authority | Revelations From The Road

Memory

June 22, 2017 by Bill

Given June 20, 2017

The human brain is an amazing organ. No computer can match its power, ability or memory. Humans have done wonderful things by using their brains and it is said that knowledge now doubles every twelve months. This is all done with the brain. God designed our brains.

As I got in my truck recently, a random phrase suddenly came into my mind, “buckle up”. I thought, “Why did that come to my mind?” I always buckle my seat belt. Then, into my mind, entered this jingle from years ago which had been a commercial encouraging people to use their seat belts. “Buckle up for safety, buckle up. Buckle up for safety, always buckle up. Show the world you care by the belt you wear, buckle up for safety, everybody buckle up.” Now, in my memory somewhere was stored that little song and the random phrase that I “heard” triggered my memory and I sang the jingle without a mistake. I remembered every word from years ago! I can’t remember the names of some of the people I go to church with, students I had in school years ago, things that happened at times in my life or what to pick up at the grocery store. But my memory recalled those crazy song lyrics. It came from my brain.

Now, as I usually do, I started thinking of how this incident could be related to something spiritual; maybe it was God who put that phrase in my mind. Wouldn’t it be useful to have the Word of God stored away somewhere in our memories? Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in us richly.” When someone near us is in need, the ability to recall scripture or teachings from the Bible can make a difference in their lives. What if someone comes to you and wants to get saved? Will you be able to use scripture to lead them into Heaven? “Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:18)

When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness in Matthew 4, what did He use to fend off the devil? He used words. But not just any words, He used God’s words. Satan couldn’t compete with the Word. “Take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:10) By the way, this part of the Armor of God is the only offensive weapon mentioned. So when the devil comes at you roaring “like” a lion, with temptations will you have the offensive weapon to resist him and watch him flee from you? “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you”. (Psalms 119:11)

We want to live a good life, or should I say, a God life. The Bible is full of instructions for us to follow in order for that to happen. We want to be pleasing to God, to fulfill the mission He planned for us before we were born and to be a servant here on earth until we make our final stop on our journey. How do we do that? Joshua 1:8: “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful 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.”

If this has made you think about what’s in your memory from God’s word, I’m glad. I guess that was God’s intention when he put that phrase in my mind. If you need some scripture in your mind, read it, listen to it, meditate on it, memorize it and practice speaking it every day.

When You Are Here

May 21, 2017 by Bill

Given May 21, 2017

As happens frequently during praise and worship time at church, the words to a song captivated me and the Holy Spirit spoke to me about a Spiritual concept. The lyrics were from the song “When You Are Here” by Bread and Wine and this is the line that spoke to me: “When You are here, miracles are possible.” I looked around our congregation and saw the 250 or so people and thought about the word “possible”. If God is here, which He was, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20), why are miracles only possible? Why do miracles not just happen?

I was reminded of the story in Luke 5 about the man who was brought on a mat to Jesus and they had to lower him through a hole in the roof because of the crowd. All the big shots from the church were there and it says in verse 17, “and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.” When You are here, miracles are possible. The healing miracle was available to all but the leaders of the church didn’t believe so it was not possible for them. But Jesus saw the faith of this man’s friends and the healing was possible. We have to believe and not doubt, (James 1:6) and we have to show our faith. I’m reminded of the daughter of a co-worker who was interviewed for a job on Friday. On that Sunday, she tithed on the salary she would receive from that job. On Monday, she got the job!

Another answer I received was from James 4:2, “You have not because you ask not.” God and all His miracle working power is present but we have to ask, we have to pray to Him for our miracle. John Wesley once said, “God does nothing except in response to believing prayer.” As I think about our congregation and all the miracle needs that were represented there, the possibility for miracles, I wonder how many truly believed, would show their faith and ask for their miracle.

You don’t have to be in a congregation for God to be present either. “lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:20). “He will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6). He is here!

Picture This: Death Was Arrested

November 6, 2016 by Bill

Given November 6, 2016

As happens to me quite often, I see or hear something that begins a video playing in my mind of how a scene might play out. It happened this morning in church as we sang the song, “Death Was Arrested” by North Point InsideOut. These lyrics began the video:

“Our savior displayed on a criminal’s cross.
Darkness rejoiced as though heaven had lost.
But then Jesus arose with our freedom in hand.
That’s when death was arrested and my life began.”

I saw the demons of darkness dancing, rejoicing and partying at the base of the cross where Jesus hung dying and then in front of the tomb where He was laid. I saw us as prisoners of darkness standing nearby in chains because, supposedly, our Savior had been eliminated. But then…the heavy stone sealing the entrance to the tomb began rolling away to the right and Jesus came walking out of the tomb with the key to our chains in His hand. The demons stopped their merriment in fear and screamed, “Oh no!” “Where did he come from?” “We thought he was dead!” The demons could not move except to turn around with their hands behind their backs as Jesus put on the cuffs and arrested them. Then He walked over to us with His blood-stained key and freed us from our chains. Now, we are the ones rejoicing because Jesus has set us free forever!

“Yes we’re free, free forever amen.
When death was arrested and my life began.”

Anti Bullying

November 5, 2016 by Bill

Given October 16, 2016

We all know about bullying. Many of us have been bullied in school, at work, in public or even in families. Research suggests that bullies are insecure, feel unworthy and need attention and they usually attract a following who want to see what they’re going to inflict on someone. Bullies don’t pick on the captain of the football team but some, supposedly, weaker kid. Experts suggest many ways to stop a bully, one of which is to stand up to them. I saw a video of a large kid who was being bullied and finally had had enough. He turned, picked up the smaller bully and slammed him to the ground and walked away. End of that bullying session.

So now you’re thinking about how bad it is to be bullied and how you don’t want to be in that situation. Well, most of us are! We’re being bullied by the king of bullies, the devil! And the sad thing is, we keep letting him do it. But there are a few differences in the devil’s bullying: 1. He’s all talk. He can’t hit you but will talk you into hurting yourself. 2. He knows there are some people he can’t bully. 3. There’s a sure-fire way for you to be bully free.

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) The devil is a deceiver; he talks you into hurting yourself. He makes it look so good, you fall for it. He’s looking for someone to scam.

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Ephesians 6:11) He’s looking for someone to pick on but when he sees someone fully dressed for battle, he just moves on. If you’re a Christian, you’ve been issued that armor, do you have it on or is it somewhere in your closet?

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) If you try to stand up to the devil without God backing you, you’ll get whipped! So, give yourself to God, get in the devil’s face and tell him to “Git!” You might say, “I’m submitted to God and I resist you devil.” And, “Greater is He who is in me than you are.” (1 John 4:4) Don’t let the devil bully you anymore!

Conversations with God

August 13, 2016 by Bill

Given July/August 2016

God speaks to us in many ways; through His word, through a preacher, a song, or by inspiration during prayer. Prayer, by the way, is just talking with God and here are some examples of conversations we might have with God.

When God gives you a task to accomplish, you might say: “God, I’m not good enough, I can’t handle it.” And God says, “Great, I’m glad to hear you say that.” “No, you’re not and you can’t, that’s why I’m here.” “Now, let me help and we’ll get ‘er done!”

“Lord, I’m feeling sort of messed up today, why is that?” “Well, child, it’s because you’ve cluttered your mind with all these other things in your life except Me.” “I keep reminding you, ‘Seek Me and my Kingdom first and all these other things will be OK.’” “Oh yeah, I remember.” “I’m sorry Lord; I don’t know why you keep putting up with me.” “Child, it’s because I love you and I’ve got some great things I want you to accomplish.” “Now let’s go.”

“Lord, don’t let our country, founded on your principles, go down.” “Show yourself mighty, strong, loving, compassionate and merciful.” “Yes, I can do that but I have millions of people who claim to be my followers who are just sitting by and doing nothing with those things you mentioned, which I’ve place in them.” “If my people will get up and do something, then you will see My power displayed and change will happen.”

“Yes, I’m a follower of yours Jesus.” “Well, get up and follow me!” “It takes more than just saying you’re a follower to be my follower.” “Get up and come on, we’ve got work to do.”

“That’s just the way I am, I can’t help it!” “Well child, that’s true to a point.” “You were born with a sin nature because of Adam and Eve’s sin but I sent Jesus to save you out of that and now, you’re a new creation, you’re different.” “You have power and a free will to say no to sin and the devil.” “Now, THAT’S just the way you are and you CAN help it!”

Spend some time every day just talking with God.