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I BELIEVED AND THEREFORE I SPOKE," we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2Co 4:13-18)

It is not too late to write me at pastorbaron@cfl.rr.com with your questions that you would ask a person to determine if they were truly a Christ-follower, or your commments about the presence and working of the Holy Spirit.

"Abide in His Word" radio broadcast will be starting shortly on WMIE FM 91.5 from 6:30-7:00 a.m. (I plan on doing the broadcast live.) I will share more on this with you soon as we pray about helping take people through their Bibles and focus on the basics. (If you know of someone that could help me with the recording of the radio broadcast intro song please let me know.)

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

Got the Spirit?

What do you think are the outward evidences that someone is filled with the Holy Spirit?

Sometimes you will hear people say things like,
"He was really in the Spirit"
"She has the power of the Spirit"
"He got the Spirit"
"She's in the Spirit"

We've talked before about the fruit of the Holy Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

But do you think there are other outward evidences of someone being filled with the Holy Spirit?

Can you tell whether a church is praising God in the Spirit?
Can you tell whether a pastor is teaching in the Spirit?
Can you tell whether the Spirit is present in a church service?
Can you tell whether an individual is praying or ministering in the Spirit?

Send your thoughts to me at pastorbaron@cfl.rr.com and I'll let our devotion readers know what you think. Then maybe we can have some further discussion on this important topic.

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Act 1:8)

Have a great day and a great week!
Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

Are You a Christ-follower?

I recently asked you what kind of questions you might ask someone in order to determine whether they were simply a religious person or a true Christ-follower. Here are some of the questions that you proposed:

1. What has changed in your life since you became a follower of Christ?

2. What are you reading in your Bible right now?

3. How have you seen God answer prayers in your life this year?

4. How do you make decisions and plans for the future?

5. If you were deserted on a remote island, what would you take with you?

6. If you were to meet Christ today, what would you say to Him if He asked “why should He let you into my heaven?”

7. Do you have any regrets in your life and what are they?

8. What is your passion in life?

9. Did you find a way to hide some of your income on your taxes this year?

10. What’s in your record collection/iPod/mp3 player/iTunes library?

By the way, we are launching Abide in His Word ministries, and together we will help each other, and others around the world be better at following Christ. More information will be coming to you soon. Thank you so much for the part you play in "getting the Word out". Many of you pass this devotion on to other groups, and it's exciting to see what God is doing through YOU as you partner with me in spreading the Word.

Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: "Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" (Mat 13:3-9)

Again, thank you for the way you help sow the Word of God into the lives of others.
God bless.

Now the next question is, "How can I sow the Word of God into others TODAY?"

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

Is God Really in Control?

Is God really in control? This is a question I frequently get asked as a pastor.

God created us with inquisitive minds, and there are many questions that the scriptures do not clearly answer. But this is not one of them. If by "in control" you mean, is God actively engaged in accomplishing His purposes, and are there any powers that could override God's will, the answer is a resounding, "Yes, God is actively engaged in accomplishing His purposes", and "No, there is no power that can frustrate or override God's will and purposes".

Daniel 4:35 says,

All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven And among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand Or say to Him, "What have You done?" (Dan 4:35)

Joseph had confidence that the evil that was done against him was turned around for the good by God for a divine purpose.

But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. (Gen 50:20)

Romans 8:28 echoes this sentiment,

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
(Rom 8:28)

The key here, however, is that God's purposes are redemptive, and that His interest lies heavily in the area of redeeming a people for His name, and empowering them to be fruitful and advance His kingdom purposes here on earth.

Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. (Mat 6:10)

who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. (Tit 2:14)

The Twila Paris song, "God is in Control" does a nice job of capturing some of this grand design when it says,

God is in control
We believe that His children will not be forsaken
God is in control
We will choose to remember and never be shaken
There is no power above or beside Him, we know
God is in control, oh God is in control

History marches on
There is a bottom line drawn across the ages
Culture can make its plan
Oh, but the line never changes
No matter how the deception may fly
There is one thing that has always been true
It will be true forever

He has never let you down
Why start to worry now?
He is still the Lord of all we see
And He is still the loving Father
Watching over you and me

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

What's Your Line?

There was an old TV show called, "What's My Line?" that ran from 1950-1967 where a panel of celebrities took turns asking a guest questions in order to determine his/her occupation. What kind of questions would you ask someone if you were going to try and determine if they were really a Christ-follower?

Think about that for a few moments. If you were a panelist in a game show where the guest was either a religious person that was not a true Christ-follower, or a true Christ-follower, what type of questions would you ask? Keep in mind, that there are plenty of people that have learned all of the "born again" lingo along the way, and who, in some cases might sound more spiritual than someone that just committed their life to Jesus Christ.

If you will send me some of the questions you might ask to my e-mail address at pastorbaron@cfl.rr.com, I'll share them with the readers of our daily devotion.

He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? (Mic 6:8)

As Pastor B. would say, "Do right, love right, and walk right".

May God give you an awesome day, today!

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

How is the Pruning Coming Along?

A vinedresser prunes his fruitful grapevines so that they can remain healthy and continue to be fruitful. He uses hand shears, lopping shears, and even saws in some cases.

The Word of God tells us that our Heavenly Father is the vinedresser, Jesus is the vine, and we are the fruit bearing branches of the vine.

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. (Joh 15:1-2)

If you are a child of God you will produce fruit, and if you produce fruit you will be pruned so that you can continue to bear fruit.

Jesus taught a parable about how the Word of God, like seed, is sown, or distributed. It doesn't really take root in some people, but it does in others.

"Therefore hear the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." (Mat 13:18-23)

God expects grapevines to produce grapes, and God expects Christians to be Christ-like. In fact, I like the term Christ-follower better than I like the term Christian, because the former implies that an effort to be Christ-like is taking place, whereas the latter can simply refer to one's professed religion, or religious faith.

The Word of God tells us that faith without works is dead, and that branches without fruit are dead. The name "Christian" is meaningless and valueless unless the person with the label is bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit. We expect plants that we purchase to bear the fruit that's on the label, and God expects to see the fruit that's on our label.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Gal 5:22-23)

Be fruitful, and multiply :)
Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

Go

go - vi. (an intransitive verb; i.e., it stands alone and doesn't need to act on a direct object)- 1. To proceed along. 2. To move away from a place: DEPART 3. To pursue a particular course.

Some 5000 years ago God told Noah to go forth (Genesis 8:16). Noah proceeded to follow God's direction to leave the ark and pursue the course of replenishing the world. Then about 2000 years ago Jesus told His disciples to go and teach all peoples, immersing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). His disciples proceeded to follow the Lord's direction to leave their lives at home, depart from their home towns, and pursue the course of reconciling the world to God through the teaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Have you heard God's call to "Go"? Have you been proceeding along the path that God has set for you? Have you moved away FROM the place that God wanted you to move away from? Have you moved TO pursue the particular course that God wants you to pursue?

We are all running a race, and are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses that have gone before us. I can hear your brothers and sisters in Christ that have finished their race and gone to be with the Lord encouraging you from the side lines to keep on. I can hear them shouting, "Go, my brother, Go my sister, Go!"

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

How Many Invites Have You Sent Out Lately?

Then He also said to him who invited Him, "When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just." Now when one of those who sat at the table with Him heard these things, he said to Him, "Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!" Then He said to him, "A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, 'Come, for all things are now ready.' But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.' And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.' Still another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.' And the servant said, 'Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.' Then the master said to the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.' "
(Luk 14:12-24)

The two big questions of the day are:
1) How many invitations have you given out lately to invite people to trust in Christ?
2) Who are you inviting?

It's interesting that Jesus not only deals with the issue of our responsibility to invite people to Christ, but deals with the issue of WHO we are to invite. It reminds me of that prophetic passage in Isaiah where we read,

"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; (Isa 61:1)

God's heart goes out to the broken people of this world, and there is a sense in which the gospel of Jesus Christ is especially to be directed to them.

The bottom line is that we are to GO OUT and compel them to come in. So how much inviting and compelling have you been doing lately?

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

Worship Him!

The Hebrew word for worship means to bow down in homage. It is found 172 times in 166 verses in the Old Testament. It is rendered 'worship' 99 times in many English Bibles, rendered 'bow' 31 times, and 'bow down' 18 times.

The first three mentions of the word are as follows:

So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground, (Gen 18:2)

Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them, and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground. (Gen 19:1)

And Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you." (Gen 22:5)


Worship involves coming humbly before God (hence the bowing), speaking and singing His praise, bringing offerings and gifts, and serving Him. (The Greek word for worship also means to bow down in homage. Worship is therefore frequently accompanied by people falling down before the one who is being worshipped.

the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: (Rev 4:10)

And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying, "Amen! Alleluia!" . . . And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God!" (Rev 19:4, 10)

Amen! Worship God!

By the way, congratulations to Susan Herman who was the only one that got all six answers from yesterday's challenge correct.

1. Moses and Aaron were the first two prophets of Israel
2. Jesus the Messiah was foretold in Deut 18
3. Samuel
4. King David
5. King Jeroboam
6. King Baasha

any questions on these, contact me at pastorbaron@cfl.rr.com

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

Bible Challenge and Prophets

Congratulations to Claudia Eickhoff, Don Ames, Shari Glover, Susan Herman, Brian Barnett, and Sonny Liston on submitting the correct answers to the Bible challenge yesterday! The answers were as follows:

1. Zerubbabel led the first band of Jews from the Babylonian captivity in the first year of Cyrus, King of Persia (Ezra 1:2-4)[period of Ezra Nehemiah]
2. Jerubbaal was a name given to Gideon because he destroyed the altar of Baal (Judges 6:32) -- [period of the judges]
3. Jedidiah was the name which, by the mouth of Nathan the prophet, the Lord gave to Solomon at his birth as a token of divine favor (2 Sam. 12:25)--the period of kings and prophets

Speaking of Nathan the prophet, let's have the Bible challenge today on prophets.

1. Who were the first two leaders of Israel that were referred to as prophets?

2. Which "Prophet" was being referred to in this passage in Deuteronomy 18:18-19?

I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him.
(Deu 18:18-19)

3. Which prophet does the scripture say was known to be established as a prophet of the Lord by all Israel from Dan (in the north) to Beersheba (in the south)?

4. The prophet Gad was which king's personal "seer"?

5. The prophet Ahijah told which king that his household would be like the household of David if he had a fully devoted [Shalam] heart toward God?

6. Jehu the prophet foretold that which wicked king would have his whole household destroyed?

Answers can be sent to pastorbaron@cfl.rr.com, along with any prayer requests that you might have. I do my best to answer all personal e-mails.

This Sunday we're talking about the word of God,and how important it is to trust in it. The Israelites of old did not enter into God's rest because they did not add faith to the word of God (Heb 4:1-2). Sometimes we forget that even though it is good to study the Bible and learn the Bible, that without faith it is impossible to please God.

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Heb 11:6)

Your heavenly Father wants to bless you, so pursue that personal relationship with Him!

Yours in Him,

Pastor B.

Bible Challenge 2

The opening verses of the book of Ruth place it in the times of the Judges, and it concludes with how she was the great grandmother of King David. In Ruth 4:17 the author states that Ruth and Boaz’ child is named Obed and that Obed “…became the father of Jesse, the father of David.” The final verses trace the family line.

As for Queen Esther, she was during the Ezra-Nehemiah time period.

After being in captivity for 70 years, former Israelites and Judahites returned to the land and in 535 B.C. started rebuilding the temple. This is recorded in Ezra. The temple was completed in 516 B.C. and Esther was queen of Persia about 473 B.C. In 458 B.C. a second wave returned to the land under Ezra, and in 445 B.C. Nehemiah leads the effort to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

Questions for today: Who was Zerubbabel? Who was Jerubbaal? Who was Jedidiah?
Bonus: Can you place each of them in the proper time period below?

Abraham and God's covenant with him in the land of promise
Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt and the wandering
Joshua leading them into the promised land and the conquest
The period of the judges
The period of the kings and prophets
The captivity of the Israelites
Their return to the land to rebuild the temple and Jerusalem

Again, you can send your answers to me at pastorbaron@cfl.rr.com. Winnners will be posted :)

And He shall stand and feed His flock In the strength of the LORD, In the majesty of the name of the LORD His God; And they shall abide, For now He shall be great To the ends of the earth;
(Mic 5:4)

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

A Bible Challenge for You

I thought I'd give you a Bible challenge today. Before asking you the questions, I'll give you a basic chain of events. Adam and the garden, Noah and the flood, Abraham and God's covenant with him in the land of promise, Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt, Joshua leading them into the promised land, the period of the judges, the period of the kings and prophets, the captivity of the Israelites, their return to the land under Ezra and Nehemiah, the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple, and the coming of John the Baptist.

Where in this chain events is the story of Ruth? Where in this chain events is the story of Esther?

Answers tomorrow.



I may not get to speak with you face to face but hopefully I will be able to speak with you via radio in the very near future.

Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. (2Jn 1:12)

If I were to teach on the radio again at WMIE 91.5 FM out of Cocoa, which times would be best for you to listen?

6:30-7:00 a.m.
8 to 8:30 AM
10:30 to 11 AM
4:30 to 5 PM.
5 to 5:30 PM

If you are in the brevard area and one or more of these times would be best for you drop me a line at pastorbaron@cfl.rr.com and let me know. We are also looking at internet radio for those that are receiving this devotion, but who are not in the area. More to come.

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

Our Inner Most Room

Just as the Solomon's temple of old had an inner most room (the holy of holies), so we have our inner most room. It is a room deep within us that was dark and empty until the Holy Spirit came into us and dwelt there. It is the place where Christ can dwell within us. It is a place called our inner man, and it is a place from which flows the resurrection Holy Spirit power of Christ!

that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Eph 3:16-21)

The mercy seat sat in the Old Testament holy of holies, and once a year the high priest came in to sprinkle blood as an atonement or covering for the sins of the people. And so it is that the blood of Christ sprinkles our hearts and washes us from every sin, firmly seating us in God's lap of mercy.

May you find the riches of His mercy, the blessing of His peace, and the power of His love in your inner most room.

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

11 1/2 Minutes Part 5

11 1/2 Minutes Part 5

Below is Part 5 of "Can you spend 11and a half minutes thinking about Eternity?" (write to pastorbaron@cfl.rr.com for the entire electronic booklet to pass on to others.)

Part 5

being justified freely [declared to be in right standing with God] by His grace through the redemption [paid price] that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation [covering] by His blood, through faith . . . Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. (Romans 3:24, 28)

Have you put your faith in Christ for your salvation? ___________

Have you received His gift of salvation by accepting Christ as your Savior? ____

If you have, you are now a son or daughter of God, and are to confess this in baptism.

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: (John 1:12)

Just think in 12 minutes it is possible to go from being “dead spiritually” to being alive in Christ! It is also possible that in 12 minutes you could go from being alive on this earth, to dead, and find yourself in God’s courtroom.

If you have received Christ as your Lord and Savior please print your name and the date:

Contact the person that gave you this or Pastor Baron Eickhoff at Calvary Chapel Space Coast to make arrangements to be immersed, and to obtain additional material that will help you experience the joy and peace of living as a Christ-follower.

Pastor Baron Eickhoff can be reached at 321-638-4464

Calvary Chapel Space Coast web site is www.calvarychapelspacecoast.org

Calvary Chapel Space Coast location is 5195 S. Washington Ave., Titusville, Fl 32780

CCSC Sunday Church service is 10:00 a.m.

CCSC Wednesday night service is 7:00 p.m. and is broadcast on WPIO 89.3 FM

More information on salvation is at www.followGod.org


These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. (1Jn 5:13)

SPREAD THE WORD, THEY HAVEN’T HEARD!
SOW THE SEED TO THOSE IN NEED!

Pass this booklet on to as many people as you can. You never know what life you may touch for the glory of the Lord, and the salvation of a soul!

Then He [Jesus] spoke many things to them in parables, saying: "Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."
(Mat 13:3-9, 19-23)