Praying for You

I included today's scripture in yesterday's devotion. I thought I'd put the time I usually spend writing your daily devotion into praying for you today. I'm praying for all of you that read this daily devotion, and praying for all those that will be reading it because you care enough to pass it on to others.

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May His face shine upon you, and may He give you peace. In the sweet, sweet, name of Jesus.

(1Pe 4:7) But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.

But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "LOVE WILL COVER A MULTITUDE OF SINS." Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
(1Pe 4:7-11)

Each of you reading this has at least one special gift from God that He gave you when you received the Holy Spirit. Minister to others with the abilities and giftings God has given you and bring a smile upon the face of Jesus and glorify your God.

You are loved. Be blessed, and be a blessing,
Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

Wednesday-Thursday-Friday

Wednesday-Thursday-Friday

This has been a hard week. My good friend and brother in the Lord Joe Wlasiuk (pronounced 'la-sook') passed away and went on to be with the Lord early in the week. We held a memorial service for him at our Calvary Chapel Space Coast Titusville campus yesterday prior to our evening service. I had the privilege of singing some worship music for Joe with his wife Gloria, his daughter Lynn, and his granddaughter Natasha shortly before his passing. Joe couldn't speak but would raise both his hands off and on as we sang of our wonderful God and what Christ has accomplished for us. Joe finished the race well.


What about you? How are you doing these days?


My apologies for not getting a devotional out and posted yesterday. I thought I'd pass on to you the scriptures for Wednesday-Thursday-Friday.


Wednesday Scripture:

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king."
(1 Samuel 15:23)

Thursday Scripture:


Do all things without complaining and disputing,
(Philippians 2:14)

Friday Scripture:
He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.
(Psalms 107:20)

God can heal us and God can deliver us, and His Word is key to His working in us.

For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness. Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, Bound in affliction and irons—Because they rebelled against the words of God, And despised the counsel of the Most High, Therefore He brought down their heart with labor; They fell down, and there was none to help. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, And broke their chains in pieces. Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
(Psalms 107:9-15)

What chains do you need God to break?
Start by giving thanks to the Lord and sharing with others around you the wondeful works of God! Then watch the flood of His mercy and grace rise to bless you.

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

Blessing in the Midst of the Storm

Most storms last longer than we prefer. But our Heavenly Father is leading us to the place where we can have peace, contentment, and even joy, whether the sun is shining or the storm is raging. He is calling us to be free of fear; calling us to trust Him more and experience His calm within the storm. (S. Troxel)

Roy Coy in one of his daily devotions said that he read a story about an old gentlemen that was known for his godly life. One day, someone asked him, "What do you do when you are tempted, old man?" He replied, "I just look up to heaven and say, 'Lord, your property is in danger.' "

Believe it or not, one of the keys to deliverance from fear and worry in the midst of life's storms is to praise God.

Are you willing to bless the Lord in the midst of life's storms? King David said that he blessed the Lord at all times in all situations through all of life's circumstances.

I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.
(Psalms 34:1-4)

God delivers us from our fears and worries through the praise and worship!

TUESDAY SCRIPTURE:

I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
(Psalms 34:1)

What often prevents us from praising God in all situations is our own stubbornness, and God warns us that stubbornness is a hardening of our hearts toward God, and therefore like going out and worshipping other gods.

WEDNESDAY SCRIPTURE:
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king."
(1 Samuel 15:23)

Don't allow your heart to be hardened toward God. Lift up your voice and praise the Lord in the midst of the dark days as well as the sunny days. You will bless others as you do so, and you will be delivered from your fears.

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

Think on it and Speak on it

Think on God's Word and Speak God's Word. Can you imagine what a change there would be in the air waves of our planet if all of God's children would suddenly put that into practice?

How many words do you think you speak in one day?

Studies vary, but indicate that people tend to speak at least several thousand words a day.

If you just spoke God's Word or testimonies about God 10% of the time, that would be about a thousand words a day. Today's scripture is thirteen words. That means if you spoke the Word of God 10% of the time in your speaking that you could quote it 75 different times! Can you imagine how much scripture would get quoted if the 2 billion professing Christians of the world would do this?

SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY:

I will also meditate on all Your work, And talk of Your deeds. (Psalms 77:12)

Think about the good things God has done for His people throughout the ages, and the good things that God has done for you throughout your life.

THEN TELL PEOPLE ABOUT IT! God has called you to be His witness! Whether you realize it or not, God is on trial by the world, being accused of not existing, not caring, and not loving. You and I have been called to the stand of life to testify for Him.

Hope you're following with us as we go through the Bible in six weeks! You can go to Abideinhisword.com for the podcasts, previous broadcasts, and such, and you can write me for the charts if you're interested.

Remember to pass this devotion on to as many people as you know. This will get the word out, and also offer people a way to go through their Bible to get an overview. If we work together we can be an even more effective witness for God, and do an even better job of getting the Word Out!

Yours in Him,

Pastor B.

Submission and Speak-ission

Friday-Saturday




SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY FOR FRIDAY AND SATURDAY

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.
(Titus 3:1-2)

Two of what are probably the most difficult challenges for us as Christ followers is the command to willingly and quietly submit to those in authority over us, and the command to not speak evil of ANYONE.

What? You're kidding me, right? What could God possibly be thinking? Aren't there many people in authority that abuse their positions? Aren't there many in government that oppress the people? Aren't there many leaders that act like little Napoleons?

Aren't there many rules that don't make sense? Aren't there many laws and policies that aren't fair?

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— (1 Peter 2:13-15)

Submit to EVERY Ordinance? Why all the talk about being peaceable? gentle? humility?

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. (Titus 3:1-8)

God assures us that however difficult the way is that He is asking us to walk, it is good and beneficial to us to walk it. BE CAREFUL TO DO WHAT GOD SAYS TO DO.

So let's post the scriptures, put them in our cars, work places, homes, and churches, to remind us of how we are to conduct ourselves, and let's humble ourselves enough to admit we can't do it in our own power, (some of us may even need to admit we don't want to do it), and let's ask God to enable us through the power of the Holy Spirit to conduct ourselves with Christ like grace, and be careful to be good witnesses.

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

Meditate on His Word

You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
(Deuteronomy 6:5-9)

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
(Joshua 1:8-9)

Joshua 1:8 is a good scripture to post on your sticky notes or index cards. It, together with Deuteronomy 6:7, is a challenge to all of us to think on the Word of God throughout the day, and speak the Word of God throughout the day.

Not only because it is the right thing to do, but because it is the answer to our weaknesses, fears, discouragement, and lack of success in those areas most important to our life.

So be strong (not weak) and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed.

No wonder Jesus said that if we abide in His Word that we are His disciples, indeed! His Word is the key to loving God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength.

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

Our Hearts Sprinkled and Our Bodies Washed

Hebrews 10:22 tells us that it is our hearts that get sprinkled [figuratively of being cleansed by the blood of Christ- the priests sprinkled things with blood in the Old Testament] and our bodies that get immersed in water when we come before the Lord.

let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
(Hebrews 10:22)

It shouldn't come as a surprise that God wants us to be cleansed before entering into His presence after committing our lives to Christ. We even take showers or baths to start our new day, or before going to an important occasion, and how much more important can the occasion of when we commit our lives to Christ be?

God called on those that were going to enter the Old Testament priesthood to be washed completely in water before being clothed with the garments and anointed.

"And this is what you shall do to them to hallow [sanctify, set apart] them for ministering to Me as priests: . . . And Aaron and his sons you shall bring to the door of the tabernacle of meeting, and you shall wash [totally wet] them with water. . . . And you shall take the anointing oil, pour it on his head, and anoint him.
(Exodus 29:1-7)

And when you commit your life to Christ, you are entering into a priesthood of sorts, and will be serving God in a special capacity for the remainder of your days until you die or until Jesus comes again.

SCRIPTURE FOR THE DAY:

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
(1 Peter 2:9)

I like the word "royal" priesthood because we are to reign with Christ. You don't have to live your life under the circumstances, but can live your life over them.

Remember, if you are a Christ follower you are an ambassador for God down here, and we are to call on people to repent and restore their relationship with God.

Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be immersed in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift [which is an anointing] of the Holy Spirit.
(Acts 2:38)

Yours in Him,

Pastor B.

How Holy are You?

So just how holy ARE you?

God calls on us to be a holy people. The word holy in both Hebrew and Greek means to "stand apart" or to be "set apart". God alone is holy in that He stands apart from the world as a righteous, omnipotent, sovereign creator. We, however, can only be holy as God sets us apart for His service. In the Old Testament law there are many creeping things that were considered unclean, and that therefore would defile anyone partaking.

'And every creeping thing that creeps on the earth shall be an abomination. It shall not be eaten. Whatever crawls on its belly, whatever goes on all fours, or whatever has many feet among all creeping things that creep on the earth—these you shall not eat, for they are an abomination. You shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creeps; nor shall you make yourselves unclean with them, lest you be defiled by them. For I am the LORD your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. Neither shall you defile yourselves with any creeping thing that creeps on the earth. (Leviticus 11:41-44)

This is a picture of what God is calling us to do. To be separate from the sin of the world, and to be fully devoted to His service.

but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY." (1 Peter 1:15-16)

It's interesting that the Bible tells us to be holy in ALL our conduct. Why not post Leviticus 11:44 or 1 Peter 1:15 on index cards or sticky notes and display them in your car, work place, house, etc.?

Remember that we are called to be different. Called to be a unique people, zealous for the things of God.

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. (Titus 2:14)

I love how the King James Bible speaks in the above verse of God purifying for Himself a "peculiar people", zealous for good works. Are you different enough as a Christ follower that the world knows there is something different about you? Let's be so filled with a passion for God and His ways that everyone wonders what got into us!

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

Scriptures on the Gates?

Where are the scriptures on these gates?

Where do we have our favorite scriptures posted?
When are we quoting or reading our favorite scriptures out loud?

It's interesting that right after the scripture that tells us to love the Lord with all of our heart, soul, and strength, is the one that tells us to teach them diligently, speak of them throughout our day, and to put them on our hands, doorposts, and gates.

You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
(Deu 6:5-9)

Have you bought your index cards or sticky notes? Are you posting your scriptures each day where you can read them aloud and ponder their application?

Yours in Christ,
Pastor B.

Death is the Gate to Life

It's strange how that death seems the end of life to us, but it is actually the gateway to life.

You sow a seed into the ground and it is only as the seed dies that the grain comes up.

what you sow is not made alive unless it dies. . . . It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. (1Co 15:36, 43)

In our quest for life we often miss the boat, not realizing that it is only as we are willing to give up our life that we will truly find life.

Jesus said, "He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it."
(Mat 10:39)

Is God a great enough priority in your life that you are willing to die to your life as you know it in order to find life as He has intended it?

Maybe God is calling you to step out of the boat- not because He wants you to walk on water, but because you're in the wrong boat.

We should be willing to pour our lives out for the kingdom of God, knowing that as death works in us, life will spring forth in others.

So then death is working in us, but life in you. (2Co 4:12)

The Health, Wealth, and Prosperity preachers have it right when they say we should generously sow our seed in faith. Where they miss it is when they say that the purpose of this is to reap a personal harvest. We generously pour ourselves into the ministry of God and generously sow our seed in faith trusting that God will bring a great harvest to His kingdom and to others. And in the process of witnessing God use us to bring life to others we will find ourselves truly rich.

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

Day 4- He Can Turn Lemons into Lemonade

Believe it or not, God can take the worst of circumstances and can work them out for your good.

SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY:
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)

Alternate SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY:
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)

There is no need to fear what man can do to us, and even what life can do to us. The worst that man or life can dish out is no match for our Heavenly Father. He knows how to take harmful circumstances and turn them around for our good.

What is interesting in the above two verses is that God isn't promising that He will turn all of our weeds into roses. What He promises is to use the weeds to accomplish a good purpose. Sometimes this will be a purpose that is not obvious, and that is why it is important for us to trust God and to walk by faith and not by sight.

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 4:16-18)

Have you been excited about what God is doing in you and through you lately? We have the privledge of reigning over our circumstances in Christ, and not living under them.

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

Day 3- The Secret to Being Blessed by God

For the next six weeks I will be sending out a special daily scripture and devotion Monday thru Thursday (hence the numbers). I will give you a scripture that I would like you to post (on a sticky note or index card) in your car, work area, house, etc., and will suggest some ways to apply it to your life. (I will still send one out Fridays and Saturdays, but they will not be numbered. The numbers line up with daily radio broadcasts that began today on WMIE 91.5 FM at 6:30 a.m. when I am taking listeners through the whole Bible in six weeks! :)- if you are not from our area, you will be able to pick up the six weeks of teaching on our "Abide in His Word" web site or on our Calvary Chapel Space Coast media page.)

SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY: (Please print this verse out on sticky notes or index cards and post it prominently so you can read it and think on it throughout your day.)

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. (1Pe 3:8-9)

Weird as it sounds, in God's kingdom the quickest way to getting a blessing is by giving a blessing. The way to be blessed, is to bless. We who are in Christ are the seed of Abraham through Christ and are part of God's great plan to bless the whole world (Genesis 12:3b). Are you fulfilling your calling to be a blessing where you are and where you go?

God's prophets throughout the ages have understood this "secret" or "key" to being greatly blessed by God. The prophet Isaiah recorded the following words of God:

"Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' "If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday. The LORD will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
(Isa 58:6-11)

When you are willing to be a blessing to those around you you will find yours days brightened, your burdens lifted, and even healing and answered prayers will be on their way!

Be a light and a source of comfort to others, and the great light of God's favor will shine brightly into your own darkness and bring great blessing. How can you bless someone today?

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

(If this is too long for you to post, try posting just verse nine which begins with the "not returning evil for evil . . . "- I would love to hear from those of you that are posting your verses. Send me which verses you posted where, and let me know if it's okay to share your action with the devotion readers or radio listeners.)

Day 2- God's Gift of Righteousness- We Reign!

For the next six weeks I will be sending out a special daily scripture and devotion Monday thru Thursday (hence the numbers). I will give you a scripture that I would like you to post (on a sticky note or index card) in your car, work area, house, etc., and will suggest some ways to apply it to your life. (I will still send one out Fridays and Saturdays, but they will not be numbered. The numbers line up with daily radio broadcasts that began today on WMIE 91.5 FM at 6:30 a.m. when I am taking listeners through the whole Bible in six weeks! :)- if you are not from our area, you will be able to pick up the six weeks of teaching on our "Abide in His Word" web site or on our Calvary Chapel Space Coast media page.)

SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY: (Please print this verse out on sticky notes or index cards and post it prominently so you can read it and think on it throughout your day.)

For if by the one man's offense [by Adam's offense in the garden of Eden] death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) (Rom 5:17)

God gives you His righteousness as a GIFT!!

And if you receive God's grace and God's gift YOU WILL REIGN IN LIFE through Jesus!!

The apostle Paul said that he was determined to be IN CHRIST, not having his own righteousness, but the righteousness of Christ which is ours by FAITH! (Php 3:9)

Many of us that claim to be born again by the Spirit of God can point to a time when we put our trust in Christ for our salvation. But so often, we then think it all depends on us from that point forward to live a good enough life to be worthy of the name of Jesus.

God's Word says this thinking is foolish. O foolish Christians! Who has bewitched you that you should lose sight of the fact that we have right standing with God through faith? Did you receive the Spirit through obedience to God's law or through faith? Are you foolish enought to believe that even though you were born of the Spirit by faith, that you perfected in the Spirit by obedience to God's law? God works in you through ONE MEANS. FAITH. You have right standing with God as a Christ follower each and every day through ONE MEANS. FAITH. (see Galatians 3:1-7)

When we fully grasp and cling to the amazing gift of God's righteousness, we will find ourselves seated in the heavenlies with Christ, reigning over our circumstances, and not struggling under them.

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

Day 1 Scripture and Devotion

For the next six weeks I will be sending out a special daily scripture and devotion Monday thru Thursday (hence the numbers). I will give you a scripture that I would like you to post (on a sticky note or index card) in your car, work area, house, etc., and will suggest some ways to apply it to your life. (I will still send one out Fridays and Saturdays, but they will not be numbered. The numbers line up with daily radio broadcasts that began today on WMIE 91.5 FM at 6:30 a.m. when I am taking listeners through the whole Bible in six weeks! :)- if you are not from our area, you will be able to pick up the six weeks of teaching on our "Abide in His Word" web site or on our "Calvary Chapel Space Coast media web site as we get going.)

SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY: (Please print this verse out on sticky notes or index cards and post it prominently so you can read it and think on it throughout your day.)

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
(Rom 5:1)

To be "justified" means to be in right standing with God. Hebrews 9:27 tells us that we all must one day stand in God's courtroom and give account for our sins.

The good news is that Jesus Christ already paid the price for our sins, and though the penalty for sinning against God is death, the gift of God is salvation from death (i.e., eternal life) through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ! (Romans 6:23). Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, which means that He paid the ransom sufficient to set us free from the penalty of death.

Praise God, we can all have peace with God through faith in what Christ has accomplished for us! In fact, you have God's assurance that His love is being poured out upon you, and that you can therefore have peace in the midst of hard circumstances, knowing that He will work them out for you good.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Rom 5:1-5)

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. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Rom 8:28-29)

God is always cooking up good things for us in His kitchen, so be patient my brothers and sisters in Christ. And be at peace, knowing that you are ever in good standing with your Heavenly Father because of what Christ has done on your behalf. That is done! It is finished!

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise!

Can you hear Gomer Pyle, United States Marine Corps, saying, "Surprise, Surprise, Surprise!" to his beloved Sargeant Carter? He took a lot of verbal abuse from his sargeant, but continued to believe the best in him, continued to support him, continued to maintain a positive attitude, and continued to delight in blessing his sargeant with nice surprises! :)

(One surprise for many of you regarding yesterday's devotional is that as best as I can determine, NONE OF THE TRIVIA QUESTIONS WERE TRUE! Just goes to show how we can be so sure we are right sometimes, even when we either are going on hearsay, or relying on a faulty memory.)

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
(Mat 5:44-48)

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. (1Pe 3:8-9)

So why don't you try pleasantly surprising someone with a blessing this weekend that normally wouldn't expect one from you. Maybe even someone that in your eyes doesn't deserve a blessing.

And if you do that, please send me an e-mail and share what happens.

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.
pastorbaron@cfl.rr.com

What does the Bible really say?

We often go through life thinking that people say things that they never say, and sometimes even thinking that the Bible says things it never says.

See how you do with the following:
Did Jack Webb in the TV series Dragnet ever say, "Just the facts, ma'am."?
Did Sherlock Holmes ever say, "Elementary, my dear Watson", in any of the books written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle?
Did Captain James T. Kirk ever say, "Beam me up, Scotty" in any of the TV shows?
Did the witch of Shakespeare's Macbeth ever say, "Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble."?
Did Ingrid Bergman ever say, "Play it again, Sam" in the movie Casablanca?
Did Mae West ever say, "Why don't you come up and see me sometime?" in her movies?
Did James Cagney ever say, "You dirty rat!" in any of his films?

How many do you think you got right? Maybe even more importantly, how positive are you as to the number you got right?

It's easy for us to rely on our own recollection of things, but we must be especially careful when it comes to God's Word, to abide in it daily, and apply it daily.

As for me, I will call upon God, And the LORD shall save me. Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice. (Psa 55:16-17)

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions. (Psa 107:19-20)

Stay close to the Lord, my friends. Pray throughout your day, and cling to His Word.
Don't rely on your Sunday School training as a child, or your memory of Bible studies from yesteryear. Abide in His Word today.

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

When All Heaven Breaks Loose

All Heaven broke loose about 30 A.D. Jesus had been crucified, rose from the dead, and the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the 120 disciples that gathered in the upper room. 3000 were saved that day and baptized.

By 33 A.D. the church was under heavy persecution and had been scattered throughout Judea, Samaria, and Galilee. They preached (i.e., proclaimed) the gospel of Jesus whereever they went and many thousands more were converted to Christ. Saul the great persecutor of the church was converted to Christ and became the apostle Paul.

By 47 A.D. Paul and Barnabas were ready to embark upon a missionary journey that was going to go down in history as a world changer. By 57 A.D. many new churches had been planted throughout the Mediterranean world, and by 60 A.D. the gospel of Jesus Christ had been spread throughout much of the known Roman world.

30 years of great persecution and great advancement of the kingdom of God, only to be followed by the martyrdom of most of the original apostles and the apostle Paul.

In the latter days of the apostolic era only the apostle John remained, and in his exile on the island of Patmos he recorded the book of Revelation.

While the nations rage against the gospel of Jesus Christ and the advancement of God's kingdom, God's promise to provide for His own remains. And despite financial hard times and persectution the resounding cry and prayer of God's people was for the boldness to continue their mission of proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ.

So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: "Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: 'WHY DID THE NATIONS RAGE, AND THE PEOPLE PLOT VAIN THINGS? THE KINGS OF THE EARTH TOOK THEIR STAND, AND THE RULERS WERE GATHERED TOGETHER AGAINST THE LORD AND AGAINST HIS CHRIST.' "For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus." And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet. (Act 4:24-37)

When God's people humble themselves and pray for the power to accomplish God's mission all heaven breaks loose!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

Have you come out of the closet?

Who are you REALLY? Do people know you for who you really are? Do they know you as a follower of Jesus Christ?




Jesus always spoke openly to the world. They knew what He stood for, and He boldly taught in synagogues and in the temple where the Jews always met (John 18:20).

Jesus warns us that "nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light."
(Luke 8:17).

The good news is that God knows our hearts. The bad news is that God knows our hearts. Nothing is hidden from Him.

So what are we hiding for? From the very beginning when Adam fell into sin, man has had this tendency to try and hide from God in his shame and embarassment.

Yet God is calling us to come out! He loves us and there is a covering for our sin!! So let's quit hiding in the closet, and in the power of the Holy Spirit come out and declare ourselves openly and boldly to be Christ followers!

It's time for Christians everywhere to come out of the closet. Bring your Bible to work, wear your Christian T-shirt to work, bring your Christian coffee cup to work. Be bold, be brave, for the Lord your God is with you.

Walk in faith, and you will walk in victory!!

Arise, for this matter is your responsibility. We also are with you. Be of good courage, and do it." (Ezr 10:4)

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

The man from Uz

Those of you that are old TV buffs, will remember "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." television series. Good guy Napoleon Solo fought the bad guys and always won.

Did you know that long before "The Man from Uncle" there was the man from Uz?

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil.
(Job 1:1)

Job, in a sense, withstood the ultimate bad guy, Satan. The Bible says he was blameless and upright, and that he feared God and shunned evil (Job 1:1).

The Hebrew word translated 'blameless' here is 'Tahm' and means perfect, or complete. Something that is sound and whole, just as it was designed to be. Believe it or not, a synonym in the English language would be 'integrity'. Anything that has integrity is something or someone that can be trusted. A chair has integrity or trustworthiness if you can sit on it without it collapsing. A person has integrity or trustworthiness if you can depend on him/her. The word upright means "straight".

Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; For the future of that man is peace. (Psa 37:37)

Do you know someone that is a person of integrity, and who walks the straight and narrow path?
If you do, mark them, that is observe them closely, for the way of the trustworthy and straight person leads to peace and God's blessing.

And you shall do what is right [i.e., straight, upright] and good in the sight of the LORD, that it may be well with you, and that you may go in and possess the good land of which the LORD swore to your fathers, (Deu 6:18)

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

Things Hard to Believe and Hard to Test

There are some things that are very hard to believe for some of us.

Did you know that women blink nearly twice as much as men?

Did you know that it is impossible to lick your elbow?

Did you know that it is physically impossible for pigs to look up into the sky?

Did you know that the "sixth sick sheik's sixth sheep's sick" is said to be the toughest tongue twister in the English language?

Did you know that if you sneeze too hard, you can fracture a rib?

Did you know that if you try to suppress a sneeze, you can rupture a blood vessel in your head or neck and die?

Did you know that most people who read the above statements WILL try and lick their elbow?

Some things are easy to test, and some things are hard to test. God tells us and promises a lot of thingS in His Word, but most are hard to test. We must therefore make a choice as to whether we are going to take Him at His word or not.

Psalm 4:5 has a very simple motto to live by: Do right, and trust in the Lord.

But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You. For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.
(Psa 5:11-12)

Do you trust in the Lord? Then rejoice!! Shout for joy!! He defends you. Love Him and be happy in Him. He WILL BLESS THOSE THAT ARE IN RIGHT STANDING WITH HIM. He WILL SURROUND YOU WITH FAVOR!!

concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. (Rom 1:3-4)

HE IS RISEN, AND HE HAS THE POWER TO BLESS.

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

YOU ARE INVITED to Join us for our Easter Sunrise service tomorrow at 6:00 a.m. behind Frontenac Baptist Church on the river, or join us for our 10:00 a.m. Easter service at the Calvary Chapel Space Coast facility (5195 S. Washington Ave. U.S.1) in south Titusville.

YOU ARE INVITED to Join us for our NEW RADIO BROADCAST Monday at 6:30 a.m. on WMIE 91.5 FM as we go thru the Bible in SIX WEEKS!!

YOU ARE INVITED to Join us on the web if you are not in Brevard County. Go to www.calvarychapelspacecoast.org media section for podcasts and services that you can't attend.

Happy Easter!

Can we mount up with wings like Vultures?

Have you ever ever heard the scripture, "They that wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like vultures"?


Our English Bibles translate this passage in Isaiah as,

"But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint." (Isa 40:31)

You may find it interesting that the Hebrew and Greek words translated "eagle"in our English Bibles may actually be referring to the once-numerous-in-Israel Griffon vultures.

In Matthew 24:28 we read,
For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together. (Mat 24:27-28)

Eagles would be unlikely to gather around a dead carcass. Eagles are rarely seen in groups larger than two or three, and feed primarily on fish and living creatures. Dead carcasses are the primary staple of vultures, however, and they gather in great numbers for their feasting.

The featherless head of the vulture may be in view in Micah 1:16 as the eagle has a head thickly covered with feathers, but the Vulture's head and neck are but scantily sprinkled with white down.

The Griffon vulture is a majestic bird, and is said to fly higher than any eagle. So who knows, maybe God will renew our strength and enable us to rise up with wings like the majestic Griffon vulture.

With all that said, the important thing for us to remember is that when we are weak and weary, we can find our strength and hope renewed as we wait on the Lord.

Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! (Psa 27:14)

Do not say, "I will recompense evil"; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you.
(Pro 20:22)

But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
(Isa 40:31)

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Gal 6:9-10)

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

What do you do when the chariots come storming in?

Israel (a.k.a. Samaria) was about to be attacked by the Syrians.

Now Ben-Hadad the king of Syria gathered all his forces together; thirty-two kings were with him, with horses and chariots. And he went up and besieged Samaria, and made war against it. (1Ki 20:1)

So the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, "Notice, please, and see how this man seeks trouble, for he sent to me for my wives, my children, my silver, and my gold; and I did not deny him." And all the elders and all the people said to him, "Do not listen or consent." (1Ki 20:7-8)

The King of Israel is hauling up the white flag, but his elders are telling him not to pay attention to the threatenings of the Syrians and not to give in to their demands.

hmmmmmmmmmmm. When the chips are down and the pressure is on, do you trust in the Lord?

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God. (Psa 20:7)

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.
(Pro 18:10)

Those who know the Lord know that He is trustworthy. He can be counted on. He is worthy of our praise, and is a strong rock and fortress.

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.