“Just a Closer Walk with Thee”

Noah’s world was evil. Sounds much like todays world. So I think there is much to learn from Genesis 6.

1. The Earth was corrupt – v.11

This is interesting to me. In Genesis 1, God created the earth and saw it “Good”. But in Genesis 6 it is corrupt. Why? Sin, Remember that God cursed the ground. So with a fallen world that continues in sin and works a cursed ground, it produces manipulation of the earth or no regard. It had been corrupted. Now I’m no “tree hugger”, but I do think we have a responsibility to take care of “mother earth”. This place is a gift from God.

2. The Earth was filled with violence – v.11

Obviously sin hurts, damages, steals, and kills. So look at the imagery of John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” That was exactly what was going on.

3. It was continually getting worse – v.13

God had had enough. He had determined to end this madness – v.13. How was God going to do it?

God was going to bring judgement. Not just any judgement. Death to All, through a flood, except 1 family. That would be the family of Noah. We learn a lot about Noah.

1. Noah was Righteous – v.9

Righteous means “conformity to expectations” or “justifiable, morally right, very good.” So, when we walk with The Lord, we walk in righteousness.

2. Noah was Blameless – v.9

Blameless means “innocent of wrongdoing”. Noah didn’t go along with the flow. He was his own man. Desiring to be who God had called him to be, not who the world was.

3. Noah Walked with God. – v.9

You can only be “righteous” and “blameless” when you walk with God. The closer you walk with God, the more you hear from God. I can attest to this. Now we must understand the New Testament implications to what righteousness is and who righteousness comes from.

Romans 3:21-26, “21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law,although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’srighteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and thejustifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

So my only way at righteousness is to surrender to the one that can make me right, Jesus. I can’t do it. My only way to be blameless is to walk in surrender to this Jesus. There is absolutely nothing good in me, except for Jesus.

We need men who are willing, like Noah, to walk with God. We need daddy’s who are willing to surrender ALL for the sake of themselves and their families survival, eternally. We need families sold out together for King Jesus in the face of a fallen world. Not only that but we need men that hear from God.

4. Noah heard, listened, and did – v.22

God was going to spare Noah and His family because he found “Favor” with him. I would suggest that breaking the “Sin Cycle” would be exactly what Noah did. Instead of See-Desire-Take, Noah Heard-Listened-Did.

Now Noah probably had a WHAT moment when God told him that He wanted him to build an ARK from Gopher wood – SAY WHAT? Yeah, not only that but here are the dimensions. WHAT? A football field and a half? Yep, it’s got to be big enough to house 2 of every animal (kind) and enough food for you and the animals to make it a few hundred days.

It is in that “Closer Walk With Thee” that we can receive clarity. If that was you and I on a whim walk with God we probably would have went, Pah, it must have been my lunch speaking. But, when we are walking with the Lord, closely, I promise he speaks with clarity. You may and probably will have to pray through it, but it will become clear. His plan is to help you, not to harm you. And this was how He was going to help Noah, his family, and his continued creation.

Noah did what was asked of Him. For about 75+ years Noah and his family worked and built this Ark. Remaining faithful, working tirelessly, persevering through obstacles and peoples, enduring to the end. It all happened because he (Noah) had “A Closer Walk” with The God.

I’m going to encourage you once again to head on up to Williamstown and Petersburg  Kentucky. Take your family. It will open your eyes up to the truth of God’s Word and the truth of this flood. It’s a vacation that you will never forget.

https://arkencounter.com

https://creationmuseum.org

So today I want to encourage you to walk closer to God than you ever have before. 

Micah 6:8, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?”

Bro. J

 

1/16/17 – Genesis 6:1-8

“Heartbroken”

Have you ever did something that afterwards you were heartbroken over after you realized, I should have never done that? Or, I can’t believe that the one that I love did that?

I met with a lady last night that was heartbroken over a child. Her exact words, “my child’s heart is not just hard, it is evil.” That Is Heartbrokenness. I cried and prayed with this dear lady because I care genuinely about her child as well.

So imagine her heart. Knowing that flesh of her own flesh has brought about devastating heartbrokenness. That is what is taking place in Genesis 6.

A few things that God showed me this morning.

1. Man’s Heart is Evil – v.5

Not only is man’s heart evil. The longer it is left unchecked the more evil it grows. The bible is clear that all of sin comes from an evil heart.

Matthew 15:18-19 – ¹⁸ But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. ¹⁹ For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.

2. An Evil Heart brings about Evil Intentions – v.2, 5

I saw this in V.2 and just said, my – my. It’s the “Sin Cycle” once again.

Genesis 6:2 – the “sons of God” SAW that the “daughters of man” were attractive (DESIRED). And they TOOK as their wives any they chose. SAW – DESIRED – TOOK.

So the “Sons of God” saw something they perceived to be beautiful in the “Daughters of Man” (which was two conflicting lifestyles or spiritual sides), desired them in their heart and took which ever they wanted. Now I’m gonna spare the gruesome details that was likely going on during this time. But, let’s just say that it was moral decay.

What does sin do to God’s heart and how does He address it? So imagine His heart. Knowing that flesh of His own flesh has brought about devastating heartbrokenness.

1. Evilness Grieves God’s Heart – v.6-7

Sin breaks God’s heart. There is no way around it. That’s why sin had to be dealt with. Sin broke God’s heart even at the event of the Crucifixion of Christ. To the point that He turned away from it. His heart is Sorry, which means distressed for His people.

2. His Spirit will not abide in Evilness – v.3

God is not going to bless sin or be a part of it in your life.

3. God will bring Judgement on Sin – v.7

The great flood is about to come. Judgement will take place. Evil will be destroyed (for a short time) but once and for all at the Triumphant return of Christ. We need to make sure that we, today, are on the right side of Judgement.

I see the evilness that was real in this moment and how it broke God’s heart. But, there is one more truth that I see. It is one we need to look closely at. It’s one that we need to contemplate.

Even in the midst of one of the most evil moments in world history you can remain faithful. You do not have to go with the flow. You do not have to be around bad company that corrupts good character. You do not have to subside to what every one else is doing because it seems to be popular. You do not have to give in to the deceptions of the enemy, that everything that appears to be beautiful is good. You do not have to grieve God’s heart.

v.8 – Noah found FAVOR – The word favor means Grace. God was going to spare one. One who would listen to people mock him and his God. Critic his ever move. But yet, Noah would remain faithful. God’s Grace would be evident. The “Sin Cycle”, for a time, would soon be broken.

You can remain Faithful. I can remain Faithful. The question is, Will We?

1/14/17 – Genesis 3:20-24

“Were it not for Grace”

I’m an 80’s child, born in 1980 to be exact. My mother however, born in the 50’s, loves music and musical plays. I know most of the 1950-1960 musicals; The Sound of Music (The hills were alive on the deer stand this morning, ha), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Singing in the Rain, Mary Poppins, Fiddler on The Roof. You get the point.

Also, during the 80’s all Christian women were drawn to one (1) female singer in particular, Sandy Patty. My mom would try to sing like Sandy and every other person (sorry mom). I had to listen to Sandy Patty all the time. I think I knew her songs better than she did. But I once heard someone sing with Sandy Patty and it brought me to tears, literally. His name is Larnelle Harris, the song, “I’ve Just Seen Jesus”.

He has one of the most amazing tenor voice and I wanted to hear other things he has done. Then it happened, I was about 14 (not even a believer) and I heard a song that I continue to be reminded of. Even last night laying in the bed after I had been reading on “The parable of the lost Sheep” and knowing what we would read today during devotion, I just turned it on and went to sleep.

The song, “Were it not for Grace.”

I would like for you to listen to it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6FH5oq3J-M

But read the chorus with me:

Were it not for grace, I can tell you where Id be, Wandering down some pointless road to nowhere, With my salvation up to me, I know how that would go, The battles I would face, Forever running but losing this race, Were it not for grace.

Were it not for Grace. 2 Things that God showed me about His Grace in Genesis 3:20-24

1. God Clothed Them – v.21

They no longer had to hide under fig leaves in Shame. He (God) slaughtered one of His created kinds to cloth His imaged creation. Now we could think about and talk about the theological stance that this one verse means for them and for us even today, but I don’t have the time nor the space. It has to do with the shedding of blood. Now just think of the New Testament implications in light of Genesis 3:15.

I was sitting in the deer stand this morning, singing “Were it not for Grace”, and a scripture came to my mind.

Isaiah 61:10 – I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness

The thought came to me. How can I, a sinner, be clothed in Righteousness? The only logical answer I can come up with is GRACE. That’s it. WOW, This word now has a greater effect on my life. So I sit and sing, with tears in my eyes, “Were it not for Grace.” I don’t deserve to be clothed. I deserve to be naked in my Shame but now because I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ and I desire to live for Him, I’M CLOTHED. That is Huge. Bigger than Donald Trump H-U-G-E. I don’t have to live in SHAME. WOW, That Is Freeing.

2.  God Showed Compassion and Grace – v.23

There were consequences to their sin and breaking God’s rule, yes. But, He showed them Compassion. Here is how, get this. By putting them out of the garden so they would not eat of the fruit again. What? Yeah, He sent Adam and Eve out of the garden because they had already “fallen” and if the ate of the tree again they would never die and have been “fallen” forever. Well that’s crazy, we may think. But think of this that God showed me.

It is to my benefit that I die – In Christ, WOW. I can live in Grace and I can die in Grace. And though I will die a physical death in Christ I will live a Glorious, Heavenly, Eternal, Complete life WITH CHRIST. Man I’m about to shout. Why would I want to stay in a “fallen” world forever? No thank you.

One last thing that this has taught me.

The word Grace means, God blessing us despite the fact that we do not deserve it – extending kindness to the unworthy.

It’s one thing to know what the word Grace means but it’s another to experience what the word means. I’ve preached on Grace before, knowing by definition what it means. But, not experiencing at the time what it means.

So, I have to think (would you think?). How many times have I sinned? How many times have a lived in sin? How many times have I given two rips about anything other than myself? How many times have I been arrogant, proud, unloving, uncontrollable? Sin is easy. Yet, GRACE.

Grace has recaptured my heart today. Don’t just know it – FEEL IT.

You can. Let the words of Ephesians 2 come alive.

Ephesians 2:1-9 – 1And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 

Bro. J

1/13/17 – Genesis 3:16-19

“The Consequences of Sin”

One of my favorite quotes, ever, is by the late Adrien Rogers, who was the long tenured pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis TN. He said, “You are free to choose, you are not free not to choose, but, you are not free to choose the consequence of your choice.”

His point was this. Making a choice or not making a choice, is still making a choice and you need to be careful because there could be consequences.

Webster’s defines consequence as, “a result or effect of an action or condition”.

So, Sin has an effect. Its effect is not good. One of the greatest things that God has ever taught me is that my sin just doesn’t effect me, it effects every one around me.

4 things I see that the effects of sin brought on Adam, Eve, You, and I.

1. It brought Pain (v.16, 17)

All types of pain. For Eve it was the pain from 9 months of pregnancy and labor. Not only that but in the raising of her family. For Adam it was the toil and pain that came through working the ground to survive. Pain is a reminder of our Sin nature.

Think about what physical pain that you experience today because of Sin?

2.  It brought Work (v.19)

Hard, Physical, Tiring work is also, according to Genesis 3, a result of Sin. When Adam and Eve were given Eden their work was not toilsome but pleasing. Now after “The Fall”, that changed. It went from here is everything you need to survive and enjoy my creation to an honest days work gives an honest day wages, and the pain that comes from it.

Not only that but a question that came to my mind is this.

Have I ever tried to work harder undoing the wrong that I did and the continued pain it brought me? Why Yes, yes I have. I was miserable.

3.   It brought a Nagging Reminder (v.17-18)

“Thorns and Thistles”

So I’m working hard. Trying to provide. I’m already experiencing pain and exhaustion from my toiling and bam, a thorn.

Or, I’m getting ahead, everything is going good, I feel like I’ve got the cat by the tail and then, are you kidding me, a thistle.

I’m then reminded that I don’t have life together and I’m truly not over the sin effects of my past.

I have thought about this all day. I was up reading my devotion at about 5:00 this morning and writing in my journal before Jude and I were going hunting. When we got in the deer stand on the SECOND week of JANUARY, mosquitos began to attack. They nagged and nagged and nagged. I though to myself. This is what sin does every once in a while. It reminds you that it is still there when you least expect it.

4.   It ultimately leads to a physical death (v.19b)

God told Adam what would happen. He would return to the ground in which he came. So Adam is the first person to realize that he would die. And today, we all need to be reminded that life is but a vapor. It is here today and gone tomorrow. You are not guaranteed the next breath. We all will die.

Sin has a Death Sentence.

BUT, I WANT YOU TO NOTICE SOMETHING.

There is one word that you do not see in the judgement that comes upon Adam and Ever as a result of their sin. Read Verses 14-15. Ready to give up? CURSED. You don’t see the word CURSED.

I want you to know something, IN JESUS you are a sinner, BUT, you ARE NOT cursed.

V.15 let’s us know that through this family there would be SALVATION.

What does that mean? Well, it means that if I am in Christ that I will still experience things such as Adam and Eve. But, those things are not final.

For Instances:

I will experience pain, But I will survive.

I will have to work hard, But God has provided everything for me to eat.

I will die a physical death, But in Him I will Live.

There are consequences to sin but understand that in Christ those consequences are not final and should ultimately draw me closer to Him. That Is Freeing.

HE IS NOT DONE WITH YOU YET, KEEP PRESSING.

Bro. J

1/12/17 – Genesis 3:8-15

“his days are numbered”

I can’t miss Genesis 3. It’s the gospel in it’s fullest. I want you to notice a few things that stick out about God, you, and the enemy from these few verses.

1. God knows me and where I am – v.8
2. I can’t hide from Him – v.9
3. I can’t lie to Him – v.10-12
4. I can’t blame someone else for my mistakes and sin – v.12

That’s not just in Genesis 3, it is throughout the bible.

Jeremiah 17:10 – I the Lord search the heart and test the mind

Psalm 139:7-8 – Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!

James 1:14-15 – But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

So if I can’t outsmart God, or hide from Him, if I can’t talk my way around it, or even blame someone else, What Must I DO?

I have to Admit my wrong! The woman ADMIT’s that she has sinned against God – v.13.

The word sin means to fall short. How many of us have fallen short of who we should be spiritually?

5.  Repentance begins with admittance – v.13

Sin is deceptive. We believe we can get away with it, hide it, talk our way around it, blame it on someone else, but we can’t. The bible says in Numbers 32:23, “you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out.” 

It’s just a matter of time. So Why not Repent? Repentance is a good word. It’s not a negative connotation that many people believe it is.

Luke 13:3, says, “Unless you Repent, you will Perish.” It would seem to me the opposite of repentance is what is negative – Perishing.

So what happens when I repent?

The bible give clear answers in Genesis 3. First, You have to know that there are consequences for you sin, v.16. However, I want you to notice who it is that fights your battles. THE LORD, and He is going to deal with the enemy for you, through repentance.

He goes toe to toe, face to face, calls it like it is, and tells the enemy.

1. you will be curse (bound under a curse) – v.14
2. you will be the lowest of creation (you and all) (talk about being humiliated) – v.14b
3. you are The enemy, Alway (The Lord calls him out and gives him a title that he will always have. That’s what it means to put enmity between. There will be battles) – v.15
4. you are going to be defeated. v.15b

Did I just hear that right? The Lord told the enemy that his days are numbered. Not only that but he told him how he was going to do it. From the woman’s offspring would come one that is gonna stomp a mud whole on his head. But it would not come without a cost, the Cross of Christ.

Here is the thing. The enemy could and can do nothing to protect his self. his days are numbered because of the work already done on The Cross. SO being humiliated what’s his only response. Drag as many people through humiliation that he can.

You don’t have to go through humiliation.

Jesus fought your sin battle and his days are numbered. What a SAVIOR!

1/11/17 – Genesis 3:6-7

“The Sin Cycle”

There is a such thing that is called “The Sin Cycle”. It looks like this; Saw – Desired Took. For instance, in Genesis 3:6 we see that everything good Eve heard and saw about the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, she began to desire. The word desire literally means to lust after. So she saw and she began to desire and then her desire (lustful heart) took what it sought.

She saw and thought it was good.

She desired because she thought it would make her better.

She took to fulfill her desire.

However, what she though by seeing, desiring, and taking did not bring her fulfillment. It brought her SHAME.

We see this throughout the bible:

(Judges 16) – Samson Saw Delilah, Desired her and then Took her in. It lead to his blindness and death.

(1 Samuel 19-28) Saul saw Power, Desired it More, and tried to Take more. Saul and all of his sons were killed in battle because of the judgment of God. (1 Samuel 31)

(2 Samuel 11) – David Saw Bathsheba, Desired her, and then Took her. David became a murderer to cover up his sin and lost a child in the process. He was however repentant and we will talk more about that later.

(Joshua 7) – Achan Saw some of the devoted thing, he Desired them and then He took them. His whole family was stoned and burned to death.

There is more, way more.

The point is that all of them were filled with SHAME because they thought that what they saw would be fulfilling.

I was in the same boat because, I’m a sinner. My life has been ravaged by “The Sin Cycle”. I have saw things, desired them, and taken thinking it would bring me fulfillment. But, it didn’t. It brought me SHAME. If it was not for Jesus I would still be in my SHAME. Genesis 3 is also a declaration for the Gospel. The enemy will be crushed and he has been already because of the work of Christ on the Cross.

You don’t have to live in SHAME any more. You can repent like David who was filled with SHAME. He said in Psalms 51, due to his sin with Bathsheba,

“1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. 14 Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.

Don’t let your seeing lead to desiring unless it is JESUS.

Lord, help me to be aware of the enemy and his schemes. Lord I ask for the wisdom to be self-controlled and alert to avoid my tempting heart. Lord I pray that I would seek you for perfect fulfillment that can only be found in you. In Jesus Name.

Let Jesus Break your Sin Cycle: He’s a Chain Breaker, Way Maker, and Pain Taker.

Bro. J

1/10/17 – Genesis 3:1-5

“The Enemy”

There are several truths about the enemy:

1) The enemy is real. There is a real enemy. The real enemy is not someone else or even yourself, as some say. The enemy has a name; Satan, the devil.

2) The enemy is crafty. Genesis 3:1, says, “more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.” That word crafty literally means cunning or deceitful. So, to say that the enemy is a snake is an understatement.

3) The enemy wants, looks, aims, desires to Deceive you. I’ve quoted 1 Peter 5:8 more than any other verse in the bible, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Now most of us would say that the enemy wants to kill me. But what if it’s not your physical life that he wants to destroy, but your spiritual life. The enemy is not out with a band of bandits to snipe you from 1,000 yards out. he (I refuse to make the snake have a big H) looks to get close to you, I think just like this snake in Genesis 3.

Here are just 2 ways from Genesis 3:

1) To Cause Doubts (V.1) “Did God actually say”. I think we need to look and listen to God’s Word and question what it says and what Truth He wants to speak in our lives. Not to lead to doubt, but knowledge. To stand in Truth and not waiver in uncertainty.

2) To Cloud your Faith Walk and lead you to walk to Spiritual failure (V.4) “You will not surely die”. I’m not calling myself or anyone else a failure. I even struggled writing that word. Webster defines failure as, The lack of Success. When I don’t have success, I have failure. If I’m not in the game, I can’t even win.

That, in my opinion, is what the enemy desires to do. Make you doubt yourself, your relationships, your callings, your passions for Christ that you do have, who you should be, how you should serve. I can go on and on. Because I know these are things that he has tried to make me doubt and some I times, I have.

I know that I have walked in spiritual blindness, even as a Christian, because I was not walking it in faith and following close to Jesus. When we walk away from His presence we begin to walk in the presence of another, the enemy.

So how do you combat “the snake”, avoid deception, keep clear spiritual vision, and walk in victory?

Just a few things:

1) Know The Truth – Grow in Truth. I’ve had John 17:17 stuck in my head for weeks and I’ve desired to preach this way recently and let God do the changing as only He can. “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” Jesus even says in this high priestly prayer that God’s Word would keep them from “the evil one” (John 17:14-15) – Read it.

2) Submit To The Truth – James 4:7-9 says, Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 

3) Resist the enemy – Look at James 4:7 – “Resist the devil”. Also 1 Peter 5:9, after we have a command to be on the lookout Peter says, “Resist him, firm in your faith”.

4) Let Christ Guide Your Life and Fight Your Battles – I love how Paul writes in Ephesians. IT’s ALL OUT WAR. And a battle we are in. This is a call to be warriors in Christ.

Ephesians 6:10-20 – Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

5) Tell Someone About Jesus – I’ve found when I get down and feel out that the greatest cure is to be who God has called me to be and tell someone about Jesus. Paul asked Jesus to give him the strength to allow his mouth to open so he could boldly proclaim the mystery of the gospel.

You may feel like a failure. That you have been deceived. That you are walking in Spiritual blindness. You’ve been beating up on yourself and you allow the enemy to keep pushing you down. You can STOP NOW. You can overcome Spiritual failure.

Jesus told his disciples that He would Overcome and He did. Jesus Overcame the enemy so you can stand victorious in Him. Run to Him!

John 16:25-33 – You made it this far, so you might as well open your bible and read it.

I Love You in Jesus,

Bro. J

I FEEL LIKE PREACHING

1/16/17 – Genesis 6:1-8

“Heartbroken”

Have you ever did something that afterwards you were heartbroken over after you realized, I should have never done that? Or, I can’t believe that the one that I love did that?

I met with a lady last night that was heartbroken over a child. He exact words, “my child’s heart is not just hard, it is evil.” That Is Heartbrokenness. I cried and prayed with this dear lady because I care genuinely about her child as well.

So imagine her heart. Knowing that flesh of her own flesh has brought about devastating heartbrokenness. That is what is taking place in Genesis 6.

A few things that God showed me this morning.

1. Man’s Heart is Evil – v.5

Not only is man’s heart evil. The longer it is left unchecked the more evil it grows. The bible is clear that all of sin comes from an evil heart.

Matthew 15:18-19 – ¹⁸ But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. ¹⁹ For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.

2. An Evil Heart brings about Evil Intentions – v.2, 5

I saw this in V.2 and just said, my – my. It’s the “Sin Cycle” once again.

Genesis 6:2 – the “sons of God” SAW that the “daughters of man” were attractive (DESIRED). And they TOOK as their wives any they chose. SAW – DESIRED – TOOK.

So the “Sons of God” saw something they perceived to be beautiful in the “Daughters of Man” (which was two conflicting lifestyles or spiritual sides), desired them in their heart and took which ever they wanted. Now I’m gonna spare the gruesome details that was likely going on during this time. But, let’s just say that it was moral decay.

What does sin do to God’s heart and how does He address it? So imagine His heart. Knowing that flesh of His own flesh has brought about devastating heartbrokenness.

1. Evilness Grieves God’s Heart – v.6-7

Sin breaks God’s heart. There is no way around it. That’s why sin had to be dealt with. Sin broke God’s heart even at the event of the Crucifixion of Christ. To the point that He turned away from it. His heart is Sorry, which means distressed for His people.

2. His Spirit will not abide in Evilness – v.3

God is not going to bless sin or be a part of it in your life.

3. God will bring Judgement on Sin – v.7

The great flood is about to come. Judgement will take place. Evil will be destroyed (for a short time) but once and for all at the Triumphant return of Christ. We need to make sure that we, today, are on the right side of Judgement.

I see the evilness that was real in this moment and how it broke God’s heart. But, there is one more truth that I see. It is one we need to look closely at. It’s one that we need to contemplate.

Even in the midst of one of the most evil moments in world history you can remain faithful. You do not have to go with the flow. You do not have to be around bad company that corrupts good character. You do not have to subside to what ever one else is doing because it seems to be popular. You do not have to give in to the deceptions of the enemy, that everything that appears to be beautiful is good. You do not have to grieve God’s heart.

v.8 – Noah found FAVOR – The word favor means Grace. God was going to spare one. One who would listen to people mock him and his God. Critic his ever move. But yet, Noah would remain faithful. God’s Grace would be evident. The “Sin Cycle”, for a time, would soon be broken.

You can remain Faithful. I can remain Faithful. The question is, Will We?

April 25, 2016

Dear Faith Family of Clear Branch Baptist Church Florence,

I first want to give King Jesus all the praise He deserves. He has blessed our worship and gathering in ways that leave me speechless at times. I think the best way to describe it in a single word is “AWE.” What we have experienced at CBBC Florence over the last few years is one of the most phenomenal things I have ever witnessed. May God continue to be glorified and may we pursue Him in all we do.

With any numerical growth there comes challenges with space: parking, Sunday School, nursery, and worship. Currently we are maxed out in all areas. With any growth there are trials, uncertainties, and emotional pulls. We have been in deep talks for several years amongst the staff, deacon body, and leadership of CBBC about the constant growth that we have experienced. Over the past five years, we have addressed several needs. We moved to a renovated worship center to accommodate a growing congregation, then later upgraded and expanded a children’s facility to accommodate growing and growing numbers of children, moved the nursery to make it safer and more family-friendly, remodeled a youth room to create a welcoming atmosphere, and expanded sections on the parking lot. All of these have been necessary modifications, and now we have outgrown them all.

A special business was called for April 24, 2016 at 6 p.m. We, as a church body, put a plan together to meet some of the challenges we face. We voted on an eight-member “Strategy/Vision Team.” Effective as of April 24th, this “Strategy/Vision Team” will collect information, research options, and present their data to help cast the vision of our members for the future of CBBC Florence. This team began working immediately. We believe the best step forward is to be united in any effort we undergo. That is why we selected a team that encompasses the totality of our congregation. The team consists of a Deacon Representative; Kyle Reynolds, a Staff member; Rebecca Cooper, four men; Lee Coleman, Mike Lowe, Cody Pickell, Mike Buckalew and two ladies; Mary Lou Shepherd and Chrissy Middleton. People that are older and younger, who have been at CBBC Florence all their life to new faces in our congregation were selected. We desire  faithful open-mindedness and varied experience.

This team will have a responsibility in setting and casting the vision on behalf of the church body. This will be a congregational effort and will require your support. The Strategy/Vision Team will be working the next few weeks to formulate a survey that will help in this effort. In the coming weeks you will have an opportunity to be involved in the vision via the survey that is formulated. I ask that you would support this team, be involved in the process, and get on board with any decision that is made by the overall majority of CBBC Florence. This will be impossible without unity and we need you. We need your voice, commitment, and desire in setting the next foundation within the Clear Branch Community.

There will also be two other teams that are formed. The next team to be formed is a Prayer Team. Why a Prayer Team? We need to pray and pray and pray some more. We need to pray for God’s will, not our will to be done. We need to pray for clarity, discernment, and unity.

After the survey is completed and the vision has been cast, we will form a Building/Remodeling Team. This team will join the Strategy/Vision and Prayer Teams. They will have the responsibly, together, of seeing the vision from cast to completion. Please be in prayer about the formulation of these teams to come.

Next, we must do something to meet the challenges now. Over the last few years we have grown to numbers that have maxed out our worship center, parking, and nursery. We see those numbers dwindle after prolonged periods of time at max capacity. There is a written rule that statistically affirms what we have seen. We have been over the 80% capacity for quite some time and over the last couple weeks at 100%+. To meet our challenges we agreed, corporately, to begin offering two morning worship services on May 15, 2016.

The model will look like this starting May 15th:

8:30 – Worship (with nursery)

9:30 – Sunday School and Life Groups

11:00 – Worship (with nursery and children’s church)

6:00 – Night Worship (with children and youth bible studies)

We know this will be a change and changes can be unnerving. But with changes there are also great possibilities. We ask that you would be patient, engaging, and surrendered. Patient: with the changes until a vision is cast and we can move forward to accommodate the growing body of Clear Branch Baptist Church. Engaging: in worship–this will require that some people move to the 8:30 Worship Service, and whether there are 5 people or 150 people, be engaged in Worship and what the Lord wants to speak in you and through you. Engage, and commit to attend Worship. Surrendered: to serve–this will require that more people step up and serve as God has called us to. You will have the opportunity every Sunday to be part of Worship, even when you are serving in various capacities.

So we ask you to pray. Pray for our church and the challenges we face. Pray for our leadership to surrender totally to the direction The Lord would have us go. Pray for our Strategy/Vision team as they prepare the survey for us, a church family. Pray for the future Teams to be formed and that God would place exactly who He desires in leading us forward. Pray for servants and pray in surrender to become one.

God can do more in a moment than we could do in a lifetime. Let us watch Him at work and continue to praise Him for the great things He has done and continues to do.

For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. – 1 Corinthians 3:11

On a Journey together,

Bro. Jonathan

He Knows Me, Yet Still Loves Me

In Psalm 139:1-6 lies a section of scripture that I can not truly fathom.

[1] O LORD, you have searched me and known me!

[2] You know when I sit down and when I rise up;

you discern my thoughts from afar.

[3] You search out my path and my lying down

and are acquainted with all my ways.

[4] Even before a word is on my tongue,

behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.

[5] You hem me in, behind and before,

and lay your hand upon me.

[6] Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

it is high; I cannot attain it.

(Psalm 139:1-6 ESV, emphasis mine.)

We find out that the Lord knows us, yet still loves us. But you may say, “He can’t love me. If He knew what I did or what I said or where I went then He would surely not be pleased.” Well that’s just the thing – He knows because He is all knowing, “omniscient.”

David knew first hand that the Lord knew everything about him (read 2 Samuel 12). However, instead of running away from God like many of us do, He ran to God. In 2 Samuel 12:13 David confesses that He has sinned against the LORD. In Psalm 51 David cries out for God to rescue him and cleanse him from all evil.

So think now about Psalm 139… (v.1) “O LORD, you have searched me and known me!” Here is what David is saying: God, you know what I’m thinking (v.2), you know what I’m doing and where I’ve been (v.3), You know what I’m saying (v.4) and yet you still love me (v.5) and I just don’t get it (v.6).

Can I tell you? God’s knowledge of you is a good thing. Without God’s knowledge of you there would never be any conviction, there would never be any need to forgive you, there would be no way to know what you need, no way to empower you, no way to guide you, no way to comfort you…… God’s knowledge of you is for your good.

So good–that knowing all things God still shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us – Romans 5:8.

So good–that His continued kindness is meant to lead you to repentance – Romans 2:4. Yes, even knowing you.

When we allow the all-knowing God to have free reign in our failing bodies and allow Him to continue showing us our need for Him, then we’re saying: clean up my thinking, straighten up my doing, make pure what I’m saying, CHANGE ME.

July 24, 2002, when the all-knowing Jesus showed me my life without Him and saved me, I didn’t want to continue being the me that I thought I wanted to be, but the me that God designed me to be. I was CHANGED, and ever since, I want to live for His glory. I want to be obediently faithful to His calling on my life. I want to allow His Spirit to continue to bring conviction to my life. And none of that would ever be possible without God knowing me.

When we understand that God knowing all things about us is for our good–then we can say with confidence, as David in Psalm 139:23-24 – “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!  And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”

Would you ask God to show you what He already knows about you? Maybe that would help open up our eyes to who we really are.

God knows me and yet still loves me,

Bro J.